Paul Luvera Journal

Mondays killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis was another in a long list around the country of questionable killings by police officers of citizens, especially African American citizens. The death of George Floyd caused by police officer Derek Chauvin is particularly incriminating. It clearly shows an intentional and unnecessary killing of a citizen who was not armed nor resisting arrest. The video shows a man with his arms handcuffed behind his back while the police officer kneels on the man’s…

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In 1999 the World Trade Organization held a convention in Seattle. But, the convention meeting was quickly overshadowed by street violent protests outside the hotels and convention center. There was rioting, damage to buildings and violence from a crowd estimated at some 40,000 people. The event lasted over several days and became known as the "Battle of Seattle." Yesterday's Seattle riots resulted in more damage and destruction then the Battle of Seattle. The largely peaceful protests started at about noon…

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For entirely too long the news has only been on two subjects: Donald Trump's press campaign conferences which only bear a resemblance to corona virus news and all the negative reporting the virus. It's very depressing. For lack of something else to discuss I'm sharing some favorite stories. Stay well and wash your hands frequently.  Two Southern women listening to a fiery tent preacher: When he condemned stealing, they shouted "Amen." When he condemned lying they shouted "Right On Preacher"…

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America’s founding fathers created a government of checks and balances to prevent absolute concentrated power in any one person or group They created a federal system that differentiated between state and national control, as well as three branches of government with distinct powers and responsibilities that had to answer to one another. But, not satisfied that that was enough, they added  ten amendments to the Constitution. And in the very first of those amendments, they established a free press. A…

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The virus has taken over the news which is understandable given the seriousness of the situation. There is a problem when politics become involved in health. The president measures the virus impact on his political reelection. When faced with a worldwide potential pandemic the obvious requirement is honesty and transparency. But, when involved in a pending presidential election, politics becomes part of the problem. The President counts on the strong economy as an important factor supporting his reelection. The virus…

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IS IT CHRISTIAN TO DECIDE THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS? The New York Times ran an article "Evangelicals Closing Ranks with President" regarding evangelical support for Donald Trump after a Christian publication supported his impeachment. One letter to the editor was this one:     “Like many Americans, I don’t like President Trump’s rude and hostile tweets and comments; I abhor his lack of both repentance and humility. For these reasons, as an evangelical Christian, I would never hold up Mr….

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I fully agree everyone has the right to the opinion Donald Trump's actions don't justify removal from office through impeachment. However, everyone should be also obligated to comply with the law and are also obligated to tell the truth. Politicians like everyone else have a duty to make logical arguments and not rely upon groundless excuses in support of their opinion.  When the House was conducting it's investigation, Donald Trump and his Republican supporters called it a "Kangaroo court" and…

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We just returned from Scottsdale. Unfortunately, we were only there a very short time. Not enough time to make contact with friends. The trip was primarily one for completing needed projects. Our first project was bringing the house "up to speed" because everything seems to need something done  when we are away from the house for a couple of months. Our projects included a meeting with our realtors since the house on the market to be sold. In the meantime…

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If you haven't seen the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? which traces the life of  TV host Fred Rogers and his television program of that title I recommend it to you. The documentary was directed by Oscar-winning Morgan Melville.There were 1765 episodes of the program from 1968 two 2001. Rogers died of cancer at the age of 74 in 2003. He was a graduate of the Pittsburgh theological seminary and an ordained minister. He was married to his wife…

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The concept of karma teaches a cause and effect function in life. Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and future suffering. The same idea is found in Ralph Walter Emerson's famous essay "Compensation" where he argued life has a cause and effect rule. He wrote:  "Every act rewards itself, or, in other words, integrates itself, in a twofold manner; first, in the thing, or…

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