The Beatles may have had it right when they wrote of the local daily events of their English news, so many years ago. It's always so "local"....
I read the news today oh boy
About a lucky man who made the grade
And though the news was rather sad
Well I just had to laugh...*
As you know, the song goes on to tell the tale of someone who lost hope and killed himself, sitting in his car. The very "normalcy" of people in each age who give up on life - who give up on hope for themselves and for others is more than "rather sad" as written by Lennon/McCartney.
As the transitional housing issue continues to cause ripples and waves, the greater question is begged: How is our state going to deal with it's unbeliveable incarceration "reality-statistics"? 1 out of every 34 or so Idahoans is in jail or prison. Think of that! More than just cursing the current solutions, why not enter into the constructive debate? What is good public policy on this issue?
Can we really afford to "build ourselves out of this" with new prisons?
(Silence)
Go online and see some bloggers comments, many anonymous critics and not a few people who seem to love "almost-hating" people (hmmm...like who? tee hee). All have opinions - which is good. The tenor often has the blade's edge, though. Often the opinions have no constructive alternative(s).
They really seem to be BLAHgers.
Instead of just complaining, other thoughtful folks in neighborhood associations are moving ahead with constructive dialog on the subject. This Thursday night at 7:00 At Whitney Baptist Church there's going to be discussion with people - all of whom are neighrbors of Boise. I'll be there. Hope you can attend, too.
Den
* Here's the rest of the "local stories" from the Liverpool of 50+ years ago.
I saw the photograph
He blew his mind out in a car
He didn't notice that the lights had changed
A crowd of people stood and stared
They'd seen his face before
Nobody was really sure
If he was from the House of Lords.
I saw a film today oh boy
The English Army had just won the war
A crowd of people turned away
but I just had to look
Having read the book
I'd love to turn you on
Woke up, fell out of bed,
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup,
And looking up I noticed I was late.
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke,
and Somebody spoke and I went into a dream
I read the news today oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.
I'd love to turn you on
The saddest part is that people believe that all of those incarcerated are actually guilty of something. I'm not saying that some are, but there are many who are not. The prosecutors office is filled with bullies who take pot-shots. Lawyers are afraid to take them on. Accused are afraid of the consequences of fighting so they plea for a better deal than if they lost. Justice DOES NOT exist in this world. And all of these people sit in their smug glass houses filled with assumptions that are plain wrong. We have become a society of intolerance and judgment, hatred, anger, fear and distrust. I understand the sentiment, I truly do. But my intolerance is for injustice. I have no right to judge because I don't know the hearts of men and would never presume to. I try not to hate and again, my anger stems from injustice. I fear intolerance. And distrust the government and those who chase after power. Isn't it time that Idahoans stood up and showed the attitude of "Bible belt North" (as I've always called Idaho--I can get away with it, I'm a native!) But there is no Christian attitude in Idaho. It is all punishment and notches in belts. Well, that is my rant for the day!
Posted by: Believer | April 22, 2008 at 09:27 AM