The Death Penalty

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Tuesday, the day I write these first lines, President Biden was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre, June 1, 2021.

The details of the massacre and of his speech will continue to be recited in assorted forums in assorted ways.  I agree with the tenor of the Pressidents remarks.  Let that suffice.  A still unknown number of people were sentenced to death that awful day, without charges, without trial, without obituary or even name.  Their deaths were apparently deemed unimportant.  A commentary not only for then, but continuing on until even today.

This day I would like to invite you to watch and listen to a discussion of the death penalty at a program I watched two weeks ago, recorded on Zoom.  It was a discussion of the film Just Mercy, which I’d seen a couple of years earlier, and which is still available and well worth your time.

The link to the program is at https://www.globalsolutionsmn.org. Go to the video archive, listen to the discussion involving Amy Bergquist of the Advocates for Human Rights and Stephen Rohde of the California ACLU and BendtheArc.  All speakers were very well informed.

As I was watching/listening I got to thinking about the fact that Just Mercy related to a case about a man sentenced to die in 1987, adjudicated under the laws and mores of a state at that time.  Then I thought of another well known film I saw in 1996, Dead Man Walking, same theme.

At the time of our on-line discussion, the George Floyd case had shortly before resulted in a conviction of a policeman for murder in my metropolitan area.  The murder was caught live on video from many angles – a technology only recently available to almost everyone; not so much 25 years ago.

I also thought of other ways of killing we have perfected in recent years, such as killing people by character assassination, particularly on vicious social media, only recently seeming to be reined in at least a little bit.

The death penalty, as it seemed to be discussed on the program, relates to the old way – application of Law to judge, fairly or unfairly, people charged with violating some law or other.

In the aftermath of George Floyd, and many others; and the universality of portable video cameras in the form of iPhones, and all the variations thereof, we are in a new Wild West, or so it seems.  The new technology can be a great force for good, but can as easily be manipulated for evil….

We have a lot to talk about.  Amy and Stephen and moderator Kathya, herself a lawyer, provide a great base for discussion.  I am not sure how long the video will remain available on line.  Best to take a look while you can.

I hope you watch the film as you pay attention to compelling current events.

 

 

Memorial Day 2021

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This morning, Monday May 31, 2021, at 9:30 on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds, at the Vietnam Memorial, will be the annual Veterans for Peace observance of Memorial Day.  Except for last year, when the Pandemic made it a virtual event, it has been at the same site for almost all of the 18 years I’ve known about it.  I rarely miss it.  I’ll be there again this year.  All are welcome.  It is always meaning-filled.

The last year, particular beginning with the Pandemic, have seared us all.

This year my focus on this day is the contents of a single page piece of mail I received from my friend Padre Johnson on May 23.  Here it is in pdf form padre johnson philosophy, below in jpeg.  It is shared with his permission.

I’ve known Padre for more than a dozen years.  He’s my senior by a couple of years.  This one page creed is a single sentence, every phrase within food for personal thought by myself…and anyone.  He lives this creed.

A descriptor of Padre’s amazing career from 1992 is summarized here: Padre Johnson 20200304_12272801.  In specific context with today, here’s the portion about his service in the U.S. military: “…he was officially assigned for the first time in American military history to serve in an independent duty position as both the chaplain and in a leading field medical officer position with his Black Beret “River Raider” Assault force One Special Forces unit in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta Region.  For his many successful life saving medical rescue mission efforts under some of the most impossible combat situations during which he was twice wounded in two separate battles he was very highly decorated with two Silver Stars, the Legion of merit with Valor, the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross and two Purple Hearts – becoming one of the highest decorated chaplains and medical officers in the history of the U.S. military.”

Here is the front cover of the book which includes the above descriptor:  Over a period of about 13 years, Padre spent significant time with people in 149 countries and all U.S. states.  The resulting art, by Padre, became a major exhibition at the United Nations in New York in 1992.

Let there be peace within ourselves, our families, our neighborhood,our communities, our countries, our world.

POSTNOTE: I also want to call attention to another gift, received recently from my friend and peace activist, David Logsdon, former President of VFP27.

POSTNOTE 2, after The Vets for Peace gathering:  Memorial Day is complicated, granted.  It is a day to remember those who died in service to or country.  But is is also good day to party and celebrate, etc. etc.  We watched the annual PBS Memorial Day Concert last night.  The emphasis was again on 9-11-01 and foreign wars, nary a mention of domestic in-tranquility, like Jan. 6, 2021.  We are a nation badly divided.

It is as it is.  I was at the annual event of Vets for Peace.  It is my tradition.  It was nice as always.  Beautiful weather.  There were about 100 of us, which is pretty usual.  Mostly the folks who have organized it for years are Vietnam Vets, not high on war, certainly.

Behind the speakers was the Minnesota Vietnam memorial wall.  I noted that the first Minnesota Vietnam deaths were 1962 – the first of my two Army years.  The worst year was 1968, sandwiched between 1967 and 1969 – the second and third worst.  One brother began with F-105s in 1967, if I remember correctly; My kid brother graduated from University in 1970, off to war, both of them were Air Force officers.
Our chair today, Barry, mentioned the three classmates of his killed in ’Nam, one of them among thirteen GIs blown up when a load of ammunition went up, how that happened unreported.  But these are the kinds of things that get remembered by warriors.
Several on todays program were Native American veterans: drummers and spoken word.  “Indians” in my experience are very patriotic.
My barber was a Marine in Vietnam.  He had close calls, but came home in one piece.  Every patrol was uneventful, until it wasn’t.  No one knew when or exactly where disaster would strike.  His kid brother followed him into the Marines, as my barber had followed his older brother.  His younger brother, Joseph, was killed in ’Nam less than a year into his enlistment.  His name is on the wall, in the group that is 1968.

MAY 31, 2021, Capitol grounds, Minnesota state capital.

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COMMENTS:

from Judy: A Blessed Memorial Day to you Dick who always remembers

with respect and affection those who have graced his life.
from Steve: The piece from Padre Johnson is a brave expression of human intention, reason and faith. Thanks for sending it along. The Memorial Day event in Woodbury was lovely–well planned by theVFW, touching, and very personal. The  high school honor guard was proud, the Civil War reenactors were impressive, the speaker was ins[irational, and they had a great crowd.

 

Church

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Today I was back for 9:30 Mass at Basilica of St. Mary.  It was first time since the Pandemic began.  It was good to be back.  The absence was not due to protest, or such.  Advice – prudent, I feel – from the Church was for older folks to not attend.

Cautions are relaxing a bit as the Pandemic hopefully recedes.  You are still advised to register beforehand; and in the Church to stay mask and maintain social distance.  Every other pew is taped off.  Etc.

I had no expectations today.  Just going to Mass.  I like going to Church.

Today, “Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity”, turned out to be unusual.  It was the first Mass for a newly ordained priest, Fr. Michael Reinhardt, whose road to the Catholic Priesthood was unusual.

Here he is, giving his first sermon.

Fr. Michael Reinhardt

Here he talks about his background, leading to his vocation.  This is an 8-minute or so conversation with Pastor John Bauer.  I found the piece very interesting.

I don’t know where Fr. Reinhardt’s first assignment will be.  I’m guessing his diverse background will serve him, and his congregation, very well.

 

Fires

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One year ago, May 28 and 29, 2020, was a terrifying time in our area.  The fires in Minneapolis and St. Paul started the night of May 27, and continued to the early morning of May 29.  I asked my friend, Ruhel, when his restaurant burned down.  “May 29” he said with no hesitation.

The fires the first night were totally unexpected.  Ours is a major metropolitan area and problems and protests are not unusual.  But not violent.  The last such time I can remember was Minneapolis, 1967.

May 28, 2020,  caught everyone by surprise, and rumors were flying about outside agitators and criminals coming to town.

There is now a year under our national belt – an opportunity to put those nights in context.  Of course, crimes are committed in secret, and people like myself are not insiders when it comes to information.  So what I am going to offer is strictly opinion, informed by a career of looking for evidence.

First, Nancy sent me a comment which you can find in my May 29, 2020, post, “A City Burning”, as follows:

“Here’s a post that I saw on Facebook today — very important message:

‎Jesse Haug‎ to Lowertown, Saint Paul
9 hrs
A reminder that on nights like these, there are multiple distinct groups in action, with distinct goals and behaviors. Do not confuse one with another.

I’d group them into at least 5 categories. [emphasis added May 29,2021]

1/
ACTIVISTS: They have clear goals, at least in their own heads. They are out to be heard and noticed. They may be nonviolent. If there is property damage, it will be targeted. Diff activists may have diff targets, but it won’t be indiscriminate.

2/
GRIEVING CITIZENS: They aren’t (yet) organized activists. They’re hurting deeply. They haven’t been heard. They have more anger than they know what to do with. They may cause unjust damage, even though their anger comes from a place of justice.

3/
ROWDY IDIOTS: They don’t give a shit about justice. They just want to fuck shit up. They’ll mingle with the activists, even though activists are ultimately a nuisance to them. They’ll come like moths to a light any time things are going off the rails.

4/
CHAOS AGENTS: Like rowdy idiots, they want to fuck shit up. But like activists, they have a goal and are self-controlled. They’re here to escalate, create an opening, make others look bad. Prime examples: alt-right instigators and crooked police. (There’s overlap.)

5/
PROFESSIONAL THIEVES: Whenever there’s chaos, there’s an opportunity to make a buck. Some of the “looting” has actually been well-organized, coordinated hits: post a lookout, designated grabber, getaway car.

6/
There may be more groups I’ve overlooked.

I say all of this to point out the danger of using the word “protesters” for everyone out there tonight. If, for example, you say, “protesters need to stop burning buildings,” which of these groups are you are referring to? Be specific, not vague or generalizing.

Above all, be careful that you do not wrongly ascribe to ACTIVISTS and GRIEVING CITIZENS the actions of the other three groups. That is just what those other groups want.

The need for justice is real. The grief is real. Take them seriously. Respect them.

Addendum: just in case it’s not obvious, the first two groups are the vast majority of people out there — but the last three cause the vast majority of damage.”

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I want, here, to focus on #4, CHAOS AGENTS.  #3 and #5 could be added as well.

The death of George Floyd on May 25 was certainly tinder for the protests.  We have watched this play out for an entire year.

But there has been shadow activity all along, right up to today.  Very visible, in plain sight, in the news, frequently.

You might remember the Tuesday following May 29, 2020.  That would have been June Tuesday, June 2, 2020, when the then-President called in the troops to clear the riff-raff from Lafayette Park from the White House, and posed for the infamous photo with the Bible in front of the Church.

The June 3 Minneapolis Star-Tribune, on page one, headlined an article, “Bipartisan rebuke of Trump move”.  Here’s the entire article:Minneapolis burning June 3, 2020.   The Minneapolis-St. Paul crisis was made to order by Mr. “Law and Order” and his acolytes.  Later came places like Portland and Kenosha, all useful as false equivalences, using legitimate protests as cover for chaos.

You might remember the insurrection of January 6, 2021, where a mob and mayhem descended on the U.S. Capitol building.

You might remember, yesterday, May 28, 2020, and the vote in the U.S. Senate against hearings about January 6.

I still have hopes that justice will be served in Minneapolis-St. Paul for all places that were damaged in the aftermath of May 25.

There will be peaceful resolution if we make it so, as we have done ever since those awful events.

Have a good Memorial Day.

Vaccination

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Last evening at the conclusion of a meeting, the suggestion was made to meet at a popular suburban St. Paul tavern across the street.  It was about 6 p.m., and it seemed a good idea.  Only three of us went.

The place was packed, ordinary people like ourselves.  No one was masked – that’s not out of compliance now.  But it still made me nervous, and I stayed around only a short time, and went home.

While we waited for the third in our party, I asked a colleague, “have you had the vaccination?”  “No”.  “What vaccine did you get?”, he asked.  “Pfizer – the two shots”.  I don’t think either of us were wanting to dive into the weeds on going deeper into this conversation.  So I don’t know why he hasn’t been vaccinated.  Certainly, it’s not because it’s unaccessible to him by now.  Minnesota has a pretty solid record of implementation, I think.  I got my shots on February 4 and 25.  I was a bit more tired than usual the day after the second shot, but that was about it.

Whirling around this little vignette, this week, is the assorted national news most everybody can see on the news or in the newspaper or on the internet: stories about lottery tickets for people to get the vaccine, or assorted other incentives; anti-vacc campaigns; general hostility to rules or requests.  Today’s Just Above Sunset summarizes well the discouraging words around the country: “Only Chaos Now”.

There are fewer signs up suggesting masking, or social distance etc.  I’ve already described the tavern; at my coffee place, most people still come in with masks; for some months there’s no requirement to mask in restaurants and the like, though seating is limited.

It is suggested that those who haven’t received the vaccine wear a mask; my guess is that those I see wearing masks are those who have received the vaccine.  The others resisted the mask, just as they are resisting the vaccine – nobody will tell me what to do.

I think back to a specific time in my olden days.

In my memory, I’m about 14, 1954 or so, in Wahpeton ND, and we’re in line to receive the Salk Polio vaccine, just released for public use.

I was 14, so I don’t know first hand if there were protests against the vaccine.  I know it was taken very seriously; I know people who had polio, some who still live and endure post-polio effects.

Back then there were no lottery tickets to entice people to get a shot they should have rushed to receive.

There have been similar campaigns at other times: TB, smallpox, measles….  Public health has always mattered, and to be effective the public has to be cooperative.

It was the tenor of the place that caused me to leave the tavern after only about a half-hour last night.  The conversation will have to wait for another setting, at another time.

from Norm, with permission (he wrote this on another network I’m part of).  He has direct and career experience with health policy at the state level in Minnesota:

[MN] Governor Walz has offered all number of incentives to the unvaccinated to get them to bring their arms to the point at least once if not twice.
Some folks are already complaining about this effort as being unfair to all of us who believed the public health and medical experts and got their vaccine or vaccines as soon as we could.
I read such a complaint in the Strib [Minneapolis Star Tribune] today (LTE) from some writer who felt that it was unfair to reward folks who have elected not to become vaccinated for religious or political reasons or just for the always enlightened “You can’t tell me that those public health experts know more than I do!” or words and thinking to that effect.
You will all remember that a recent POTUS thought like that!
The purpose of the incentives is not just to rewards late comers to the party which they certainly do, of course, but to get to the public health promised land of herd immunity.
Incentives such as that are not unusual in trying to achieve a public health goal no matter how unfair they may appear to some who don’t need incentives to do what they perceive to be doing the right thing.
I remember from my many years working in the regulation of them that most of the HMOs who offered the Prepaid Medical Assistance Plans (PMAP) offered incentives such as Target gift cards to get the lives covered under that governmental program to do something.  That is, to get health care checks for themselves or their babies including well baby check, their children and on.
Apparently, many of those covered lives would not do that without some kind of incentives.
Again, the incentives are used to achieve public community health goals, nothing more and nothing less even though they may appear to many as unnecessary as many folks think that people should know enough to do the right thing for themselves and for their communities…but they too often do not!
I could absolutely care less as to why they do not do “the right thing” but just that they do not and that affects all of us!

 

A Death; A Year

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May 25, 2020, was Memorial Day, the day George Floyd died on a street outside a neighborhood store in Minneapolis.  At the time we were all immersed in the pandemic.  The front page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune had a sub-headline above the fold: “A GRIM STATISTIC U.S. likely to surpass 100K deaths in coming days.”

We all know what made one year ago different.  I had been keeping the front section of all the newspapers since the pandemic was declared, and here are the front pages of the days beginning May 27, the day when ‘George Floyd’ became a name for history:

May 27 – June 4, 2020, front page, Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Sunday, May 23, 2021 – two days ago – I went over to Chicago at 38th Street, the crime scene where George Floyd died a year ago.  It was about noon.

A parking lot preacher was holding a service kitty-corner across the street; there were a few of us walking around.  It was a respectful place, not a fearful one.   Some might consider me a ‘tourist’, but I wasn’t.  I wanted to witness the place I had first seen from a half block away a day after Floyd had died.

Back then, there, a concerned group had gathered at the intersection, in the street.  I was close, but didn’t get out of my car – my only concern was being in a crowd during the pandemic.

Two days ago, I took a few snapshots.  Here are three.

38th and Chicago Ave Minneapolis MN May 23, 2021

May 23, 2021, Cup Foods, Minneapolis MN, on Chicago Avenue.

 

Lutheran Church at the corner of 39th and Chicago, Minneapolis, May 23, 2021

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Today, a new year begins.  My only thought: “what can I do, as an individual, towards positive change?”  I am only one, but I am one.

So are you.

POSTNOTE: Today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune, front page, and two of eight page special section on George Floyd

May 25, 2021 Minneapolis Star Tribune

 

After Antarctica

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POSTNOTE Sunday May 23: This film is being continued through May 27.  It is very well worth your time.  Here is the information.  Here’s Will Steger’s website.  You can make a difference.

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May 21 I watched the new film, After Antarctica, explorer Will Steger’s retrospective on his own life.

If you’ve heard of Will Steger, and have even the tiniest of interest in him or the issues he’s identified with, you will want to take the time to watch the film.

You have through May 23 – Sunday.  You don’t have to leave home; there is admission charge.  Reasonable.

Here’s ticketing info.  Here’s all the information you need.  (Ignore the phrase “your access ends…” – that’s a note to me, personally, since I’ve already seen it once.).

I will say, again, this film is well worth your time and the price of admission.

The website for the film is here.

 

1990 Antarctic Expedition map

The Antarctic Expedition team, 1990

Will Steger and Team welcomed by Gov. Rudy Perpich at Minnesota State Capitol March 25, 1990 (photo: Dick Bernard)

Gratitude

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Early last week I’d written my financial adviser with a question.  Joe wrote back and what I noted particularly was the quotation he apparently uses on all correspondence with clients:

“Nothing can stand up to gratitude. There’s no negative emotion—not fear, not self-doubt, not sadness, and certainly not anger—that can survive exposure to the radiance of gratitude.”   Nick Murray

I liked his selection of a quote, and told him so.  In fact, I replied with a TED talk on the very topic which I first saw in 2011 and have referenced ever since.  It is worth your 10 minutes, here.  Joe responded almost immediately: “I really enjoyed the TED talk.  Thank you.”

Note: Joe’s business is money.  The stereotype for money men might be different.  I know Joe, not well.  But what I know of him is consistent with his choice of quotation.

I had planned a “Gratitude” post before I’d written to Joe, so his letter was just positive reinforcement.

My plan was to emphasize the positive turn – at least for us, now – on Covid-19.  This morning I went to my coffee shop to clarify my thinking on the topic, and started a list of positive things this week, for which I could be grateful.  I got to 19 specifics. So much for making a list of good things.  “Lots” suffices.  Joe’s letter simply jogged me to actively think of those positives, rather than the “stinking thinking” so easy to descend into.

On my “gratitude list” was Melvin, who I’d met on Friday.  Melvin is a long-time good friend, well known locally – the ‘peace bubble guy’ – most recently on a wonderful TV ad spot seeking organ donors.

Melvin’s card

Greeting me this day at Caribou was Julie, an older server who I hadn’t seen for the entire year of Covid-19.

It was a pleasant surprise for both of us.  She said she worked only infrequently at the coffee shop; her full-time job was elsewhere.  It was great to see her.

In between, many other mostly small but very significant demonstrations of the positives in my community…and in yours as well.

As I found out, you may have to consciously think about them, but they’re there.  Check out the Gratitude video (even if you’ve seen it before).  Another suggestion was a film we saw on Netflix last night, “Cuba and the Cameraman”, a documentary which doesn’t sugarcoat but brings local life of real people into focus.  I found it uplifting and inspirational.

May your today “really be a great day” (David Steindl-Rast).

Yes, there are very important issues.  But take time for Gratitude, too.

COMMENTS (more at end of post)

from Judy: as usual a profound communication.  Thank you.

from Mark: Thanks for the shout out to “checking the box” – one of my top passions.

from Annelee: Dick, thanks for today’s blog, it made me reflect. Believe me I am grateful and I thank God every morning and night. My reflection got rather long, well I am living a long time, right?

In my nine decades of life there were hills and valleys. I tried to walk and cope with the valleys, but I always was grateful for the many hills that life gave me.

I am grateful for how blessed I was to be born to parents who loved me and by example taught me right from wrong.

Am grateful because I survived WWII when throughout the world lives were taken long before their time.

I am grateful for living in the best country in the world, married for half a century to a man  who became my partner; my friend.  I am grateful for our children and the life-long friendships  that brightened  and still brighten my days.

I am grateful for 22 years I was given the privilege of teaching and sharing in the struggles and successes of my students.

Now as I am nearing 95, I am most grateful for my extended family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I am grateful that I live in a community where I feel safe, have friends and neighbors who tend to my needs and help me to keep my balance

On good days, which are the majority, I am grateful or good health, on others I am grateful that my back or age-pain isn’t as bad as it was the day before.

Dick, dear friend, I am grateful that you made me aware how truly blessed I am.

from DJ: I’ve been focused on gratitude / random acts of kindness for yrs.   I have a dailygrateful prayer time.     I have realistic gratitude and not irresponsible gratitude.

I am not grateful for a Pres who is out-of-touch and reeks of dementia.

from: Sandy: Thanks Dick for your words of wisdom as always and I am so grateful for you and your family and I am just writing to you rather than out on your blog post but thanks for all that you do and the great words of wisdom that you seem to bring forward to the world

 

Five Minutes, please

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Take five minutes to take a look at the calendar of upcoming events on the Citizens for Global Solutions calendar.   Just scroll down to “Featured Events” for full descriptions.  All are available at home, probably wherever you live, between today and May 23.  One of the featured events is the 2021 Mpls-St. Paul Film Festival.  The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a long column about the Festival in the Saturday edition, here.

Another event, NATO’s Climate Challenge, comes through Global Minnesota and is described here.

Most of these events request or require pre-registration.  Most are on-line.

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How about making a personal commitment to participate in at least one of these activities; and sharing this post with at least one other person who might be interested.

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I have had one additional post this week, entitled Palestine-Israel.  This will likely be amended by addition later.

There may be two subsequent posts, probably on Saturday and Sunday.

You can get notice of all posts simply by a click on the box at the end of this or any post of mine.

Palestine-Israel

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Back on August 1, 2020, I opened a long post about why I’m a Democrat with these words:  “Among 7.8 billions citizens of planet earth 331 million in the United States, I am one. I have 80 years of experience in my native land, the United States of America.  Everyone has their own story.”

Back then, in the old days of American politics, we were beginning the hot times of the U.S. Presidential campaign, and its aftermath.  Oh, such a long 10 months.  But my statement, then, was not a statement of hopelessness, rather of empowerment.  We, the people, are the sole source of power in our own society – not anyone else.

I need to say nothing more, particularly if you are someone who more or less regularly reads some of these posts, now 12 years running, and every one archived.  Nearly 80 of them reference Israel or Palestine.

Along with every other piece of tinder tossed on the fire, come the events of recent days in that land called in the Bible, Palestine, and possessing today’s political designation as Israel, a place approximating the size of New Jersey.

Today’s Just Above Sunset deserves reading in its entirety.  It simply summarizes recent history.

Then assess where YOU stand and why, and how this newest looming disaster is resolved, along with all the other disasters looming.

Every one of you is like me.  We’re part of the problem, or part of the solution.  There are no bystanders.

Here are maps from history: Bible 1906005 (click to enlarge.  All of these from an early 1900s Bible  of my grandmother.

Personally, I’ve been to Israel, in a powerful group tour in January, 1996; and to places like Auschwitz and other holocaust sites with a group roughly equally Jews and Christians in 2000.  I’ve been to the fresh grave of Yitzhak Rabin (assassinated November, 1995), and tried to follow the geopolitics of the region from the time the country of Israel was created, beginning with the partition or the region at the end of WWI.

There is nothing easy about this situation.  There are no winners in fights to the death.  This is a dangerous place.  I am one voice.  So are you.  So is everyone.