The apparently loud or rude words in my column title need some clarification and clearer definition. Allow me to introduce the subject with one clear but objective, absolute, and categorical statement: There is never text without a context.

While the three concepts of culture, law, and grace are not directly visible, they define the implicit core values I am proposing as my framing logic for modern city living, or in any society or even a nation-state.

The popular American TV Series called “Blue Bloods” is the framing logic for this reflection.

One specific episode I watched could easily be re-titled, “Bloody Blue!” That has become the basis of my language above, and rather unfortunately, it is sadly also about our men in blue. My personal sense of hope is now improved with the riddance of the former IGP. I was not given an opportunity to question him at the Suhakam hearings.

Now, why would I use an English curse word, “bloody” right? Actually I did; but I am also punning on the common ‘curse word’ to get the reader’s attention; and, I am using the metaphorical meaning and definition of ‘bloody,’ which means one is guilty, or tainted with blood on one’s fingers or hands. Our police are now with bloodied hands.

Now what then does the ‘blue’ signify in the English language, or even within Malaysian culture?

Actually, that is the exact context and the same reason why I like this American NY Police Family show and series. Our royalty are blue bloods too!

The series is very true and blue; meaning that the entire storyline is pictured, filmed, and depicted by actors to reflect on the traditional idea of “blue bloods”. Blue blood in British culture and Commonwealth tradition involves and implies a royal blood line and lineage of royalty. And, we do have nine of them.

The Queen in British Parliamentary theology is also a sort of Man-God; or a representative of the British Protestant Godhead. Therefore also, our nine Sultans are currently framed within our Constitution, to be given the same core formal responsibility for religion of Islam.

Wikipedia describes ‘Blue Bloods’ as an American police procedural drama series that airs on CBS.

The series is filmed on location in New York City with occasional references to nearby suburbs.

The series follows the Reagan family of police officers with the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Francis Xavier “Frank” Reagan is the Police Commissioner. Frank’s oldest son Danny is a NYPD detective, his youngest son Jamie is a NYPD police officer, and his daughter Erin is the assistant district attorney. Frank’s middle son Joe was murdered in the line of duty in events that pre-date the series, when he was involved with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigating a group of corrupt NYPD cops. Frank’s father Henry is a former NYPD beat cop who rose through the ranks to Police Commissioner.

The premise of that series, to my mind and heart, is all about culture, law, and grace, as applied and practised within a rule of law system in that country; with all its failings and foibles. Such values are in fact also practised in all modern cultures but often we lack full comprehension of these value-laden words

Moreover, while in their series, they are talking about their older migratory culture within the American context, usually from Europe or England; our equivalent today is whether these are from Indonesia, India or China, or elsewhere. Today, in US and everywhere, human trafficking involves all moving humans from all parts of the world to everywhere else.

Therefore, the point of this column series is to make the argument that the so-called “western culture” is neither western nor eastern, nor northern nor southern. But, what we have today is modern forms of Rule of Law worldwide as commonly agreed public space morality and common civility.

I would further argue instead that it is premised upon today’s modern scientific culture and agreed rules in every locality consistent with higher laws, as applied in any modern city or suburb. While, maybe logic and reasoning about issues and concerns originated in the West; logic and reason is not just western, but fundamental to all human meaningful existence and living.

The producers of the series make the family, a Roman Catholic one, and obviously in the American version, as practising and operating within an almost Italian cultural heritage as found and located in NY, America. That is also why institutional grace is preached, propagated, and applied in the tension between personal choices and the culture of the rule of law as found existent within this Reagan family. – December 18, 2017.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.