IF I THOUGHT IT WOULD HELP, I WOULD WEEP.

Tear my clothes. Thump my chest.

Alas. This is the 21st Century. If I did something like the above, someone would call 911 and they’d take me away for evaluation. Probably Baker Act me should the Captain object and tell them it’s normal behavior.

Normal for me, that is.

And for those who don’t know what the Baker Act is, well –

The Baker Act allows for involuntary examination (what some call emergency or involuntary commitment). It can be initiated by judges, law enforcement officials, physicians, or mental health professionals.

In a nutshell, someone else, family, friends, even the law, can decide you need your head examined.

The Baker Act exists in Florida.

And if you think you are safe somewhere else, beware. A few other states have something similar.

Involuntary Commitments by State

• California – 5150 (72-hour hold)

• Pennsylvania – 302 (5-day hold)

• Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky – Casey’s Law.

• New Jersey – Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)

• New York – Kendra’s Law.

Why, on this 34th day of our Government Shutdown should I be in this desperate state?

Some time ago I wrote a piece headed

MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE.

I feel as strongly now as I did then. No, I feel even more strongly. I’m now verging on the fanatical. Must be if I’m ready to thump my chest in public.

At the time I quoted from a book “Just Call Me Lopez” by Margaret Silf.

Lopez (St. Ignatius of Loyola) in conversation with Rachel.

“I’m trying to set down what it takes to be a good leader,” he said.

I thought of how desperately our world today needs good leaders and what a monumental lack of them there is.

“And what qualities would you look for in a leader?” I asked him.

“Someone who walks close to God. A prayerful person. One who has vision and can set other people’s hearts on fire. Someone who is master of himself but a servant of others. A humble person.”

“Someone who knows his own weakness and is therefore tolerant of the weakness of others. A person of courage who won’t be deflected from a true course by the threat of danger or opposition, or compromise his integrity to gain wealth or status or power. A person who can persevere doggedly when the going is difficult. A person who can hold tensions in a creative balance.”

“A person who knows what a mess he is and is willing to let the Spirit hover over his chaos and bring about a new creation.”

Cyber hugs and Blessings All. Our Country need our Prayers.

Photo from Pixaby