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Dan Rather is a master of dropping truth bombs.

The 86-year-old news legend has been doling out important advice on how to deal with the current state of our world on social media. He had the perfect response to Trump supporters' cries for "civility" and gave the public hope when Justice Kennedy's retirement announcement felt like it might send the U.S. government into an even bigger tailspin.

"Take a deep breath and feel the cool air of hope and justice in your lungs, and then march forward," he wrote at the time.

In his latest post, Rather dropped yet another important piece of advice: Take in the moment. Live in the now.

One of my favorite things long has been taking a leisurely stroll with wife Jean at twilight time. My steps are getting...
Posted by Dan Rather on Tuesday, July 10, 2018

"One of my favorite things long has been taking a leisurely stroll with wife Jean at twilight time," Rather wrote on Facebook. "My steps are getting slower and, increasingly, I have another journey on my mind — the one into eternity."

Even when there's so much going on, Rather reminded us, stopping and taking a moment to breathe is essential: "But with it all, the joy — the sheer, unadulterated joy — of a hand-in-hand, slow walk as evening shadows fall never ceases. The contrast with the ever-present fast pace and screaming headlines of modern life is stark."

If you're feeling burnt out, Rather's got a "gentle recommendation" for you, too.

There's no way to completely disconnect from the news — here's why you shouldn't do it — but at a time when it feels somehow immoral not to be glued to every headline, Rather said most of us would do well to turn off our notifications and just meander for a while.

"I gently recommend it," he wrote. "Just walk slowly in the time after the sun sets and before night descends. Feel the breeze, smell the flowers, hear the trees leaves rustle and the birds sing. Watch as the stars begin to emerge."

And let this give you hope:

"If you must think any about the current state of the country and politics, remember: The outrageousness and dangers of Trump's Time may last for a while, but Twilight Time will last forever … on into eternity."

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Dan Rather, 88, says we are in 'a moment of reckoning unlike any I have seen in my lifetime' - Upworthy ›

At 86, Dan Rather has been around long enough to have serious perspective.

The former CBS evening news anchor has found a second life as a forceful voice of reason in the Trump era, communicating largely to his growing legion of Facebook followers.

Rather's latest truth bomb came after President Trump and his supporters complained of "a lack of civility" in the wake of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders being asked to leave a Virginia restaurant.

"President Trump and the GOP bemoaning a lack of civility is a hypocritical farce," Rather wrote. "It spurs an almost uncontrollable bout of forehead slapping in disbelief."

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for IFP.

To show what "incivility really looks like," Rather went on to list 17 examples of what the Trump administration has done in less than 18 months.

Rather's list includes everything from Trump questioning President Obama's citizenship to attacking NFL players for exercising their First Amendment right to kneel during the national anthem.

But a consistent theme is how Trump's actions and those of his administration have actively worked to undermine our national institutions and societal norms:

Incivility is our government's response to Puerto Rico.

Incivility is undermining a merited investigation by respected law enforcement officials and maligning the notion of an independent judiciary.

Incivility is cozying up to dictators and attacking our allies and friends.

Incivility is ripping children — even those too young to know their parent's name — from immigrants legally claiming asylum.

Rather has publicly tussled with other Republican presidents before. He famously quarrelled with then-Vice President George H.W. Bush on national TV and ultimately lost his job after investigating the National Guard record of then-President George W. Bush.

This is different.

For Rather, this is less a debate about politics and more a question of basic morality and how we collectively choose to carry ourselves as a nation.

"We will only succeed if we have a civil society," he wrote. "And anything or anyone who attacks that cherished American ideal must be considered ... uncivil."

President Trump and the GOP bemoaning a lack of civility is a hypocritical farce. It spurs an almost uncontrollable bout...
Posted by Dan Rather on Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Honest, respectable discussions on public policy and the U.S.'s role in the world are essential. No one side has all the answers.

Even in some of our most heated debates, however, both sides generally have argued from a place of how their policy or proposal would strengthen our institutions, not weaken them.

Getting back to a civil discourse is a fight worth having — and that means serious talk about what "uncivil" behavior really means.

From Your Site Articles

Dan Rather, 88, says we are in 'a moment of reckoning unlike any I have seen in my lifetime' - Upworthy ›

From Watergrate to world wars, revered journalist Dan Rather has seen a lot of injustice in his day.

Still, certain senseless tragedies can strike a nerve. Wednesday saw one of those tragedies.

Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images.

A 19-year-old gunned down students and adults at his former high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018. Nikolas Cruz slaughtered at least 17 people in his killing spree, both inside and outside the building.

After the 18th school shooting this year alone, many baffled, heartbroken Americans are asking: How can this still be happening?

In a thoughtful yet gut-wrenching Facebook post, Rather reacted to the massacre in Florida both with emotion and with an appeal to reason.

"Sadness and despair — those were my first reactions," the 86-year-old journalist began. "But then, quickly, I am hopping mad."

"What happened in that Florida school today IS NOT OK," he continued. "THIS IS NOT NORMAL. Our children should be able to go to school and be SAFE."

Sadness and despair - those were my first reactions. But then, quickly, I am hopping mad. My urge is to use a much...
Posted by Dan Rather on Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Rather used an unlikely, eye-opening comparison to illustrate our inaction over gun violence: Ebola.

"Remember the national panic over Ebola? It ended up killing one person," Rather wrote:

"But there was a national consensus that we would do whatever it took to protect Americans. But when it comes to gun violence in schools, we just throw up our hands? Thoughts and prayers? Is that how we should have responded to threats like 9/11 as well?"

Students shed tears outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/AFP/Getty Images.

Ebola, however, didn't have one of the most powerful lobbying groups enticing U.S. lawmakers to stay silent.

The National Rife Association (NRA) dumped roughly $50 million into the 2016 election campaigns of (mostly) Republican candidates who vowed to uphold — and even expand on — the U.S.'s lax gun control laws.

And the group's power is especially prevalent in Florida, where this shooting took place.

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

The Sunshine State has "become a laboratory for generating new forms of gun protections," according to NPR's Terry Gross, who pointed to prominent Florida gun lobbyist Marion Hammer as "one of the most powerful people in the NRA." Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was one of the biggest beneficiaries of gun lobby cash in 2016, as the NRA spent over $3.3 million targeting his opponents.

At the national level, the NRA spent over $11 million on ads supporting Donald Trump — and nearly $20 million on anti-Hillary attack ads, according to Business Insider.

"We like to call ourselves the best country on earth," Rather wrote. "We like to say how we have a can-do spirit to conquer challenges. But all that self-congratulatory rhetoric rings pretty damn hollow on days like today."

"Anyone who says now isn't the time to talk about gun violence, anyone who says there's nothing we can do, anyone who offers up only thoughts and prayers is saying that they can't be bothered with the hard work of trying to keep American children safe. Shame on them. And shame on our nation."

Text RESIST to 50409 or contact your representatives in Congress to demand they act on on gun legislation.

From Your Site Articles

Dan Rather, 88, says we are in 'a moment of reckoning unlike any I have seen in my lifetime' - Upworthy ›

dan rather

Dan Rather had some important advice for taking care of yourself.

Dan Rather is a master of dropping truth bombs.

In his latest post, Rather dropped yet another important piece of advice: Take in the moment. Live in the now.

If you're feeling burnt out, Rather's got a "gentle recommendation" for you, too.

At 86, Dan Rather has been around long enough to have serious perspective.

To show what "incivility really looks like," Rather went on to list 17 examples of what the Trump administration has done in less than 18 months.

For Rather, this is less a debate about politics and more a question of basic morality and how we collectively choose to carry ourselves as a nation.

Honest, respectable discussions on public policy and the U.S.'s role in the world are essential. No one side has all the answers.

Dan Rather's gut-wrenching reaction to the Florida school shooting is a must-read.

From Watergrate to world wars, revered journalist Dan Rather has seen a lot of injustice in his day.

"Sadness and despair — those were my first reactions," the 86-year-old journalist began. "But then, quickly, I am hopping mad."

Rather used an unlikely, eye-opening comparison to illustrate our inaction over gun violence: Ebola.

Ebola, however, didn't have one of the most powerful lobbying groups enticing U.S. lawmakers to stay silent.

"We like to call ourselves the best country on earth," Rather wrote. "We like to say how we have a can-do spirit to conquer challenges. But all that self-congratulatory rhetoric rings pretty damn hollow on days like today."

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