MauryTHINKS

Originally Published in the Columbia Daily Herald, Reprinted by permission

Since this debate started regarding Centerstone’s planned placement of a treatment facility for mentally ill persons in Rolling Fields, the citizens that have raised concerns have been called bigoted, racist, mean-spirited and now, on the opinion page of this newspaper, acting in a manner inconsistent with that of Jesus Christ. What is next?

There was a time in this country when one could actually have a political debate using facts, unlike Mr. Bowers’ (The Daily Herald, June 18) canned references to “studies” which he has never even laid his eyes upon. I would propose to Mr. Bowers, the columnist who brought the accusation of un-Christianlike behavior by Rolling Fields residents, to ask his co-worker, John Henson, for a copy of the police reports from dispatches to the current Jackson Hall of the last few years. If Mr. Bowers would take time to read the same, he would learn why his so-called “studies” (which he has never seen or read or could even locate prior to the writing of this letter) are obviously off base when it comes to this particular institution.

Mr. Bowers, why should a parent of young children feel safe, even good, even Christ-like just because they convince themselves to allow their children to frolic around a house where there is a history of violence, including assaults, an average forced police presence of about once per month, attempted suicides, hallucinated hostage situations, “illegal activity,” the busting down of doors by former residents, strange people laying out in the yard in the middle of the night, shoplifting by such residents at nearby establishments, and the like?

Further, knowing these things, are citizens somehow wrong to demand that local zoning ordinances (i.e., the law) not be broken by Centerstone in placing the facility in a residential area? Obviously your pious view is that the “arrogant” residents of Rolling Fields should be happy that the aforementioned track record (which is only a snapshot) is coming to a house near them.

The fact is, Mr. Bowers, that your column represents dishonesty of the first and highest order. Under the mantle of religion, you demonize those who have legitimate reason to be concerned. Under the guise of being the more Christian, the more politically correct person, you cast judgment against citizens whom you would absolutely mimic if you were placed in the same situation. What would Jesus do, Mr. Bowers? I do not know for sure, but I know this much: Jesus would not be a hypocrite like the Pharisees that he accused nor like the tone and substance of your column. In fact, I find no occurrence in the gospels where Christ gave any opinion about political matters whatsoever. As Mike Huckaby aptly put it, Jesus was too smart to engage in politics. Quite frankly, Jesus Christ was undoubtedly one of the most politically incorrect persons of his day as he spoke truth, not what the politics of the day wanted him to say.

It is precisely the reaction by you, Mr. Bowers, and others like you that defines why people hate modern American politics and the direction of our country. In the high thinking of today, you ask us to ignore very real dangers (regardless of your foreign, if even real, studies) in the name of “tolerance.” “Tolerance” for the sake of “tolerance” has become this nation’s god. “Tolerance,” of the brand offered by Mr. Bowers, sacrifices at its alter truth and the freedom to speak truth. Using Mr. Bowers’ rationale, schools should likewise “tolerate” students who commit crimes and parents of innocent children should just learn to like it and shut up. Such rationale is absurd and is an affront to all thinking, honest people.

No, Mr. Bowers, the citizens of Rolling Fields will continue their very well-researched efforts while you and your army of uninformed and misinformed accusers search for every derogatory label and aspersion to stop us. Yours is an old political tactic: When you can’t attack the facts of the argument or its logic, attack the person. And while it may generate plenty of copy for your boss and editorial page, it will not dissuade us from attempting to protect our families and our neighborhood.

Jason Whatley,
Columbia