Category: Civil liberties

The Legacy of Rep. John Lewis

It seems these days that we can’t respect people of different political opinions, that it’s either ‘all or nothing’ on both extremes and anything but agreement on every last issue leads to vitriolic name-calling.

I would hope that today could be an exception to that. Today, the motorcade of Rep. John Lewis takes him toward his final resting place after he passed away late last week. Whether you belonged to the same political party as he did, or agreed with his politics in his later years, Lewis was a one of the important figures in our nation’s history. Lewis was a key figure in fighting for the civil rights of roughly a tenth of our country’s citizens.

Yesterday, his body was carried over the bridge in Selma, AL as a memorial to that same march that he made half a century ago. He was a man who personally sacrificed for what he believed and in doing so, brought about change-peaceful change-and helped correct an historic wrong and crime against so many. On this day, we can all respect a man for that!

The Racism Of Those Against Racism

One of the challenges that we face these days, one which almost boggles in the mind, is that people are coming up with all sorts of ‘definitions’ of racism. They are modifying it to fit their personal political agenda.

Racism is treating someone differently on the basis of their race. Period, end of conversation. Race should not be an issue in employment, housing or similar things, right? It’s pretty straightforward. Everyone should have the same opportunity, no matter who they are. Continue reading “The Racism Of Those Against Racism”

Protests Are No Longer About Equality

Video recently surfaced of an incident a couple of weeks ago where BLM ‘protesters’ attacked a church in New York.

On June 28, violent protesters repeatedly tried to block the entrance to a church. In one video, people who say they are protesting for tolerance and diversity harassed  a mother and her three small children trying to enter the church. The mob verbally attacked her, shouting, “This is no house of God,” “Why are you bringing a baby into a church?” and “I’m calling [Child Protective Services] on you.” Continue reading “Protests Are No Longer About Equality”

The NBA Has Officially Put A Price On Its Principles

The NBA, as most sports organizations, sells custom jerseys that allows you to put your name or whatever you may want on the back. This year, in support of recent events aiming to fight for social justice, the league has said that it will even allow players to put something in support of their favorite cause on their jerseys where normally their name would be.

One thing, however, is forbidden even to be sold as a custom jersey. Continue reading “The NBA Has Officially Put A Price On Its Principles”

Support the Words and the Meaning, Not the Organization

Monday was the anniversary of the founding of the Black Lives Matter organization a few years ago. As such, it seemed like a good time to discuss current events and the organization that has become very closely linked to the loose movement to raise issues of equality. Continue reading “Support the Words and the Meaning, Not the Organization”

Show What You Believe By Your Actions, Not Your Words

We have all seen it, people who talk a good game but when it comes to actually doing what they say, their actions don’t quite measure up. Most of us would say that we have run into people like that far too often, but would also admit that we often don’t realize it until we see the bad effects.

As someone who tends to lean conservative politically it is always interesting, and somewhat troubling, to hear people talk about racism and sexism, for example, and to infer that it is primarily the fault of conservatives. But other than the rhetoric, what really happens? What is actually done and what are the results? Continue reading “Show What You Believe By Your Actions, Not Your Words”

Updated: A Conversation We Need About Police Departments, Starting in Minneapolis

It is sad and tragic that it has taken the death of a man in police custody, due to gross negligence, to have a national conversation about why things like that happen. The officer involved and the three officers that looked on while it happened have all been charged with crimes and that is as it should be. Yes, they are innocent until proven guilty but video footage is hard to dispute. So may the legal system play out as it should and may they get everything that justice deserves.

That has been followed by two weeks of daily protests around the country. Unfortunately, many of those protests have turned violent. There is evidence that a good deal of that violence has been by groups, often not local to the city in which the protests have happened, who have been trying to use protests as a spark to incite violence for whatever demented agenda they may have.

Unfortunately, what that often leads to the in aftermath is very emotional reactions in the moment. And because we tend to live in this ‘either or’ society, where it seems everyone thinks you have to choose ‘a side’ then the much needed thoughtful dialog gets lost. Continue reading “Updated: A Conversation We Need About Police Departments, Starting in Minneapolis”

Updated: Do As I Say, Not As I Do

That seems to be the motto of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Though Michigan has eased a few restrictions, late last week Gov. Whitmer extended the state’s lock down guidelines through at least the middle of next month. During the announcement, she also reminded people against any non-essential travel.

Roughly 150 miles away, a dock owner was preparing for the holiday weekend and for residents to get outdoors on their boats, which had recently been allowed. As you can imagine, he was working feverishly as the combination of a long weekend and an easing of some of the lock down restrictions had many people ready to get out on their boats. And that included one gentleman who, when told that he would have to wait until the dock owner got to him because of the many people ahead of him, became irate.

The boat owner, Marc Mallory, pulled his ace card. “I am the husband of the Governor”, he told the dock master and insisted that his boat be ready to go when he wanted it.

It seems that either Gov. Whitmer and her family think of boating as ‘essential travel’ or she’s a hypocrite. You may decide for yourself.

UPDATE:

The Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate, Mike Shirkey, posted on social media about the incident but deleted his post after he got a call from the Governor’s office, assuring him that the incident did not actually happen.

Yet, Governor Whitmer later held a press conference and said that the incident did happen but that her husband was making a joke. And then she went on to ask for compassion and understanding.

Understanding that her family thought her rules were for everyone but them?

 

It Has Happened-the Worst Possible Civil Liberties Issue

Last weekend, this column wrote about how various government entities around the country have used the current pandemic as an excuse to show their power and violate, whether innocently or purposefully, civil liberties.

Tuesday saw an incident that ought to be worrisome for anyone, regardless of where you are on the political spectrum. Continue reading “It Has Happened-the Worst Possible Civil Liberties Issue”