PERCEIVED INJUSTICE

CONTRAST OF TWO CITIES - VALUES AND OBEDIANCE TO LAW

FERGUSON BURNS–(Edmund Burke “Among a people generally corrupt, Liberty cannot long exist”)

 ST. GEORGE STONEWALLS AND WAITS-(Edmund Burke “It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice, tell me I ought to do”)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT-(Elder D. Todd Christofferson “As a consequence of being perfectly just, there are some things God cannot do. He cannot be arbitrary in saving some and banishing others. (He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” D & C 1:31) (He cannot allow mercy to rob justice.” Alma 42:25) Ensign General Conference November 2014

My friends, November 27^th City Council Meeting was cancelled. Local and national news is dominated with reports of Rioting and Burning of Ferguson City, Mo. Spectrum Reporter, David DeMill has front page story…..Grand Jury Decision Has Sweeping Effect…..Riots, rallies follow Ferguson officer’s lack of indictment…..Center of front page dated 11-26-14 is photo of a group of “Mostly White Students” gathered together with a sign placed in the middle of them declaring “Wake Up America”. Caption below photo reads…..Students rally at the University of Minnesota to protest police brutality, Tuesday in Minneapolis, following Monday’s announcement that a grand jury has decided not to indict Ferguson, Mo. Police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed, Black 18-year old Michael Brown.

PERCEIVED INJUSTICE is just as damning and harmful as a proven miscarriage of justice as made evident in Ferguson, Mo. However great or small it cannot be swept under the rug and be thought not to exist.

In the absence of a City Council Meeting this week I thought this an opportune time to contrast how some citizens in Ferguson, Mo. are addressing Perceived Injustice….. As Compared to what is taking place right here in Saint George, Utah…..Where some citizens have joined together in filing a Class Action Law Suit naming the City as Defendant in what they Perceive to be an Injustice, (Abuse of authority and denial of 4^th amendment rights.)

While the Lawful Taking of Life does not compare with Taking of Constitutional Rights, the denial or public airing of Perceived Injustice….. May be seen as the stepping stones that inevitably leads to the loss of liberty and equal protection under the law….Right here in St. George.   

They had their day in court. Yet a segment of the population of Ferguson, Mo. refused to   Accept Grand Jury Decision. They took the law into their own hands.  Look at the havoc and destruction they have brought upon their community with unlawful behavior.  This begs the question. Could this happen here?  The citizens of Saint George chose to follow the law and they continue to wait, and wait mindful of delaying and obstructive tactics of the City.  We know not if the issues raised in the class action law suit will ever see the light of day in a court room, where those involved may be called to answer allegations under oath?

What we do know is that the City of Saint George has listened to its lawyers and has attempted to delay and I believe prevent a public trial in hopes of concealing or accepting responsibility for any wrong doing. (At least in Ferguson they brought matter to Grand Jury.)

We know that the appearance of double standards exist in the application of the law as brought forth in allegations made against Councilman Almquist.

We know that the City Attorney may decide not to prosecute certain cases and can and has declared a conflict of interest…..In my opinion giving priority to protecting City Council Members. My friends they are elected or hired to take care of the public NOT each other.

How the citizens of Saint George address Perceived Injustice may thankfully differ from unlawful action taken by citizens of Ferguson, Mo. I pray that this will always be the case. The concern I wish to share with you is that we appear to have a Do Nothing Council when it comes to Law Enforcement and City Ordinance. Edmund Burke “The only thing necessary for triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The City of Saint George remains publicly silent and Reform of Code Enforcement and Ordinances appears abandoned by skittish City Council. I leave you with one last quote from Edmund Burke. “Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government”.

Thank you, ED BACA