Grace, indifference and civilization

Civilization is not possible with out individuals, however it does require the intent of individuals to behave in a way that maintains the group, even when pursuing individual goals.

Ultimately, the strength of a civilization resides in the ability of citizens in a given society to exhibit tolerance and grace in their actions towards other individuals

Ultimately, the ability of an individual to express a unique personality depends on the tolerance and grace of the society towards its members.

Unity	The state of  being one	Polity	The state of being many
Individuation	The mechanism of separation	Politics	The mechanism of building polity
Individual	Pertaining to separation from a group	Civil	Pertaining to individuals acting within a group.
individuality	The behaviors distinguishing one from many	Civility	The behaviors of individuals leading to group living
Selfish	Behavior of an individual leading to  self benefit and the expense or exclusion of others	Polite	Behavior of individuals leading to the polity
indifference	Without regard for others	Grace	An act of compassion that preserves the dignity of all

on Civility and Justice

While at work early one september morning, I received a phone call from the Pinal County Sheriff's office, telling me that my house had been ransacked.

They caught the culprit the following week, after he'd broken into an octogenarian's house for the second time. She'd been home both times.

A few weeks ago, I attended the sentencing. I read the following statement.

I'd had much time to consider my words, but I was still not prepared for the emotions that coursed through me as I stood there.  I was shaking by the time I'd finished.  On leaving, I felt if I had passed sentence on him myself. I was glad that I'd remembered these words, which I had heard in my youth.


 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  
Romans 12:17


. . not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, 'Vengeance is Mine", 
Romans 12:19

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Case:  CR 201002136

State vs. Albert Joseph Graham

Statement of D. Brooke Hatfield, to be read at sentencing

Mr. Graham is not civilized,  as evidenced by his actions. He has demonstrated his disregard for the most fundamental rule of communal living, namely a respect for human dignity. He willingly entered another person’s locked residence with the intent to take that person’s possessions for his own gain.  This is a violation that we do not tolerate in 5 year old children and yet Mr. Graham’s chronological age exceeds 30.

I can remember standing in my bedroom, making calls to cancel my credit cards, with my belongings in a jumble that reached the middle of my thighs. My house had been quite thoroughly ransacked. Words simply cannot convey a personal violation of such magnitude.

I cannot conceive the sense of violation I would experience to have Mr. Graham rummaging through my house while I was home.

Confinement in prison is not justice, it is merely protection for Mr. Graham’s victims, both past, including those not represented in this case, and his intended future targets.

Probation is not justice. Again, it is merely protection for Mr. Graham’s victims, both past and his intended future targets.

Today, as Mr. Graham hears the court’s sentence pronounced, he knows full well that his confinement will end on a given date in the near future. He also knows full well that in a few short years, the restrictions of probation will be lifted and he will be free to resume his life. Mr. Graham’s restrictions and discomforts have an expiration date.

It is my sincere wish, that as Mr. Graham hears his sentence read, that he understand that for his victims, there will be no date on which the sense of personal violation will end. Nor will there be a date on which his victims can again fully trust the members of his or her community.

Mr. Graham, you have committed a crime, not just against individuals, but against civilization itself.   The opportunity for justice to be served may never arise, and most certainly, it will arise only when you personally experience the level of violation you have imposed on others.   

In that moment, may you have the awareness to understand, and acknowledge, the consequences of your actions. May you also, in that moment, have the grace to behave as a civilized man.

Evil thrives in the shadow of unbridled optimism.

Evil thrives in the shadow of unbridled optimism.

The Story of Pandora's box is about optimism, but it is not a positive statement. Hope is the evil left in the box. The true meaning of this story is that hope is the evil we do not recognize.

If we, in this society are plagued by an increasing number of self-centered people, then we can only blame ourselves for not publicly denouncing the behavior of bullies and narcissists.

Asocial behavior is identified, not by the act itself, but by the number of people it affects and the regularity of its occurrence.   Pardoning asocial behavior is condoning asocial behavior.

When we refuse to see malicious intent, we create a perfect environment for malicious intent to linger and grow.

And so.... it begins

Whew! Finding an appropriate blog title - one that has meaning,  and yet is unique -  is challenging.  For those who have not suffered through Latin: 'puteo' means "I stink" and it is the vulgar word for it.

It bears to reason, that if one can smell oneself, then one must exist.  It is a reminder that, truly, it is our perception of the physical world that defines our existence. Besides the obvious pun,  I am hoping that this title will be an aid in reminding me to consider how other's may perceive my words and thoughts.