A Message For Us All

     Like so many Americans of all races, I am saddened at the state of our country this day.  Ferguson, Missouri has become the epicenter of the racial divide in our nation, and trying to make sense of where we go from here may seem impossible. 
     We have the White House offering to help protestors "organize" their mutinous demonstrations.  We have ISIS offering to send fighters over to help the protestors -- as long as they agree to convert to Islam, of course.  And we have the parents of slain Michael Brown expressing their "disappointment that the killer ... will not face the consequences of his actions."
     But there is enough blame to go around when it comes to "consequences of actions."  Where were the National Guard and police when the peaceful businesses in Ferguson were burning to the ground?  What will be the consequences for those who partook in this destruction?  Is it possible that one of the Grand Jury witnesses was actually killed for his testimony?  The questions go on and on, adding to our conflicting thoughts.
      We have a mixture of emotions, and there looks to be no clear path to solving the increasing divide in the country.  (It doesn't help that I feel much of this is orchestrated to get the results we are experiencing.)  At times the problems seem so massive, that I fear our fate is a total breakdown of our society.  Where are the clear heads; those men who can be honest and truthful about the faults that need to be recognized by all parties involved?  But if you are on the verge of despair, I'm here to offer you a vision of hope; some words that are among the wisest I have heard yet.
     Benjamin Watson plays the position of Tight End for the New Orleans Saints football team.  As a proud black man, he would naturally be affected by what the nation has witnessed this past week.  Mr. Watson has taken a conventional method of expressing his thoughts (a Facebook post), and introduced an exceptional and rational discourse into the arena of social dialogue.  I would like to share his honest, genuine, and candid remarks with those who have not read it.  And if you've already been blessed by his reflections, share them with someone who needs to hear his expression of hope.

     At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:
I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity, hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.
I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.
I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That's not right.
I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.
I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.

     Here is a man who offers Hope to the American people ... whether you are black, white, brown, pink or purple polka dotted.  He has been able to respectfully express his reasonable anger; take an honest look at the faults of all concerned (including himself); ask constructive questions; and uphold a moral and righteous code of living.  But most of all, he has offered the only solution that will really resolve the underlying sins of the entire nation.  He boldly proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the answer; the only answer.  For that, I am deeply grateful for his courage and his faithfulness.  God Bless you, Benjamin Watson.  May your light pervade this darkness!

Ephesians 4:31-32     "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

   

Ferguson: The Aftermath

     It is difficult to write about Ferguson, Missouri today.  Whether I agree with the decision of the Grand Jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown; it is not what I want to focus on.  Uppermost on my mind is how easy it seems for everyone in the media to "understand" why the rioting and the looting and the burning has taken place the last two nights.
     Not only that, but no one seems to want to consider the difficult position in which both the members of the Grand Jury and the witnesses found themselves.  They were all citizens who lived in that community, and they should be applauded for their courage in rendering a decision that everyone knew would be unpopular.  Long after the outside agitators and out-of-town demonstrators have returned home, they still have to live there.  They could have made the easy decision, and avoided the destruction of their neighborhood; but they did the right thing and upheld the Rule of Law.

     If you listen to everyone from the President, to Al Sharpton, to Rosie O'Donnell on The View, to news anchors who are supposed to be impartial, to the protestor on the street ... the only "fair" decision would have been to indict Officer Wilson.  The overriding impression that was broadcast was "the system is broken."  But is it?  Is it only broken if you don't agree with the decision?
     It seems to me they are all consumed with the paradigm of "white officer shoots and kills unarmed black youth."  As a society, we need to ask ourselves, is there a pattern here; and is there a legitimate cause for concern?  The answer to both questions would be "yes".  But no one seems to be interested in the reasons why the answer is yes.  What are the underlying reasons and causes that more black youths end up in these situations than young men of other races?  Does anyone consider how many times this situation occurs between black youths and black officers?  Is there a problem with authority among the youth in the black community?  And if so, how are we to ever meet in the middle as long as mutual respect is denied?  Or is it that the racial component of a white officer easily serves the agendas of all involved?  And although there is much talk by all parties about wanting peace, there is no evidence that it is being actively pursued.  (And I'm sorry, Rosie, but I do not see "righteous indignation"; only stealing, vandalism and breaking the law).
     When the President of the United States, who is supposed to be the President of all the people, says during a national press conference, "People will be disappointed about this decision, even angry; and that's an understandable reaction...", why are we surprised when protestors take that as permission to act on their anger?  And when he states yesterday, that the feelings and reactions are "rooted in the reality" of what is happening in some black communities, how does that contribute to healing the nation, or resolving the issues that underlie what happened in Ferguson?  He stated that he is concerned that law enforcement be "fair", implying that there is no accountability or responsibility on the part of those who engage with law enforcement.  I agree with you, Mr. President, that Trust is important to bringing about real change -- but Trust is a two-way street, to be entered in by both parties, and both races.
     When Al Sharpton says that Monday night's decision by the Grand Jury was a blow to their cause, and that they are ready for "the next round", who is surprised that the protestors view themselves as fighters?  Who is really surprised that violent escalation will be the result?
     Everyone keeps talking about "Justice"; all they wanted was "justice for Michael Brown."  But has everyone forgotten that Justice is about Due Process?  It is about fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement -- every citizen, including both Officer Wilson and Michael Brown.  And that is the duty of the Grand Jury; to observe the legal order of our Judicial System as prescribed by the Constitution and the Rule of Law.  Can anyone explain to me how the Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri did not do exactly that?  It seems to me that what the protestors in Ferguson, national leaders, and biased commentators really wanted was a guaranteed result.
     Instead of allowing Due Process to proceed, they seem to have pre-judged this case and the only justice they wanted was that which suited their opinion.  And now that the Grand Jury has determined that Officer Wilson did nothing illegal to warrant an indictment, public opinion wants to declare that justice has not been served; so much so, that the Attorney General of the United States seems poised to file federal criminal charges based on the deprivation of Michael Brown's civil rights... Plan B has been set in motion.

     But we need to take a real hard look at what is "feeding the beast".  It is an ugly picture of inflammatory rhetoric, political strategy, and self-serving motivations.  It is about anarchy and mobocracy.  It is about race-baiting, and furthering the racial divide, rather than mending it.  It is about facing the truth of our inner cities and the mentality of aggression and hatred that breeds so insidiously in poverty.  It is asking ourselves if the racial animosity is being distorted and manipulated to tear our country apart.  Protests in over 20 major cities across the land seems to support this premise.
      Make no mistake -- the small community of Ferguson became the focal point of outside agitators and subversives who hijacked a local tragedy, and used it for their own purposes.  But when these opportunists have tired of Ferguson and moved on to their next target, the good folks of Ferguson will be left in shambles.  Right now, the senior citizens are afraid to leave their homes; local businesses have been destroyed; and young children are scared to go outside to play.
     The only ray of hope I have seen are the Ferguson pastors who took to the microphone to declare that the rioting and looting needs to stop; that we are all children of God; and that any hope of change lies in following His path ... and not in acting in accordance to the misguided, opportunistic tactics of those who would serve to divide us.  Those are the schemes of the devil.

Proverbs 28:4-5    "Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely."
 
   

What's Happened To The Rule Of Law?

     It is just my opinion, but I am willing to speculate that one of the primary reasons this country has been a beacon for immigrants in the nearly two-and-a-half centuries of our existence is that we have represented a fairly consistent pattern of restricting the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.
     There ... I just gave you the definition of "the Rule of Law".  History shows that this land was a magnet for people who dreamed of escaping tyranny -- from the Pilgrims, who were escaping political and religious persecution, (as well as imprisonment), for charges of treason against the Crown; to South Africans who longed to break free of the apartheid injustice of a ruling party who, with extreme intent, demolished anything that got in the way of its legal and political agenda.
     It is also my opinion that, from the beginning of time, societies and civilizations have succeeded because people recognized the need for a moral and legal set of rules by which to live.  They have succeeded economically, socially and politically when they have respected the authority and influence of law; law which is described as "a system of rules which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior." (Wikipedia).
     But that success and harmony only continues to exist when laws, (or constraints on behavior), are equally observed by the populace and the governing officials.  Why do you think that we have had tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, of illegal immigrants flock to our southern border in the last year or so?  They are escaping the tyrannical rule of corrupt politicians and dictators, the uncontrolled dominance of drug cartels, and the unrelenting violence of civil wars within their own countries --- all the result of a lack of the Rule of Law.

     In other words, when the government of a nation decides that the instituted laws of that nation no longer apply to them, then there is not only the threat of injustice to the citizens, but a complete breakdown of their individual security, economic stability, and personal freedoms.
     When any government body, or individual, decides that they can arbitrarily ignore the established laws, and exercise power at their will, then the Rule of Law no longer exists.  In effect, laws are a check (or curb) on that autocratic power.  When they are breached, the freedom we have known under the law, becomes insubstantial.  There is a profound deterioration of individual rights, in the wake of a growing power of the State.  That makes liberty-lovers a little nervous.
     Here in the United States, it has been accepted that all government officers, including the President, the Justices of the Supreme Court, state judges and legislators, and all members of Congress, pledge first and foremost to uphold the Constitution. It has also been understood that these oaths affirm that the Rule of Law is superior to the rule of any human leader.  But when law-makers determine that they are no longer subjects of the law, then chaos ensues.
     We have seen that with the Fast and Furious debacle, the imminent "amnesty" issue, and I fear that we will see it set forth from the Ferguson, Missouri incident, as well.  To be sure, we have a problem with the Rule of Law being appropriately honored and administered in this nation.
     But let me drop a little bug in your ear ... our Rule of Law is not only being diminished from within our own country's framework, and by our own governing leaders, but could all this "lawlessness" soon come under the jurisdiction of the United Nations?  Let me explain ...
     Did you know that International Leaders from around the world convened about a year ago for what was called "the Bangkok Dialogue on the Rule of Law"?  Apparently, the UN has Millennium Development Goals, and the Rule of Law is a hot topic towards achieving those goals.  In fact, at the heart of the United Nations’ agenda is its role as the guardian of international legal frameworks.  That means that they, ideally, want to determine what our Rule of Law should be.
     Keeping that in mind, here is the UN's definition of the Rule of Law:  the rule of law refers to a principle of governance in which “all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly broadcasted, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights, norms and standards”.
     Since when has America ever considered herself as following "standards or norms", as dictated by other entities?  Isn't that exactly why immigrants are streaming to our shores?  Never mind that our nation's Rule of Law was founded on Christian-Judeo principles of a "Higher Law" than man's laws; that our individual rights and liberties were established by our Creator, and are not subject to the whims of a  human ruler.  When that principle is forgotten, we are left with this reality:  "Behind every legal order there is always a god, be it God Himself or those who have control over the state machinery." (RJ Rushdoony, American philosopher, historian and theologian).
     Ultimately, we are in danger of losing our unique Rule of Law in this country.  We have abandoned the Source of our Liberties, and forgotten that God's Higher Laws are above the laws of any man.  It's simple, really ... we, as the people of our nation, along with those we have chosen to protect our Rule of Law, must decide what kind of authority we want as the source of power over us.  Do we want the authority of God-instituted laws; the control of an "international body", such as the UN, to mold us to an acceptable standard; or do we want the authority of a mere human ruler, who seeks his own power, instead of glorifying God's laws?
     I think we've taken our unique Rule of Law for granted too long, and assumed it would always exist.  But when men put their laws above God's; and seek their will, instead of His, then the legality of laws don't really matter -- only the end results that uphold a man's power and authority.  That's when we are in danger of replacing laws with illegality, and we cease to exist as the land of the free.  How much longer before our Rule of Law vanishes altogether?

Jeremiah 10:23    "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps."

Dangerous Allies: Ferguson, Palestine & The Religious Left

   

      It should come as no surprise that the protestors in Ferguson, Missouri should discover a mutually beneficial relationship with the Palestinian Liberation movement.  Those in Ferguson, who see the death of Michael Brown as unjustified and the result of tyranny by an iron-fisted police force, are finding a symbiosis with Palestinian nationalists who see themselves as suffering under Israeli occupation.
     But how much of this kinship is intrinsically recognized, and how much is promoted and encouraged? When considering racially charged Ferguson, and anti-Israel Palestine, what are the similarities that the Religious Left (didn't know they existed, did you?) can exploit?  The answer in one word -- it is called OPPRESSION.
     First, let's identify the Religious Left.  This is much more difficult to do than defining the Religious Right.  The Leftist version is described on Wikipedia as referring to a spectrum of left-wing Christian (?) political and social movements that largely embrace viewpoints described as social justice that upholds a social gospel.  I question the Christian aspect of their movement, because they often do not believe in the infallibility or veracity of the Bible.  Their interpretation of "social justice" is based on the collective; i.e., justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
     I contend that the Biblical meaning of "social justice" is more individual than societal; Jesus commands each of us to take care of the poor, the widows, and the fatherless.  The Bible places the responsibility on the individual to show kindness and mercy, rather than on the government to force income equality through increased taxes and redistribution.  Obviously, one approach is God-centered; the other is man-centered.
     Now that we have the definitions and explanations out of the way, what does all this have to do with Ferguson and Palestine?  Well, it seems that the Religious Left includes organizations like the Quaker group, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).  They have become a political force that has involved itself in causes they deem "oppressive" to the spirit of "peace."  To wit, they welcomed a blog post on their website from a Palestinian who has become embroiled in the Ferguson protests.  Bassem Masri felt the same dismissal by mainstream Americans toward the plight of Ferguson citizens, as he has in Americans' repudiation of the Palestinian cause.  He wrote, "The timing of the two events woke up a lot of people. When Mike was killed, much of the media started demonizing him and the protestors, often the same sources that blamed Palestinians for their own deaths in Gaza. People naturally saw the connections."  Oh, really?
     While admitting that I am nervous about seeing the militarization of police, I am also not willing to declare either Michael Brown, the destructive citizens of Ferguson, or the anti-Israeli Palestinians as "innocent" victims of tyranny.  I am not sitting on the Ferguson Grand Jury, and therefore I do not have all the evidence, but by all appearances, this will not be a slam-dunk indictment of Officer Darren Wilson.  Neither are the citizens of Ferguson without fault.  Those who chose to rob businesses, destroy private property, and assault law enforcement officers should not expect sympathy for their actions.

     I'm sorry, but I reject the premise of Mr. Masri, and groups like the AFSC, that Ferguson rioters and Palestinian nationalists are fellow "resistance fighters".  And I resent the race card being played as a method of pointing out "human rights abuses" in Ferguson.  It is a clear attempt to create a common identity between these two disparate groups.  By endorsing Masri's post and self-proclaimed role as "collaborator" with the Ferguson protestors, AFSC shows their true colors:  to proclaim the moral and social tyranny of America and Israel.  Masri stokes the fire, as he writes, "Facing violence from an occupying force, whether in Palestine or Ferguson, forges a mindset that demands resistance and standing up for one’s community. When the police used military tanks and checkpoints to imprison the residents of Ferguson, I was reminded of life in the West Bank where I saw the Israeli military use the same tactics of repression."  Ah, not only is his bias showing, but his own bigotry and political leanings.
     Sadly, I am afraid that Ferguson is ripe for such exploitation.  I used to live near St. Louis during my high school years, and I can tell you that the ensuing years of government entitlement have led to this powder keg situation.  Generations of fatherless kids and welfare families, along with a willingness to write off these communities, have created two Americas that will not easily be reconciled.  The racial tension is so palpable you can touch it; the economic divide seems insurmountable.  No one seems to know how to avoid the coming firestorm.  And into the fray, step outside groups who are organized, and only too willing to capitalize on the mounting pressure; groups who threaten to usurp the cause of the Ferguson residents for their own agendas.  They don't even know they are being used.
     So, now the Grand Jury verdict is due any day now.  What will be the ramifications?  And who will ultimately benefit from the expected chaos?  It seems clear to me that Ferguson is positioned to become the battle ground between anarchy and authoritarianism ... and who will be the victor?  Either way, America loses.

For more on the views of Mr. Masri and the American Friends Service Committee, click here.  

Psalm 7:8    "The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me."