Right after 9/11, much overkill was directed at the unsuspecting.
Friends of the Dumb Joke Brigade told dumb jokes when everybody was On Edge. It soon became clear that tasteless jocularity had morphed into an actionable offense.
And should anyone on September 12 have had the temerity to sit in a theater studying credits when all others had filed out? Heaven forfend! What schemes might the nonconforming cinephile be plotting alone in the dark?
Twenty years later, we’re at it again.
We can argue (we do) about which social-distancing strictures are properly enforceable in our efforts to slow the pandemic.
But surely some lines inarguably should not be crossed.
I don’t refer to the lone paddle-boarder or to the man who played catch with his kid in a park. I refer to parishioners who attended worship services at King James Bible Baptist Church in Greenville, Mississippi in their cars. Listened to the sermon on the radio in their cars. If the metal-and-glass shells in which attendees were encased couldn’t block the corona-fumes, what the heck could?
Nonetheless, eight Greenville police officers showed up to distribute $500 fines.
The state’s governor discourages but has not banned drive-in church services. It was Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons who has banned them.
The church is suing. Its lawyer, Jeremy Dys, says, “Americans can tolerate a lot if it means demonstrating love for their fellow man, but they will not . . . tolerate churchgoers being ticketed by the police for following CDC guidelines at church. This has to stop now.”
Beyond violating fundamental human rights, the city’s position also makes no sense.
Unfortunately, nonsense is, in these days of panic, not uncommon.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
Photo from Joel Bradshaw
—
See all recent commentary
(simplified and organized)