In the south we commonly use an expression that conveys several different affections. It addresses both care and concern. It can address a genuine affection while at the same time it can indicate a worrisome preoccupation with the well being (usually mental well being) of the person or persons it is intended for. This expression has been proven by time to be as eloquent in today’s language as it was in the time of our country’s birth. The expression can be used in any form of conversation, dialogue, poetry or prose. It is no respecter of economic position, educational standing, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, political leaning or race. It can be used in any tense – past, present or future. It can be used to express ones concern for a solitary being or for a group of people and has yet to be limited as to the size of group in can convey said concern for. It is a simply wonderful expression and on any given day we can hear it come from the mouths of the most well intentioned people.
The expression is “Well bless your/their heart(s)”.
While its usage is not wholly described above it generally is seen as a substitute for phrases such as:
“What were they thinking?!”
“Please excuse their lack of common sense.”
“Had they half a brain we would not be having this conversation.”
“I wish I could think of any other way to say this but due to the lack of intelligence on their part…”
“I can’t believe what an idiot you are!”
“I am sorry. I didn’t know you were that dumb.”
Please understand that the above list does not fully encompass the possible usages and some would argue that the expression does not necessarily carry a negative connotation. Yet those of us in the know readily admit it was borne out of the need of southerners to have the ability to address uncomfortable subjects while staying true to a politeness that has been bred into our heritage and is the most dominate trait of certain southern social circles. If one is over the age of sixty he or she may even find the need to whisper the expression or at the very least precede or follow the expression with a sister phrase such as:
“I heard…..” (This generally follows the aforementioned expression and is intended to somehow release the person speaking from any and all liability concerning what is about to follow. They are simply relaying what any thinking person should know is the truth.)
“You didn’t hear this from me….” (This generally precedes said expression and is somehow intended to truly make the person listening forget where and from whom they heard what is to follow. The effectiveness of this particular phrase when used in conjunction with our discussion subject is highly questionable.)
Occasionally one may encounter a soft spoken, genteel southern gentleman who will simply precede or follow the expression with a nod of the head or a facial expression which indicates a certain sadness at having to utter the phrase to begin with. Nothing more will be said as nothing more needs to be said. By using this phrase he has indicated both his disdain toward the matter being discussed and shown the necessary concern needed to retain his gentlemanly description. And being a man of few words he considers it a closed subject when one of the conversation participants interjects the phrase into the conversation.
We in the south have often speculated on how great it would be if our much used phrase was as popular across the nation as it is here in the original eleven. It would be so refreshing to hear Mary Hart when describing the latest indiscretion of Brittany Spears or when relaying the latest musings of one of our great national thinkers like Madonna or Sean Penn to simply look into the camera, smile, tilt her head and report “Well bless their heart. Now back to Pat to give us the latest on Robert Downey Jr.’s most recent attempt at rehab.” We as a nation would be able to collectively nod our heads, sigh that all knowing sigh that indicates certain agreement and turn off the TV. All reporting could be summed up, for the most part, with the use of our favorite southern colloquialism.
Could we even begin to try and wrap our minds around the unlimited potential use of the phrase when doing political reporting? So little would be left to interpretation. Our collective displeasure could be reiterated by our televised talking heads with the utterance of one simple phrase. There would be no need for each party to be represented in each report by their most vile of defenders. Both Republicans and Democrats could send the “party Grandmother” (or “party Great Aunt” in absence of the aforementioned representative.) The sweet, grey haired lady could repeat the phrase as needed in every interview or debate. Arguments over public policy could be deemed complete in as little as two sentences – three at maximum. Utopia!
But when I allow myself to mentally roam to such uncharted waters, to boldly go where no man has gone before, to explore a vast wilderness of verbal conciseness, I catch myself and fall back to reality. A reality filled with “he said - she said politics”. I return to a reality where no issue is ever laid to rest because no blame is ever accepted. “Why would blame need to be accepted?” one might say. “We just need to move ahead and work toward a solution that will benefit us all.” Or in the famous words of that great modern oracle Rodney King “Why can’t we all just get along?” Until blame (it used to be referred to as responsibility) is accepted – not just placed – then we can no more correct the ailment than we can go from point A to point B without directions. It would be a futile attempt at correction – much like giving a six month old child time out.
So as the sun sets on this election cycle we can all look back at what has transpired thus far and what lays ahead for our great nation. We sit on the precipice of electing the most inexperienced person ever nominated to national office. We sit on the precipice of electing a man who holds no regard for the unborn. We sit on the precipice of electing a man who aligns himself with convicted felons and known – even celebrated socialists. We sit on the precipice of electing a man who wants to redistribute wealth in a way we have not been witness to since Castro. We sit on the precipice of electing a man who will appoint Supreme Court justices that will complete the “Europeization” of America in short work. We sit on the precipice of waking up on November the 5th 2008 and heaving a collective sigh - the collective sigh that as described above “indicates certain agreement”. Yet this “certain agreement” will not be one of gladness and anticipation but one of great regret. It will be the type of regret one feels after looking at the crash scene covered with blood and knowing a mistake had been made and that the mental picture of regrettable consequences will not soon leave their minds closet. We sit on that precipice with a sadness that comes like the sadness felt as the patient enters Hospice. If we leap from that precipice and allow what seems inevitable to become complete then the world will wake one day to discover our favorite southern colloquialism as they all look at us from the outside and utter “Well bless their hearts.” They will collectively nod their heads and enter a long and deafening silence knowing no more needs to be said.
Our destruction will be upon us.
1 comment:
Well said. I shutter to think of the possibilities if we do indeed take that plunge. My only comfort is that God is in control and He will care for us inspite of it all. And if indeed we do come to ruin HE will come soon to take us home. Although to be honest Fear tries to engulf me as I think of what is to come if the inexperienced one takes office in January.
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