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Close to Nowhere
By Linda Jones Mugwump I was astounded recently to find I had something in common with the noted author Mark Twain. Twain was also a Mugwump! “Self-avowed,” according to the Christian Science Monitor. I
don’t think the Internet will ever replace libraries and books in my
heart, but at 4 a.m. in the morning, when insomnia strikes, again, it
sure comes in handy as a research vehicle! According
to Wikipedia, Mugwumps were Republicans (!), who bolted from the
Republican Party — supporting Democrat Grover Cleveland in 1884. The
Mugwumps swung the election to Cleveland, and, a new political party
(of a sort anyway) was formed! Mugwump is from an
Algonquian (Native Indian) word — mugumquomp, which means war leader.
The use of the word implied that the new Mugwumps were sanctimonious or
holier-than-thou, “holding themselves aloof from party politics.”
(Wikipedia). Merriam Webster says Mugwumps are “persons who are independent in politics, or who remain undecided or neutral.” The
Encyclopedia Britannica, as opposed to Wikipedia (I’d have to trust the
E.B. more than Wiki) says that the word is derived from the Algonquian
Indian word mogkiomp, meaning great man or big chief. They did agree it
was aimed as a slur instead of a compliment! I guess my favorite would have to be “Mugwumpery” — fence sitter! That’s from onlinedictionary.com After
this last really nasty election and the even nastier aftermath — not
even who won, but how the political pundits are spouting about it —
I’ve decided that henceforth I, along with Mark Twain, am a
self-avowed Mugwump! I normally have leanings toward the Democrats, but
usually, I’ve never cared what political party a person belonged to. It
was what they said and did that mattered. After
this election — well, I was ashamed of many whom I had previously voted
for and even more ashamed of some that ran against them. But,
since Mugwumps hold themselves above politics, I can’t be bothered to
run for office myself! All I can do is vote and complain! •
If you are lucky enough to know a veteran — give them a hug this
Thursday on Veterans Day — along with a heartfelt thank you! If you
don’t know a veteran, the VFW and American Legion do, and I’m betting
most veterans (male and female) would enjoy a great big hug and a
heartfelt thank you!
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