2006
Week 4
January 27, 2006

Hi

Two quotes I enjoyed this week. One from Senator Chambers: "They (other senators) expect me to be a mind reader. It is light work."

Virginia Smith, Nebraska legend who died at 95 this week, said one year ago: "A person can get a little better between 94 and 95." Way to go! She was nearly blind, in a wheel chair, as she said that. I enjoy the memory of her first run at congress, when he opponent said that a woman's place is in the home. Virginia, who before the race had not one feminist bone in her slender body, replied that a woman's place is in the House and went on to win. So, that self-proclaimed liberal converted a conservative to the feminist view. Ha.

The flap of the week was an opening prayer that was way out of line. It helps to shake down thoughts on government-sponsored prayer, but changes nothing and hopefully will soon be only a footnote.

The pastor acted more dull than I suspect he is. In supposed prayer, which he said he had worked on for several days, he informed God how sinful we are as we ignore God's clear word on abortion and evolution. The pastor of course left no margin for error in the premise that his thoughts ARE God's thoughts. (Aside: Does God think?)

My favorite piece came as he instructed God on evolution. I picture God on her pearly white throne, asking "HOW did we do creation? Does anyone remember?" ("We" is from scripture -- creation was evidently a team project.) Fortunately for God, right then comes a pastor to the rescue.

The pastor complained to God that "(We teach) that we are here for no reason and human life means nothing more than any other life; that we will never face a Judgment Day. We've put our children into the same category as other mammals, and we wonder why sometimes they act like animals. Forgive us for sowing the seeds of anarchy in the hearts of children."

There are many theological questions here, as: do we assume God is done creating? And, can any one of our theories or opinions capture all of Godness and put it in a box? However, it would be a mistake to get serious working from this shaky platform. Pastors receive clear instructions as they are invited to come and pray for our state. These include not being political or commenting on any subject before the legislature. The pastor said he was not political because he did not mention Republicans or Democrats. Well. Also, this is the way he prays in private and he should be able to say in public what he says in private. Now there is a novel thought! I do hope it does not catch on. Chambers quoted scripture he should read: when you pray go in a closet. Do not pray in public like pharisees and other hypocrites.

Good content of the week came from a conference in the capitol on "mental health diversion," sponsored by our health committee. They brought in national experts and representatives of a state that now deals with the mentally ill offender in excellent fashion.

Random quotes. Untreated mental illness exacts a high cost on our society. Incarcerating a mentally ill person INCREASES the problem. Jail was never intended to be our public psychiatric service, but we seem to be in a mode of wanting to avenge their behavior. The mentally ill are more likely to be arrested, will receive stiffer sentences and are less likely to receive treatment for their illness when we jail them. Made me wonder if we train our guards on the best ways to interact with the mentally ill.

One in six in jail have mental illness. For youth, it is one in five. Of teens in jail, 94% are not violent. I wonder what percent could be classified "confused."

In Nebraska, it costs $25,000 a year for each youth in city and county jails, while some treatment is available for $3,000 each. Hopefully we recognize that the mentally ill find some relief in street drugs, will turn that way when hurting, and will thereby double the problem. The homeless youth are soon in need of three basics for living: food, clothing and shelter.

The model shared centered on interagency cooperation. Corrections, probation, mental health service, judges, housing and public advocates join together to make it a truly public health approach. Diversion from jail to a treatment program is by careful selection. Offenders with a record of violence, for example, are not considered.

This is a good time to remind one another that prisons have three purposes: punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation. We are hesitant to put $$$ into rehab and thereby cause a large increase in future taxes.

I have been putting off commenting on Omaha school tensions until Monday's hearing. Self-generating anxiety will bring hundreds to the capitol. The Education Coimmittee has put out the word that we have reserved two rooms only and that citizens should watch it on TV.

It is obvious that too many folks are really uptight, expecting seismic changes next fall. Not. Even the Omaha P.S. plan would grind out five years of planning and consultation before noticeable changes. My prediction is that the legislature will freeze everything in place, as it now is, while districts figure out ways to start to work with each other. Hopefully for ten years. But more behind the scenes thoughts after we get the public versions.

Keep praying. But please make it interesting for God.

Lowen