July 15

Many people today seem gripped by a strong sense of malaise. We, as a people appear to be uncertain and unwilling to take a role in our national affairs. Jimmy Carter pointed this out as early as 1979. Taking a stand in the political life of one’s country carries both moral and temporal responsibilities as well as risks. Consider John Ball. He took a very proactive role in the affairs of England in the 14th century. I mean he was British after all so this seems quite appropriate, right? On the 15th in 1381 as the British monarch, King John II, looked on Ball was hanged, then drawn and quartered, which is a particularly nasty way to die. It seems that good King Richard did not seriously consider the option of simply giving him a time out.