I’m the first to admit it. I LOVE reading the “Mugs in the News”. You know, where they publish the mugshots of people who’ve been arrested in Chicago, along with a description of the charges.

Right here is a story of a man accused of felony theft. He’s been denied bail. He stole an iPhone at knifepoint.

Right here is a story of a man accused of 2nd degree murder. His bail is set at $150,000. He has admitted to the shooting.

I’m not going to get into a discussion of any of the alleged facts, evidence, history, rap sheets, etc. I’m not going to mention race. All I’m going to ask you is this:

If a person from another country, who knew nothing about us, read both of those stories, what would that person think of our value system?

To me, one man is denied bail for stealing a phone and must remain in jail. Another man, who has admitted to shooting a person, has the opportunity to walk out of jail and be free while waiting for his trial.

America, I believe in us. I believe in our inherent goodness. But right now, I’m questioning our values:

Is it true? Do we value an iPhone more than human life?