In every moment of tragedy, one pattern repeats: before evidence emerges, speculation takes its place. “They did it,” the internet insists — long before the facts arrive.
But in a democracy built on divided power, there is no single “they.” Congress checks presidents. Courts strike down laws. Journalists expose secrets. The noise we call dysfunction is often proof that accountability still works.
Our real crisis is impatience. Truth moves slowly; outrage spreads instantly. Algorithms reward emotion, not evidence. When we trade humility for certainty, we invite delusion — mistaking rumor for reality.
The word “evil” has justified more cruelty than any weapon. Once a person or belief is branded evil, empathy dies and violence feels righteous. That same moral absolutism now infects our public life.
Calm resolve is not weakness. It is the courage to wait, to question, and to care more about truth than about being right. Utah, grounded in faith and community, can model that strength — showing that dialogue, not division, is the mark of moral confidence.
If we can choose patience over panic, evidence over accusation, and understanding over ideology, truth can still find its voice.
Russell L. Miller
Saratoga Springs