Walls: God's, Nature's and Ours

Up here at the Old Place, we believe in walls. There are fences to keep livestock from wandering.  Our houses and businesses have walls, but that is mainly to keep out the varmits! We do not lock doors cuz we are too well-mannered to just walk in without an invite. Of course, there was that one time when young Timmy McCardle was riding his bike when he heard a commotion up in Ruth's house. Concerned, Tim went in to see, "if I could help," and walked in on Ruth and her gentleman friend. According to Tim, "they was wrasslin' on the kitchen counter, and Ms. Ruth was a holdin' her own.". . . Oookay!

Walls are a hot topic these days, and safety, of course, plays a big part. If we think about walls rationally rather than emotionally, they are easy things to understand. A wall is a place, thing, or action that provides a separation between two or more things. Walls can provide seclusion, security, or safety. They can delineate locations, be part of a memorial, or merely be an architectural statement. In fact, other than the former Berlin Wall and the old Soviet Gulag, a researcher would be hard-pressed to find any walls with a nefarious purpose.  As the saying goes, "Strong fences make for good neighbors," and a fence is just a wall you can see through, or "A locked door keeps an honest man honest." No one will argue with either of these statements, even a thief locks his door. 

Now, Nature abhors walls but tolerates them. Why is that, do you suppose? Walls require a great deal of energy and materials to build and maintain, or they will fail. At the simplest level, some plants create walls. They grow in circles or even produce secretions that are toxic to other plants. Some animals stand in circles facing outward with their young in the middle for protection. Other animals dig holes, build nests, or live in caves. Think of the constructions of dirt daubers or honey bees. Two or more species only coexist without walls when the benefits of their association outweigh the liabilities. Walls, then, are a normal and natural part of life.

With all this evidence, a wall on our southern border should be an easy sell. The error occurs when we contrast the security of a country with the security of private property. The Socialist sees nothing wrong with allowing everyone into their country without permission, while the Communist will let you in, but once you are in, they will not let you leave!  Oddly enough, neither would allow strangers into their home without permission. This well illustrates how both concepts are contrary to nature.

From a Catholic perspective, our Church leaders say that with southern border walls, we abrogate our responsibility to aid our fellow man. Jesus said, "For as much as you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me." Jesus went on to say, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We have changed that to "What goes around, comes around." There is little doubt that many of the people congregating on our southern border are in need.  A need of their own making?  Perhaps, but does that even matter? . . . Hmm.  In fact, the Vicar of Christ on Earth (the Pope) himself lives in a walled city, but with seven narrow, ungated portals that allow free but manageable access 24/7.  (The media ignores this fact.)

So, Col. Jim, what's it got to do with safety? In the safety business, we say, "Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan."  What the media calls "Hispanic Exodus" seems to have no plan...or does it? From day one of THIS exodus, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs took over.  Along the way, the people foraged for food, medical attention, shelter, transportation, clothing, and, selectively, other people's possessions to sell or barter. There is no reason to expect this to change if the USA throws open its borders. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years, with nothing but faith in God. He gave them manna and Moses, and lest we forget, saved the Israelites using...that's right, a WALL of water.

Sitting in a rocker at the Old Place, I am, Col. Jim