Well, we really thought that these kinds of things didn’t happen in New Jersey, but a former candidate for a township council seat in East Brunswick has been arrested for threatening to “light up the Mayor and Town Council.” GOP candidate David Herrera was arrested for having 25 round high capacity ammunition for an AK-47.
Herrera, who lost by 1,700 votes to a Democrat complained that the election had been stolen from him and threatened revenge. The investigation began in February and after obtaining a search warrant, police found 15 more rounds.
The refusal to accept election losses threatens our democracy. It’s tough to lose an election. When I was in Connecticut many years ago, I lost an election. You smile and congratulate the winner and become part of the loyal opposition, working to accomplish your goals in other ways, not by making threats and taking up arms.
Prayer for the Day
Gentle God, we bring our long standing misgivings about ourselves
And our need for reconciliation when we are isolated from others;
You know how we have failed to live up to our own expectations,
And our thoughts, words, and deeds have been barriers to your love.
Enable us to look honestly at ourselves, experience your healing power
So we may repair damaged relationships with others.
In the name of the One who is your healing power,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Life seems sometimes like nothing more than a series of losses, from beginning to end. That's the given. How you respond to those losses, what you make of what's left, that's the part you have to make up as you go.
- Katharine Weber, writer, from The Music Lesson
"We just lost a vote. We’re not bumfuzzled. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to cancel a photo op with a goat.”
- C..J. Cregg, from The West Wing by Aaron Sorkin
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.”
For God will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from deadly pestilence;
God will cover you with pinions, and under God’s wings you will find refuge;
God’s faithfulness is a shield and a buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day
Psalm 91: 1-5