Put Your Trust in Us
Every painting in Chronicle of an Unquiet Age documents the defining events, people, and issues that shaped its moment in history. Created in real time as events unfolded, each work serves as both an original oil painting and a historical record, reflecting the belief that the news of today is the history of tomorrow.
TRTA-2023-066 | February 2023 | Oil on Canvas | 33" x 26"
Ronald Reagan is famous for saying ..."You never want to hear "Trust us we're from the Government"
And truer words have not been spoken!
By February 2023, public confidence in government and major institutions was under renewed strain.
The Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio raised alarm over environmental safety and federal response, while continuing controversy over the Chinese balloon incident, COVID-era narratives, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine fueled broader distrust. Put Your Trust in Us confronts that climate directly.
References to Biden’s delayed East Palestine visit, transportation failures, Chicago’s mayoral politics, the Murdaugh trial, and the opening 2024 presidential contest compress several national storylines into one crowded moment.
This painting's title is used with clear irony. Rather than reassurance, it evokes a public increasingly doubtful of leaders, agencies, media, and expert authority. The painting preserves a month when skepticism itself had become a defining national mood.The horrific train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio by Norfolk Southern sent toxic fumes and shrapnel into the area. The ground, water and air were all contaminated. There are calls for Transportation Secretary Mayor Pete to resign. Biden was a no show but Trump went immediately with water and supplies for those scared and suffering. More than 43,000 animals died and the government officials are saying the water is safe to drink. Dead fish in lakes and streams. People are scared and evacuated from their homes. Such a horrible response to a horrific derailment. Why are our rail lines in such bad repair...so many derailments with toxic cargo going off the rails? In every disaster Biden sidesteps, blame shifts and gaslights. There is never a solution.
Lori Lightfoot lost her re-election bid in Chicago. Lab leak exposes censorship conspiracy and Fauci has a lot of "Splaining to do." The Murdaugh trial is finally over and he is found GUILTY.
John Fetterman checked himself into the 'Nervous Hospital" for Depression. No surprise here.
Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramashamy announce they are running for President. Good Luck! Social Media reflects on trust and says "We have lost our trust in government, science and medicine, the educational system, the justice system, law enforcement, EPA, FBI, DOJ, CIA, CDC, FDA, Religious leaders, and even each other, but we have not lost trust in Hope, Faith and doing what's right. And we have not lost trust on GOD." The painting preserves a month when skepticism itself had become a defining national mood.
Praying for America.
