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I have caught a glimpse of a groundhog on television newscasts when Punxsutawney Phil, a large rodent alternatively called a woodchuck or thickwood badger, makes an annual appearance to predict the advent of spring. Pennsylvania Dutch tradition holds that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, winter will persist for another six weeks. If, however, the day is cloudy, for some reason, spring is at hand.
Following “Phil” has risen from a quaint, local celebration imported from Europe, to a recognized rite of spring that has captured the attention of those tired of cold, winter months. Many caught in the cycle of ice, snow and storms crave a change of seasons and new behaviors.
A 1993 film follows a curmudgeon weatherman, Phil Connors, played by Bill Murray, who is assigned to cover Punxsutawney Groundhog Day ceremonies. Self-centered and egotistical, this Phil is caught in a time warp, replaying the day endlessly, until he is able to understand and correct his malicious and destructive behavior. Phil’s transition from irascible, rotten outcast to beloved community resident is the focus and premise of this light-hearted romp of fantasy.
As an object lesson, the film examines moral certainty without regard to others as a starting point that is easily identifiable in all of us. Phil is an exaggerated, though not wholly unknown, manifestation of such a morally bankrupt personality. A huge amount of time and training (unspecified in the film) is required to alter his perception of himself and the world around him. Phil’s gradual realization and appreciation of the benefits – personal and external – that accrue from his changed behavior are the result.
Groundhog Day is a reminder of the repetitive and cyclical nature of our lives and behavioral patterns. Politics and its rhetoric, often thought of as separate and isolated from day-to-day life, is actually just a reflection of it, albeit often obscure and opaque until it fully manifests into rules, laws and dictates. While patterns of political behavior may modify over time, those attracted to its lure of power and prestige are often caught in a loop of self-aggrandizement and pomposity. This happens not only to those in elected positions but others in their sphere of influence as well.
An example of associated impact can be seen, at times, in public comments during council meetings. Facetious removal of consent calendar items from an agenda in order to extend public comment is detrimental to the spirit of an orderly meeting. While it is essential for the electorate to be aware of and respond to suggested and anticipated actions by their city councils, effective communication depends on the strength, consistency and tone of argument. Volume, quantity and strident verbosity are not viable substitutes. Shakespeare addresses inconsistent and insincere comments in his play, Hamlet. Queen Gertrude responds to a question of fidelity of a character saying, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” In essence, she is saying that quantity as well as quality of argument can betray trust.
In order to clarify and amplify comments, the public as well as councilmembers need to remember the lessons of Groundhog Day and Shakespeare’s admonition. Clear, concise and strategic use of thoughts and ideas can be packaged and more readily absorbed by others when presented in repetitive, but limited and concise examples of actions and their consequences.
Behavioral change is often a difficult riddle without a clear conclusion, but we can all try to solve it. Maybe those addicted to mindless public comment can answer the question… How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
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