I’ve always found people to be fascinating, regardless of their opinions, careers, or economic status. I’ve always enjoyed observing, interviewing, and working with a wide variety of people. I believe most to be good decent people, even if we disagree.

It makes life interesting.

And while I can’t figure everyone out or understand what makes them think or act in certain ways, I still enjoy the attempt; however, there are some people you just can’t figure out at all, especially when they act in groups.

George Carlin famously wrote, “The larger the group, the more toxic, the more of your beauty as an individual you have to surrender for the sake of group thought, and when you suspend your individual beauty, you also give up a lot of your humanity. You will do things in the name of a group that you would never do on your own.”

I thought of that as I tried to figure out why everyone isn’t outraged by what is going on with the attacks on immigrants. Both those who are here legally and those without documentation. Why are so many staying quiet? Do they not want to upset their group?

I wondered how so many good people can just watch while families are torn apart. Sit by while people’s lives are in danger in Alligator Alcatraz. How can they sit back and accept the cruelty some people thrust on others just because they have a different skin tone or speak a foreign language?

I wonder how many of those ICE agents feel guilty about what they are doing but continue to do it to be a part of the group. Do they go home at night and hug their children while thinking of the parents that can’t hug theirs because they’re locked up in some cage or on a plane to parts unknown?

Or have they buried it in the back of their mind by telling themselves they are just doing their job and following the boss’s orders?

I wonder if all those who parrot the groupthink phrase of “I support immigration, it just needs to be done legally” ever take a moment to ask themselves why Congress hasn’t passed any new immigration laws since the Reagan administration. Why haven’t those who support legal immigration pressured their representatives to pass legislation to codify DACA into law?

Was George Carlin right? Do you have to give up some of your humanity to be part of a group? Is it OK to be cruel and rationalize your behavior because others are behaving the same way?

I belong to the group that’s called America. It’s a group that I love, but it’s a group that is losing its way. I know of people who have left the country because of what our government is doing. But I’m going to stay and work for it to get back on track. I can’t just sit quietly and watch it happen. I must speak up.

I believe in the power of the individual. The power of one person standing up for what is right. Standing up for decency.

I see examples of that individual power every day. In small gestures like buying school supplies for poor children, or bigger ones like the individuals who went to the flood-ravaged fields of Texas to search for the bodies of missing children.

Like I said, I find people fascinating.

Sir Edmund Burke was a fascinating man. He was an 18th-century British politician and philosopher. He is regarded as the founder of the social and cultural philosophy of conservatism. We could learn a lot from him.

Burke famously said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Burke also said, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because they could only do a little.”

And “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

We’ve seen what happens when other countries have moved toward an authoritarian form of government, and it’s not good.

I have many Republican friends. I know in their hearts they see what is going on, and they know it’s wrong, but they stay quiet, afraid of being ostracized from the group.

People are indeed fascinating. It’s time for more to show just how decent and fascinating they can be.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

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