Guest post by John L. Kachelman, Jr.
An undeniable fact is one’s life will be summarized with, at best, a series of bullet points or at least with one defining moment. This is validated in the lives of those in the public’s eye, especially the politicians. Politicians who see their role as irreplaceable arrogantly ignore the principles of Law which birthed national greatness. By ignoring this Rule of Law, they actively work to “correct” the wrongs they feel. In so doing they place their arrogance in full view in the present and surrender any future positives as they are historically judged of destructive radicalism. It is amazing to me how public figures (especially politicians) deny this reality. They think they are so important they will change inevitability.
A Metaphorical Slap of Reality
Consider the common metaphor of “fiddling while Rome burns.” This is a destructive, blind ambition leaving a lasting legacy highlighting these points:
- Busily performing inconsequential tasks while everything around is devolving into chaos.
- Acting irresponsibly during a disastrous event.
- Concerned with frivolous matters, ignoring critical issues, during an emergency.
- Acting as though nothing important is going on when a dangerous ongoing problem is present.
- Occupying yourself with trivialities when you should be dealing with problems that threaten dire consequences.
- Wasting time on petty endeavors when your attention is required to a crisis.
- Projecting blame on others so it appears the lead is absolved of incompetence.
- Ignoring reality, the cause of the disaster is in the hands of the current lead.
- Failure to be proactive in prevention and honest in debriefing.
- The narrative serves as a powerful allegory for moral teachings on leadership neglect. A vivid example of failure in ethics and governance.
- A useful shorthand in political discourse criticizing leaders who are ineffective and out of touch during crises.
- Emphasizes the indifference of those in power to the struggles of ordinary people.
- Used in leadership seminars and management training as a cautionary tale.
- Describe executives or managers who focus on trivial matters while ignoring significant problems within their organization, especially in corporate responsibility and crisis management.
No public figure intends to leave a legacy highlighted by these realities. However, many who begin with positive aspirations soon find themselves bogged down in the quagmire of politics as usual, the priorities of special interests, the prized perks, the feigned adoration, and the deceptive “bubble” of Washington, DC soon has one “fiddling while Rome burns.” This is an undeniable reality whose exposure will be cursed, attacked, and even prosecuted. It is tragic that those seeking to uphold the Rule of Law and live under the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees FOR citizens of our Republic, are denied their due process while those seeking to subvert and destroy our Republic are embraced by POLS “fiddling while Rome burns.”
A historic reality birthing the present chaos
Nero is remembered as one of history’s most sadistic and cruelest leaders. He was insufferable. Nero staged the murder of his brother and his mother. He killed his first wife so he could marry his second wife, whom he ended up beating to death in an argument. Regretting this outburst, he then castrated a young boy who happened to look like her, dressing him in her clothes and addressing him as his “queen.” Nero persecuted innocent Christians who refused to recognize his self-proclaimed divinity. He emptied the imperial treasury directing the money to himself and his friends.
Nero is the most infamous of Rome’s emperors, ruling Rome from A.D. 54 until his death by suicide fourteen years later. He is best known for his debaucheries, political murders, persecution of Christians and a passion for music. Although it is unknown whether Nero sang and strummed his lyre while Rome burned in A.D. 64, he certainly did not play a fiddle (bowed string instruments had not appeared in Europe). He presented himself at private and public events expecting all attending to pay him great homage despite his reprehensible character.
Nero epitomizes the character of the “professional politician.”
Over time, the phrase “Nero fiddled” became shorthand for the idea that the emperor did not do enough to stop the disaster, as well as the rumor that he had been implicit in its ignition. This has evolved into the metaphor for a failed leader who does nothing to correct crisis and is consumed with indulging selfish whims.
The current reality in our great nation
The expression (“fiddled while Rome burned”) has a double meaning: Not only did Nero play music while his people suffered, but he was an ineffectual leader in a time of crisis.
Whatever responsibility he bore for the disaster, Nero deflected attention by blaming Christians for the fire. The adept politician refused to accept personal responsibility. He was quick to order punishment for those blamed and just as quickly evaded his own responsibility.
He was a politician consumed with delusions. He rebuilt the city around his 100-acre Domus Aurea (“Golden House”) palace complex. At its center he commissioned a 100-foot-tall bronze statue of himself, the Colossus Neronis.
There is a lasting legacy being etched by history for politicians. The truth will last and the lies, misdirection and the jaundiced “news” will be a footnote to a national tragedy. Many in the USA are positioned to restore our national greatness. Many are positioned to expose the criminality that has held our nation hostage. Will we see any action, or will these continue to “fiddle while America burns.”
The current cries of those seeking our national destruction echo the events of Rome 64 AD—“Burn it down!”
June 14, 2025, celebrates the United States Army 250th anniversary; celebrates our national “Stars and Stripes” emphasizing red for valor and bravery, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice; and our President Donald Trump’s birthday. There will be a public rejection of these facts seen from those rising and crying out “Burn it down!” 1,500 protests, riots, looting, murder, and destruction will occur because Administrations in “blue states” and “blue cities” will be “fiddling while Rome burns.”
Over time, the phrase “Nero fiddled” became shorthand for the fact the emperor did not do enough to stop the disaster, as well as the rumor that he had been implicit in its ignition.
The image of Nero performing with glee as the imperial capital burned around him has entered our vernacular. It describes gross incompetence and inversion of priorities during a crisis. Sadly, such describes the reality of the political sphere currently present in our nation.
Instead of being proactive and enforcing the Rule of Law that guarantees the citizens’ rights of life, liberty and justice, the legislators meet in committees, recess for “deserved breaks,” enjoy social gatherings where all fiddle while Rome burns!
The post The Lasting Legacy — “Fiddling while Rome burns”! appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.