THE LEAF CHRONICAL OPINION

THE LEAF CHRONICAL OPINION

            What is the opposite of justice? How can we know it when we see it or when we experience it? How do we define racial profiling?  Almost two months have passed since the incident in Sanford, Florida fueled a national discussion on the progress of race relationship in America. In some way, each citizen is responsible for what America looks like today. The story has been covered by the media but one TV network suggest it was just an accident.

            I agree with the national outcry and protest that is including citizens of all economic and racial identification. It is not just about the individual who shot the gun, but the conduct of the police department (who serves and protects) presenting a case of institutional racialism. Hooded individuals are therefore gathering all over the nation to express concern.

            The fact that the murder of a black by a none black seemed covered up by police is not incidental to this death and is cause for great concern. However, while we are concerned that a black boy is dead, the fact is, several black men are killed each month in Detroit, Chicago, Nashville and other large cities across the nation. What if the circumstances of this case were the same, except the shooter was black? Another black man would be dead and the shooter would have been arrested that night and destined for prison’s death row. We lose more young men in Black on Black crime than are murdered by others. Where is the Black church, clergy, civil rights organization’s in our own communities regarding this fact. How can we so strongly condemn the neglect of police, legislators and government officials, when we are not involved in a nation campaign to solve our own problems?

            It is not just Sanford’s police Department. It is part of our criminal justice system. We are 12% of the national population, yet 50% of prisoners are Negros. Justice is not just...equality is not equal. Prisons are big business on the stock market. It is not the intent of the criminal justice system to rehabilitate, but to stabilize the ex-con in the circle of returns to prison. Meanwhile, we are shut up in our houses of worship on Sundays and have forgotten what  Jesus said about our commitment to the hungry, sick and those in jail. When will the church call thousands together to seriously deal with black on black crimes? Check your news media, a black man probably died at the hands of another black today.

            Some who claim to be the moral right seems more  to be the moral wrong. They claim to be patriots but their legislative agenda has made it more difficult for American citizens to vote, and at the same time easier for citizens to commit murder...protected by “Stand Your Ground”  legislation across the nation. What is the opposite of justice? How can we know it when we   experience it?  Every day, our school children are repeating the pledge.  ”One nation under God…with liberty and justice for all.”  Neither is true!

                                                                                    Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                                    Clarksville, Tennessee

                                                                                    931-220-1522

                                                                                    April 6, 2012

THE OTHER SIDE OF CHRISTMAS

Much can be said of the tragic death at the Sandy School. Some are asking why? A few days before Christmas! Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of Jesus, and the angels testified to the shepherds that the news of Jesus’ birth will bring good tidings and great joy to all people. The angels sang “Glory to God … peace, goodwill toward men.”

          That is only part of the Christmas story. It also included a homeless couple. What ever joyous time that will be celebrated by some of us, remember, there will be some one in our city sleeping under a bridge or contemplating suicide.

           Christmas, children looking forward to this special time and special gifts, suddenly cut down. All of us are in some way impacted by this event. It is difficult for some of us to accept, but the slaughter of children is also part of the Christmas story. The Message from the Wise Men that a new king was born disturbed King Herod. He ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem from two years old and younger. This slaughter was spoken by Prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah. Lamentation,  weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more.”

          The cause is sin! We already have a law against murder. Our politicians and the NRA are on trial. The framers of the constitution never meant for citizens to arm themselves with powerful weapons for self destruction. Muskets were their only weapon of choice.  Republicans, once again are on the wrong side to this discussion and some Democrats fear the power of the NRA. There need to be a spiritual revival in America in which all Christian denominations and their pastors should lead. The other side of Christmas is the Crucifixion and the joy of which the angels spoke is in the resurrection of Jesus and forgiveness of our sin.

                                                                                      Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                                                931-220-1522

                                                                                           Clarksville, Tennessee

         

AMERICAN PATRIOTS

AMERICAN PATRIOTS

            In another month, the 2012 presidential election will be history. Along with the first priorities of whoever is our president should be an effort to ease tension created by very strong attacks aimed at minorities but also the sick, elderly and citizens who receive support from the government. Published records will attest that these attacks come from citizens who claim to be true Americans and true patriots. They are part of a political campaign strategy that is also supported by loyal party minority members.

            We have learned to decode some statements that speak to this problem. We understand what is meant by “We must take back our country.” Obama is not American and he is also black…Let’s take back our country. Some who claim to be true patriots have never had to fight for the right for full participation in government. Their parents or forefathers were never required to pass a test to vote, but they would restrict voting rights of other true Americans who were beaten, jailed, homes burned and killed because they fought for the right to elect their representatives. That’s not a privilege…it’s a right guaranteed by our constitution. The voter ID is challenged in court. Although set aside in Pennsylvania, court order is ignored and voter commissioners still insist that ID is required to vote.

            Some of those who claim to be true patriots reject Obama’s birth, his degrees, scholastic achievement and believe everything was given. They even reject the 7.8 report on employment and accuse Obama and the Chicago boys of manipulating this report. On Obama’s inauguration, party leaders were organizing strategy to make sure that he would be a one term president. What a shame the action of those who claim to be true patriots promote schemes against what it means to be a true American.

                                                                                    Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                                    Saturday October 6, 2012

                                                                                    931-220-1522

           

OPINION IMMORIAL POLITICS 11 07 12

IMMORAL POLITICS      NOVEMBER 8, 2012

            The 2012 Presidential   Election is behind us, but the results remind us that evil and immoral deeds on behalf of any one never leads to great rewards. Many of us, pastors who lead congregations, may not have reminded our members of God’s Word when He says: “To Me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that come upon them make hast” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

            Four years ago, not all Americans celebrated that great event of electing President Obama. At the time of his inauguration, some were planning obstructive policies to make him a one term president. They planned the most vicious attack ever amounted against an American president. Questions of his birth, patriotism,  disrespect in congressional chambers, openly making modified threats with weapons displayed, shooting into campaign HQ, posting video and bumper stickers with degrading messages about him, accusing him responsible for the death of church missionaries by Muslims, questioning his scholarship and  religion. Some famous right wing clergy and politicians who denounced Romney during the Republican primary because he is Mormon, dismissed their religious argument against Romney when he became their candidate. Some religious leaders still insist that Obama is not an American.

            Obama supporters booed when he mentioned voter suppression in a speech. Obama urged them not to boo but rather vote for revenge. The opposition tried to used the word revenge against him. I agree with the President. It was not revenge that reelected him…it was the vote. In spite of all the stumbling blocks to win the presidency (voter ID, legislative change of voting procedures) and other efforts to suppress the vote, their efforts failed. They could not put out the fire burning in the hearts of true Americans who, while standing in voting lines for five and six hours may have been singing “I Ain’t Going To Let No Voter Suppression Turn Me Around.” The desire to vote in this election was demonstrated by a 106 year old African American woman who had never voted before in her life, but she voted in this election. While millionaires were spending money and legislating laws to defeat Obama, his team leaders were organizing foot soldiers to get citizens registered and voter qualified, and then get them to the polls to vote.  Millions of dollars from rich opponents was like pouring money in pockets with holes. They had the money but we had the votes.

            It was again, like four years ago, we waited in great anticipation for the tabulation of votes. Then the announcement we were waiting for came about 12:40 Eastern Time Wednesday morning.  CNN and other broadcast media announced. “WE CAN NOW ANNOUNCE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS BEEN REELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.”  The reporters of Fox News could not believe it and would not accept it. They tried to explain it away, but the fact is, OBAMA IS RELECTED PRESIDENT.  Everything they did to stop him failed.

            Where do we go from here? Leaders of the opposition Speaker Of The House is saying; “The American people are telling us to vote against Obama’s policies.” Look at the crowd gathered at each party and witness what  American people really look like. America is neither White nor Black. America is turning Brown… rainbow colored. It is neither male nor female but gender neutral. Any political party, church or individual not recognizing this, will never move forward under the guarantees of our constitution. We must admit that America is suffering a moral dilemma when pastors, black and white, whose position in the community is to stand for right and speak the truth in love, have allowed politics to dictate their moral position in this election. To be silent at a time when millions of fellow Christians are being systematically removed from the voting rolls as a ploy to win the election. To believe in democracy and then allow a change in laws the cause elderly and sick citizens to stand in long lines to vote. In this, we may not be as democratic or moral as some of the foreign countries we criticize. Homosexuality is not the only sin in America. If we expect God to bless  America, we must pray for forgiveness and “turn from our wicked ways.” That is the condition for which God has promised to bless any nation.(2 Chron 7:14)

                                                                                                                                    Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                                                                                    116 Virginia Drive

                                                                                                                                    Clarksville, TN 37040

                                                                                                                                    931-220-1522