As I look forward to July 4th I am reminded that much of this Country's history as a nation grew out of laws and a common understanding of right and wrong. The Supreme Court decision to allow the Constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act is such an exmple.
Just as I was, and still am, distressed with the Court's decision to equate corporate with citizen influence in legislation and elections, so too am I encouraged by Jurists who showed common sense in today's decision.
July 4th can inspire and celebrate the ability of "We the People" to use our common sense to define right from wrong under the law, no matter how long it takes. Now we need to assure that those who represent us will help to implement the much needed Affordable Health Care Act.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
DOG TRAINING AND MORE?
The couple were having their coffee outside. They had their dog an Alaskan Husky with them. The dog was held on a close leash by its big, strapping owner. It soon became obvious this was a young dog being trained by its owner.
A small black Terrier walked by and wanted to take on the Husky. The Husky wanted to take on the Terrier. The Husky owner tensed up, and commanded the dog to sit. The dog sat. The Terrier walked on. The couple finished their coffee and left.
As they left, I noticed the woman was quite pregnant and walking behind the man who was still training the dog. I wondered how much of a role the man would have with the forth coming child, and thought, the baby will not be so easily "trained."
A small black Terrier walked by and wanted to take on the Husky. The Husky wanted to take on the Terrier. The Husky owner tensed up, and commanded the dog to sit. The dog sat. The Terrier walked on. The couple finished their coffee and left.
As they left, I noticed the woman was quite pregnant and walking behind the man who was still training the dog. I wondered how much of a role the man would have with the forth coming child, and thought, the baby will not be so easily "trained."
Sunday, June 17, 2012
ALISTAIR COOKE VS CITIZENS UNITED
Alistair Cooke was an articulate British television host and American journalist. He was intrigued and wrote extensively about America and its system for governing. At one point, he was discussing what would happen if a single, unjust law came into being in America. "Well then," Cooke replied, "there is always the Supreme Court to rectify things."
I was reminded of his words when I recently read an account by Brian Schweitzer, Governor of Montana, describing what has happened in his State because of the Supreme Court's infamous Citizen's United Ruling. Reading about the impact of this Law on Montana it is difficult to understand how some members of the Judiciary could so easily give up their power to protect society from the tyranny of organized idealism.
Would that Alistair Cooke's observations and belief in the strength of our judicial system was upheld by the Supreme Court.
I was reminded of his words when I recently read an account by Brian Schweitzer, Governor of Montana, describing what has happened in his State because of the Supreme Court's infamous Citizen's United Ruling. Reading about the impact of this Law on Montana it is difficult to understand how some members of the Judiciary could so easily give up their power to protect society from the tyranny of organized idealism.
Would that Alistair Cooke's observations and belief in the strength of our judicial system was upheld by the Supreme Court.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
SUMMERTIME AND OTHELLO
I do not know how many summer theaters there are throughout the country. I do know that St. Louis is blessed with a gem.
Early in June, I attended a production of Shakespeare's Othello. It was held in the City's free, professional summer theater situated in a Glen beneath the graceful Art Museum Fountains in Forest Park.
The acting was richly complimented by imaginative staging,lighting and excellent audio. In addition to the main stage, jugglers, fire eaters, and musicians roamed the grounds. Small tented stages carried quick time quotes and Shakespearean acts of lure. Everywhere, people on blankets enjoyed simple and gourmet-like picnics.
Othello may seem less dark when staged under star light but it still asks us to examine our attitude about others while recognizing the harm rogues can do to the purest of heart.
Early in June, I attended a production of Shakespeare's Othello. It was held in the City's free, professional summer theater situated in a Glen beneath the graceful Art Museum Fountains in Forest Park.
The acting was richly complimented by imaginative staging,lighting and excellent audio. In addition to the main stage, jugglers, fire eaters, and musicians roamed the grounds. Small tented stages carried quick time quotes and Shakespearean acts of lure. Everywhere, people on blankets enjoyed simple and gourmet-like picnics.
Othello may seem less dark when staged under star light but it still asks us to examine our attitude about others while recognizing the harm rogues can do to the purest of heart.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
MS. PIGGY & VOTER I.D. IN FLORIDA
This past February, I visited a friend in Florida. While there, I went with my host to the Palm Beach County Office to renew his Driver's License. At the County Office, there were almost 200 people in the Waiting Room. Most everyone had been there more then two hours, us included.
My friend and his wife have been living and voting in Florida more than 25 years. They have maintained their Driver's License and their Voter Registration Cards all that time. For 2012, they were required to produce original copies of more documents than I have space to enumerate.
Waiting with him, I thought of Ms. Piggy and how she would handle all this. I think she would go to the middle of the room and yell, "ATTENTION!" The room would quiet and she would say, "We all know what this is all about! ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS INDEED! All of us have enough documents right now! I am going home and write a letter to the most important person I know to put an end to all this nonsense." She would toss her hair, twirl around and leave. As I wished we had done.
My friend and his wife have been living and voting in Florida more than 25 years. They have maintained their Driver's License and their Voter Registration Cards all that time. For 2012, they were required to produce original copies of more documents than I have space to enumerate.
Waiting with him, I thought of Ms. Piggy and how she would handle all this. I think she would go to the middle of the room and yell, "ATTENTION!" The room would quiet and she would say, "We all know what this is all about! ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS INDEED! All of us have enough documents right now! I am going home and write a letter to the most important person I know to put an end to all this nonsense." She would toss her hair, twirl around and leave. As I wished we had done.
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