Hoping ‘awareness’ comes out of this tragedy

From Ginger Beck,

Glenwood

Having just watched the livestream funeral service of Joshua Owen, followed by a seemingly endless line of state and outstate law enforcement vehicles, police cars, busses carrying law enforcement personnel, ambulances, etc. driving back through town I am in awe of the unbelievable show of support.  People packed the Minnewaska School gymnasium and lined Main Street, many standing for hours in the cold to honor not only Josh but law enforcement and EMT personnel everywhere, and all others who dedicate their lives–sometimes at risk to their own–to protect and serve the public.

I noticed people who stood outside in the wind and cold until the very last police/law enforcement vehicle drove by.   It’s as if they didn’t want to miss honoring and showing appreciation to every last one of these brave individuals who so selflessly serve their communities.

I am hoping one of the good things that comes from this terribly sad and senseless situation is an increase in awareness and appreciation for those public servants who are oftentimes taken for granted, but whose dedication and service makes us all feel safe and protected.  There is no price that can be put on that.  THANK YOU doesn’t seem enough to express the emotions and feelings so many of us are experiencing right now.

May God bless and protect each one of you!

Can this be a teachable moment?

From Jim Thoreen

Glenwood

Our communities have been rocked to the core. The senseless taking of a man’s life. A man who serves us, protected us, and brought professionalism to the very high calling of peace officer. Josh Owen answered at that call with pride as a member of our Pope County community who humbly understood his role. A peacekeeper. A brother to our men and women who wear their badges with pride and dedication. A protector of our rights and privileges.

Dangerous, treacherous scenarios become part of every peace officer’s job sooner or later. We ask them to protect us, to calm a scene of distress and fear. And our peace officers do that every day, any hour of the day in countless communities across this nation.

So why is this fatal scenario visited upon us… here in rural Minnesota? This only happens in Chicago, Detroit, or New York, doesn’t it? But when it does happen in those cities there, too, are wives, children, and fellow officers who suffer. Countless people who sob and mourn. But we seldom hear or see them. Our communities’ extremely rare officer-involved fatalities are simply out-of-place; it can’t happen here. And then it happens.

No matter where or when or why, our nation’s inclination to violence creates this senseless damage to the threads of a society which no one wants or seeks. But here we are. It is true. As to gun ownership we are a nation like no other on the planet.

Can this be a teachable moment as tragedy is visited upon us in Pope County? What can, or will, we do? What is the benefit-to-harm ratio from the 400 million guns among us? We protect the right to own and responsibly use rifles and shotguns. That weapons get into the hands of evil-minded people is a hurdle to a safer society we may never clear. But does that mean we do nothing?

May we each day reflect upon Josh’s sacrifice and respond in our own ways to ensure the safety of peace officers and all of us.

‘A hero’s work does not go unnoticed’

From Kiearra Wilmes,

Glenwood

I am a senior at Minnewaska Area High School. For some who may not know me, I am not one to speak out and state my opinion. I am not a bold person by any means, but nothing has come remotely close to reaching my anger. As I sit here tonight and write my “little article” I cannot help but retain the anger and frustration that has come upon me. I will be quite honest by saying that I am nervous about posting this article. Without saying anything to hurt anyone’s feelings, I sit here tonight and ponder upon the thoughts that go on in others’ heads. As a student, teachers always tell us to “make a difference in the world.” and I guess this is what I am supposed to do.

On the night of April 15, 2023, a horrific and gut-wrenching case happened in the small town of Cyrus, Minnesota. The thought of this event occurring has never once crossed my mind in the slightest bit of Pope County, Minnesota. My heart truly breaks for the family involved with this case and other families of the other officers. I cannot imagine the thoughts and speechlessness that have occurred. I have said many prayers, like the rest of the community, for the victims and their families. While I do not know who was involved personally (at this time), I simply can feel the pain for the family. I cannot begin to imagine what is to come next.

I believe social media is a wonderful aspect, truly. It has many benefits and advancements that have led us to where we are as a society. But, as I sat there this past evening, my Facebook page soon began to flood with comments and questions. “What are all the sirens for?” “Does anyone know what happened?” “Who was involved?” As the community waits for names and information to be released, I sit and question what thoughts people have running through their minds. I don’t know if I have ever felt this much hatred towards this world and thought social media could quite possibly be one of the worst inventions.  The thought that people dare to say “what they know” blows my mind. What about the fact that families haven’t been notified? I know for a fact; I would not want to find out from social media that my loved one or someone I knew personally has been involved. What happened to the fact of respecting families’ privacy and confidentiality?

In a small county of 11,403 (2021), I didn’t know a piece of information could spread this fast. Do I even dare mention the fact that videos of the SCENE are going around? In what right mind would someone have the disrespectfulness of taping and driving through a crime scene? I’m not one to call anyone out, but this surely is not appropriate for the time being. How would you personally like to be placed in this situation and have all information spread through social media? Pictures, videos, and comments. I decided to go on Facebook and happened to notice a picture being used as the cover photo of an article that I recognized from the comments on Facebook. This blows my mind. What happened to the common decency of humanity? What happened to the simple word, respect?

As I continue with my night, my anger rises as I see the comments increase. Shouldn’t we pay attention to the families and their grieving rather than focusing on ourselves and posting comments such as “I live in the same apartment” or “I was close with them?” This shouldn’t be a competition of who knows them better. Shouldn’t we let the family or Sheriff’s Department tell the information they want to share rather than some family that lives in the town? I wish humans would wake up and realize this world DOESN’T REVOLVE AROUND THEM! If you know the slightest bit of information, shouldn’t you keep it to yourselves or people you trust, NOT sharing it with the world on Facebook? The time will come, the information, names, and details will be posted, but at the appropriate time. But, how about we focus on the families of the victims, say prayers, and come together as a community? I never knew the small county I live in would become this “popular” and not for a good reason.

As I wake up this morning (4/16/23), I am saddened by the comments being posted. All the hate portrayed toward the officer killed is by no means appropriate. I don’t think it is right to be sharing assumptions as to what occurred at the scene, in the comments of a processional video of our officer being escorted.

In light of hope, I would like to extend my gratitude to the people who show love. As I continue this “article” today (4/16/23) I am completely heart-warmed by the efforts put into our community. On my way out of town, I noticed a very kind-hearted lady bringing donuts to the courthouse. I know my Facebook page will be flooded with respectful comments regarding our town’s beloved Hero. The world has many positives, and I am very grateful for my small-town living and community. There is good in this world! I would like to extend my greatest and utmost condolences to the family of Deputy Josh Owen, the two fellow Officers involved and their Brothers, all First Responders and Sheriff’s Department, and all who were personally affected or involved with this case. A Hero’s work does not go unnoticed, and we certainly are grateful for your compassion and dedication to the safety of our community.

On Jan.6 and the Constitution

From Helen Olson,

Glenwood

A recent letter to the editor in the Pope County Tribune claims that the January 6th violence at the Capital was not an insurrection. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines insurrection as “an organized and usually violent act of revolt or rebellion against an established government or governing authority of a nation-state or other political entity by a group of its citizens or subjects.” This is exactly what happened in Washington D. C. on January 6th. It was a violent attack on Congress by a group of citizens who refused to accept the results of a legitimate election. Anyone who watched the events unfold that day on the news saw what it was, an insurrection, and it was reported as such on live television.  Now certain politicians and media sources are trying to recast those events as a peaceful protest because that is what fits their partisan political agenda. The writer of the most recent letter references the members of the insurrection who died that day.  The descriptions are written in a manner that portrays them as innocent victims of unreasonable Capitol Police violence.  The deaths of the five police officers who were defending the Capitol and the members of Congress trapped inside are ignored. None of these deaths would have occurred if the Capitol had not been stormed.

In reference to the writer’s assertion that America is a Christian nation, there is nothing in the Constitution of the United States that supports this declaration. The First Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”. Constitution Annotated explains that “The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause forbids the government from making any law respecting an establishment of religion. Perhaps most obviously, this provision prevents the federal government from establishing an official national religion.” Many of the Europeans who came to establish colonies were escaping religious persecution. Our Founding Fathers understood the perils of mixing government and religion and deliberately wrote the First Amendment to prevent the religious persecution and violence that was occurring in Europe. The writer also states that although the word God does not appear in the Constitution, the word Creator does. Creator is used in the Declaration of Independence, but not in the Constitution.

Blame keeps us from empathizing

From Caryl Nelson,

Glenwood

I think we can all agree that raising a child from birth to age 18 (and beyond) requires a huge investment financially, physically and emotionally. Those of us who are parents know the joy but also the sacrifices. We also know that it takes a village to raise a child; and we all have an investment in the future of all children, not just our own.

If we choose to force a woman to have a child she cannot adequately provide for (emotionally, financially or otherwise) what are WE willing to sacrifice so that child can grow up to be healthy and productive? Will we be willing to fight for laws that will help to provide for that child? Will we be willing to contribute tax dollars to insuring that that child will be nourished in mind and body? And, as all parents know, this is for 18 years or longer; not just the first months or years.

I’m reading a book called “Blame”; the premise of which is that if we can place blame on a person for the situation in which he or she is in, we are far less likely to provide empathy or help. Humans are complex, and the last I checked, it takes two people, a male and female, to become pregnant, (in most cases). Placing sole blame on the woman who has an unplanned pregnancy denies the complexity of circumstances and humans. And keeps us from feeling empathy and a responsibility to help.

Is it more Christian to force a woman to have a child that she may not have the emotional or financial resources to care for, or is it more Christian to give her a choice?