Law and order. Those words describe more than a TV show that ran on NBC for two decades, or the many spin-offs it had. The phrase has an important meaning that, despite being only three words, is often lost today.
Law creates order. Order is difficult to have without law. They go hand in hand, or at least they should.
Law and order, as a noun, means the enactment of laws and their strict enforcement by police and the courts. It can also mean the safe, civil and orderly functioning of society viewed especially as a result of the enactment and strict enforcement of laws. Those meanings were first defined in 1575, more than 448 years ago.
Law and order can also be an adjective, meaning relating to, characterized by or advocating the enactment of laws and their strict enforcement. That definition was first coined in 1839, or 184 years ago.
Our elected officials create laws. Our police enforce them. The members of our courts interpret and rule on them. It is a system that has, for the most part, worked quite well for several centuries.
Even so, law and order have become more complicated. We continue to create more and more laws, yet we support our police less and less in enforcing them while spending more and more time and money in lawsuits. It is to the point where some police officers avoid arrests for fear of dealing with the legal aftermath. And the criminals know this, too. Yes, there have been bad players on both sides of the law, and some folks even continue to push to disband the police in their communities as a result of this. Most of us realize why this would be a bad idea, as without law, there will be no order.
Some question the validity of — or the need for — many of our laws, claiming them to be outdated or sexist or racist or other things that end with “ist.” At times, those claims can be legitimate, but we do tend to overcomplicate this. Regardless of your views on religion, the 10 Commandments were a good list to live by several thousand years ago, and they still are today. Those basic laws are simple to understand. The resulting order is where we have complicated things. If you are a believer in God, you believe there will be a judgment day for each of us. In the meantime, the problems with order here on Earth are relatively easy to fix, if we only had the courage to see them through.
Have a thoughtful Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines® readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!
Best local party/event transportation
1. 515 Party Bus
2. Royal Rides
3. Majestic Limo & Coach
SEE BEST OF DES MOINES® EVENT PHOTOS HERE... | | | Read More |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
The rest of the week looks dry with the possible exception of Saturday morning, when we have a slight rain chance. Temperatures feel more like fall.
For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Carrie at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$515,000
6155 Pheasant Ridge Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Located in the neighborhood of Pheasant Ridge near the amenities of West Glen and Jordan Creek Town Centers. A secluded community with acre lots and mature trees including access to a private lake with recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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Smucker moved to close a $4-6 billion deal to buy Hostess. Can jelly Twinkies be far behind? Snacks remain the fastest growing segment of the food business.
Starbucks hit new record sales this summer.
Tuesday means all night Happy Hour at Django (1320 Locust St., Des Moines)
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: 'Never forget': Iowans honor lives lost in 9/11 attacks
ANKENY, Iowa — Emotional remembrances were held across central Iowa Monday to honor the 2,977 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony outside the Ankeny Fire Department honored the 470 first responders who died on 9/11. ... READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Des Moines man arrested after allegedly trying to light man on fire
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man is behind bars after allegedly trying to light another man on fire Sunday afternoon. According to a criminal complaint, Omar Carrillo, 38, poured gasoline inside the victim’s vehicle and then poured the gas onto the victim. ... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Kum & Go parent company to request regional headquarters in downtown Des Moines
Maverik hopes to get a $250,000 economic development grant to employ at least 250 people with an average salary of $98,000, according to the city council's agenda. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Personalities | | | Triangle’s bright mural
Skoglund adds color to streetscape.
By Jackie Wilson
A decades-old building in downtown’s Waukee Triangle is now full of life and color, thanks to two murals painted by Joan Skogstrom.
One mural outside of Kenny’s Garage was completed last year and the other one this July. Skogland’s son attended Waukee Schools, and she frequently drove past the blank building before finally approaching the owners of Kenny’s Garage with her idea.
“Jamie (the owner) said they’d been talking about it for months,” she recalls. “They worked with the Waukee Betterment Foundation to obtain a grant for the artwork.”
She was given creative rein and sketched an idea. She looked inside the bar for inspiration and came up with a music theme, as Kenny’s Garage is known for hosting live music on weekends.
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| Birthdays and notables! | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Nettles, Ben Folds, Jennifer Nettles, Emmy Rossum, Kelsea Ballerini, Larry LaLonde, Will Chase, 2 Chainz
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What’s the difference between a police horse and a regular horse? A police horse says "Neigh-Naw, Neigh-Naw, Neigh-Naw"! Or, The police horse is more "tack"tical! - Carolyn Rogers
Today's riddle
What do you call a raccoon covered in pasta sauce?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.
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