Shortly after the killings in Colorado The St. Louis Beacon our Internet newspaper carried the commentary, "Reflections of a gun guy in the wake of a massacre." The writer explained that he had spent his entire life in law enforcement and is the owner of eight hand guns.
He described his knowledge of a broad range of weapons while criticizing the press for less than accurate description of fire arms. He said he did not mean to trivialize "an atrocity" into the minutia of nomenclature and said the press did get the big story right: "lunatic armed with potential weapons shots lots of innocent people."
He sited the 16,000 murders a year in the USA and says he is sympathetic to concerns about self defense. He concludes with the question, "At what point does self defense become self destructive?"
I wondered if gun owners and other citizens would take part in small community gatherings to talk about the "Gun Guy's" question?
.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
HOT, HOT, AND HOTTER
This morning the sunrise was like a lovely pastel painting. The red ball, with the ability to cause so much distress, lingered, almost shyly as it cleared the horizon and then ducked into low hanging clouds on the horizon. As it did so, shades of blues, greys and pinks streaked across the sky.
The night had been the gentleness it has been in weeks. We welcomed evening breezes and temperatures in the 70s, but were told to expect another week of triple digit days and nights that hover in the 80s. Even native Missourians admit to never having seen temperatures or remembering anything like July 2012.
People remain as in cloisters, coming out only for necessities or to get to cooler places even as some forgo caution to try to keep to whatever morning ritual is theirs as St. Louis breaks all records and 105 seems to be the "norm" for each day. It is hot!
The night had been the gentleness it has been in weeks. We welcomed evening breezes and temperatures in the 70s, but were told to expect another week of triple digit days and nights that hover in the 80s. Even native Missourians admit to never having seen temperatures or remembering anything like July 2012.
People remain as in cloisters, coming out only for necessities or to get to cooler places even as some forgo caution to try to keep to whatever morning ritual is theirs as St. Louis breaks all records and 105 seems to be the "norm" for each day. It is hot!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
INITIATION FEE TO CLUB EIGHTY
I am now a full fledged member of Club 80 having broken my toe recently.
After much testing, and a couple of pieces of tape across my big toe, I learned about the delicate balance between things inside and outside my body that keep me going. One of the tests that fascinated me allowed me to hear the rhythmic pulsing and the orchestrated sounds of blood as it made its way through my veins.
The Emergency Room of the hospital I visited was neither as glamorous nor exciting as are those portrayed on TV. It is rather an untidy bedlam of humanity of the stricken and the healers. Sometimes services were provided swiftly with great caring. While at other times overworked staff and overburdened facilities provided little time for caring or for conveying information.
The ER brings together people of all ages faiths, social and economic differences and political beliefs. The whole experience was an eye opener for why Congress needs to pass The Affordable Health Care Act, as it was a less than easy introduction to Club 80 for me.
After much testing, and a couple of pieces of tape across my big toe, I learned about the delicate balance between things inside and outside my body that keep me going. One of the tests that fascinated me allowed me to hear the rhythmic pulsing and the orchestrated sounds of blood as it made its way through my veins.
The Emergency Room of the hospital I visited was neither as glamorous nor exciting as are those portrayed on TV. It is rather an untidy bedlam of humanity of the stricken and the healers. Sometimes services were provided swiftly with great caring. While at other times overworked staff and overburdened facilities provided little time for caring or for conveying information.
The ER brings together people of all ages faiths, social and economic differences and political beliefs. The whole experience was an eye opener for why Congress needs to pass The Affordable Health Care Act, as it was a less than easy introduction to Club 80 for me.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The Law, Common Sense & July 4
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.
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.
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.
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