Our country's refusal to call acts of terror what they are, to lay blame at the feet of whom it lies, and to obfuscate about the people being brought in and let loose to roam and destroy, have angered it's people. It is asinine for them to believe that they are smarter than the rest of us. A lot of that comes from having completed their educations at high end colleges and walking around in the rarified air that comes with syncophants daily stoking their egos. Their willingness to go along with it shows their true intelligence. A wise man allows criticism and instruction and learns from it.
There is so much blame for the anger of these recent shooters of cops and others that it's hard to know where to start. The policies of our government that encourages single moms to try and raise their children alone. The incarceration of teens in settings that would scare even a hardened man. Policies that dictate facets of lives that were not meant to be governed. Demagoguery of races, authorities, political persuasions, religions, you name it. People whose lives are spent inciting others to violence and misbehavior. Wrongly applied ideas to problems that they only acerbate. Lack of hope from everyday problems that all face. It doesn't stop our government from implementing new and improved solutions that do nothing to correct the root cause of all this.
The only thing that I can see that the government got anywhere close to right in the past 50 years is integration of our schools. There are some who would argue that and I can see their points. I was, and am blessed enough to have friends from Jr and high school, whose disparities were arguably feared by adults, but were embraced by children lucky enough to be taught that we are all alike. The joy of embracing friends that want nothing more than your friendship is so refreshing in this ever failing society. Through just a few years of shared experiences we are able to laugh and joke with each other and realize that life is too short to take seriously the differences that others would point out.
We are a country at war. We are at war on two fronts. Probably the most serious is the one that pits those who desire no authority against those who represent. I'll be the first to raise his hand when it comes to being one who chafes at limits imposed against me but I recognize the need. I've told you I have a problem following traffic laws but have paid the penalty when caught. I'm smart enough to know that when a cop tells you to be still or get your butt back in the car he has a reason. They may interact with hundreds of people in day without knowing if any or all situations might turn out. It's truly a wonder that many more people don't get shot and attests to the knowledge and patience of those who wear a badge. Respect isn't something that has been taught to a lot of the following generations and I'm afraid that this will get worse.
The other is an ideology that believes all non-believers convert or perish. On its face that is the same belief of Christianity except for our belief that God is the only one who will judge. Islam and Christianity have never coexisted and it's probably the fault of both. To have or follow any action that doesn't start in love is wrong. I have doubts that our policies toward the peoples of the Middle East are grounded in love. Economics is the most likely culprit if you exclude stupidity of which there is no dearth. We can argue about what will fix it but the truth is without hope and love, nothing will. Our prayers for none of these fall on deaf ears and it is our most potent weapon, but it doesn't preclude our actions in following up care for our neighbor. It remains to be seen whether we will get the chance. Until next week. ags.
