One night last week under cover of darkness, some people stole a neighbor’s car. When something like this happens, the headlines about increasing street crime suddenly feel much more immediate. The people on our block feel like family — we all know each other and care for one another when help is needed.
We shouldn’t necessarily have been surprised, as the local chapter of Next Door frequently reports on similar incidents in the area, especially involving older cars that are easier to steal and apparently valued for their parts.
But it was a reminder of how abstract issues like crime suddenly become concrete when they involve you or somebody close to you. In the process, they also acquire increased political significance.
Politicians have been fighting over what to do about crime for as long as I can remember. There are the “law and order” candidates who try to exploit it and and there are those who focus more on the long-term solutions like improving our schools or reforming the criminal justice system.
And as sincerely as many thoughtful citizens would like to find ways to address the root causes of crime, that goal always seems to pale in importance when a majority of voters feel threatened themselves.
Feeling safe in our homes and communities is a primal human need. Understanding who some choose criminal behavior over lawful behavior and what might be done about that is more of an intellectual luxury by comparison.
Therefore, when we go to the polls, most people will vote out of the former instinct as opposed to the latter. In the process, collectively, we never seem to get around to attacking the root causes of crime. Instead all we get is a continuation of the poverty-crime syndrome.
And, my friends, isn’t that a pity.
***
When it comes to solving or at least addressing the biggest problems we face now and into the future — climate change, poverty, illness, inequality, discrimination, crime, etc. — we are going to need to develop a population that is well-educated about our past.
A new poll by the online learning community Brainly indicates one of the challenges we face in that regard. According to the poll, over 75 percent of students identified their history homework as “difficult or challenging” in comparison to their other subjects.
We cannot help but note that this comes at a time that many school systems around the country are turning against teaching students about racism — the legacy of which correlates closely with elevated rates of crime.
And that those ignorant of their own past are doomed to repeat it.
***
TODAY’s NEWS (40):
Shelling Escalates in Ukraine as Thousands Flee, Fearing Attack (NYT)
VIDEO: Kamala Harris Warns of ‘Significant’ Sanctions if Russia Invades Ukraine (AP)
Russia and Belarus extend military drills; Biden cancels Delaware trip (Reuters)
Wielding the threat of war, a new, more aggressive Putin steps forward (WP)
Russia Extends Drills in Belarus as Putin Agrees to More Talks With Ukraine (WSJ)
New intel adds to US fears that Russia is readying for military action (CNN)
In Ukraine Crisis, the Looming Threat of a New Cold War (NYT)
Finland's president sees changes in Putin: 'It was a different kind of behavior' (Politico)
Ukraine: Russia plans biggest war in Europe since 1945 - Boris Johnson. (BBC)
US claims Russia has ordered final preparations for invasion. (AP)
Putin and Macron discuss a cease-fire in Ukraine as shelling appears to escalate (NPR)
America’s last man standing in Moscow (Politico)
Biden to convene National Security Council to discuss threat of war (WP)
VIDEO: The Ukrainian Paramilitaries Ready to Fight Russia (NYT)
In Ukraine’s east, bombardment and battered homes signal attempts at provocation by Russia (WP)
Intense diplomatic efforts continue, Pentagon press secretary says (Politico)
Canada's capital secured and cleaned up after weeks-long protest (Reuters)
Trudeau ends Canada’s trucker siege but leaves bitter divisions (Financial Times)
Protesters admit ‘Freedom Convoy’ is near an end in Ottawa but vow to regroup (WP)
How Covid changed medicine for the future (Guardian)
Japan to start COVID vaccinations for children (NHK)
New study finds Ivermectin ineffective in treating COVID-19 (Jerusalem Post)
US virus cases, hospitalizations continue steady decline (AP)
Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for covid, is experiencing ‘mild cold like symptoms,’ palace says (WP)
Who Is Behind QAnon? Linguistic Detectives Find Fingerprints — Using machine learning, separate teams of computer scientists identified the same two men as likely authors of messages that fueled the viral movement. (NYT)
Apple Finds Itself Under Scrutiny in Washington’s Big Tech Clampdown (WSJ)
China was a brutal communist menace. In 1972, Richard Nixon visited, anyway. (WP)
Fringe Scheme to Reverse 2020 Election Splits Wisconsin G.O.P. (NYT)
Americans nurtured Afghanistan’s economy. Now they’re gutting it. (WP)
Afghans Who Bet on Fast Path to the U.S. Are Facing a Closed Door (NYT)
What would a world without humans be like? (BBC)
North America’s Largest Rodent Is on the Move — Beavers are headed north, and they’re remaking the Alaskan tundra as they go. (Atlantic)
Meet Worldle, the geography guessing game its creator calls a ‘tribute’ to Wordle (WP)
They Wanted to Roll Back Tough-on-Crime Policies. Then Violent Crime Surged. (NYT)
Unearthed photos show John Glenn’s orbit of Earth on 60th anniversary (NY Post)
Woman Wouldn’t Have Wondered Aloud How Microwaves Work If She Knew Friend Was Going To Launch Into Answer (The Onion)
TODAY’s LYRICS:
“Isn't It a Pity”
Isn't it a pity now isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity
Some things take so long but how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see we're all the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
Isn't it a pity
Isn't it a pity isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity
Forgetting to give back
Now, isn't it a pity
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