WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2022 GROUND HOG DAY!!

 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2022 GROUND HOG DAY!!

(following Monday and Tuesday’s topics on Vietnam and Ukraine)

I was visiting one of my seniors at the Senior Living Facility last week  Her husband had been a career military person and they had lived in Japan, Korea, and England as he had been moved around during his assignments.  

Somehow (briefly) she mentioned the Ukraine situation and said “I hope they don’t have to put American boys on the ground there”

So, what is the value of human life?

I sometimes think human life must be pretty cheap.  Another friend tells me that Chicago is being the “Murder Capital” of the United States.  

Here is the list (from NeighborhoodScout’s Murder Capitals of America – 2022 - NeighborhoodScout)

1.  St. Louis, MO

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .87

• 13.4X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders: 263

2. Petersburg, VA

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .72

• 11.0X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  24

3. Flint, MI

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .58

• 8.9X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  47

4. Saginaw, MI

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .57

• 8.7X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  25

5. Pine Bluff, AR

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .56

• 8.6X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  23

6. New Orleans, LA

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .52

• 8.1X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  201

7. Detroit, MI

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .52

• 7.9X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  330

8. Harrisburg, PA

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .46

• 7.1X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  23

9. Memphis, TN

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .46

• 7.0X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  289

10. Wilmington, DE

• Murder Rate (per 1,000 residents): .45

• 6.9X U.S. Average

• No. of Murders:  32

My quick scan of the top 30 in the Murder list doesn’t have any Texas cities listed (and - my friends up north - no Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Connecticut (or New England), or Iowa cities).  In the top 30, there are five cities in Louisiana, four in Michigan, and three in Virginia and Ohio.

*****

I know that at times (fortunately only a few) I might have been mad enough to slap or hit another human being (and smart enough to know I would get hit harder by the other person).  Could I kill another human being?  I don’t know.  It might depend on the circumstance.  If one of my grandchildren was being cut apart by a totally deranged crazy person and I had a gun - could I kill that person?  

 

I know I am going to die eventually.  Death is not final for my beliefs.  Death is natural - but “natural death” is preferred over “unnatural death” (such as by a gun or knife).  

I don’t have a gun (and don’t want one).  I know of a person who bought a gun when the COVID pandemic started to protect herself and her family against potential robbers.  I know of many friends who have guns - and use them legally for hunting overpopulated deer, pheasants, geese, ducks, and other game.  Those animals are strictly controlled to prevent overkilling - but also allow for “thinning” of the population.  (Those of you in deer areas know they can take over in cities where they are not controlled). 

My question at the top was “What is the value of a human life?” I don’t have an answer other than my stock answer “We are all made in the image and likeness of God”.  And, you know that “Do not kill” is one of those standard Ten Commandments that most societies accept.

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

February 2, 2022