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!

Day 7 of Walk Around the Neighborhood

 Day 7 (the final post) of my “walk around the neighborhood”: Back at home (just in time; the snow has come) I show you Prairie Place on First, before and after the first snowfall. We moved in 3 1/2 years ago after leaving Dubuque. There are 32 apartments; ours is on the second floor, just above the entrance. Built in 2016, the building follows the Prairie-style and is part of Good Shepherd campuses. The long-term care facility is across the street to the North. Our Prairie Place residents have formed a fine community—at a distance now with masks—and none have contracted COVID. We need to continue to take precautions for everyone's sake, in every neighborhood around the country and around the world.

Day 6 of Walk Around the Neighborhood

Day 6 of my "walk around the neighborhood" Seven churches are within a few blocks of our home. We are members of Trinity Lutheran (ELCA), 1/2 block NW of us. Due to COVID, the last time we were in the building was March 13. This large congregation is blessed with an on-line service for us and for people across the country. Trinity at 150 years, continues to be in ministry and mission by offering on-line Bible studies, health ministries, and more.

Back home again, here is a picture of the front door to our apartment, complete with memories from our visits to Australia. (The world is a larger neighborhood.)

Day 5 of Walk Around the Neighborhood

 Our neighborhood, Day 5: We walk back on Rock Glen, the nationally recognized historic district of Prairie-style homes, the largest collection in the world. Over a dozen homes in the Rock Glen, Rock Crest area on both sides of Willow Creek are in a beautiful setting. We could walk all around, by crossing the footbridge. It would take about 20 minutes.

For now, we simply walk by some of them and continue on our way back. We do pass the Stockman House (pictured here) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1908, only 1 block from our home. The Park Inn Hotel, 4 blocks west downtown, is the only Frank Lloyd Wright hotel left anywhere. Built in 1910, it was recently renovated as a wonderful place to stay overnight.

Stockman House

One of the Prairie style homes on Rock Glen.

This is the four-plex across the street from the Prairie style homes. My mother and I lived in the 2-room apartment upstairs on the left while I was in college. (My father had died when I was 11 and my sister was now off teaching.) Mother lived there many years. We would enjoy the Prairie style homes across from us.

Day 4 Walk Around Our Neighborhood

 Day 4, walking around our neighborhood: Just up the street from the Library, we walk over the Meredith Willson footbridge. (It's 3 blocks from our home when we walk up Connecticut) The footbridge, in scenes from the "Music Man," is in "River City" (Mason City). Below the bridge is Willow Creek, which flows behind the library and art museum. There's a waterfall just beyond the bend.

Day 3 of the Walk Around Our Neighborhood

 Day 3 of the walk around our neighborhood: Next door to the Library is Mason City's Art Museum. Across the street is Hospice where Burton made many pastoral calls. If we were to walk West instead of South, the Post Office is one block away, also our bank, the Court House and Central Park are within a few blocks. So good to walk.

Number 2 of Walk Around our Neighborhood

 Continuing to take you on my walk around our neighborhood, three blocks further is the library. Built in 1939, it's beautiful. You may recall Marian the Librarian from "The Music Man." Meredith Willson went to school with my father. Here is a picture of the building and one of the statues on the grounds.

Walk Around Our Neighborhood Day 1

 Before the snows arrive, I'm going to share some scenes from our neighborhood here in Mason City. (I will share each day this week.) Across the street at the corner from where we now live is the old Mason City High School from which my sister and I graduated. Our father was in the first class to graduate from that building.

Women March Oct 17, 2020

 In 2017 an estimated 5,000,000 people marched (200,000 on the National Mall) across the U.S. and the world to protest the Trump inauguration. It was an unforgettable sight, people of all ages, backgrounds and genders. This Women's March was the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. I spoke at the march in Dubuque, Iowa

.

Sat., Oct. 17, 2020, there will be a Women's March again (2:00 at Central Park in Mason City, IA) opposing Trump's record and agenda, including his efforts to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat. Check out if there is a March near you. This march is for reproductive rights, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, healthcare, the environment and more. We march, and we vote!