Thinking Out Loud, Volume CDXLIV

As a general rule, I try to stay away from controversial topics on this blog, but I have decided to weigh in on the events in Ferguson, MO and present my views on this explosive occurrence. First of all, I predict that in the not too distant future, as far as most of the country is concerned, this fiasco will be yesterday's news, and we'll all be talking about whichever big story the news media decides to sensationalize next. In the meantime, however, the big news is Ferguson. Without a doubt, I have readers on both sides of the issue, and both are equally convinced their views are right, and they could eloquently and convincingly present their sides of the story. Here's my view: I just don't know for sure, but then, like most of us, I don't know all the facts. I'm only aware of the facts the news media has chosen to share. What I DO know is our system of justice in this country has served us well down through history, with a few tweaks along the way as needed, and we would be well advised to trust its reliability. It is the job of the grand jury to decide if there is enough evidence to take a case to trial, and in most cases, if they decide that evidence is not there, it would be extremely difficult to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt once the defense had the chance to present their case if there WAS a trial. Another aspect of this story that needs to be considered is the fact that there are two families who are hurting right now, and their holiday season will not be happy. The Brown family has lost a son they loved, and although the grand jury decided not to indict, the Wilson family has had their lives forever altered, and will have to spend the rest of their days looking over their shoulders, and sleeping with one eye open. That brings me to another point: People on both sides of this issue have the right to protest and demonstrate, as long as it is done peacefully. It disappoints me, however, when criminals who don't even have a dog in the fight, use this event as an excuse to destroy the property of innocent business owners, and rob them blind before doing so. Just a few short years ago, my little hometown in central Louisiana was the center of a similar controversy that was in the news just like Ferguson is today. Mistakes were made by fallible human beings on both sides of that issue as well, and it's understandable that tensions would be running high in both camps. In both instances, Jena and Ferguson, the trouble was not created by the local people, but by outsiders who came to town solely for that purpose, although the events in my hometown didn't even come close to being as explosive as they are in Ferguson. And while on that topic, I must add that both of those stories have re-enforced my view that most of our news media cannot be trusted to present all the facts of news stories such as these in an unbiased manner. I will go so far as to say that much of the media wants bad things to happen, so they can have a sensational story. As a matter of fact, "The New York Times" went so far as to publish the policeman's home address and a copy of his marriage license, which contains data that could provide information on his extended family. It is my belief that 95% of our nation's population is made up of good people, and I have to trust the theory that the grand jury, which is chosen from among these "good people," made their decision from the facts presented to them, and acted in a way they felt was right. We also have to trust that their decision was not racially motivated. There are those who are disappointed, while others are satisfied, but I've never heard of a trial where that was NOT the case. As for us, our best course of action is to pray for the Browns, for the Wilsons, for Ferguson, and for our great country. Now....let's all, regardless of skin tone, lock arms and join forces to work for a society where we all love each other....even in our disagreements. Preston