Questions of Individual Rights

It is a sad and a suffering day to see the indifference from national leadership in this country to ignore their oath of office to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.  What is even more unforgivable is the lack of understanding of Constitutional Authority that both the Executive Branch or any other part of government possesses. If the President through Executive Order can outlaw birthright citizenship, why can he not diminish further protections guaranteed to all citizens under our Constitution.  If you accept the President’s line of thinking over his personal authority through Executive Orders, then what is there to prevent arbitrary action to suspend both legislative and judicial guarantees under the ‘Separation of Powers’ which are egalitarian foundations inherent within our government.  Be careful of those who do not read or study our History and the Essence of our Constitutional Government.

Moral Sight

What responsibility do you assume from the influence you have on others through various social contacts and relationships with many who hold you in esteem for one reason or another?  Simple Answer - I would say “ NONE”.  Yet, I would ask you as well as myself to consider the urgency and importance of what comes from our spoken words that can have an impact on individuals who can be influenced or impressed by them.  That is always the conundrum when making the decision to speak out on any issue that you view as right or wrong.  Then there is the alternative to ignore the truth of what you see as a moral reality.  Sight and what we see some might say is relative or is it?  What we see and believe can be or probably should be significant in our lives.  Why or what turned my thoughts to dwell on such ideas as sight and belief.  It has been on my mind since I heard the Gospel at church this morning.

Mark 10:46-52 (NRSV)

Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Sight does not necessarily come to us by divine intervention but our belief and recognition of moral right can inspire us to see the world in which we wish to live.  It is, I hope, one that is not filled with racial and religious fear and hatred.

Too Much Hate

10.27.18 - What Does Today Mean

The tragedy of today’s attack on a Jewish Community in Pittsburgh is an attack on American Values and our Constitution.  Religious and Racial bigotry have no place in our political discourse which we have been told has no place in America yet it exists and continues to be a part of intentional abuse and prejudice within our society.  We as a nation and a people need to consider what we expect from national leadership when eleven of our neighbors and fellow citizens lie dead because of their religious beliefs.  I believe it must be more than arming houses of worship and forcing fellow worshippers to be screened by metal detectors.  Why do we have to consider such tactics and not as a civil society look at how such events can be avoided?  Humanity should be at the center of our thoughts and prayers if we wish a sane and heartfelt individual and not an abhorrent soul leading us into the future.  When we look back at our recent past, where the focus of our government continued to be on immigration and not on pipe bombs sent to critics of the President of whom some were former Presidents but for some reason don’t seem to be considered “Hate Crimes” and I wonder why.  I praise the fast and effective actions of law enforcement on behalf of the Jewish Community in Pittsburgh but I also wonder why pipe bombs intended to harm both former Presidents Clinton and Obama are not considered “Hate Crimes”.  It is a strange distinction that is being made by the President.  Why couldn’t he speak as forthrightly against potential attacks of Democratic critics of his policies.  You may not see it but I see a very selective perspective of political attacks by the President.

Life and Mortality

We have an election in less than two weeks and I can’t help but pause and wonder what meaning it holds for my life and the happiness of those who are near and dear to me.

“How happy is the little Stone
That rambles in the Road alone,
And doesn’t care about Careers
And Exigencies never fears —
Whose Coat of elemental Brown
A passing Universe put on,
And independent as the Sun
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute Decree
In casual simplicity”

This short poem by Emily Dickinson is one that could be so easily embraced by any of us to conceive of a life free from stress and a world full of hope where the transitory evil and foolishness of man does not appear to threaten the mortal grace that is left to each of us.  We need to be freed from fear and discover the wisdom that can be found in individual weakness.  Perfection is an aspiration that none of us possess but we can all strive to be better in an imperfect world.  My prayer and hope for November 6th as we exercise our franchise that we search our hearts for individuals in all their humility desire a world that is better that what we had yesterday and is full of hope for tomorrow.