Monday, Monday

In the wake of the Sikh shootings in Wis, there was a shooting in Detroit that didn't make this AM's newspaper.  Seven people were shot on a Detroit River Dinner Boat.  Perhaps the incident occurred too late to make this AM's editions; I don't know.  Perhaps it's another instance of "What's new in Detroit?  Nothing...." 

Still, both shootings illustrate something I thought about last week.  They are the extreme culmination of our "I, Me, Mine" society.  "Somebody dissed me.  I want to get even.  If others get hurt, too bad.  It's all about me and what I want.  The value/worth of others' lives is nothing compared to what I want."

And here's a good editorial about Presidential abuse of power, this time Obama's.  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120806/OPINION01/208060305/1007/OPINION/Editorial-Obama-s-power-grab-flouts-Constitution

Of course other Presidents have abused power.  Where do we want to start?  With Lincoln?  FDR?  Bush?  But I would submit Lincoln's abuse was, in light of the little crisis he faced, justified.  I don't subscribe to it, but others make a similar claim with FDR.  Obama's are much more egregious, usurping authority he isn't supposed to possess or ignoring duties he is supposed to perform.  Meanwhile, Congress and the media sleep.  The victims are the Constitution and, eventually, freedom.

I know the response of many people to my plaints.  When I hear them, I just recall the lament of Pastor Martin Niemoeller: 

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not 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 for me.

Tell me again that I'm being paranoid.