Political Gumbo: Be Careful When You Hunt Monsters …

Here’s a new one, instead of talking about Mannix or Jim Rockford, I’m tossing Nietzsche into the pot this week as we head into Monday’s special City Council meeting at the Convention Center.

Dig this one.

“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster… for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

I included the second half of the quote to keep the context complete.

However, the first part, now that speaks volumes.

The meaning is simple, as you strive to stamp out evil, don’t become evil. 

You know the people, they scream how they want their country back and all about our freedoms and then, well some of them have no problem burning a cross on a Black family’s lawn. 

Or they storm the capitol to hang the Vice President, all in the name of freedom.

Monsters. 

Now we get to Monday. 

Some folks want the City Council to pass a resolution supporting a ceasefire in the Middle East. Others want the City Council to stay out of international affairs. 

And still some Jewish folks want it known, Israel did not start this war and instead was attacked.

And on all sides, we have passionate people that will be crowded into the Convention Center.

Be passionate when you are allowed to speak.

Yes, you have every right to your convictions and I am not telling you to stand on the north side of the street, the south or in oncoming traffic. 

I’m telling you that if you want this peace you’re all going on and on about, then don’t bring hate, violence or intolerance into the Convention Center on Monday.

Bring peace. 

Bring tolerance.

It may not seem like it, but the City Council has a difficult decision here.

In some ways they all but backed themselves into a corner last Monday when they sent ceasefire supporters home happy and  believing the City Council would be discussing a hardline ceasefire resolution this week.

There’s a little more than that on Monday’s agenda. 

During that meeting we saw that derision and willingness to attack, when Steve Madison was shouted down several times simply for stating the item should not go to Legislative Policy first.

This was a classic case of monster hunting. Vice Mayor Madison was 100% correct, the Committee can only make a recommendation on the resolution. 

The Council had already decided to take action on the item.

Yet, he became the Bad Guy – I capitalize it out of respect, having held that title along with countless other reporters for simply telling the truth. 

Of course sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth, they want to hear their personal truth.

One person screamed we’re running out of time.

Running out of time to do what?

A Pasadena ceasefire resolution or one denouncing the violence on both sides is merely symbolic. 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not going to suddenly agree to a ceasefire because the Pasadena City Council takes a stance. 

And that’s the truth.

If the City Council adopts a ceasefire resolution, I get that. If they don’t, well I see where the other side is coming from too.

You don’t have to be happy about it. 

Just remain civil and respectful.

Remember the 1931 movie Frankenstein?

The doctor’s efforts to revive the dead, well it turned the doctor himself into a monster. 

He hired grave robbers, had his assistant steal a brain.

Yeah, there’s a reason the movie is named after him.  

Be careful your cause doesn’t corrupt you. 

That goes for all sides.