Light/Breezes

Light/Breezes
SUNRISE AT DEATH VALLEY-Photo by Tom Cochrun

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

SANCTUARY

     The underground railroad is revered history in the mid-west. As school kids we learned the effort to help slaves to freedom was not without risk, or cost, but was the right thing to do. It was right to break a law. 
      The Fugitive Slave Law required free states to assist slave catchers, so those who were part of the underground railroad's network of secret routes, passages and safe houses violated a federal law. A rotten federal law passed by Congress.
       We admire the freedom riders who a century later risked life and well being to help end the vestiges of slavery. We admire those who sat in at lunch counters to protest overt segregation and racism. They too were beaten and arrested.  We admire freedom marchers who put their bodies on the line. 
       Civil disobedience, the willing violation of law to make a point about rotten laws, regulations or custom is a revered  and necessary tradition of a free people. Breaking a law, a bad law, is American.
        Blacks would still be property, denied rights or without a vote, women would be chattel and without a vote, children might still be indentured to work houses and sweat shops if Americans did not violate laws or ordinances to fix bad law. Presently millions of Americans, hundreds of churches and many cities connect with the ethic, principal and values of the Underground Railroad.
     Current immigration policy is predatory. We understand the need to locate and process violent offenders, gangsters, and those who threaten people and property. But the present enforcement push harms good people, business owners, parents, exemplary residents, some who have been good neighbors for decades.
     It is an irony to hear Trump supporters say while this is what he said he would do, they don't like that friends, employers or employees are being targeted. It is sad when American school children are terrorized by US Agents who are either threatening or are sending their fathers or mothers away. It is tragic when some are deported after making successful lives, paying taxes and  being responsible contributors. It is bad policy, bad law, too inflexible and the Sanctuary movement is thus an historic American response. 
     The Underground Railroad, the Suffragettes, the Civil Rights Movement, the Sanctuary Movement have at their nexus a spiritual and faith driven motivation. Principles of equality, fairness and compassion put into practice even against bad law. Some will argue we are a nation of law and laws are to be enforced. But thank God people of conviction and courage have broken laws and taken action to eliminate bad law. 

the eagle under attack
     With apology for the blurred images, we submit a few frames of a combat we watched from the tennis court.
            On changing service sides Mike pointed to the grazing slope below Scott Rock outside Cambria and noted what he referred to as a "golf ball like" white object.  He surmised it was a bald eagle. We watched as red tailed hawks dove at and menaced the eagle.

    Mike, Gail, Roy and I watched with amazement. Following our match play I attempted to grab a few photos. Distance plus the pace and furry of the fighting conspired against a good shot.
    One needs a good view of such intrigues.
same goes for the state department
    I don't know what it is-arrogance, stupidity, intended obfuscation or some other combination, but Secretary of State Tillerson needs his ears boxed. His actions of ignoring or isolating the US media is doing no one any good.  He pulled the stunt again on this middle east trip, giving a briefing but excluding his own nation's media. 
      Tillerson could get away with that as a private CEO, but as an employee of the American public he needs to be watched, studied, monitored and reported on. Importantly, a strong media presence has given previous Secretaries of State more than an equal voice or power in administrations. Tillerson is weakening his own heft. Someone needs to knock sense into him.

     See you down the trail.

7 comments:

  1. Maybe Washington needs a few Red Tailed Hawks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe so, indeed! They might even be interested in whatever that thing is that lives on top of trumps head.

      Delete
  2. There are many hispanics now crossing the border into Canada to escape possible deportation.
    They are frightened to death what may happen to them, even in Cambria. One tenth the numbers of Mexicans are crossing into the US compared to ten years ago so why a Wall? It's totally nuts and will impact "free" trade logistics. Mexicans losing their jobs in Mexico because of stiff tariffs will mean another influx of illegals northward despite the risks...I speak out but no one will listen. Americanada.us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are again on target. And I too urge folks to get to your link and read your book. It's a timely idea of value.

      Delete
  3. I'm adding this from an email written by a professor who is a former journalism colleague.

    I would add one other component to the discussion about the Fugitive Slave Act: It was, indeed, a federal law as you describe. Southern senators sanctimoniously demanded its enforcement. Shoots holes in one of the oldest crimes of revisionism in history—that the south wasn’t promoting slavery, it was demanding states’ rights. Only when convenient. But when it came to that bedrock law, the South was national governance all the way.

    KF

    ReplyDelete
  4. BUT, TOM, DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT TRUMP NOW OWNS THE UNITED STATES AND ALL THEREIN? THAT'S WHAT CEOs DO. GEE WHIZ, WAKE UP. IT'S A NEW DAY IN AMERICA. AND, BY THE WAY, READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE BY TODD GITLIN ON MEDIA IN AMERICA:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD6fvzGIBfQ

    ReplyDelete
  5. I sure learn here, Tom. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete