The Rule of Law, and true Justice
No, this is not a political post, but it is triggered by political events. Not sure starting out if I will get into religious doctrine, but it is quite probable, thus all the normal disclaimers apply.
First a question and no, this post is not about speed limits, it is just a good example.
The speed limit is 65. You are speeding at...
a) 70
b) 68
c) 66
d) all of the above
So, first a commentary since leaving paradise, which I heard just had the worst winter storm in 30 years last week. In Idaho, when they finally upped the Interstate limit to 80, they also had periodic signs posted that the limit was 80, not 85. Believe me, you can feel the difference between 80 and 75, and when you get to 65, it is like crawling.
If you answered d) then move to the head of the class. And this simple ideal, that one can drive 5 mph above the speed limit and not get a ticket, kind of sums up the problem we have. Because, regardless of whether there are police around, anything above the posted limit is breaking the law.
I watched, as long as I could, the confirmation hearings for Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. Many applauded, and much has been said about his attention to the rule of law. This is a rare find in politics. Too often the rule of law has been suborned to "Justice", however that is defined. Usually, it is defined by some concept of "hate crimes" or "reparations", or "you owe us". Make no mistake, most of these events have occurred due to a violation of law at some point, but I think that the scales nationally have been balanced. Locally is a different situation.
Justice is not special treatment. Justice is equal treatment. And that includes an honest look at schools, and the governments that are responsible for those jurisdictions. How long can a broken corrupt system keep its constituency in check by handouts, and then cry for "justice"? Justice should be served on those public servants who are not helping, and reparations of education and opportunity for those that have been kept down.
I abhor the concept of "hate crimes". It is a thought penalty that mysteriously makes a first degree murder worse than it was. People should not be judged on their thoughts, but their deeds. After all, who cares why a racist kills someone? Isn't the chair enough? Conversely, who cares if someone is racist, as long as they don't act out on it, other than perhaps to exclude this group or that from their business? Yes, I mean that.
As laws pile up federally, (hopefully they will soon start coming down) we have layer upon layer of BS. Much is made of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 (watered down by a party that shall not be named) and the later Act of 1964 (passed thanks to the other party voting to overcome a filibuster held be the same party that shall not be named) Guess what? The Reconstruction Amendments covered everything passed in those acts. (except the unconstitutional laws regarding businesses) Maybe if we enforced the constitution we wouldn't need all the laws.
Gun laws with harsh minimums are ignored, and yet cries for more laws are heard. Federal drug laws mocked by states. With no retribution. Immigration laws not upheld, and yet cries about our broken immigration system and the need for comprehensive reform are heard from sea to sea. For every law not enforced, the rule of law is degraded.
Is it any wonder that the rule of law is questioned by the citizenry? How do we know which law is going to be enforced, and which isn't?
Is it any wonder that people expect God's law to change? I mean those laws were written back then, and the times and culture has changed. Obedience is the first law and God's law is constant and eternal. While we know that we cannot live up to the standard set by our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are expected to try to live up to it. And when we consciously break a commandment, we are left on our own, to suffer for that sin. UNLESS, we follow the commandment to repent, and to demonstrate in our lives that we are TRYING to live like He wants us to. When we use our faith in His Sacrifice to rely on it for forgiveness, and when we forgive others, guess what? Justice has been served, thanks to Mercy. But make no mistake, without following the steps of repentance, Mercy cannot supersede Justice.
Supporting the rule of law starts with each of us. And driving the speed limit. wink wink
First a question and no, this post is not about speed limits, it is just a good example.
The speed limit is 65. You are speeding at...
a) 70
b) 68
c) 66
d) all of the above
So, first a commentary since leaving paradise, which I heard just had the worst winter storm in 30 years last week. In Idaho, when they finally upped the Interstate limit to 80, they also had periodic signs posted that the limit was 80, not 85. Believe me, you can feel the difference between 80 and 75, and when you get to 65, it is like crawling.
If you answered d) then move to the head of the class. And this simple ideal, that one can drive 5 mph above the speed limit and not get a ticket, kind of sums up the problem we have. Because, regardless of whether there are police around, anything above the posted limit is breaking the law.
I watched, as long as I could, the confirmation hearings for Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. Many applauded, and much has been said about his attention to the rule of law. This is a rare find in politics. Too often the rule of law has been suborned to "Justice", however that is defined. Usually, it is defined by some concept of "hate crimes" or "reparations", or "you owe us". Make no mistake, most of these events have occurred due to a violation of law at some point, but I think that the scales nationally have been balanced. Locally is a different situation.
Justice is not special treatment. Justice is equal treatment. And that includes an honest look at schools, and the governments that are responsible for those jurisdictions. How long can a broken corrupt system keep its constituency in check by handouts, and then cry for "justice"? Justice should be served on those public servants who are not helping, and reparations of education and opportunity for those that have been kept down.
I abhor the concept of "hate crimes". It is a thought penalty that mysteriously makes a first degree murder worse than it was. People should not be judged on their thoughts, but their deeds. After all, who cares why a racist kills someone? Isn't the chair enough? Conversely, who cares if someone is racist, as long as they don't act out on it, other than perhaps to exclude this group or that from their business? Yes, I mean that.
As laws pile up federally, (hopefully they will soon start coming down) we have layer upon layer of BS. Much is made of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 (watered down by a party that shall not be named) and the later Act of 1964 (passed thanks to the other party voting to overcome a filibuster held be the same party that shall not be named) Guess what? The Reconstruction Amendments covered everything passed in those acts. (except the unconstitutional laws regarding businesses) Maybe if we enforced the constitution we wouldn't need all the laws.
Gun laws with harsh minimums are ignored, and yet cries for more laws are heard. Federal drug laws mocked by states. With no retribution. Immigration laws not upheld, and yet cries about our broken immigration system and the need for comprehensive reform are heard from sea to sea. For every law not enforced, the rule of law is degraded.
Is it any wonder that the rule of law is questioned by the citizenry? How do we know which law is going to be enforced, and which isn't?
Is it any wonder that people expect God's law to change? I mean those laws were written back then, and the times and culture has changed. Obedience is the first law and God's law is constant and eternal. While we know that we cannot live up to the standard set by our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are expected to try to live up to it. And when we consciously break a commandment, we are left on our own, to suffer for that sin. UNLESS, we follow the commandment to repent, and to demonstrate in our lives that we are TRYING to live like He wants us to. When we use our faith in His Sacrifice to rely on it for forgiveness, and when we forgive others, guess what? Justice has been served, thanks to Mercy. But make no mistake, without following the steps of repentance, Mercy cannot supersede Justice.
Supporting the rule of law starts with each of us. And driving the speed limit. wink wink
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