September 5, 2005
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
James Meeks and the Chicago Police
By Randall James
In some ways I hated to write this article. It shouldn't have been necessary.
The Reverend and Senator Meeks is not always who he portrays himself to be, at least not recently. I am somewhat upset because as a favor to some very dear friends, I campaigned for this man during his last election. I was told he was an honest man. If the recent incident with that Chicago cop during a traffic stop is any indication of the mettle of the man, we were all misled. He looks more like an opportunist. Strong words you say? What else would you say about an authority figure who attempts to use his elevated position to allegedly avoid the consequences of his wrong actions, and who then appears to lie about it? This man has seriously abused the public trust as I will explain.
The man claims to be a "reverend," but then condemns from his pulpit the poor Chicago cop who pulled him over. The Champion of Blackness, Jesse Jackson, ran to his aid, spewing some garbage about this all being necessary to redress the inequalities of the civil rights struggle of blacks. They overlook the great heights that they as black men have risen to in America, and of course they must have missed the meteoritic careers of Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. How convenient. But then, Rice and Powell must have succeeded in the white mans world because they're Uncle-Toms, right? Nonsense. Powell and Rice are people of the highest caliber, tremendously competent and possessing great integrity, and they do the black race and the entire country proud. They bring great honor to America. Wake up Meeks. Get a clue Jesse.
It's true that sincere civil rights workers have corrected many serious injustices in America, and I'm sure more inequities need to be redressed. However, I'm sick of the handful of "civil rights" guerrillas who intimidate and disparage all those who do not agree with them, or rather, who do not pay homage to them and their schemes. Speak up, and you're a target for them. That's what has been happening this summer in Chicago. On a wider scale, these self-appointed minority guardians launch massive and prolonged media campaigns against innocent people (like this poor Chicago cop), who are just trying to do their jobs and make it through life. In the end, these poor people cannot stand up to these few Afro-terrorists who are well funded and wield a big stick. In this case, they are attempting to destroy this cop's life and career just to preserve their place in the sun. It's utterly contemptible and unprincipled. They obviously embrace Heartlessness as a Virtue.
Guys like Meeks and Jackson are oblivious to these "little people" and take no notice of the damage they do in order to propagate and sustain their corrupt lifestyle, championing the "rights" of blacks. I work with law enforcement officers and I work with a lot of black officers, and funny, they don't need any special championing. They stand tall on their own merits, and I'm proud to say that most of them can back me up in a dangerous situation any day. I'm proud to call many of them dear friends.
So, ask yourself a few questions: What has the likes of Meeks, Jackson or Sharpton done for the public good over the last few years? If you're black, what have they done for you lately? How have these guys enhanced your life? More specifically, how have they improved your current situation? How will this dishonest portrayal of his traffic stop benefit your life in any way? It won't. These guys receive millions of dollars through intimidating lawsuits and the shameless fleecing of many American corporations. They claim they are "donations." That's ridiculous. Equally bad, we all help support these gangsters as the costs of all this wickedness are passed on to the consumer. This is what they have done for you lately, in addition to making the black man look like he needs all sorts of special help. He doesn't, not in 2005. In modern day America, we stand or fall on our own merits, black or white. Don't tell the black man — and the white man — that the black man needs affirmative action, quotas and hate laws in order for him to do well. Colin Powell didn't need any of that. Neither does the everyday black man. Don't insult him. Don't insult me.
I know that Meeks recent behavior has disappointed many of you as well, as it has disappointed me. Meeks said he underwent a spiritual conversion a year or so ago and has even distributed his version of it on video, but apparently the only conversion he went through was into deeper levels of arrogance and deception. I went through a spiritual conversion once too, but I didn't find it necessary to video tape it. Shakespeare said "The man protesteth too much." How true. In this last brush with Meeks vs. the Law, James Meeks protesteth too much. What is he hiding?
The Bible says in John 3:21 "Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." What does Meeks not want to come to light? What is he trying so hard to push into the darkness?
Meeks is terribly arrogant and in my opinion no better than a common thief, willing to do and say nearly anything to avoid the consequences of his disgraceful and shameful behavior, before and after being lawfully stopped by this Chicago cop.
Also, EVERY person in America knows NOT to get out of his car after being pulled over. Every intelligent person would otherwise assume that. At the very least Meeks should have had reason to know that. He acted wrongly. Period. Now he's blaming this cop to cover up. It's wrong Reverend — it's just plain wrong. Beyond that, it's disgraceful.
Speaking on a radio interview recently, Meeks proclaimed that since he was the most recognizable person in Roseland he therefore felt it was his duty to get out of his car and start a "dialogue" with the officer. Poppycock. That's what it is, plain and simple. Why did Meeks not tell us this new version of his story when the story first broke weeks ago? Because he's not telling the truth. He made this last version up. Like many modern Liberals, he's willing to say whatever is necessary to win over the public.
The additional problem we have here is that his shameful campaign against this officer is likely to destroy the career of a man who took the oath to protect and serve. He was just doing his job in a rapidly unfolding situation. On the street in the struggle between good and evil, things happen so quickly, and the consequences can be permanent. Who has come to the defense of this poor officer in this regard? As a senator and reverend, Meeks should know that our wrong actions do not merely affect us, they affect others as well. I'll bet he knows this but he has probably disregarded this precept because his reputation is at stake. His "good name" is at stake.
Whatever good name he may have once had is now in the process of being destroyed. The man is not being straight with us, and that's why his story has changed. Ephesians 4:25 says "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully..." Practice what you preach Reverend.
Reverend Meeks completely dismissed the Bible verse in Romans 13:1-2 that says "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists the ordinances of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." Meeks is doing an awful lot to escape his judgment. At that time and in that situation that patrolman had legal authority over Meeks and the immediate situation, but now Meeks claims it was "racial profiling." He says this to justify the inappropriate actions of himself and his entourage.
Romans 2:21 proclaims to those who would be spiritual leaders "You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?" Again, Meeks has failed to see the wisdom behind God's words. In his Bible it must read "Do as I say, not as I do."
That cop had lawful authority in that situation. The Bible similarly says, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive." Submissive? What, Meeks, a senator and civil rights worker, being submissive and humble? That's an interesting concept! He has apparently disregarded that verse as well. In Meeks Bible maybe that verse reads "Attack those who have rule over you, especially if your reputation is at risk."
I believe we are living in days where wrong is right and right is wrong.
Meeks claimed that the cop used profanity. Grow up Senator. I don't fault cops for using such words if it helps them gain control of a situation. Beyond that, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Show yourself a real man Reverend, let it go. God must be asking "Where is your mercy James?"
Would you want to be the cop on scene when people unexpectedly exit a vehicle during a traffic stop? We ask good men and women (most of whom have become cops to help people) to put their lives on the line every day; then we under pay them and worst of all, we DO NOT SUPPORT them during times like this. We fail them.
Meeks says he's a minister — he preaches from the pulpit — but he does not do as he preaches. He has let down the church at large and the good people of Illinois who elected him. As a senator, he was sworn to uphold the constitution and the laws of Illinois. Citizens are obligated to obey the lawful orders of the police. Apparently in his own mind, the decision in the case of Meeks vs. the Law has upheld that if you're a black minister, a minority senator and a civil rights 'worker,' you're exempt from this obligation and you're entitled to special rights and considerations. Hogwash. I don't buy it and neither should you.
Most pointedly, Reverend Meeks has conveniently chosen to ignore the warning of Scripture that says in James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, because you know that you who teach will be judged more strictly."
Finally, I'm beginning to understand why he is in this situation. Maybe he should ask himself, "What would Jesus do?" Reverend Meeks is in the position to learn the lesson of a certain biblical truth that he has probably taught many times from his pulpit. That is that "God is no respecter of persons." He allows all of us at different times to be disciplined as a good father should. The more we try to pursue our own righteousness the more it will evade us. And why is this? Because we have no righteousness of our own, it all belongs to Jesus.
If Reverend Meeks is wise, he will learn this lesson and move on, or he will most certainly be presented with it again. Personally, I think that he should publicly apologize to that cop. Or invite the cop to lunch and then BOTH of you can apologize to each other and then go your separate ways. Meeks should explore the Old Testament and David's travails with King Saul. Now that's humility! What say ye, Mr. Meeks?
In closing, I urge you to write, email, or call Mayor Daley, the Chicago police superintendent Phil Cline, and your Illinois state legislators on behalf of this cop. Please, do it today.
FYI: Take a few additional minutes and read the article at the following link. I found it via an Internet search. It's excellent. http://www.IllinoisLeader.com/news/newsview.asp?c=27302
© Randall James
In some ways I hated to write this article. It shouldn't have been necessary.
The Reverend and Senator Meeks is not always who he portrays himself to be, at least not recently. I am somewhat upset because as a favor to some very dear friends, I campaigned for this man during his last election. I was told he was an honest man. If the recent incident with that Chicago cop during a traffic stop is any indication of the mettle of the man, we were all misled. He looks more like an opportunist. Strong words you say? What else would you say about an authority figure who attempts to use his elevated position to allegedly avoid the consequences of his wrong actions, and who then appears to lie about it? This man has seriously abused the public trust as I will explain.
The man claims to be a "reverend," but then condemns from his pulpit the poor Chicago cop who pulled him over. The Champion of Blackness, Jesse Jackson, ran to his aid, spewing some garbage about this all being necessary to redress the inequalities of the civil rights struggle of blacks. They overlook the great heights that they as black men have risen to in America, and of course they must have missed the meteoritic careers of Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. How convenient. But then, Rice and Powell must have succeeded in the white mans world because they're Uncle-Toms, right? Nonsense. Powell and Rice are people of the highest caliber, tremendously competent and possessing great integrity, and they do the black race and the entire country proud. They bring great honor to America. Wake up Meeks. Get a clue Jesse.
It's true that sincere civil rights workers have corrected many serious injustices in America, and I'm sure more inequities need to be redressed. However, I'm sick of the handful of "civil rights" guerrillas who intimidate and disparage all those who do not agree with them, or rather, who do not pay homage to them and their schemes. Speak up, and you're a target for them. That's what has been happening this summer in Chicago. On a wider scale, these self-appointed minority guardians launch massive and prolonged media campaigns against innocent people (like this poor Chicago cop), who are just trying to do their jobs and make it through life. In the end, these poor people cannot stand up to these few Afro-terrorists who are well funded and wield a big stick. In this case, they are attempting to destroy this cop's life and career just to preserve their place in the sun. It's utterly contemptible and unprincipled. They obviously embrace Heartlessness as a Virtue.
Guys like Meeks and Jackson are oblivious to these "little people" and take no notice of the damage they do in order to propagate and sustain their corrupt lifestyle, championing the "rights" of blacks. I work with law enforcement officers and I work with a lot of black officers, and funny, they don't need any special championing. They stand tall on their own merits, and I'm proud to say that most of them can back me up in a dangerous situation any day. I'm proud to call many of them dear friends.
So, ask yourself a few questions: What has the likes of Meeks, Jackson or Sharpton done for the public good over the last few years? If you're black, what have they done for you lately? How have these guys enhanced your life? More specifically, how have they improved your current situation? How will this dishonest portrayal of his traffic stop benefit your life in any way? It won't. These guys receive millions of dollars through intimidating lawsuits and the shameless fleecing of many American corporations. They claim they are "donations." That's ridiculous. Equally bad, we all help support these gangsters as the costs of all this wickedness are passed on to the consumer. This is what they have done for you lately, in addition to making the black man look like he needs all sorts of special help. He doesn't, not in 2005. In modern day America, we stand or fall on our own merits, black or white. Don't tell the black man — and the white man — that the black man needs affirmative action, quotas and hate laws in order for him to do well. Colin Powell didn't need any of that. Neither does the everyday black man. Don't insult him. Don't insult me.
I know that Meeks recent behavior has disappointed many of you as well, as it has disappointed me. Meeks said he underwent a spiritual conversion a year or so ago and has even distributed his version of it on video, but apparently the only conversion he went through was into deeper levels of arrogance and deception. I went through a spiritual conversion once too, but I didn't find it necessary to video tape it. Shakespeare said "The man protesteth too much." How true. In this last brush with Meeks vs. the Law, James Meeks protesteth too much. What is he hiding?
The Bible says in John 3:21 "Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." What does Meeks not want to come to light? What is he trying so hard to push into the darkness?
Meeks is terribly arrogant and in my opinion no better than a common thief, willing to do and say nearly anything to avoid the consequences of his disgraceful and shameful behavior, before and after being lawfully stopped by this Chicago cop.
Also, EVERY person in America knows NOT to get out of his car after being pulled over. Every intelligent person would otherwise assume that. At the very least Meeks should have had reason to know that. He acted wrongly. Period. Now he's blaming this cop to cover up. It's wrong Reverend — it's just plain wrong. Beyond that, it's disgraceful.
Speaking on a radio interview recently, Meeks proclaimed that since he was the most recognizable person in Roseland he therefore felt it was his duty to get out of his car and start a "dialogue" with the officer. Poppycock. That's what it is, plain and simple. Why did Meeks not tell us this new version of his story when the story first broke weeks ago? Because he's not telling the truth. He made this last version up. Like many modern Liberals, he's willing to say whatever is necessary to win over the public.
The additional problem we have here is that his shameful campaign against this officer is likely to destroy the career of a man who took the oath to protect and serve. He was just doing his job in a rapidly unfolding situation. On the street in the struggle between good and evil, things happen so quickly, and the consequences can be permanent. Who has come to the defense of this poor officer in this regard? As a senator and reverend, Meeks should know that our wrong actions do not merely affect us, they affect others as well. I'll bet he knows this but he has probably disregarded this precept because his reputation is at stake. His "good name" is at stake.
Whatever good name he may have once had is now in the process of being destroyed. The man is not being straight with us, and that's why his story has changed. Ephesians 4:25 says "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully..." Practice what you preach Reverend.
Reverend Meeks completely dismissed the Bible verse in Romans 13:1-2 that says "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists the ordinances of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." Meeks is doing an awful lot to escape his judgment. At that time and in that situation that patrolman had legal authority over Meeks and the immediate situation, but now Meeks claims it was "racial profiling." He says this to justify the inappropriate actions of himself and his entourage.
Romans 2:21 proclaims to those who would be spiritual leaders "You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?" Again, Meeks has failed to see the wisdom behind God's words. In his Bible it must read "Do as I say, not as I do."
That cop had lawful authority in that situation. The Bible similarly says, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive." Submissive? What, Meeks, a senator and civil rights worker, being submissive and humble? That's an interesting concept! He has apparently disregarded that verse as well. In Meeks Bible maybe that verse reads "Attack those who have rule over you, especially if your reputation is at risk."
I believe we are living in days where wrong is right and right is wrong.
Meeks claimed that the cop used profanity. Grow up Senator. I don't fault cops for using such words if it helps them gain control of a situation. Beyond that, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Show yourself a real man Reverend, let it go. God must be asking "Where is your mercy James?"
Would you want to be the cop on scene when people unexpectedly exit a vehicle during a traffic stop? We ask good men and women (most of whom have become cops to help people) to put their lives on the line every day; then we under pay them and worst of all, we DO NOT SUPPORT them during times like this. We fail them.
Meeks says he's a minister — he preaches from the pulpit — but he does not do as he preaches. He has let down the church at large and the good people of Illinois who elected him. As a senator, he was sworn to uphold the constitution and the laws of Illinois. Citizens are obligated to obey the lawful orders of the police. Apparently in his own mind, the decision in the case of Meeks vs. the Law has upheld that if you're a black minister, a minority senator and a civil rights 'worker,' you're exempt from this obligation and you're entitled to special rights and considerations. Hogwash. I don't buy it and neither should you.
Most pointedly, Reverend Meeks has conveniently chosen to ignore the warning of Scripture that says in James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, because you know that you who teach will be judged more strictly."
Finally, I'm beginning to understand why he is in this situation. Maybe he should ask himself, "What would Jesus do?" Reverend Meeks is in the position to learn the lesson of a certain biblical truth that he has probably taught many times from his pulpit. That is that "God is no respecter of persons." He allows all of us at different times to be disciplined as a good father should. The more we try to pursue our own righteousness the more it will evade us. And why is this? Because we have no righteousness of our own, it all belongs to Jesus.
If Reverend Meeks is wise, he will learn this lesson and move on, or he will most certainly be presented with it again. Personally, I think that he should publicly apologize to that cop. Or invite the cop to lunch and then BOTH of you can apologize to each other and then go your separate ways. Meeks should explore the Old Testament and David's travails with King Saul. Now that's humility! What say ye, Mr. Meeks?
In closing, I urge you to write, email, or call Mayor Daley, the Chicago police superintendent Phil Cline, and your Illinois state legislators on behalf of this cop. Please, do it today.
FYI: Take a few additional minutes and read the article at the following link. I found it via an Internet search. It's excellent. http://www.IllinoisLeader.com/news/newsview.asp?c=27302
© Randall James
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
