A quick note about the Porch this week. I am not very good at story telling and opinion comes with some degree of responsibility. I know that this is an accurate account of this event. What stuck in my mind is the differences in justice rendered.

Cold weather here and we have moved inside for now. I just close the door and clear my desk and try hard to clear my mind as best I can. In a group I meet with on Tuesday mornings for bible study and fellowship one of the group shared a disturbing event he had been involved in that I am having a problem getting off my mind. This gentleman over a period of time had helped an old man with some very basic needs, the biggest one was transportation to doctors appointments and such when needed. The man he befriended has several serious medical problems, he is in a wheelchair, has his mother, who is also in a wheelchair and a brother with autism is  living with them. It seems that the man had a dog that had been sick for some time and to be fair it must be said he ignored the dog and waited until the dog was close to dying. He called the pound and requested they come out and get the dog, which they did. The dog had to be put down. Some time latter this man was charged with Animal Cruelty, served papers and a court date was set. The old man was represented by a Public Defender, he had neither money or influence. The results of that court date. He was found guilty, given the maximum sentence which was a year in jail, a monetary fine of substantive amount. The judge reduced his sentence to eleven months probation and thirty days in jail, which he will serve in the new year. The man from Our group paid his bail.

In my porch frame of mind I find a couple of points that linger on in my mind. Just last week to reduce the state’s prison population, outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued 56 pardons. Of those pardoned, 40 are convicted murderers. Retail stores are suffering huge losses due to theft, just brazen walk in and take what you want…no attempt will be made to stop you, or will you face any criminal charges. I hate to write this but I was astounded when Hunter Biden defied a Congressional summons to answer questions about his activities, walked free and still defies the law, openly. Point being…The old man with the dog was guilty as charged…  Along with the old man and that poor dog something else died…Compassion. Neither the old man or the dog had anyone to speak or care for them. 

jk