The Supreme Court may seem distant and removed, but the way this august body interprets our laws through its Justices has an enormous impact on each of our lives. The men and women who serve on it represent different points of view. Through their collective decisions and behavior they can strengthen or denigrate this nation and its people.
When Justice John Paul Stevens announced his intention to resign after 34 years as a Jurist of the Supreme Court, a number of former clerks who served him described his integrity and his ability to learn and grow as a Jurist and as a person. These accounts spoke of a man humble enough to listen, eager to learn how the application of laws affect the lives of ordinary people, and a Jurist who viewed laws and courts as protectors of The Constitution and its citizens.
Would that the person who fills Justice Stevens Chair on the Supreme Court have these same qualities.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
THE WEATHER REDEEMS ITSELF!
The past few days have have been lovely here. Flowers and tree buds are blooming, never mind the allergies. Birds are chirping and singing. Some to claim territory, others seeking a mate. On the streets,I meet a group of people back from running the 26.2 mile St. Louis Marathon along with 12,500 other competitors. They are panting, sweaty and wearing their medals. Glad they had participated, but not anxious to try again next year.
Families are out. Pushing carriages with tots skipping and running ahead until something stops the children in their tracks. A carpenter making repairs on a house is coming down a ladder. He interrupts his climb down to talk to the children about what he is doing and what his tools are. They are intrigued with him. He explains why his belt has so many tools on it, and why he needs such a large wheel barrel. The parents, who have walked ahead, call to the children who run to them, animated with all they have learned.
The small scene reminds me how wonderful an ordinary neighborhood street, when safe, can be as a learning place for children and all of us when the weather is good.
Families are out. Pushing carriages with tots skipping and running ahead until something stops the children in their tracks. A carpenter making repairs on a house is coming down a ladder. He interrupts his climb down to talk to the children about what he is doing and what his tools are. They are intrigued with him. He explains why his belt has so many tools on it, and why he needs such a large wheel barrel. The parents, who have walked ahead, call to the children who run to them, animated with all they have learned.
The small scene reminds me how wonderful an ordinary neighborhood street, when safe, can be as a learning place for children and all of us when the weather is good.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF HAND
Sometimes when the country is in an ugly mood, as it is now, it is hard to find words that can urge reason. Elected officials and sensible voters lend their patronage to organizations that espouse fanaticism, misinformation and calls for violence. What to do? I went to the Internet to find what three of my favorite American Philosophers had to say about all this to their fellow citizens.
From Will Rogers, born on a large ranch in the Cherokee Nation, now known as Oologah, Oklahoma: "We elect our Presidents, be they Republican or Democrat, then start daring 'em to make good."
From Mark Twain, son of Missouri: "Where prejudice exists, it always discolors our thoughts."
From Yogi Barri, born here in St.Louis, dealing with the jealousy that losing sometimes produces: " You wouldn't have won if we had beaten you."
Maybe a rereading of Roger, Twain and Barri, could help us understand what we are doing to ourselves as a nation when we resort to threats and violence.
From Will Rogers, born on a large ranch in the Cherokee Nation, now known as Oologah, Oklahoma: "We elect our Presidents, be they Republican or Democrat, then start daring 'em to make good."
From Mark Twain, son of Missouri: "Where prejudice exists, it always discolors our thoughts."
From Yogi Barri, born here in St.Louis, dealing with the jealousy that losing sometimes produces: " You wouldn't have won if we had beaten you."
Maybe a rereading of Roger, Twain and Barri, could help us understand what we are doing to ourselves as a nation when we resort to threats and violence.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
READING BODY LANGUAGE
Much is said about the importance of understanding and using body language in communications. For all of its importance, I sometimes find myself unwittingly mislead by it.
A newly wed couple live down the hall from me. He is a medical resident. She is a computer programmer. On some mornings, we meet each other on the way to work. Most of the time, they come down the hall with a light step and walking very close to each other. One morning,I noticed that they walked down the hall as if they did not know each other. Their shoulders were heavy with what I assumed must have been the weight of an argument. One walked behind the other. Their body language communicated, they were a troubled couple.
Later I learned that both had a week of exhausting heavy work that they brought home with them. My assumption based on their body language was totally wrong. It was then that I thought of an old professor of mine, admonishing me before I wrote anything to verify, verify, verify. Would that today's news pundits did the same!
A newly wed couple live down the hall from me. He is a medical resident. She is a computer programmer. On some mornings, we meet each other on the way to work. Most of the time, they come down the hall with a light step and walking very close to each other. One morning,I noticed that they walked down the hall as if they did not know each other. Their shoulders were heavy with what I assumed must have been the weight of an argument. One walked behind the other. Their body language communicated, they were a troubled couple.
Later I learned that both had a week of exhausting heavy work that they brought home with them. My assumption based on their body language was totally wrong. It was then that I thought of an old professor of mine, admonishing me before I wrote anything to verify, verify, verify. Would that today's news pundits did the same!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
CHICKENS AND KING SOLOMON
Clayton is a suburban community in St. Louis' Central West End. It has its own government which is run by a Board of Aldermen . Because of neighborly disputes, the Board is trying to come up with a new "chicken ordinance." The last one was written 40 years ago and does not provide standards, procedures for obtaining permits, or inspection of chicken coops.
Clayton seems to be reflecting a national trend to raise chickens in urban environments . If a community does not have a chicken ordinance, it could be in for a long siege of public hearings with growing numbers of pro and anti chicken advocates, neighbors shouting at each other, carrying signs, and live chickens prancing about to display their healthy estrogen to all.
In the Bible, King Solomon is depicted as a wise King able to solve difficult disputes. The chicken dispute unfolding in Clayton may need a King Solomon to resolve wisely, especially about Roosters and their early morning wake-up calls.
Clayton seems to be reflecting a national trend to raise chickens in urban environments . If a community does not have a chicken ordinance, it could be in for a long siege of public hearings with growing numbers of pro and anti chicken advocates, neighbors shouting at each other, carrying signs, and live chickens prancing about to display their healthy estrogen to all.
In the Bible, King Solomon is depicted as a wise King able to solve difficult disputes. The chicken dispute unfolding in Clayton may need a King Solomon to resolve wisely, especially about Roosters and their early morning wake-up calls.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
MOSCOW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra played Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy here in St. Louis early in March. The program was held in the Cathedral Basilica. For me it was quite an experience.
The Orchestra's musicians tried their best to coax their score into the high domes of the Cathedral. None the less, one could almost imagine William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the ill fated lovers in the huge space. The marble columns, altars laid with one of the world's largest collections of mosaics, the statuary, and the nooks and crannies provided a sense that we were not that far removed in time.
The Pews that served as our seats were hard. The floor was cold. But the violinist chased the discomfort away with a flourish of her bow. The musician's youth and vigor seemed to overcome the vast space and the audience responded in kind to Tchaikovsky's musical tribute to Russian life.
The Orchestra's musicians tried their best to coax their score into the high domes of the Cathedral. None the less, one could almost imagine William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the ill fated lovers in the huge space. The marble columns, altars laid with one of the world's largest collections of mosaics, the statuary, and the nooks and crannies provided a sense that we were not that far removed in time.
The Pews that served as our seats were hard. The floor was cold. But the violinist chased the discomfort away with a flourish of her bow. The musician's youth and vigor seemed to overcome the vast space and the audience responded in kind to Tchaikovsky's musical tribute to Russian life.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
DEAR MOTHER NATURE,
I write in hope I can ameliorate your anger.
Since last year, you have demonstrated your displeasure with the way we have fulfilled our stewardship for the nurturing and care of our Planet. We understand that our species have the privilege of enjoying your bounty.
Yet, we do not respect places our species does not belong. We do not heed the warnings you give us from time to time to be more vigilant. We regret the profiteering of some of us without regard for not only our species, but for animals and our natural resources as well. For all this, we apologize and promise to try to do better.
But Mam, could you please hurry Spring?
Since last year, you have demonstrated your displeasure with the way we have fulfilled our stewardship for the nurturing and care of our Planet. We understand that our species have the privilege of enjoying your bounty.
Yet, we do not respect places our species does not belong. We do not heed the warnings you give us from time to time to be more vigilant. We regret the profiteering of some of us without regard for not only our species, but for animals and our natural resources as well. For all this, we apologize and promise to try to do better.
But Mam, could you please hurry Spring?
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