It is amazing to me that the Lone Star state with its incredible number of temples of all Abrahamic faiths plus, of all sizes also leads the republic in the number of citizens the collective puts to death. Mega Churches
Guilt is not necessarily a requirement. Even a casual review of the news reminds us that in just the past few years there have been 242 post conviction DNA exonerations. On February 17, 2004, Texas executed an innocent man. His name was Cameron Todd Willingham. .jpg)
From what I’ve read of the Christ he was a tolerant, forgiving individual. His message was peace. So it leaves me puzzled that people who spend most of Sunday in temple; subscribing to piety, who self-describe and profess to be “compassionate conservative Christian (think “W”) are not tolerant, forgiving, peaceful people.
These are the same folk who demand the death penalty, less healthcare and more missiles. The compassionate conservative Christians see nothing wrong in the way the residents of New Orleans too impecunious or physically challenged to leave in advance of Hurricane Katrina were treated by Brownie and the Bush Administration.
They scoff at the idea that the residents of New Orleans up to their waists in rising storm waters for days were left there because of their race, political leanings or lack of political clout. Instead compassionate conservatives are more apt to believe that the fine folk of the Big Easy were justly punished for their sinful ways.
In previous articles I’ve discussed the fact that many of the students in the Lone Star state never cross the stage to receive their high school diplomas and even among those who do few make it through college. Many of those who dropout of our public education system, largely poor racial and ethnic minorities, end up in prison. Institutionalized racism at the center of public education’s problems
I’ve also discussed that lead in the environment effects behavior. Lead is found in paint, the soil and in various objects. It can affect a child in its mother’s womb. It leads to diminished cognitive ability, increased aggressive behavior, exactly the type behaviors exhibited by many of those we routinely sent to prison. Institutionalized racism at the center of public education’s problems (part 3)
“Exposure to lead can have a wide range of effects on a child's development and behavior. Even when exposed to small amounts of lead levels, children may appear inattentive, hyperactive and irritable. Children with greater lead levels may also have problems with learning and reading, delayed growth and hearing loss. At high levels, lead can cause permanent brain damage and even death.” Lead Exposure In Children Affects Brain And Behavior
The city of San Antonio’s Master Plan (1954) served as the blueprint for the racial and ethnic distribution of the city’s population that is still in place today. And yes the architects of the “Master Plan” (sounds a bit Hitlerian doesn’t it?) would have self-identified as compassionate conservative Christian.
Of course things are changing but not much and certainly in no hurry. A system once in place is a very difficult thing to change. It is a system few seem to recognize for what it is. Everyday it just keeps grinding up more lives.
These elements may seem disparate and disconnected at first blush. They are not. The condition drags down this city, state and our beloved republic. It is a condition that has been with humanity almost from day one. It is largely responsible for what we call policy and or politics.
For more info: Innocence Project
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