Freedom from Having to Stop for a Red Light?

 I don’t believe it. But there it was, a “Letter to the Editor” in the Sunday morning paper. The man wrote, “I don’t think we need a law that requires Iowans to stop every single time at stop signs and lights.” I have been using the analogy of stop signs when writing that during a pandemic it is essential everyone wear a mask and social distance, saying “We accept laws that require us to stop for a red light.” That’s for the common good, so that we don’t cause other people to die.

The writer went on to make his case about not obeying traffic signs: “So what if there are a few more injuries or deaths. . . it’s a small price to pay for maintaining our constitutionally-protected freedom.” I don’t have a constitutional right to injure or kill people. Rather than worship the word, “Freedom” we need to believe that freedom is not just for me to do whatever I want. We have freedom from tyranny to “promote the general Welfare.” Oh, and what about seatbelts, and smoking regulations, and . . . ?

The First Amendment Does Not Prevent Us From Caring for the Neighbor

 

The US Supreme Court has overturned a N.Y. ruling concerning religious people gathering in crowds, some saying this was based on the “heart of the First Amendment.”

      The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” Neither the establishment clause nor the free exercise clause prevents guidelines and laws needed to protect people’s right to live.  Free exercise means freedom for me and my neighbor, not my freedom to endanger my neighbor.

      The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily barred New York from enforcing strict attendance limits on places of worship in areas designated coronavirus hot spots. Such restrictions are necessary during a pandemic; it has been demonstrated that large gatherings of any kind, including houses of worship, have directly contributed to huge outbreaks of COVID-19 and many deaths.

      The court ruled 5-4 in favor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America that argued that the restrictions violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Headlines reading “US Supreme Court sides with religious organizations” are misleading. In my opinion the ruling did not “side with” religious organizations or two specific religious groups, which would have violated the establishment clause.

      This ruling has implications for future court cases which might base rulings on the free exercise clause, thus, in my view, misusing the First Amendment. This also has implications for all religious organizations. Some members might use this Supreme Court Ruling to insist their faith community be totally open to in-person services and to not insist on social distancing and wearing masks. We need to carefully study the First Amendment and also the Preamble to the Constitution which includes the words, “to promote the general welfare.” Freedom from means freedom for people to be able to live.

Masks up! Or not?

 

Mask up. Or, not! Whatever you want. Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds issued a confusing mandate Monday. People are required "to wear masks in public indoor space if unable to maintain a safe social distance." Faith communities were not mentioned. Many pastors took this to mean they should not have indoor services without safe distances and masks. However, Reynolds’ many exceptions later were said to include religious services.

And people "running a quick errand in a store" wouldn’t need to wear a mask. Nevertheless she "encouraged mask wearing." That is easily interpreted, "Do what you want to do."

My husband, Burton, wrote in a Letter to the Editor in our Globe Gazette, “Perhaps the governor’s failure to require everyone to wear masks did get her votes." Reynolds said the election (in Iowa?) supported her actions. Burton added that perhaps Reynolds "should overrule the law against smoking in public places."

Or maybe we as individuals should decide whether we want to or not go through a red light. After all, it does inconvenience me when I’m in a hurry. Or perhaps, because we have "freedom" in this country, I need not wear a seatbelt. It’s uncomfortable. Freedom does not mean we can do whatever we individually want. Freedom in a democracy means we are free to work together, including being guided by scientific evidence, so that all may be safe, and therefore free to live.

In a news conference Reynolds was later asked about the science which states clearly that wearing masks makes a big difference in containing the virus, to which she responded that there was "science on both sides." Later a spokesperson for the governor tried to correct her statement by saying that the science was clear but there were people on both sides of the issue.

So, what are people required or encouraged to do in Iowa? Where is the leadership? The confusion only adds to the divisions and invites cases of COVID to surge.

First President from the "Silent Generation"

 The 46th president of the United States will be the first from the “Silent Generation” 1928-45. Characteristics: they are respectful and responsible, have a strong work ethic and will-power. That’s Joe Biden, b. 1942. Kamala Harris, the first woman vice-president-elect (on the 100th anniversary of women winning the vote), helps us celebrate black/brown citizens of immigrant parents, hers from Jamaica and India. Burton and I celebrated by a walk through downtown Mason City. We played the chimes and xylophone on one of our many city statues.

At the time of the election announcement we were having a party: a 5-person celebration of my birthday (b. 1938) yesterday. I give thanks for birthday greetings from across the U.S., Australia, Canada, Korea and Namibia, and from all generations from my kdg. friend to my new friends here at Prairie Place whom I have met in my 80's. I celebrate, give thanks, and pray for the challenges and possibilities ahead. I celebrate with the world!