Unfolding before our eyes this week is the news coverage of the protests in Los Angeles, with some protestors peaceful, and others prone to causing damage and becoming more like rioters or anarchists, which is my interpretation of the facts. Political agendas are playing out, pitting the California governor and the US President, in conflict with one another.  Both sides are working hard to promote their respective point of view, with the “fact checkers” researching to determine what is true and what is not, which sounds like being objective, yet the findings always supporting one side or the other consistent with network bias.  Add to that misinformation from AI generated sources, and the confusion only grows.

During these chaotic times, we have to do our own analysis and fact finding as best we can, then decide where to place our allegiance. The street actions in Los Angeles, which has spread to other major cities, may change opinions, but for most will tend to reinforce existing bias. I like how the reporters on one side tend to minimize the problems with the unruly protestors, referring to them as citizens exercising their right of free speech, not needing Federal reinforcements, while the other side takes credit for avoiding a cataclysmic event, where the city of LA potentially burns.  The repeated showing of cars burning and those with Mexican flags throwing stuff at police doesn’t help one side, and plays into the hands of the opposition, who points to this as proof that things are out of control.  Social media posts are claiming to be factual, which the mainstream media utilizes to help drive their advocacy journalism, which sounds to me more like an oxymoron.  

With the nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday, followed by the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Army in America, which I found to be most patriotic, and the terrible murder of the Minnesota House Speaker, the divisions are only getting deeper, and but for the grace of God, there doesn’t appear to be a resolution in sight. Legacy media keeps fanning the flames of distrust and discord of the opposition, which may be the so-called existential threat to Democracy that we hear a lot about.  With the recent missile strikes in Iran, some may be actually waiting for the media to advise them whose side to take in this newest conflict abroad.

If we could find a way for people of faith who aren’t politicians to meet in the middle, with a premise of respecting the rule of law while treating all with dignity and respect, that might be a start to bringing unity. We would have to agree to stop citing past behavior as a way of undermining this more peaceful approach. Immigration could be a starting point for discussion, as a not so easy example.

I believe most would agree that we need to secure our borders. Existing laws should be enforced with changes to be recommended based on the underlying premise of national security and treating all with dignity and respect. Because many millions of immigrants got past the Mexican border without authorization, the idea of mass deportation of millions of course seems impractical, except for those with significant criminal records.  A process should be considered whereby all those here illegally might have a reasonable pathway to citizenship, while protecting national security. For those outside the US wishing to become US citizens, a process should be efficient, including asylum seekers, where decisions could be made without unnecessary red tape. 

Our Christian principles would support a more humane approach. The current mess needs to be cleaned up, with a thoughtful deliberate method making the most sense.  When both sides are coalescing around a united effort, perhaps a solution is within reach, despite the biased media reporting. 

Prayer is necessary to breathe life into any proposed changes, with advocacy around a united solution, which might confound the news media, but gets us beyond the deep-seeded factionalism which exists today.  Something to ponder and pray about, as “out there” and “out of touch” as this approach may seems to be. You’ve got to start somewhere.

Tell me what you think. 

Have a Blessed Sunday! 

-Joe

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