Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
~Proverbs 19:2
Commentary
Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, touch everyone listening to news about the day that one policeman attempted to stop a young man in the street. Resistance followed, then physical engagement, and finally a tragic end. A young man died.
Blessed is any young man with loving parents, and that appears to be the case in this instance, for the one who died.
It may also be the case for the young policeman who shot him six times. It may be the case for many protesters who took to the streets fearing, it appears, that justice would not be done unless follow-up action occurred, unless they spoke out.
It may be the case for some who took advantage of the ensuing confusion and looted innocent citizens' shops. It may be the case for law enforcement personnel and elected officials, as well as local clergy.
I remember a loving mother I met at a conference once. She asked me to pray for her son. I agreed, and asked a few questions for some details. Her goal was that her son be released from prison, where he was serving time for DUI, driving under the influence. In his case, alcohol was the snake coiled around his neck.
The more I learned told me that this young man had had other DUI arrests, with lighter punishments. I told the mother I would definitely pray for her son, but I would not pray for him to be released early from his DUI sentence.
"Maybe prison this time will help wake him up to what he is doing and how dangerous it is," I said. "It is very possible that he could kill someone by driving drunk, and then he would face murder charges."
The mother did not argue. I thought that she was wise to reflect how easily her son's reckless behavior could take a life, could kill one or more irreplaceable loved ones of other families.
Wisdom, I believe, is needed by every person that is part of what is happening in Ferguson in these days, from policing officials to elected officials, to appointed officials, to citizens and outsiders.
I feel the range of emotions one can have upon hearing another news story of continuing distrust of such magnitude, being played out on a town's streets and televised widely. Last night, a young man blatantly shot into an apartment building, and I heard that no one was hit by his bullets. I cringed at the fate he escaped, that of a charge of murder; many young children, even infants, have been killed by such random shots fired in haste. I
cringed even more, and breathed a prayer of thanks as well, for the
spared lives behind those apartment windows.
Many people outside Ferguson are praying for the city, for everyone involved, so that justice may be done in the courts, based on the facts being assembled now. How many will cooperate, though, with prayers for justice within the law and with peace? It appears that a dangerous few do not relish calm, being in the throes of angry excitement that is likely, in some cases, to be fed by cameras and microphones. Many decisions face everyone on the ground about just, legal, and peaceful processes going forward after the death of a young man so recently at the age of majority, of adulthood.
A certain kind of love can lead attitudes of patience and perseverance in such tragedies. Law enforcers love to know who fired shots and that they have not fled. The judicial system loves legal process
The laws by which a community lives are intended to operate fairly, although sometimes that fails. The wisdom to keep trying to get it right is, I think, what the protesters now seek. I believe it is what the officials, local clergy, and others want, what we observers hope for. May it happen without further bloodshed.
Watching a few minutes of Fox News near midnight last night, I heard reporter Shepard Smith question at what point the press can add to a tense situation. One of his colleagues, Steve Harrigan, had estimated there were 100 protesters in the streets, 200 reporters, and 500 police officers. Such a time calls for consideration of a reporting pool, to lower the numbers of cameras and journalistic questions, reliving events and focusing on emotions. It is easier to contribute to peace with one's mouth closed long enough to think and apply serious, unselfish reasoning.
That would be a wise change by the press, I opine.
My News & Views
Showing posts with label protests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protests. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
9/11/12_As We Remember, More Terrors Awaken Us
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| REMEMBERING 9/11/01. NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 2009: Above: Unidentified woman; Below: Rivera Leo, from New York 2009. |
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| [Visitors] read names on a flag in the Remembrance Field of Honor, an installation of flags in Battery Park, in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, on September 9, 2011 in New York City.The flags, which are designed to resemble the flag of the United States, are on display from September 8 - 12, and list the name of every person who was killed in the terrorist attack. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) |
9/11/2012 One American fatally shot and another wounded in attack on U. S. Consulate in Libya. [9/12/12 Update @ end of post]
"Protesters" attack U. S. Consulate in Libya soon after a fiery protest at the U.S. embassy in Egypt where protesters tore down an American flag, replacing it with black Islamist flag. Facts source: Fox News online and live broadcasts..One American was shot to death and a second was wounded in the hand, al-Sharef said. He did not give further details.
The violence at the consulate lasted for about three hours, but the situation has now quieted down, said another witness.
"I heard nearly 10 explosions and all kinds of weapons. It was a terrifying day," said the witness who refused to give his name because he feared retribution.Read more:
Above: Penni Barnett, from Silver Spring, MD 2009
9/11/2012Protesters storm US Embassy in CairoEgyptian protesters, largely ultraconservative Islamists, climbed the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, made their way into the courtyard and brought down the flag, replacing it with a black flag with an Islamic inscription to protest a film attacking Islam's prophet, Muhammad.
- Egyptian protesters climb the walls of the U.S. embassy during protests in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Egyptian protesters, largely ultra conservative Islamists, have climbed the walls of the U.S. embassy in Cairo, went into the courtyard and brought down the flag, replacing it with a black flag with Islamic inscription, in protest of a film deemed offensive of Islam.Source: AP2012_as seen on FoxNews.com Read more:
The Mob terror in Egypt and Libya far exceeds the label "protest" used by the media and the U. S. State Department. Egyptian forces tried, unsuccessfully, to get control of the Cairo mob, according to news reports. Such violence invades a guest country's property to inflict alarm, damage, and terror. Therefore, we have another eye-opening event to push us to wake up, to realize that we are, seriously, a hated enemy, whether we are officials or average citizens not connected with what is erupting. The threats against democracy, and especially Americans and Christians, around the world must be taken seriously by world leaders of democratic nations, starting with the United States leadership and people.
Embassies and consulates are considered "sovereign soil" of their respective countries. What do we call an attack on any country's "sovereign soil"? What term would be strong enough to express what such an attack means? It is certain that the correct word is not "protest." Since the accurate description or label has not been used by the media or the government, it should be soon.
One of the strongest statements about these events came from the British Prime Minister today. David Cameron called the events "appalling."
Much of the world does not understand that freedom of speech is abused by those who say or do offensive things. In this case, Christians may well advise others to "preach Christ" rather than to "attack other religions." However, violent people who are enraged take violent actions, going on the offensive, terrorizing others who are not connected with or responsible for the latest "insult" that set the spark. The violent ones are quick to exert themselves to violence, even murder, when the Internet or other media purveyors speak freely, though not wisely, kindly, or accurately.
Much of the world lacks the "freedom experience"; they are acquainted primarily with repressive regimes or religions, or both. They cannot yet grasp what freedom of speech means, its risks as well as its blessings; they cannot or do not wish to grasp the distinctions between private words and actions on one hand and government words and actions on the other.
The U. S. government and the U. S. people had nothing to do with and would not have endorsed the Internet video, produced by private citizens of the U. S., that are reported to have inflamed already anti-American people in Cairo and in Libya. Similarly, it appears that the new leadership or lack thereof in Egypt and Libya have allowed a tempting space into which violent forces choose to step.
In this writer's humble opinion and hope, as many "protesters" as possible will be hunted, rounded up, and arrested, made subject to justice that disallows rampaging destruction, murder, and other terrors.
Meanwhile, we can speak freely about our views regarding the instability of two Middle East countries. That instability is connected to the attacks this 9/11 and are linked, if not directly then indirectly, as part of their recent histories with the U. S. government. The violent protests come on the date that is known around the world as a day of memorial and mourning for Americans and other nations who lost loved ones in the attacks on the the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in the attack that ended in a field Pennsylvania, protecting lives, it is believed, in Washington, DC, marked for the fourth attack on 9/11 eleven years ago.
These are a few sad facts and thoughts just past midnight on this 9/11/2012. This writer hopes there will be no apologies from the U.S..
One hopes that efforts are now on-going by U. S., Egyptian, and Libyan officials to hunt down and deal with those responsible.
May prayers arise in homes and churches for the victims of terror and for peace-loving people in Egypt and Libya that are caught up in the middle of terrorist actions. They have experienced and feared such actions for many years when they have spoken freely or tried to live free.
9/12/2012 UPDATE/LATIMES/WORLD NOW
Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf:
"This is a criminal act that will not go unpunished. This is part of a series of cowardice acts by supporters of the former regime who want to undermine Libya's revolution," Prime Minister Abdurrahim Keib told reporters.
Keib said the details of the attack were under investigation.
Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf apologized for the deaths and vowed that justice would be served.
"We refuse that our nation's lands be used for cowardice and revengeful acts. It is not a victory for God's Sharia or his prophet for such disgusting acts to take place," Magariaf said. "We apologize to the United States, the people of America, and the entire world. We and the American government are standing on the same side, we stand on the same side against outlaws." Read more:
Copyright (c)2012 Opinari Writers
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Friday, February 18, 2011
I Never Joined a Union
Commentary
This is not meant as criticism of unions per se; it is not to critique those who join unions. After all, the objectives of unions include protecting employees' safety and pay for services or products their work provides.
However, I probably would not consider joining a union today unless working conditions in my workplace were horribly unfair or dangerous to physical or health safety. The unions came into being decades ago in response to gross violations of human dignity and professional work ethics. Federal and state laws now address those concerns. Any protections not addressed have other recourse, in most cases.
My experience with unions began when I was just out of college, newly married, and in my first year of teaching in public schools. I did not join the teacher's union, nor was any pressure put on me to do so (New York state). Yet, my attendance at the state teacher's conference was covered by the school district.
I could have joined a US government employee union years later, when I worked in DC. But I did not. And I felt strongly about not doing so in that case. First, I had no complaints, although I did have aspirations for upgrades, but they came on schedule. Second, the union rep in our building spent way too much time walking around our offices, not his, visiting and trying to enroll new members. When does he work?!, I often wondered.
I also declined to join my peers in complaints having to do with lacking overtime pay. Although we had profitable per diem pay for out-of-office training weekends where we also honed skills.
If abuses are present in the workplace, that's another matter. Yet, today, abuse seems to be a convenient label for just about anything uncomfortable or not agreeing with one's own views and preferences.
Sick leave to help a child or other family member in distress? That's good because it is essential.
Extended maternity leave? I never knew what that was like, and I handled it, as did my husband who helped me, along with neighbors. Also, family members drove long distances to help. We felt proud, not offended, to pull together at such times. But, not everyone can work these things out.
I realize, too, that not every employer is "reasonable." Those instances do bring in the need for some outside help or resolution, surely.
Recent protests in Wisconsin concern me, especially regarding questionable, possibly unethical, behaviors of some (not all, and maybe not many) teachers. For any American teacher of the 21st century not to go to work in order to protest robs students and is shameful. Many of us consider teaching to be a profession, almost a calling, and definitely a privilege.
I never joined a union, so what I learn I get from what the union leaders say and in many cases these days I just don't buy it...distracting teachers from their professional work and contract obligations.
One good that may come from the events in Wisconsin, as teachers and other employees of the state protest budget changes proposed, is that some teachers have shown parents their true colors. Some are bright, and others are...well, dull. If it's "all about the children," it's also about honest and peaceful actions, not dishonest and raucous/rude threats.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
A Christian's thoughts about Cairo, Horsemen, and Other News from Egypt
View from Cairo Tower CC use Image via WikipediaBy Jean Purcell 2/2/11
In recent hours in modern Cairo city, riders on horseback (and camels) cut through crowds of anger, fear, and violence among people walking and sitting along streets near Tahrir Square. The Bible speaks of power on horseback in ways that speak of past and future events, and now....today horsemen are news from a city of fomenting frustration and dangers. This speaks to the skeptics' questions, "How could such things be (biblical prophecies about fast riders on horseback) in this automated, post-modern 21st century?" Others may wonder, seeing modern Cairo recently,
"Is the Bible more than imagery and symbol as I have thought?"
This week, most protesters have continued to call for an end to the President Mubarak's rule. Others have called for his continuance; others, for all enmity to end. As fevers continue to rise, surely there is much fear, anger and likely terror among those in the streets, men and women fighting against or resisting each other, people of the same country and in some cases same religion, now in conflict, entrenched in their desires about how things should play out, and when.
Horsemen from pyramid areas came into Cairo, to enter the fray. Biblical references to such riders came to my mind early this morning, seeing the news from Cairo and reports of the night before. Considering today's world of automated transportation and war, we are reminded today, as in recent years, of a post-modern time when horses, camels, and donkeys are used as a matter of course in large parts of the world. In recent years, Iraq and Afghanistan have opened our physical eyes to this.
These horsemen prompted other thoughts and led to prayer and then to the keyboard, to try to write my thoughts as a Christian, sharing with you, also likely thinking of these things.
The news of the day always gives the Christian writer much to think about. We can try to ignore the news of the day. However, those who do not yet know God, who waver in their thoughts of seeking God, are paying attention to the news. Therefore, at least some of us must pay attention, too. This is consistent with God's record of dealing with human beings. The spiritual mind must remain engaged, too. The spiritual mind submits to the wisdom of God. The spiritual mind receives strength from God to seek and to find what others cannot see, to discern, as it were, and to hear with ears truly open to more than words, but to God's sovereignty over the world.
If we are not moved to write, let us remain silent. If we are, may we do it responsibly, honestly/factually, and with an aim not to do harm, but to bring even the peace of Christ, the living Word, into the view of readers and listeners.The power of God is made perfect in our weakness to do more, in obedience to what He has said, and to remember His plans for those who will trust in Him: .
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11-NIV).
For Reflection:
It is not a political comment to quote from Dr. Henry H. Halley of the middle of the previous century: "In a world where empires rise and fall, where all things die and pass away, we are reminded that God is Changeless, Timeless and Eternal, and (we are) promised by Him that His Nature may be imparted to us, and that we, like Him, and by His Grace, unhurt by Death, may Live On and On. Alive Forevermore! ...What a meaning it gives to Life! And what a comfort to saints then facing Martyrdom!"*
We pray for all people in Cairo and all of Egypt, of whatever religion. We pray for Christian brothers and sisters - including of Coptic, Alexandrian, and Orthodox churches..
-30-
Notes
* Halley's Bible Handbook, commenting on Revelation 1:4. Revised edition, 1927 (1st edition)....1965 (24th edition). Regency/Zondervan, page 689.
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