Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Can anyone out there tell me who has been given immunity from not being held accountable for their actions/words by God? No one? Adam, the first man created in God’s image was not immune from God’s punishment, nor was Eve when they violated God’s command. So, if God didn’t grant any living soul immunity from punishment for violating His law, why would a “practicing” Christian nation not do/say anything when government officials in the U.S. hardly ever face prosecution? This nation that has “In God We Trust” on its currency and other symbols, a “nation of laws” that is supposed to apply to everyone even today’s “Adam And Eve”, unless those government officials have those names. Pardon the sarcasm. But the subject of implied or legal immunity is in the news following the weeks of protests after George Floyd was killed by a white police officer when Floyd posed no danger to law enforcement. People are afraid that when the four police officers involved in Floyd’s death go to court, they are afraid that none, including the officer that had his knee on Floyd’s neck making it very difficult for him to breathe, may get any convictions. There is a well-documented history of police officers avoiding any prison time for their alleged crimes because of a Supreme Court doctrine, not law, that effectively shields them from punishment for their actions. According to media reports, no matter the charges, the Supreme Court has ruled that officers’ behavior must violate “clearly established” laws, or constitutional rights. Of course, not everyone in the legal community agrees which is why an appeal was made to the Supreme Court to hear a case beginning in October, but it was declined.

We can all agree that being a police officer is tough when one has to be tough. Nevertheless, every police officer does not have a “tough” day every day. Furthermore, when that tough day comes, the community expects that officer to do his/her job the right way, taking a life only when it is necessary. The public sees them as upholding the law with dignity and honor, but at the same time, being subjected to the law, as even they have to answer to a Higher Power. The Supreme Court won’t be able to help them on that day.

On another front, there is nothing more disturbing than to hear/know that a leader's, whether governor or president, health is in question. Candidate Trump boasted about his vigor and “low stamina” of other Republican candidates and didn’t like it when President Obama would rapidly descend the ramp getting off of Air Force One. After getting off the plane following his commencement speech at West Point, the president took a long slow gingerly walk down the ramp that some people questioned whether the president was feeling well. The president responded on Twitter saying that the ramp was “long, steep and very slippery”. The weather was dry and the ramp had slip resistance strips on it. Then there was the matter at the ceremony where the president had to use two hands to hold a glass of water as he drank. Is there something wrong with the president? Just as in his taxes, we don’t know. At 74 years of age, the president shouldn’t criticize anyone’s health. For an avid golfer, the president is never seen walking always riding. Don’t look for the president to criticize Joe Biden’s health without his being questioned. Remember, the world is watching. So is God.