Why has Mr. Rogers turned into Freddy Krueger?

When you run scared you don't reach safe ground.

Throughout our history Chicken Little has been a great interview.  The chicken’s opinion on government and politics boosts media ratings, political careers and party popularity. 

[Little is known of the bird’s origin.  Some feel he was the chicken that didn’t cross the road.  Obviously, the other side held terrors not to be risked.]

He has been wrong so many times that many jaded people avoid any warning, while others still listen intensely.

Here’s my list for smart viewing: Yes, to climate change.  No, to inflation blowing up the economy.  No, to Putin as the fifth horseman.  No, to democracy evaporating--although somewhat wiser regard for its limitations might be helpful. 

As a mobile and immigrant society, we are prone to exaggerated fears. 

They’re coming at us.  From all directions.  Are any wagons left we haven’t circled? 

Or from the newcomer’s perspective: how much quicksand is out there, how many bridges should I buy today? “Who are these people?”

Then pour the lighter fluid of 24-hour news onto the fires. 

Popular psychology claims every discomfort is life-crippling trauma. 

Deep conspiracies are hatching in butterfly sanctuaries (check it out). 

Fear the life-boats, because the big ship is no longer seaworthy? Solutions are not our enemies.  Chucky the scientist, Jason the Senator, Freddy Kruger as Mr. Rogers? 

We fictionalize the neighborhood and gate our property.  Keep the lock on the door of our house and the doors of our mind.  Hey, and not just Conservatives.

There’s also a bedtime story for liberals. “The Big Bad Trump Is Under Your Bed.”