Riots

Friday evening, Janet, Jettie and I spent time with friends in Lincoln leaving there about 9:30.  We were heading east on Hwy 6 east of 84th Street when I saw a patrol vehicle  all lit up cross over Hwy 6 on the I-80 overpass.  I thought there must be an accident somewhere ahead.

After getting on I-80 and up to speed two additional patrol cars came storming upon me in the “monfort lane” (1970’s terminology for the inside lane).  They too were fully lit up and flat fogging it.  It was impressive to watch them pass and then disappear ahead of me.  WOW – a bad accident, I thought.

Getting home I turned the news on to check on the Omaha protest of George Floyd’s death in police custody in Minneapolis earlier in the week.  Then it struck me – the speeding police cars were going to 72nd and Dodge to deal with the protest.

And why are they protesting and rioting?  Yes, a terrible injustice in MN but we are people of law and order.  There is a system that will deal with the evil which is already working as the lead officer has been arrested and charged with murder.  Should the three be charged – it seems so.  Let the investigation proceed and justice happen per law and order.  It is one thing to protest – to hold signs, sing, and shout but to go to the streets to attack police officers and property is anathema to law and order.  [And because a few police are evil and jaded doesn’t not mean the vast majority are bad.]

The removal of a Judeo-Christian mindset has resulted in the deterioration of our society to times such as these.  Rather than peace and goodness ruling, there are rocks and words flying – and this is true in our national politics as well.  Civility and kindness toward others is being replaced with division and anger.  May we who profess Jesus as our Lord follow His example of going about doing good, calling out evil, and serving those rejected by others.

I pray that community leaders in Minneapolis will calm the storm and that the justice system there will not over-react but act timely and properly (there is always the danger of a scapegoat mentality driving responses).  May the police and guard be strong with restraint.  May the death of George Floyd do much to serve our country in transitions toward greater unity and love.