I do my best thinking at bedtime:
*Marian Spurgeon has done us all a favor by questioning the camera’s taking our pictures while driving around town. (Steve Jackson added to it). Sold to us as a crime busting adventure, it ends up being used for numerous things other than crime prevention. It does seem shrouded in a cloak of mystery. Who looks at this information and what happens to it? There must be hundreds and hundreds of pictures taken per day. What is the actual percentage of photos taken that help our police department prevent crimes from taking place? Who looks at this stuff? Give us something more than “this really helps keep us safe.” How, and at what cost? Is some of the information used by ICE? Let’s keep on the council for some answers. There seems to be a lot of questions.
*We now have the political clout in Galesburg to question whether we want to support ICE, or the national guard, or the military, from entering our city under the guise of keeping us safe from immigrants and other people of color. I’m willing to bet a good sum of money that we have more white people in Galesburg breaking the law than we do immigrants and other people of color. We should make a statement that we will not help or support any intervention by ICE, or the national guard, or the military. Where would the city and county police departments stand on such a statement? The City I’m not so sure about. County would be 100% no support. At least let’s make them commit. Good to know who’s on what side. The government claims that deportation is keeping us safer. Where is the proof? Who is checking the people being corralled in pens regarding whether they have a criminal history or have hurt anyone? The whole thing is kept secret, nontransparent. It all stinks. Our city council should call them on it.
*I would have to say that our government has failed us in all aspects of governing. To quote Henry David Thoreau, “That government is best which governs least.” A president putting his face and signature on the dollar bill is a prime example of narcissistic behavior. I’m baffled as to why we cannot stop this madman from doing a 100% of what he is doing? That congress does not want to stand up to him is clear. That the Supreme Court is not going to make any major rulings against him is clear. Federal judges are the only judicial people holding him to constitutional principles, which comes at great personal risk for themselves and their families. None of this is right. Actually, I suppose all of this is right. Right-wing. Calling him a king I personally do not think does us any favors. His power does not come from birthright. He cannot be a king, but he can be a dictator. With Congress’ help, the Supreme Court’s help, and military support, he is allowed to be a dictator. How did it get to this point? We allowed it. Unfortunately, we now must rely on the military to take him and his regime down. And they clearly are hesitant to do so. Will they follow his orders to use nuclear weapons? Hold your breath. And get under a desk.
*I have done a lot trying to figure out religion over my lifetime. I am 12 hours short of having a master’s degree in divinity. I was fortunate enough during my time to study under Dale Brown, a leading authority on biblically based pacifism and nonviolence. I also had courses under Walter Brueggemann, one of the world’s leading authorities on the Old Testament. Both were very influential in my life. I was very lucky. For many, I probably have an unsettling view of Jesus and God. I have also had an unwavering devotion to nonviolence and pacifism, at least until recently.
I do my best thinking when I go to bed at night and slip under the covers. For 15 minutes, I think about the world. The time helps me sort out confusion, untangle powerful emotions, and ward off desperation. I take the time to give thanks and to complain. Grateful for another day, but unsure whether I used it very well. Lately, it’s about the only peace that I find. I solve a lot of things during this brief time, if only I could remember them the next morning.
Bruce H. Weik was a longtime columnist for The Zephyr and is co-creator of Many Paths Galesburg since 2019
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Many Paths: A writer’s bedtime thoughts on government and society | Opinion
Reporting by Bruce H. Weik, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail / Galesburg Register-Mail
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
