Last night in our small group we discussed anger, using Rob Bell's Nooma DVD called "Store." It really provoked some interesting discussion among the group. The gist of it is that anger is a normal part of being human. Even Jesus got angry. But the difference is that His anger always led to improvement and justice. Bell admonished us to channel our anger constructively into things that make a difference in the world; when we see injustice or meanness, we need to get angry and do something about it.
Then this morning, it was like someone wrote a script to reinforce the whole point of last night's lesson.
On KABC Talk Radio 790AM, Doug McIntyre (the early morning host) was leading a public rally at LA City Hall. MacIntyre is really a public hero to me, even though I don't get to hear him all that often. (That's him in the picture above. He looks like he could be the son I never had!!! Spooky!) Anyway, he is SOOO angry about the ridiculous Sanctuary Laws in Los Angeles and San Francisco in which illegal immigrants are granted protection, even if they are known to have heinous criminal records.
His new mantra is, "Don't be banning grocery bags; ban BODY bags!" (FYI, the "environmentally concerned" California state legislature is considering taxing plastic and paper bags 25 cents per bag!!! A lot of legislative energy is being spent on this green idea.) Doug and the families of two of the high-profile tragedies (the street shooting of teen athlete Jamiel Shaw and the Bologna father/children killings) are being moved by anger and grief to take some amazing action. This public rally was brilliant. It was a perfect example of using anger for good.
If I were LA Mayor Villaraigosa or City Councilman Jack Weiss, I'd be quaking in my boots, 'cause my man Doug is TRULY ticked off. (That's the censored version of what he is.) Weiss, in particular, has been totally ignoring the whole travesty of senseless murders, and he's the chairman of the Public Safety Committee for the city of Los Angeles! Today he and the mayor were out at a ribbon cutting event, celebrating a diagonal crosswalk at one of the city's busy intersections! Great timing!) I hope the rally will be posted on YouTube by somebody. Until then, here's an excerpt from a recent radio broadcast in which MacIntyre is hosting Mrs. Bologna who lost her husband and 2 children when a gangbanger opened fire on them with an AK-47 for making a 3-point turn that irritated him! (An example of anger NOT being channeled for good!)
I'm really proud of Doug. After hearing him this morning, I think he should DEFINITELY run for public office. I'd vote for him if he were in my district!
P.S. I showed Lexi McIntyre's picture and asked her who it was. She said, "Papa Don." Told ya.
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