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An article in today’s paper remembers our city’s efforts in eliminating slavery. I think it is wonderful that we want to pat ourselves on the back for our role We did indeed invest over 600,000 lives and untold treasure in not getting there in the nineteenth century. We invested a lot more treasure and more lives in finally eliminating the more egregious element of slavery in the twentieth.

Now we have a new set of slaves that we seemingly ignore. I am speaking of our undocumented workers, who are little more than slaves. They serve at the pleasure of their employers. They take what they are given. They are exploited. If they complain, they are ratted out and sent home. Are they any less slaves because they are not “owned”?

Is the cost of our vegetables worth this travesty? Who really wins and looses if we normalize their situation. Some would have us believe that the costs of everything would increase. Certainly, the costs to the employers of currently undocumented workers would increase if they had to compete in the marketplace for labor. I am not sure the monetary costs of eliminating this practice would really affect the rest of us significantly. From a moral standpoint, the costs of this practice are appalling. I cannot comprehend why we have not acted sooner.

Could it be that demanding “cheep” health care for ourselves has allowed us to overlook our moral obligation?

Today is Memorial Day. I listened to President Obama’s remarks at Arlington National Cemetery. I was impressed and, as a veteran, appreciative. I note that locally several of the veterans’ service organizations conducted ceremonies at our cemeteries. I searched the city web site and the LJW web site and could not find that our city had anything to say about the event (except to announce office closures).

That is interesting as our city has a lot to say about a lot of things. Hardly a week goes by without a proclamation or some form of celebration. I believe a recent one was about “Earth Day”. Apparently, we have nothing to say about the service of our veterans. I have asked around and apparently, it has been that way for some time.

I cannot help but wonder if there is not some tie back to the sixties. At that time, I remember service men and women being reviled because they wore the uniform of their country. I am told there was considerable dissension here in Lawrence. Emotions ran high. There were many who had trouble differentiating the war from the warrior.

Do we have a legacy of that here in Lawrence, today? We are a progressive city. There have been strong feelings against the war in Iraq. Many of our citizens do not like wars. Could we still be having trouble separating wars from the warriors?

I believe that President Obama considers himself a progressive. Considering his remarks, perhaps it is again OK for progressives to acknowledge our veterans. It would be nice if our city could at least issue some form of proclamation recognizing their service. Who could oppose such an action?

There once was a kingdom called Lawrence. It was nestled in a small valley beside a flowing stream. Its citizens had done valorous things in its past. In this realm was an institution of learning which developed great leaders. The institution was well respected for its work. Many merchants flourished in the kingdom. All had work. Living was easy and exciting. There was abundance and life was good

As time passed, the leaders of the institution saw they could do better so they reached out to faraway lands and brought in teachers of great wisdom. Soon, the institution became recognized throughout the empire. The new teachers longed for the ways of their homeland. They partitioned the Council of the Realm and lo, in good time many new ways were implemented

The Council saw that with the new ways the kingdom was very alluring. They sent forth disciples to preach this wonderment. In time the kingdom became known in the far reaches of the empire. Many strangers came to partake of the goodness.

There lived in the land many carpenters. They saw the need for dwellings and structures. They built and created many things to make the kingdom more attractive and comfortable. Merchants saw the prosperity of the realm and presented their wares to the people. They, too, prospered and the land was rich with their bounty. The Council of the Realm took heed and sent forth the tax collectors to proportion the wealth of the land.

Lo, this cycle continued for many years. The land continued to grow rich and prosperous. Life was good. But…all was not well!

In time some of the inhabitants could not find work in the kingdom. They required alms. The Council saw this need and sent forth the tax collectors to gather more wealth from the populace. Some of the foreigners had ways that were not acceptable to the wisest in the kingdom. Roundtables were called and the Council put forth many decrees to mold the kingdom in the ways of the wise.

As the kingdom grew large it devolved into many factions. Some hungered for the time when it was small. Others wanted more growth. Still others grew in concern for those without work. Some saw the need for more merchants. Others saw that the cost to live in the kingdom was too great. Some questioned the decrees sought by the wise. Some wanted more decrees. There was conflict in the kingdom!

All sought redress from the Council who again sent forth the tax collectors - more frequently to address the many demands. The kingdom was pulled in many ways. The council could not calm the conflict. The cost to live in the land became oppressive and the ways of the land conflicted. Life was no longer good!

The values of property declined and the carpenters and builders were without work. Merchants found the decrees of the wise too costly and departed. Attracting wise teachers from afar became too dear. Many inhabitants could no longer afford to live in the realm and left. Strangers no longer came. The Council of the Realm sent forth the tax collectors ever more frequently. For many, life was no longer good. The cycle accelerated. The Council continued to work for peace amongst the factions. Conflict increased. Life became ugly.

One day a white knight came forth. She brought leadership to the kingdom. She imposed peace upon the factions. Decrees were reduced and the merchants flourished. The carpenters could build anew. Teachers were sought from within the realm and the need for new ways moderated. Work was found for those who were not working. Priorities were established. Some of the tax collectors were pensioned. The cost to live in realm declined. Citizens who had departed returned. Some of the old ways were restored. Life was good again. The kingdom prospered!