“The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”
Reading the morning news on KTUL webpage in Tulsa, Oklahoma I was reminded of the epic movie, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” starring Clint Eastwood (the good) as Blondie, Lee Van Cleef (the bad) as Angel Eyes band Eli Wallach, (the ugly) as Tuco.
The reason I thought of this movie and especially the title is because every day the news is a mixture of the ways we humans often come together to help each other as well as the ways we can justify hurting each other. Among the news stories this morning was the fact the city council of a small town in Oklahoma invited a Hindu priest to lead the opening prayer. The City Council members wanted to show that they are a community which celebrates diversity. Some objected. Personally, I am not convinced that any religious prayer is an appropriate way for the body politic to demonstrate diversity. The community includes religious as well as non-religious people. I do think the intent of taking a moment to call upon the best of each of the members is laudatory. Perhaps one does not need to invoke a particular god to accomplish that purpose. If one must invoke a particular god by all means invite leaders of various religions.
There was also a story of funds being provided to assist struggling individuals and families to pay their rent or for landlords to pay their mortgages. This is sadly a much needed program especially designed for those whose finances have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
Another story concerns an invitation to the National Rifle Association by state lawmakers to locate its national headquarters in Oklahoma. The state senate has already approved the “Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act”. Senator Warren Hamilton is quoted as stating, “This measure builds a wall of protection around our Constitutionally-protected, God-given, blood-bought rights to keep and bear arms.” Personally, I am not convinced the second amendment provides that protection. I do think it provides for a military force which can be used under the direction of the United States Congress and the President. I am also not convinced that our historic use of violence, our support of the use of lethal weapons by other groups or countries to whom we sell or give weapons or our reliance on lethal force by police, much less by private citizens, is in the best interest of anyone. I am not a vegetarian and cannot claim to be against the use of guns by those who hunt for food for themselves and their families.
Another positive article detailed plans to expand the access to covid-19 vaccinations.
There was also a story about a farmer who defends cockfighting saying, “You’re simply testing and competing the game cock, to test it for the natural genetic traits that God put into the creature, when he created it.”
it is obvious that many in Oklahoma seem to have a particular god on speed dial and can easily verify what his, her or it’s thinking or will is.
While reading these and other stories I was reminded of the movie, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” because it is easy for this human to self-righteously read the morning news finding examples of all those whose opinions are wrong or “misguided”. It is equally easy to read the news though the lens of my Pollyanna glasses seeing only good and ignoring issues which I need to more thoughtfully research or publicly address. I have been guilty of summarily labelling and dismissing individuals or groups as good, bad or ugly doing both them and me a disfavor.
Us humans are all a Heinz mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. We are all less than gods and more than the worst of the behavior we sometimes demonstrate. We have much to learn about how we take care of or ignore each other. We would do well to often “keep it simple stupid” and do all we can to be grateful that we have the means to ensure that we can humbly and gratefully share resources and the talents of each of us.
Written March 16, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Reading the morning news on KTUL webpage in Tulsa, Oklahoma I was reminded of the epic movie, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” starring Clint Eastwood (the good) as Blondie, Lee Van Cleef (the bad) as Angel Eyes band Eli Wallach, (the ugly) as Tuco.
The reason I thought of this movie and especially the title is because every day the news is a mixture of the ways we humans often come together to help each other as well as the ways we can justify hurting each other. Among the news stories this morning was the fact the city council of a small town in Oklahoma invited a Hindu priest to lead the opening prayer. The City Council members wanted to show that they are a community which celebrates diversity. Some objected. Personally, I am not convinced that any religious prayer is an appropriate way for the body politic to demonstrate diversity. The community includes religious as well as non-religious people. I do think the intent of taking a moment to call upon the best of each of the members is laudatory. Perhaps one does not need to invoke a particular god to accomplish that purpose. If one must invoke a particular god by all means invite leaders of various religions.
There was also a story of funds being provided to assist struggling individuals and families to pay their rent or for landlords to pay their mortgages. This is sadly a much needed program especially designed for those whose finances have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
Another story concerns an invitation to the National Rifle Association by state lawmakers to locate its national headquarters in Oklahoma. The state senate has already approved the “Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act”. Senator Warren Hamilton is quoted as stating, “This measure builds a wall of protection around our Constitutionally-protected, God-given, blood-bought rights to keep and bear arms.” Personally, I am not convinced the second amendment provides that protection. I do think it provides for a military force which can be used under the direction of the United States Congress and the President. I am also not convinced that our historic use of violence, our support of the use of lethal weapons by other groups or countries to whom we sell or give weapons or our reliance on lethal force by police, much less by private citizens, is in the best interest of anyone. I am not a vegetarian and cannot claim to be against the use of guns by those who hunt for food for themselves and their families.
Another positive article detailed plans to expand the access to covid-19 vaccinations.
There was also a story about a farmer who defends cockfighting saying, “You’re simply testing and competing the game cock, to test it for the natural genetic traits that God put into the creature, when he created it.”
it is obvious that many in Oklahoma seem to have a particular god on speed dial and can easily verify what his, her or it’s thinking or will is.
While reading these and other stories I was reminded of the movie, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” because it is easy for this human to self-righteously read the morning news finding examples of all those whose opinions are wrong or “misguided”. It is equally easy to read the news though the lens of my Pollyanna glasses seeing only good and ignoring issues which I need to more thoughtfully research or publicly address. I have been guilty of summarily labelling and dismissing individuals or groups as good, bad or ugly doing both them and me a disfavor.
Us humans are all a Heinz mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. We are all less than gods and more than the worst of the behavior we sometimes demonstrate. We have much to learn about how we take care of or ignore each other. We would do well to often “keep it simple stupid” and do all we can to be grateful that we have the means to ensure that we can humbly and gratefully share resources and the talents of each of us.
Written March 16, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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