The MHMR, ACLU, FLDS, and the Future of Freedom in America
Bill Falzett III
May 13, 2008
It is common today to hear the use of hyperbole and name calling from bomb throwers on either side of the political spectrum. We hear the left calling the right fascists, and the right calling the left communists. It is also common to hear all sorts of conspiracy theories, far-fetched and shrill. Hyperbole can stir the blood, and arouse us to passion and action, but it can also lead many of us to a state of over-saturation, to where we just begin to ignore it, and it thereby loses its effectiveness. In the process, the message is lost too. As such, I will not use hyperbole or name calling today, but I ask politely that you consider this important message, and that you pass it along as you think befits the cause.
This is a poem by a gentleman named Martin Niemöller, a former citizen who lived in Germany through the turbulent times leading to World War II:
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
With the message of this poem in mind, consider the recent comments of employees of the Hill Country Community Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center who were called upon to assess the condition of the children that were removed during the recent raid of the FLDS community in East Texas:
"The mothers are incredibly loving and patient with the children. The children were well-socialized and well-behaved and interacted willingly and happily with us".
"The children were sweet and well-mannered upon our arrival. They obeyed their mothers and appeared to be healthy and well-nourished. They had none of the traditional withdrawal common in abused children."
"Never in all my life, and I am one of the older ladies, have I been so ashamed of being a Texan and seeing what and how our government agencies treat people,"
"The entire MH support staff was 'fired' the second week; we were sent home due to being 'too compassionate,' "
"We were taken aback. I have every confidence their stories are accurate. Our people are professionals, with years and years of service in their fields."
This is a link to the full article.
The American Civil Liberties Union has released the following statement on their website: "Based upon news reports and other available information, the ACLU has serious concerns that the state´s actions so far have not adequately protected the fundamental rights at stake.
This is a link to the full statement.
My final item for consideration is some text from our own Declaration of Independence, the foundation of the American Revolution:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
I believe the actions of our government in the raid on the FLDS community was destructive of the ends of all American citizens. MHMR workers have testified to the same effect, as has the ACLU. It is time for other concerned citizens to speak out too. If the actions of our government in the case of the FLDS families gives you concern, please consider taking a moment to contact your elected officials to let them know of your concern. Let them know that our government is constituted by the people, to provide security and protect our rights, not to impose tyranny and regimented belief systems. Let them know you believe legitimate violations of polygamy and child abuse laws should be prosecuted, but within the guidelines of due process and with respect to the rights of the innocent and not-guilty. I urge you to speak up, if not because your conscience dictates, because you legitimately fear the coming of the day when you or your children are taken away while no one speaks out for you.
Governor Rick Perry
Attorney General Greg Abbott
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Your Congressional Representative
This is a poem by a gentleman named Martin Niemöller, a former citizen who lived in Germany through the turbulent times leading to World War II:
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
With the message of this poem in mind, consider the recent comments of employees of the Hill Country Community Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center who were called upon to assess the condition of the children that were removed during the recent raid of the FLDS community in East Texas:
"The mothers are incredibly loving and patient with the children. The children were well-socialized and well-behaved and interacted willingly and happily with us".
"The children were sweet and well-mannered upon our arrival. They obeyed their mothers and appeared to be healthy and well-nourished. They had none of the traditional withdrawal common in abused children."
"Never in all my life, and I am one of the older ladies, have I been so ashamed of being a Texan and seeing what and how our government agencies treat people,"
"The entire MH support staff was 'fired' the second week; we were sent home due to being 'too compassionate,' "
"We were taken aback. I have every confidence their stories are accurate. Our people are professionals, with years and years of service in their fields."
This is a link to the full article.
The American Civil Liberties Union has released the following statement on their website: "Based upon news reports and other available information, the ACLU has serious concerns that the state´s actions so far have not adequately protected the fundamental rights at stake.
This is a link to the full statement.
My final item for consideration is some text from our own Declaration of Independence, the foundation of the American Revolution:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
I believe the actions of our government in the raid on the FLDS community was destructive of the ends of all American citizens. MHMR workers have testified to the same effect, as has the ACLU. It is time for other concerned citizens to speak out too. If the actions of our government in the case of the FLDS families gives you concern, please consider taking a moment to contact your elected officials to let them know of your concern. Let them know that our government is constituted by the people, to provide security and protect our rights, not to impose tyranny and regimented belief systems. Let them know you believe legitimate violations of polygamy and child abuse laws should be prosecuted, but within the guidelines of due process and with respect to the rights of the innocent and not-guilty. I urge you to speak up, if not because your conscience dictates, because you legitimately fear the coming of the day when you or your children are taken away while no one speaks out for you.
Governor Rick Perry
Attorney General Greg Abbott
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Your Congressional Representative
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