TO THE EDITOR:
The present administration continues to round up and imprison immigrants in a manner that is both violent and cruel.
The violence and related killing are taking place on the seas as well, whereas in the past the Coast Guard would board suspicious vessels, inspect, arrest and impound as warranted.
These and numerous other actions have been accompanied by violent rhetoric filled with lies and half-truths, which reminds me of two quotes.
The Gospel of John 8:44 states, “....he (Satan) is a liar and the father of lies.”
Singer-songwriter Don McLean, in his classic 1971 hit, “American Pie,” said, “I saw Satan laughing with delight...”
I see what is taking place as an assault on the soul of humanity and a denial that all of us are made in the image and likeness of God.
There is a danger that we may distance ourselves or even block ourselves emotionally from the evils that are taking place.
Instead, we need to recognize the evils, dialogue about them and show kindness and compassion toward others.
To sustain the hope of justice returning we need to engage with our neighbor, look in on our neighbor and look out for our neighbor. Our common destiny is at stake.
Below is a quote from Rev. Martin Niemöller (1892-1984), a Lutheran pastor in Germany.
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—as I wasn’t a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
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