“So-called”. When my sister and I were young, we would play make believe and pretended to be, well, anyone. I would be the so-called hairdresser and she would be the so-called client. I would put a cape around her and my fingers would be the so-called scissors. It was as innocent as it sounds.

But when the leader of the free world uses that word in the phrase ‘that so-called judge’, there is nothing innocent about that. With one word the executive power of the most powerful country in the world questions the rule of law. There have been people held in contempt of court for far less.

It is just one word. But that one word targets the foundation our free world is based on. If we don’t wake up, if we don’t speak up, our freedom is at stake. Not just in the United States, but everywhere. Already Dutch politicians are following the lead of the current president creating ‘fake news’ and questioning constitutional rights for minority groups as their election program. Just imagine if they too would add ‘so-called’ to their vocabulary.

I have no say in American politics. But it worries me deeply. Humor isn’t enough to deal with what is happening in the world. I live in a tiny country, where I too find it difficult to feel represented by any political party. But I will vote. I will speak up. Because I refuse to be governed by fear and let the rule of law be destroyed by it.

xoxo – Irene