Bethlehem's Child

R.I.P

I had two funerals this week. Two elderly sisters in the ward died last Friday. They weren't even that close to the top of the list. There are about 30 people in the ward over the age of 80. Three of those are sisters who really could go any day. We hadn't had a funeral since Richard Seiger's in March. I thought we were on a roll. I made a deal with the Lord that any more funerals this year had to take place on Saturday so I wouldn't have to adjust my time off schedule. So with annual reviews this week, I had to come in early to make up the time. I got an email early last Friday that Elva Werner died. On my way home from work I stopped by to meet with Glen. Then 11:30 that night Lorin Simper called to tell me that Viola had died.

The funeral today was very nice. There was a sweet spirit there, almost like our ward conference last year. We managed to start almost on time. It is nearly impossible to finish the viewing in a timely manner so that the family prayer can begin when it needs to. People think they can show up at 15 minutes to the hour and get through the line and there won't be any delay. Also the service ended almost exactly on the hour.

My remarks focused on the sister's service to the ward. She was the Cub Scout den leader up to the very end. I hope I'm still attending my meetings at age 84. I told them I needed to point them to Christ. But, it wasn't a big stretch from this sister's example to Christ. I Spoke briefly on Christ as the Bread of life and quoted the text of the Bach song "Bread of the World." And then I ended with the idea that our sorrow now at her departure is overshadowed by the joy of the reunion on the other side as she is received into the arms of a loving Father in Heaven. There were also two musical highlights: One of the sons is in the Tab choir and he had his quartet sing "Consider the Lillies." It was simply marvelous. Also, a granddaughter played an original composition "Brother Joseph" that was just great. I really want to get a copy of the music.

Vi and Lorin were eight days shy of their 60 year anniversary. At least two of the musical numbers had been planned for that party. But, were used for the funeral instead.

Lenore wasn't able to attend because Laney and her class were singing a Christmas program at the Mall. I thought the performance was at exactly the same time. But, about 10 minutes before the end of the service I got a text message from Ailsa asking if I was going to be able to make it. When the service was over I responded asking if they had started yet. I managed to get there only about 30 seconds after it started. So it was very fun to be able to watch her program. At first she was crying because her Santa had broken. But, before long she had settled down. It was a touching treat to be able to make that program as well, another tender mercy. Thank goodness for text messaging and cell phones.

The Way the Tookie Crumbles

In the seventh grade our advanced placement civics type class participated in an exercise called "Womertopia." We played legislature for weeks on end presenting bills, debating them (this is what I mostly remember.) And I guess we eventually voted on them. The main thing I remember about the debate was that it seemed to be me against the rest of the class. On all of the hot button issues, especially Abortion and the Death Penalty I felt like the only person holding forth on the conservative view. I think this is part of the problem with conservatives. I probably wasn't the only one with my views. But, I was one of the few willing to argue for them publicly. Remember this was smack dab in the middle of very conservative Orange County in the early 70's. I re-lived a lot of this last night listening to those pleading for the life of "Tookie" Williams.

These are the arguments for sparing Tookie:

1. Killing is wrong. The Bible prohibits it;

2. The trial wasn't fair. He's really innocent; and

3. He is reformed and can do a lot of good if allowed to live.

Rebuttal:

1. Liberals love to throw the Bible back at us. But, if they knew it well they would realize that the law of Moses established the death penalty for infractions perhaps quite a bit more minor than murder, such as transgressing the law of the Sabbath. So with that in mind, what does the Bible mean when it says "Thou shalt not kill?"

2. Tookie's supporters have been assailing the trial with every weapon available for 25 years. It has stood up to numerous reviews and appeals, even at the hands of the Ninth Circuit Court. Second guessing the Judicial system can only go so far. As far as I'm concerned it went about 24 years too far. When OJ was acquitted they loved to say Justice was served and OJ's detractors had to live with it. Doesn't that idea apply now too?

3. Let's apply this argument to the practice of abortion.

It is not retribution. It is Justice.

Mr. Sharpton said that many would-be gang members would be drawn to a better life it Tookie were spared, they would want to work with the system. I don't think that is how gang members think. In the words of Inigo Montoya "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Liberals say that deterrence doesn't work. It absolutely does. Tookie will never kill again.

Liberals see it as "hateful" to execute a killer. It really isn't done out of hate. But, rather justice. Is it not more hateful to kill an innocent unborn child through abortion?

I think the only fair argument for sparing Tookie is the he should have had swift justice.

Jensen's Latest: "Saturn"

NAMCLA

You may remember the account below about Laney licking Maxine. I was awakened early this morning by Tommy grooming the back of my head. At first I thought he was just very close to me and was getting my head while licking himself on the follow through. But, after awhile it was apparent he was licking only me and was doing it on purpose. I tried to thank him gracefully and encourage him to stop so I could get back to sleep. He obliged. So I smelled like tuna cat lick until I was able to take a shower in the morning.