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Erosion of Democracy’s Norms is Dreadful to Behold

Erosion of Democracy’s Norms is Dreadful to Behold

Rev. Steve Edington

This Op-Ed was originally published in the Union Leader on March 6, 2026.

Several years ago, I watched a production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” by a community theater troupe in Belfast, Maine.  The play portrays the events in Salem, Massachusetts leading up to the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials which took place in 1692-93. Nineteen young women were hanged on charges of “witchcraft,” with other imprisonments and executions taking place before the religiously fueled madness ended.

Miller wrote the play in 1953 as an allegory for the McCarthy era, but its message is universal. The play is about what happens when the norms — both legal and cultural — that hold a society together break down. This was the unspoken, but still very real, message contained in the drama by way of a profound staging device.

The performance took place on a bare stage with furniture and props moved in and out as each scene required. The stage’s backdrop consisted of a series of large rectangular panels.

But the panels were more than a backdrop. At times during the play a stagehand would come out and remove one of them. This continued until the play was over, by which time all the panels were gone.

The panels symbolized the norms by which a society lives, be they for a village like 1690s Salem, Massachusetts, or a nation. They represented the structures any society has to have in place so that its citizens can live reasonably normal, safe, and sane lives.

Some of these norms take the shape of laws that can be legally enforced. Others are more undefined: Behavioral practices, how people are to be treated, etc.

What happens in “The Crucible” is that what had initially been unthinkable becomes increasingly set in place as the panel/norms come down; and full-blown madness, much of it religiously generated, sets in.

The image of those panels coming down has been much on my mind lately. I am convinced that the future of our democracy, our rule of law, and our general stability as a society, rests on how many of our panels we keep in place even as others come down.

Among the panels we’ve seen threatened over just the past year are those having to do with the rule of law as set forth in the Constitution and its subsequent democratic processes. Consider these words by Trump aide Stephen Miller in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper: “We live in a world that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power.” No mention of being governed by any Constitutional rule of law or due process; it’s all strength, force, and power. A panel down.

Confirming Mr. Miller’s words, President Trump has launched a war against Iran that may involve American ground troops, but with no clearance at all from Congress, as the Constitution requires. A panel down.

There are the panels of simple human decency that are brought down by Trump’s juvenile name-calling of any political opponent with whom he’s upset. A despicable example of this was Trump using his social media outlet to depict former President Obama and his wife, Michelle, as apes and then refusing to apologize for it. A panel down.

For all the panels that are coming down, however — and more could be cited — I continue to believe that enough of them remain in place that will spare us the kind of madness portrayed in Arthur Miller’s play. Examples:

A Washington, D.C. grand jury has rebuffed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi — acting on orders from her boss President Trump — by refusing to indict Senator Mark Kelly and others for the so-called “crime” of pointing out that members of the military do not have to obey unconstitutional orders. A panel up.

More recently, the Supreme Court has rebuffed the president by ruling that he does not have the authority to levy tariffs in the way he has attempted to do so. A panel up.

There is the widespread resistance to the monarchial designs of the president as seen in the “No Kings” and “Indivisible” movements and rallies. A panel up.

The citizens who gathered in Merrimack last February 21 to protest the attempt to place an ICE detention facility in their town constitute another panel of resistance. Plans for such a facility have since been withdrawn.

My hope and faith are that our 250-year tradition of democratic rule, with all its acknowledged flaws and failings, will keep enough of our legal and societal panels in place in a way that will spare us from the bare stage seen when “The Crucible” ends.

This is the question for “We the People” in this 250th year of America’s founding: Who will be the enablers in pulling down the panels, and who will strive to keep them standing?

Rev. Steve Edington is the Minister Emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua.

2026 Elinor Lipman Award for Writing

The Pollard Memorial Library Foundation recently announced that submissions are now open for the 2026 Elinor Lipman Award for Writing. Born and raised in Lowell, Lipman is a prolific and much-loved author who graciously returns to the city each year for this contest’s awards ceremony.

More information about the rules and deadlines are available on the PML website.

Gulf War Notebook (1991)

Gulf War Notebook (1991)

By Paul Marion

In early 1991, I was a freelance writer and editor, often working at home, which was the case during the early days of the Gulf War in the administration of President George H. W. Bush. I was drawn in to the media coverage. This was very much a television war with round-the-clock news reports and regular live appearances by military spokespeople. There has been so much battling in the Middle East since the 9/11 attacks that the Gulf War has receded from a lot of our memories. Given the current crisis involving Iran, I thought there may be some interest in this personal journal. There is a local connection through the Raytheon company. Some of the passages seem very current. Under its leader Saddam Hussein, Iraq had invaded Kuwait in late 1990, claiming its neighbor was stealing oil underground. The world community organized a 42-nation alliance to eject Iraq from Kuwait under the banner of Operation Desert Storm. By March 1991, Kuwait was liberated, but the trouble with Iraq continued in the form of no-fly zones and other friction, culminating in the U.S. and partners taking on Iraq again in 2003 for a protracted struggle. —PM

Gulf War Notebook (January-March 1991), An Excerpt

Feb. 15. Iraq’s Revolutionary Command Council says Iraq is prepared to withdraw from Kuwait in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 660. The offer is linked to an overall Middle East conflict settlement, including the Palestinian issue. U.S. officials are skeptical about this announcement. Military operations continue. The Coalition leaders (U.S., France, Great Britain, and Saudi Arabia) reject the proposal.

On his way to his vacation home in Kennebunkport, Maine, President George H. W. Bush stops in Andover, Massachusetts, to visit the Raytheon Company plant that manufactures the Patriot missile, “the Scud-buster.” Each missile costs $1.1 million. I’m listening live on National Public Radio as the crowd chants, “USA! USA! USA!” With the President are Mrs. Bush and Massachusetts Governor William Weld. George Bush attended Phillips Academy in Andover; he was born in this state. The announcer says, “Welcome to Raytheon in Andover, Massachusetts. This is the home of the Patriot Missile.” And then the national anthem plays. The President at this moment is about 15 minutes away from me by car—about twelve miles up Route 133. A minister from Harvard University offers an invocation. “Let us pray. Keep us mindful of those who are facing danger for our sake.” Another speaker says it fills him with pride to see the missile perform magnificently in the service of our country. He calls it the best equipment that American technology can produce.

Tom Phillips, Chairman of Raytheon, says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States,” and the President begins speaking: “I view it as an honor to be here, the home of the men and women who build the Scud-busters. Earlier today our hopes were lifted, and I expressed regret that the Iraqi statement was a cruel hoax. Iraq must withdraw without conditions, and there will be no linkage to other problems in the area. (applause) The legitimate government must be returned to Kuwait. The Coalition will continue its efforts to force compliance with the U.N. resolutions, every one of them. (applause) The Iraqi people can take matters into their own hands and force Saddam Hussein to stop, and then comply with the resolutions. We have no argument with the people of Iraq. Our differences are with that brutal dictator in Baghdad. I’m going to stay with it. We are going to prevail, and our soldiers are going to come home with their heads high.”

The President refers to the split-second accuracy of the Patriot missile-defense system. Since mid-August, Raytheon has been running three shifts a day, seven days a week, building Patriots in Andover. “The Patriot works because of patriots like you,” says the President, “and I came to say thanks to each and every one of you.” This is a triumph of American technology, he continues, that is pushing forward the bounds of progress critical to our competitiveness. He praises the men and women who operate the system in the field. Describing the Patriot, experts say it is like shooting a bullet with a bullet, a revolution in air defense. Critics said the system was plagued with problems, but they have been shown to be wrong. The Patriot is 41 for 42—of the 42 Scuds engaged, 41 have been intercepted. George Bush says the word “Scud” like he’s spitting out bad food. He says, “Missile defense threatens no one. We know this is a dangerous world. All it takes is one renegade regime to target innocent civilians.” He says he is less impressed by theories than he is by nations with the strength and will to defend themselves.

“Thank God for the Patriot missile. Operation Desert Storm is on course and on schedule. We will control the timing of this engagement, not Saddam Hussein. Make no mistake about it, Kuwait will be liberated. A tyrant’s attempt to rain terror from the sky has been blunted. President Woodrow Wilson said, ‘In war there are a thousand forms of duty.’ May God bless our troops and their families and the United States of America!” (cheers, applause, cheers, shouting).

Feb. 16. Day 31 of the Gulf War. “We continue to strike and re-strike strategic targets,” says the day’s briefer. There were 700 sorties in KTO (Kuwaiti Theater of Operations) today. “We continue to interdict lines of communication and supply.” As of today, 29 Coalition aircraft have been lost in combat (20 U.S. and nine allied). On the Iraqi side, 42 aircraft have been lost in combat, 36 fixed wing and six helicopters. So far, 65 Scuds have been launched.

Feb. 18. Iraq is considering a new plan offered by the U.S.S.R. The Coalition continues to prosecute the war. The first mine damage to Coalition ships has been reported: two U.S. ships damaged. In England, two bombs exploded, killing one person and injuring 40 others. The IRA is suspected as being responsible. In Amherst, Massachusetts, a young man burned himself to death in a war protest. He doused himself with paint thinner and set himself on fire. He left a peace sign next to his body. This reminds me of the self-immolations during the Vietnam War. The man who set himself on fire was the son of two Boston Globe reporters.

Feb. 20. Peace negotiations intensify. The U.S.S.R. is pressing its plan. An Iraqi official flew to China. Iran says Iraq is ready to withdraw from Kuwait unconditionally. The Allies keep attacking. President Bush says he is grateful for the U.S.S.R.’s attempts, but feels the plan is still not acceptable. There have been ground engagements along the Saudi-Kuwait border. Iraqi forces were heavily damaged. The U.S. casualties: 1 KIA (Killed in Action), seven wounded. In one attack on a bunker complex by U.S. helicopter and security forces, 400 EPWs (Enemy Prisoners of War) were taken.

Feb. 22. President Bush gives Iraq until tomorrow noon EST to withdraw from Kuwait or a ground offensive will begin. Bush says Iraq has started a scorched earth policy in Kuwait with some 160 of 900 oil wells set on fire. He says the U.S.S.R. proposal is not acceptable to the Allied Coalition.

Feb. 23. 11.45 a.m. Peter Arnett of CNN reports live from Baghdad. A night-lens green sky over Baghdad is lit with anti-aircraft fire. One minute to 12 o’clock noon—CNN broadcasts commercials on teacher recruitment, car sales, a tool supply company, and an investment firm.

Noon. Live from the United Nations in New York City, there is a report that the Iraqi foreign minister has responded positively to the Coalition “statement.” Live from Tel Aviv, Israel, CNN broadcasts a scene with air raid signals sounding an alarm for a Scud missile attack. The U.N. Security Council is in session. The United States Ambassador to the U.N., Thomas Pickering, wants Iraq to clarify its response to the ultimatum. Live tv from Baghdad shows bombs exploding. Live from the White House, the word is that there is nothing to report as the deadline passed. “We are monitoring the situation.” The President and Secretary of State are at Camp David. At noon, there is a huge explosion near the Baghdad hotel where the CNN crew is based—probably a cruise missile. Kuwaiti resistance fighters report that Iraqi soldiers are killing Kuwaiti civilians. They report “atrocities.”

Peter Jennings of ABC-TV says “We don’t know if the ‘mother of all battles’ is about to begin, but Saddam Hussein now finds himself in the mother of all corners.” The U.S.S.R.’s Foreign Minister says the Iraqi minister agreed to some of the conditions in President Bush’s ultimatum. Everyone is waiting for an authoritative statement about this from the U.N. The Pentagon reports that Coalition forces are jamming Iraqi military radio frequencies—usually a prelude to an invasion.

10 p.m. EST. President Bush announces that he has authorized General Norman Schwarzkopf to use all force necessary to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait. CBS News reports that Coalition forces are six to eight miles inside Kuwait. In Israel, violinist Isaac Stern played to an audience wearing gas masks after an air raid siren sounded. The orchestra left the stage, but Stern played on alone. All history is biography, someone wrote. “This will not stand,” Bush warned last August.

****

From Union River: Poems and Sketches by Paul Marion © 2017 (Bootstrap Press, Lowell)

Barbers and Barbershops

Barbers and Barbershops

By Leo Racicot

One of my favorite trips with Papa was when he’d drive the old Plymouth up to Cupples Square to Dick the Barber’s, to have my hair cut. Dick would give dad a quick clean-up then Papa would lift me up into the same barber’s chair for my usual crewcut (the style in those days). I liked Dick and I liked his shop which always smelled so clean and nice. I liked hearing him and Papa joke and laugh with each other and sometimes with the other customers. When I was through, Dick always handed me a lollipop “for being such a good soldier”.    After Papa died, the trips to Dick’s stopped; Ma wouldn’t let me walk all the way from home to Cupples Square by myself. She found a place for me on Merrimack Street across from Pollard Library. It had two barbers, George and Jimmy. At first, she’d walk me over there but as I grew older, I’d walk there by myself, feeling very grown-up and self-directed. No offense to Jimmy but George was my favorite of the two. Whenever I reached the shop, I’d peek in the window and if George was busy with a customer and Jimmy was available, I’d take a walk around the block and come back when I saw that George was free. He was a handsome Greek man, good-natured in a way Alan Young’s Wilbur Post was good-natured on the television program, Mr. Ed, which I watched regularly at home. I liked George’s crisp, unwrinkled barber’s frock and the crisp sounds of his scissors as he clipped my too-thick hair (in those days, my hair was so bushy and full, peers used to think I was wearing a hat. “Nice hat, Leo!”  “That’s my hair!”).  Now, when I look in the mirror, I ask myself, “Hair??  What’s hair?!!”)   I patronized George’s for a few years before he went out-of-business and, as is the case with barbers and hair stylists, there seems always to be the periodic need to find a replacement shop.      I was walking one day on Broadway Street near Olympos Bakery when I spied a barbershop pole and was surprised to find Jimmy inside. He’d opened his own place after George’s closed. Happy to find a familiar face, I made him my barber from then on. But there was something “off” about Jimmy and his shop as time went on; the phone was always ringing off the hook, shady characters walking in, handing a quick envelope or notebook to Jimmy, then walking out — without having their hair cut. It became obvious to me, and to others, that Jimmy was a bookie and had turned his barbershop into his base of operations. I got a kick out of this; it seemed like something in a movie and when I thought about it, Jimmy did have the look and demeanor of a thug. It was fun having my hair cut by my own “Jimmy the Greek” whom I’d read about in the newspapers. Jimmy the Greek had made a name for himself in sports handicapping and analysis. The rumor mill had it Jimmy was up on charges of bookmaking. I used to go home and tell my mother, “I’’m having my hair cut by a gangster!”, exaggerating. Jimmy eventually closed up shop, or moved to Vegas, or wound up in the hoosegow, or something like that. Then, it was time to — “What else??” — find another barber. For a while, I made do with whatever place was advertised. I tried Supercuts (too cookie cutter), Boston’s Lord’s and Lady’s (too expensive), Blaine’s Salon in downtown Lowell (where you played guinea pig for haircutting trainees — too risky — one time I left there looking like someone who’d stuck his finger in an electric socket). Luck finally led me to Ket’s Salon on Worthen Street; Ket’s prices were reasonable and she was an absolute hoot. “You come in like “The Walking Dead”, now — I make you Brad Pitt!”  followed by a laugh unlike any I’d heard — a combination of a giggling mini-fountain and Goldie Hawn. Ket always sent me out the door feeling good about life and about myself.  I showed up one day for “the usual” and found Ket gone, her shop replaced by a Nail and Spa business. She’d never said she was moving on. I am so upset with that girl because — she sent me out again on my endless odyssey to find a barbershop (Ulysses himself never searched this many times). I walked the city, searched the Internet for a new shop, had my hair cut at all three of the shops on lower Bridge Street — nope!  Went to a place where all I got out of that experience was a head full of lice, had to ask my doctor for Kwell Lotion! — and more than a couple of places which, when I found them, found they, too, had gone belly up. In fact, for a time, it seemed like Lowell had become a ghost town of old, defunct barbershops. I did like coming across Magic Barbershop on Broadway Street near UML’s South Campus. The shop had the old-fashioned look and feel of the barbershops I knew as a kid, or of Floyd the Barber on The Andy Griffith Show. But all the barbers spoke only Spanish. Not knowing much of what they were saying, nor they, what I was muttering about, the unavoidable language barrier became an issue. Nice fellows though…  Two years ago or so, I was riding the city’s #7 Pawtucketville bus to the hospital when it passed a shop on University Avenue with a sign reading Professional Barbers. I found them online, booked an appointment and have been a customer of Tyler ever since. Tyler, an amiable, young man has followed in the footsteps of his barber dad, Jim, who opened his operation in the early 1980s. So, it’s a well-established business. Jim, who’s semi-retired, passed his shop on to Tyler who’s young and vital enough that hopefully, he’ll be keeping his doors open for years to come, more years than I’ll be needing haircuts.

A typical barbershop in the 1950s

The real Jimmy the Greek

Old Fashioned Barbershop with Barber Pole

Me (Leo) with my hat hair

Ket’s Beauty Salon

Ket of Ket’s Beauty Salon

Jim and Tyler Rutledge

George Kaologeropoulos

Blaine Hair School in downtown Lowell

Benicio at Magic Barber Shop