Covington Catholic High, News and Values

The story about the interaction between Covington Catholic High School students and Native American protesters in Washington, D.C. on January 18th has lots of lessons for everyone. Some of those major lessons have to do with news gathering, the general public as news gatherers, media scrutiny, Christian values, tribalism, and the need we seem to have to make our opponents out to be the epitome of evil. That's certainly a lot to handle but handle it we must if we have any hope of moving on from the divisions and hatred that seem to be driving us apart.

I happen to think that it really is time that we have a major discussion about Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms and how they're used as news sources by so many millions of people around the world. It will need to be a difficult discussion that will include concepts of free speech, the common good, etc.

The story about this past weekend's events has become complicated. First there was a video that seemed clear in showing a confrontation and disrespect for indigenous people. Teenagers wearing Make America Great Again hats and shirts jumping up and down, yelling and seeming to be making fun of a Native American protester. Video proves a point, right? It's clear, black and white as they say. Well not so fast. As other video clips appeared, there were other circumstances, other people and groups of protesters involved. Facts began to change relative to the reason and purpose of the confrontation and intervention in the first place. But, and here's the bigger problem, the original information and video had already gone viral with statements of shock, abhorrence, shame, etc.

Because of the divisions in our country and the intolerance of one side for the other, our tribalism if you will, we all took our positions, jumped on Twitter and Facebook and spread the message as we saw it. Hateful things were said about the boys, Republicans, the right, the March for Life, Covington High School, parents and teachers. When some of the story changed, positions took a turn for the same tone against liberals, the left, Native Americans, Black protesters and Democrats.

Now there are legitimate questions about Christian and Catholic values. Also questions about high school students wearing MAGA hats and other paraphernalia at a pro-life rally. Where were chaperones and other adults who had either traveled with these young men or who were interacting with them as part of an organized rally? Where was the media before or during the discussion took off on social media platforms? Who was conducting interviews with the Covington students, the indigenous people, the Black protesters or witnesses to the events? One of the sad lessons here is that we, as members of the general public, are not necessarily great reporters or journalists. The general public hasn't been trained in sourcing, validating or challenging. As passions rise, it is easy to look to validate your own positions or beliefs. It is easy to be shocked and appalled. It is easy to point fingers.

The leaders of our country have helped to give credence to this reality of how we talk about, above and beyond each other. They have encouraged dishonesty in our discussions. The worse thing they have done however is that they, and I mean all of them, have vilified communication and encouraged distrust and misinformation. Clearly there are big challenges ahead for everyone but we have to start by seeking the truth and talking to each other. There really isn't another path as I see it. So let's all figure out some better ways to take on these challenges as well as support each other in the task. This celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his message and values is a good time to reflect and act on those values.

The Plot Thickens!

If it were a novel, it may be interesting, perhaps even enjoyable. A President elected with the help of a foreign power, a purported enemy to boot. An attack against open and free elections, similar to prior attacks by us against other countries and their elections. Outrage, frustration, investigations and partisan calls to protect or throwout the newly elected President. Schizophrenic behavior by this official with dabs of paranoia and a Napoleon complex. Hiring the best generals and the smartest business people followed by insulting firings of the idiots who were the best and the smartest months later.

Having fun yet? It goes on and gets better or worse depending on your point of view. Random attacks on people, individuals, groups and institutions. The media is the enemy of the people. The FBI is dirty and corrupt. The CIA and intelligence community don't know which end is up. Everyone's incompetent and no one's sleeping very well at night. The Republican Party is in effect dismantled and replaced by a 35% base of people who love rallies. A midterm election shifts power in the House of Representatives. The government shuts down at year end and continues into the new year.

The chief investigator continues to investigate at a maddening turtle's pace. People are arrested, indicted, sometimes sentenced and singing like Mocking Birds. Different tunes at different times but lots of tweeting.

A young Russian woman is arrested and starts to cooperate. She has info that could be damaging to both the American and Russian President. This should help the investigator. He and his crew get excited. Suddenly, an American is arrested in Moscow. He's accused of spying. Government's begin posturing and negotiating. Ah yes, the plot thickens......Will the spies be swapped, taking away the investigator's potential for proving COLLUSION? We'll have to wait and see. Sadly, this is no novel. It's real life as we enter 2019. Hold on to your hats!

We Should All Think About The Dangers of A Partisan Military

On Dec. 26, 2018, Donald Trump visited American troops in Iraq. There is a lot of discussion on both sides today talking about how it's "about time" he made the trip or how "wonderful" it was. I don't really have an opinion about the rightness or wrongness, etc., etc. I do, however, feel like the partisanship expressed by himself and displayed by a good number of the soldiers was shocking and something that people should really be concerned about, including both military and civilian leaders.

I'm referring specifically to his comments about the southern border, the border wall, his budget spat and how Democrats are responsible for all of the problems related to the current government shutdown. He spoke as if he was at one of his political rallies instead of in front of military personnel. And the soldiers themselves broke with their traditional protocol by wearing and waving partisan red hats and cheering at barbs against people with different political views in the US.

It's probably not a surprise to many that I am not a great supporter or believer in the traditional militaristic approach that most countries throughout the world have when it comes to armies, planes, missiles and bombs. Many accept these things as a necessary evil. I am one of those who believes these necessary evils bring people and nations closer to war every day. In many countries, people who see the potential danger of militarism gone amuck, set up systems and virtually demand that there is civilian control and oversight of the military. That has been the tradition in the US as well and examples of this go back as far as the the founding of the country.

But we never had Donald Trump to contend with in the past. We never had a situation where a President talks about "his generals" and then puts them in charge of the military and national security. We've never had a situation where lines have been blurred like this. We also haven't had many situations, if any, where a sitting President goes on foreign soil and complains about his political opponents to soldiers in the field and gets them cheering against these opponents.

Perhaps Donald Trump and some of his biggest supporters would like to see soldiers marching with red MAGA hats as part of their uniforms? That's what this breach of military protocol could ultimately produce or allow and we should all be concerned about it. There was a time when I thought such statements were an overreach or an overreaction. No more. When you see it with your own eyes, when you see people who should know better, you suddenly realize that we are crossing lines everyday. I don't want to see troops become troopers who are protecting one segment of the population's beliefs and their wants or needs. Donald Trump doesn't seem to get any of that and no-one seems to want to tell him how wrong he is in his view of American values and politics. People better step up before it really is too late. I would guess there are military leaders and personnel who were not pleased with yesterday's events. My worry is about those who thought it was great!

Jakelin Caal Maquin

Jakelin Caal Maquin is dead......and Boarder Patrol agents dump water left for migrants.....and seeking asylum is a universal human right......and DHS says the trip is dangerous......and people are kept away from ports of entry......and people are met with tear gas at other points of entry......and politicians of every stripe fumble around pointing fingers, blaming each other and planning their Christmas get away......and this 7 year old girl is dead. I'm ashamed.

Yes, I am ashamed. We should be better than this. We should know right from wrong. We should demand more of our leaders and people who work for us. We should understand human rights and the dignity of life. We should expect people to find humane solutions to problems. Sadly, this is only one tragedy added to the list of tragedies around the world. We have to do better.

Dorothy Day's Anniversary

Today ( Nov. 29, 2018) is the memorial of Dorothy Day's death in 1980. I am not an enthusiastic promoter of her canonization but I believe her values and many of her actions for social justice and peace and the poor are a beacon for people to contemplate and follow. Dorothy supported me and many others who were associated with the Catholic Worker over the years. We all learn from each other and I learned a great deal from Dorothy and others at the Catholic Worker. Anyway, here is a little clip for folks who may not have known of her.

Seeing the pictures of Dorothy below, sitting in vineyards in California in 1973, surrounded by California Highway Patrolmen, supporting farmworkers, reminds me of her strength and commitment. She carried her three legged portable stool due to her arthritis making it difficult for her to stand for long periods. I think I know how Dorothy would be responding to the issues we see today on our southern boarder.