On Sunny Lane: Play By The Rules

Sweetheart and I have been having a discussion about one of the card games that we play.

It involves a matter of rules versus strategy, although he says it is entirely about rules. He thinks the rules should be changed--especially at the end of the game--in order to resolve a stalemate. I tell him it is strategy that has caused the stalemate and strategy is a personal matter. Sweetheart wanted me to look up the rules, just to be sure we were playing the game right. I did that and, for the most part, we were following the rules closely.

After all, rules of engagement were established to make the game move smoothly. It even establishes the object of the game and how the winners are determined. And how skilled would a person feel if he or she won a game in which the parameters were made up, willy nilly, as the game is being played? Games need structure, or there will be only chaos.

I believe it is like that with fledgling countries, too. We were a bunch of ragtag misfits when we first started to arrive here in the 1600s. Out of necessity, people had to band together and come up with some guiding principles. Before long, some brilliant men met and formed a set of rules for a governing body and a list of rights for ordinary citizens.

One right ordinary citizens have is to peacefully protest when they believe an injustice is being perpetrated. To me that means not hurting or intimidating someone with whom you disagree. Even though it is an American right, what a privilege it is! In Iran, as of this writing, I have heard a report that 2,000 citizens have been shot and killed in the streets for protesting an unjust government.

Last Sunday, our pastor was expounding on the crucifixion of Jesus. The people who had been following Jesus suddenly turned against him and were calling for his death.

“Can you imagine the people calling for the release of Barabbas,” he asked, “a thief and no-good scoundrel, and condemning Jesus, who was innocent of any wrongdoing?”

I believe the right to peacefully protest is so precious that it would behoove a person to know what the rules are and investigate to know whom, or what, they are trying to defend.

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Dorothy is the author of two books—“Miles and Miracles” and “Getting It All Together “. You can purchase a book or send a comment by emailing her at dorothybutzknight@gmail.com