From local notoriety to a teachable moment

By Jeff Orvis

For a few days, Belle Plaine was in the news, both locally and nationally. After last night, because of the action of the Belle Plaine Board of Education, our little town faded back from the limelight, which is probably a good thing.

At issue was the decision by school administrators to end the practice of firing off a 21-gun salute to close the annual Veterans' Day observance. For many years, local veterans groups have presented a school assembly, complete with a flag ceremony, usually a guest speaker and the salute, followed by the playing of “Taps.”

But this year, it was decided not to allow guns in the school, even if they were handled by veterans and were loaded with blank ammunition. I haven't met our superintendent, but I can only suppose that with the tragedies of mass killings in schools and movie theaters in this country, along with the mounting body count of children through gun violence, maybe it was thought a change was needed.

This decision set off a social media firestorm. Fueled by the seemingly unending resources of the National Rifle Association, an Iowa gun owners group promised a protest at this week's school board meeting. More important to local residents, this decision seemed like a slap in the face of our veterans, along with several young people from here currently serving in the armed forces.

Another factor in this is how well received this annual assembly has been. I can remember when I was in school, some kids were less than attentive at some assemblies and more than once the whole school was called on the carpet by our principal. I attended most of the Veterans' Day assemblies when I was at the newspaper and I was constantly surprised at how well behaved the junior and senior high school students were for this program. I suspect one of the main reasons for this behavior was the fact that most of the students know someone who is currently in the military or are the children of veterans.

While I don't yet know the school superintendent, I am friends with several members of the board of education. I am not surprised, based on reports I have seen, that the board was not swayed by the sudden media interest, but did take the time to hear statements from members of the capacity crowd at the meeting. In the end, the board voted to allow the custom to continue as in the past.

School officials should not be condemned for introducing this proposal. In this ever-growing gun crazy culture, maybe this was a good time to consider whether a change would be in order. But on the other hand, we are losing dozens, if not hundreds, of veterans of our wars from World War Two to the present, each day. Also, many American Legion and VFW chapters are having problems staying afloat.

To be certain, I am no war hawk. I am of an age where I could have been eligible for the Vietnam draft. I did not agree with our involvement in that conflict, especially as it was commanded by a corrupt federal government. Through educational and physical deferments, I never served in the military. But I recognize the need for our country to have a strong defense today. Before we became involved in what has been called America's longest war, a career in the military was also a good alternative for many young people.

We should honor those who have fought for us. The 21-gun salute is a fitting way to remind all of us what price so many paid for our freedom. Thanks to our school board members for their decision. And thanks to our superintendent for having the courage to start a dialogue on this topic. If nothing else, it should serve as a teachable moment for classes where history and current events are taught.

A brave look at religion and politics

By Jeff Orvis

They say the quickest way to start a fight is to begin a discussion on religion or politics. So while I often like to keep this blog light, if the discussion of either above topic bothers you, perhaps you should wait for the next entry.

Let me start by stating that I am a professing Christian and very proud and grateful for that fact. God has gotten me through a lot over my life and I recognize he is with me every step of the way. But one of the gifts I think He has given me is tolerance. And unfortunately, I see less and less tolerance in this country each day.

Some people seem to think if we just let God in our schools, everything will be okay. Others are shocked when state and county governments won't allow the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed on the grounds of government buildings.

I believe in prayer. Lord knows, forgive the weak pun, that I have called upon him numerous times silently before taking a big test in school, as well as before building up the nerve to ask a particular girl to a dance. I also believe in the Ten Commandments and realize that as a sinner, I don't keep them each day. But that doesn't mean I don't try.

Our Sunday school teachers and clergy have done a great job of teaching us that belief in Christ is the only way to get to Heaven. My way or the highway and that highway is a one-way to a very unpleasant, very warm place.

It's been many years since I studied American history. But from what I remember, it seems that our ancestors, at least some of them, came to this country to escape a European country where there was only one religion. I have no doubt that the early settlers drew upon their faith to sustain them during those tough first years. But they did it without a federal government looking over their shoulders, telling them who and how to worship.

I have recently become aware of a term, Christian dominionism. My interpretation may be a bit off, but it seems to be the belief that this country is a Christian nation and the devout believers in this concept believe we will all be doomed if we don't allow prayer back in our public schools and the Ten Commandments in our courthouses and statehouses. Their belief is well meaning. If more people followed the teachings of Christ, this would be a more civilized and peaceful society.

But my question to these folks is, if we are a free society, where one of our cherished freedoms is to practice, or not practice, the religion of our choice, how is this a Christian nation? What about our friends and neighbors that have contributed so much to the growth of this country? Why isn't America just as much a Jewish nation, or Hindu nation or, perish the thought, an Islamic nation? Some of these religions have teachings I am vehemently opposed to, especially not admitting that women are equal and should not be treated with anything but respect.

Like it or not, and many of us don't, we have been catapulted into the 2016 presidential campaign. The latest fad of many of the current candidates, especially the Republicans, is to stand up in front of a group and say, “Vote for me, I'm a Christian!” I'm waiting for one of them, probably Trump, to slip and say that while speaking in a mosque or synagogue.

The point is, just as we have broken the color barrier in the White House and may soon break the gender barrier, there will come a time when we also break the bonds of believing that our president must be a Bible-carrying Protestant Christian. Other religions teach peace and compassion. The jury is still out on whether we will see any of these other folks in Heaven, but ultimately we don't have the final say in the matter.

The candidate that gets my vote will be the one who will indicate that they lean on a Superior Being for strength, but also one who freely admits that he, or she, wants to be the president of all Americans, regardless of what they do on Saturdays or Sundays.