Flawed Glass

               In the destructive partisan chaos that defines our national identity, the principles and values in our Constitution have long been forgotten. Differences and disagreements, if approached with maturity, can be resolved, but only if both sides elect to work for reconciliation instead of just wanting to “win the fight.” When adversaries truly listen to each other, they almost always discover that they have more in common that in opposition. But we’ve fought for so long that we’ve forgotten why we’re fighting--what's at stake. Causes and ideals have been discarded and now the only important thing is to destroy the “other side,” and the bloodier the better. In the 19 th  chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament there’s an interesting story. Paul and the missionaries were successful at Ephesus, and many Ephesians believed. Consequently, the economy took a dip. The economy centered on the Temple of Diana...

           The border crisis is no longer about the border crisis. It hasn’t been for a long time. The border crisis is now about the Republicans vs. Democrats—liberals vs. conservatives. The time has long passed since either was concerned about reaching a just settlement of the issue. Both sides just want to win the fight. In my limited observation, the crisis (liberal/conservative winner/loser notwithstanding) has two primary conflicting values. The first value is the disruption of established “domestic tranquility.” The mass influx of human bodies is overwhelming the existing system’s ability to assimilate them with justice and compassion. That flood of humanity creates a threat to the stability and, to a significant degree, the security of those who are in the path of the flood and/or who deal directly with the challenge. The border states obviously bear the brunt of that challenge, and many believe the Democrats/liberals have not demonstrated satisfa...