There was Elvis and then there was Anna Nicole Smith, and now its Michael Jackson. Tragic figures whose lives should have been anything but tragic.This trio of people earned and burned through millions and millions of dollars. All three died premature deaths under very questionable circumstances. All three seemed to be involved with vast amounts of prescription drugs. All three had the required entourage of sycophant yes men and toadies. I doubt if any of the three ever heard the word no. Their life styles were recipes for total disaster and that is exactly what happened.
I am not going to pick on Michael Jackson now that he is dead nor am I going to criticize any others who may be involved in this sort of life. No I am going to instead ask the question of why. Why do we worship at the feet of such flawed individuals? Why do we shower them with such adoration? Also, were they flawed before they became famous or were we complicit in their downfalls? It is pretty clear to any normal thinking person that all three were probably crazy. Did fame drive them crazy or were they crazy before their notoriety? Sad questions. Sad commentary. Tragic lives.
Now the fun begins in the Jackson case. Lawsuits will flood the courts as all the hangers on will try to continue to live off their fallen meal ticket. Medical people will be called to account as to how and why Jackson got all the prescription drugs he was allegedly taking. Remember also there are three children caught up in the middle of this mess and nobody seems to know who their real father is. The courts will divvy up the spoils of this tragic life. I feel sorry for the children. They had no part in this idiotic mess. It has been reported that their biological mother wants no part of them. What will their lives be like?
I saw one report that was identified as a preliminary autopsy. Michael Jackson was 5'10" tall and weighed 112lbs at his death. He has lost all of his hair and his body was covered with scars and needle marks. He was skin and bones. He was 50 years old. What a terrible end to what should have been a full and happy life. It would appear that all budding super stars should heed the warning that being an idol can be hazardous to your health and could cause premature death.
And we, what will we do? Some will just go out and find another idol to worship. Sadly they seem to find some sort of vicarious pleasure by their actions. They crave items of clothing, autographs, anything that lets them think they shared their idol's life. They live in some fantasy world that they have conjured up. The stars often fall for the adoration. Some probably even believe that they are truly loved by these fans. They of course live in their own fantasy.
All of this makes me think that being just a normal person with a normal life is not that bad. I will never have cheering fans screaming my name or sycophants rushing to please me. No I'll just live out my life as an average guy with an above average wife and of course above average kids and grandkids. Oh and by the way, their adoration is all I will ever need.
Ron Scarbro June 29, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
IRANIAN ELECTIONS AND OUR ROLE
(The following was published in the Newsleader on June 26, 2009)
Okay, Iran had their Presidential election. Seriously now, did anyone really believe that this would be a legitimate exercise? Iran is a Theocratic dictatorship. It is not a democracy. Freedom does not exist. In Iran free elections are a joke. My first question is why would they need a President anyway? After all, they have their "Supreme Leader". He is none other than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei runs the show all the way. The President is nothing more than a puppet who happens to make a lot of noise and the noise he makes is what he is told to make.
The Iranian people are apparently upset now. It also appears that they are rioting and marching in the street. I hope they succeed, but it is none of our affair. The Iranian people must decide what kind of a government they want and they also have to decide what they are willing to do to make it happen. We will continue to be blamed for anything and everything that goes wrong in Iran anyway because it pleases the powers that be to do so. I recommend however that we just lay back and wait a bit. We cannot and should not try to pick a government for them. When and if the Iranians get serious about shedding their yoke of oppression, then we could possibly be called on to assist. If, however, Iran persists in its pursuit of nuclear weaponry, a situation which the West will not allow, it is the Iranian people who will have to pay the price.
The Ayatollah has threatened the people with certain bloodshed. I am sure he is not kidding. He knows that if he doesn't put this insurrection down right away, it will soon be unstoppable. He wouldn't last five minutes in a free state and he knows that.
I will draw this parallel. America decided to shed her oppressors a few years back. Brave men and women issued their Declaration of Independence. They knew they were inviting retaliation. They knew that they were committing treason and could face death, but this was the slogan of the day, "Give me liberty or give me death." It is just possible that the Iranian people are issuing their declaration now. I don't know if they will be successful. I don't know if they have the courage to see this to the end.
I have read that the vast majority of Iranians are young and smart. I have learned that they (the majority) want to live a freer more western lifestyle. That is not to say that they would give up their religion or its influence, it is just to say they want to modernize. We will see.
If they continue their fight, many of them will die in their attempt. They will become the martyrs that the Ayatollah doesn't want. I wish them well.
As we come into our own celebration of our independence, we should never take for granted what our founders risked in order for this country to establish itself. We must never take for granted what our military risks everyday to keep us free. In reality we are not that far removed from the fight that is going on in Iran right now. Celebrate your freedom and remember those who are oppressed around the world. There but for the grace of God and the bravery and wisdom of our founding fathers, go we.
Ron Scarbro June 20, 2009
Okay, Iran had their Presidential election. Seriously now, did anyone really believe that this would be a legitimate exercise? Iran is a Theocratic dictatorship. It is not a democracy. Freedom does not exist. In Iran free elections are a joke. My first question is why would they need a President anyway? After all, they have their "Supreme Leader". He is none other than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei runs the show all the way. The President is nothing more than a puppet who happens to make a lot of noise and the noise he makes is what he is told to make.
The Iranian people are apparently upset now. It also appears that they are rioting and marching in the street. I hope they succeed, but it is none of our affair. The Iranian people must decide what kind of a government they want and they also have to decide what they are willing to do to make it happen. We will continue to be blamed for anything and everything that goes wrong in Iran anyway because it pleases the powers that be to do so. I recommend however that we just lay back and wait a bit. We cannot and should not try to pick a government for them. When and if the Iranians get serious about shedding their yoke of oppression, then we could possibly be called on to assist. If, however, Iran persists in its pursuit of nuclear weaponry, a situation which the West will not allow, it is the Iranian people who will have to pay the price.
The Ayatollah has threatened the people with certain bloodshed. I am sure he is not kidding. He knows that if he doesn't put this insurrection down right away, it will soon be unstoppable. He wouldn't last five minutes in a free state and he knows that.
I will draw this parallel. America decided to shed her oppressors a few years back. Brave men and women issued their Declaration of Independence. They knew they were inviting retaliation. They knew that they were committing treason and could face death, but this was the slogan of the day, "Give me liberty or give me death." It is just possible that the Iranian people are issuing their declaration now. I don't know if they will be successful. I don't know if they have the courage to see this to the end.
I have read that the vast majority of Iranians are young and smart. I have learned that they (the majority) want to live a freer more western lifestyle. That is not to say that they would give up their religion or its influence, it is just to say they want to modernize. We will see.
If they continue their fight, many of them will die in their attempt. They will become the martyrs that the Ayatollah doesn't want. I wish them well.
As we come into our own celebration of our independence, we should never take for granted what our founders risked in order for this country to establish itself. We must never take for granted what our military risks everyday to keep us free. In reality we are not that far removed from the fight that is going on in Iran right now. Celebrate your freedom and remember those who are oppressed around the world. There but for the grace of God and the bravery and wisdom of our founding fathers, go we.
Ron Scarbro June 20, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
JUNE'S MORON OF THE MONTH
JUNE'S MORON OF THE MONTH
I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for the naming of this month's honoree. It has not been an easy decision. Again there are so many candidates. For a long time, a certain nationally televised comedian was the leader of the pack. I am sure you heard of the comment David Letterman stated in his monologue regarding Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter. What was supposed to pass as a joke went over very badly. Making jokes about sex with children is not funny. Making jokes about the children of politicians is not funny. As a matter of fact, anytime a comedian decides to use his national forum to spew his particular political opinion, he always ceases to be funny. I give you as examples Bill Maher, Garrison Keillor, and now of course David Letterman. No, these people will not be named as morons of the month because they are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
June's moron of the month is none other than Nancy Pelosi. There are many reasons for naming her but the latest is her insistence that CIA photos of so-called torture of retained terrorists at Gitmo be released to the media. This even though her own party's President has said no. In some ways I feel sorry for Pelosi. She has to pander to an extremely left wing segment of the Democrat party to stay in power and at the same time she has to be loyal to the party as a whole. This is in addition to the fact that she represents San Francisco, a city widely known as an Un-American community.
Nancy Pelosi needs to take a good hard look at loyalty, and what that means. Her first allegiance should be to the American people, not some political party or some sub-set of a political party. It has been reported that if these photos are released, our own troops will be further endangered in the world. There is nothing to gain and possibly much to lose if the pictures are released and published.
To my way of thinking, Pelosi is the epitome of the "Peter Principle". She has been promoted and promoted to the point where she has at last reached her maximum level of incompetence. The idea that San Francisco wants her as their representative is not a problem for me. The problem comes when she uses her seniority to become a national figure. Now she is third in line to be President of the US. Are you kidding me? This is combined with the fact that the number two in line is Joe Biden. When the electorate of this country decides it wants change they really do it up right. Oh well, that is another column for another time. Today we celebrate just one moron, Nancy Pelosi.
I have previously written in the continuing saga of Pelosi of her statement that the CIA lied to her or at least didn't inform her of their tactics when we know from the evidence that they did inform her years ago. The CIA regularly briefs Congress of their comings and goings. Isn't it funny how the whole matter of CIA lying has just disappeared from the media spotlight? Is it possible that Pelosi doesn't really want an investigation after all?
Well there you have it, June's Moron of the Month. Stay tuned as we sift through the many possibilities in the months to come.
Ron Scarbro June 15, 2009
I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for the naming of this month's honoree. It has not been an easy decision. Again there are so many candidates. For a long time, a certain nationally televised comedian was the leader of the pack. I am sure you heard of the comment David Letterman stated in his monologue regarding Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter. What was supposed to pass as a joke went over very badly. Making jokes about sex with children is not funny. Making jokes about the children of politicians is not funny. As a matter of fact, anytime a comedian decides to use his national forum to spew his particular political opinion, he always ceases to be funny. I give you as examples Bill Maher, Garrison Keillor, and now of course David Letterman. No, these people will not be named as morons of the month because they are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
June's moron of the month is none other than Nancy Pelosi. There are many reasons for naming her but the latest is her insistence that CIA photos of so-called torture of retained terrorists at Gitmo be released to the media. This even though her own party's President has said no. In some ways I feel sorry for Pelosi. She has to pander to an extremely left wing segment of the Democrat party to stay in power and at the same time she has to be loyal to the party as a whole. This is in addition to the fact that she represents San Francisco, a city widely known as an Un-American community.
Nancy Pelosi needs to take a good hard look at loyalty, and what that means. Her first allegiance should be to the American people, not some political party or some sub-set of a political party. It has been reported that if these photos are released, our own troops will be further endangered in the world. There is nothing to gain and possibly much to lose if the pictures are released and published.
To my way of thinking, Pelosi is the epitome of the "Peter Principle". She has been promoted and promoted to the point where she has at last reached her maximum level of incompetence. The idea that San Francisco wants her as their representative is not a problem for me. The problem comes when she uses her seniority to become a national figure. Now she is third in line to be President of the US. Are you kidding me? This is combined with the fact that the number two in line is Joe Biden. When the electorate of this country decides it wants change they really do it up right. Oh well, that is another column for another time. Today we celebrate just one moron, Nancy Pelosi.
I have previously written in the continuing saga of Pelosi of her statement that the CIA lied to her or at least didn't inform her of their tactics when we know from the evidence that they did inform her years ago. The CIA regularly briefs Congress of their comings and goings. Isn't it funny how the whole matter of CIA lying has just disappeared from the media spotlight? Is it possible that Pelosi doesn't really want an investigation after all?
Well there you have it, June's Moron of the Month. Stay tuned as we sift through the many possibilities in the months to come.
Ron Scarbro June 15, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
ARRESTED, CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED
Two intrepid reporters have been arrested in North Korea for the crime of entering that country illegally. You have surely heard about this one. They are Laura Ling and Euna Lee. These two young ladies were reportedly researching a story about the treatment of refugees along the China/North Korean border when they entered North Korea. It is extremely difficult to know the true story but there is some information here that needs to be discussed.
These ladies appear to be working for some sort of media organization owned by Al Gore. But this isn't about Gore. It isn't even about the North Koreans. No this is about two rather naive people putting themselves and their country in serious jeopardy. They were of course tried and convicted of the illegal entry and then sentenced to twelve years in prison. Now the fun begins.
Because of their actions, we will now have to give the North Koreans many concessions in order to get them released. Negotiations have already begun. This fits right into the North Korean's plan. Instead of more sanctions, we will probably wind up giving them money, food, and who knows what else just to get these two ladies out of there. For us it is a nightmare. For the North Koreans it is a propaganda coupe. All of this because of two silly young girls being somewhere they shouldn't be doing something they shouldn't be doing.
What should be our response? How much should we give up to spring these women? I am tempted to leave them where they are and let them serve out their twelve year sentence as an example to others who would take these stupid chances. They remind me of the idiots who went to Iraq and decided to put themselves in front of our soldiers in order to protect the people of Iraq. We know what happened of course, Saddam used them to protect not the Iraqi people but instead as protection of his army and his weapons. They were lucky to get out alive.
No, we will not let them sit in prison. Just like we did not let the young lady reporter stay in prison in Iran. We negotiated her release by giving up who knows what. Again I ask the question, why was she there? She surely knew that Iran has declared war on this country and will not rest until we knock some sense into them.
I think this is what should now happen. First we do what we have to do to get these two women out of North Korea. When they get back here, they should not get a ticker tape parade. No they should be sent to one of our prisons to serve out their twelve year sentence. If that sounds harsh, I'm sorry. We cannot continue to allow people to put themselves and this country in jeopardy by stupid actions. The next thing we should do is clear. We should punish North Korea in such a way as they would think twice before messing with an American citizen ever. I am not talking about sending them a nasty letter from the UN. I am not talking about blockading their ports. No I am talking about taking out a serious amount of their real estate. They and the rest of the world need to know that we will not allow these types of actions to go unpunished.
The reason these little third rate countries do what they do is they believe it is in their interest to do so. They do not think there will be any penalty. Why would they? We don't have a very good record of retaliation, do we?
These ladies, the two in North Korea and the one who was just released from Iran are not heroes. They should not be treated as such. They are people who for whatever reason, put America in peril. Their actions were not heroic. Who knows what the cost of this will eventually be?
Finally everyone needs to understand the reality of today's world. These are not normal intelligent people with whom we are dealing. These are tyrants who would think nothing of slaughtering people by the thousands. The sooner we all come to this realization, the better off we will be. America needs to let the rest of the world understand that there is a price to pay for crimes committed against us.
Ron Scarbro June 8, 2009
These ladies appear to be working for some sort of media organization owned by Al Gore. But this isn't about Gore. It isn't even about the North Koreans. No this is about two rather naive people putting themselves and their country in serious jeopardy. They were of course tried and convicted of the illegal entry and then sentenced to twelve years in prison. Now the fun begins.
Because of their actions, we will now have to give the North Koreans many concessions in order to get them released. Negotiations have already begun. This fits right into the North Korean's plan. Instead of more sanctions, we will probably wind up giving them money, food, and who knows what else just to get these two ladies out of there. For us it is a nightmare. For the North Koreans it is a propaganda coupe. All of this because of two silly young girls being somewhere they shouldn't be doing something they shouldn't be doing.
What should be our response? How much should we give up to spring these women? I am tempted to leave them where they are and let them serve out their twelve year sentence as an example to others who would take these stupid chances. They remind me of the idiots who went to Iraq and decided to put themselves in front of our soldiers in order to protect the people of Iraq. We know what happened of course, Saddam used them to protect not the Iraqi people but instead as protection of his army and his weapons. They were lucky to get out alive.
No, we will not let them sit in prison. Just like we did not let the young lady reporter stay in prison in Iran. We negotiated her release by giving up who knows what. Again I ask the question, why was she there? She surely knew that Iran has declared war on this country and will not rest until we knock some sense into them.
I think this is what should now happen. First we do what we have to do to get these two women out of North Korea. When they get back here, they should not get a ticker tape parade. No they should be sent to one of our prisons to serve out their twelve year sentence. If that sounds harsh, I'm sorry. We cannot continue to allow people to put themselves and this country in jeopardy by stupid actions. The next thing we should do is clear. We should punish North Korea in such a way as they would think twice before messing with an American citizen ever. I am not talking about sending them a nasty letter from the UN. I am not talking about blockading their ports. No I am talking about taking out a serious amount of their real estate. They and the rest of the world need to know that we will not allow these types of actions to go unpunished.
The reason these little third rate countries do what they do is they believe it is in their interest to do so. They do not think there will be any penalty. Why would they? We don't have a very good record of retaliation, do we?
These ladies, the two in North Korea and the one who was just released from Iran are not heroes. They should not be treated as such. They are people who for whatever reason, put America in peril. Their actions were not heroic. Who knows what the cost of this will eventually be?
Finally everyone needs to understand the reality of today's world. These are not normal intelligent people with whom we are dealing. These are tyrants who would think nothing of slaughtering people by the thousands. The sooner we all come to this realization, the better off we will be. America needs to let the rest of the world understand that there is a price to pay for crimes committed against us.
Ron Scarbro June 8, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
CHILD ABUSE OR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE???
(The following was published in the Newsleader on May 29, 2009)
There are many forms of child abuse. Certainly the most familiar come to mind. Is it possible that denial of medical care could also be a form of abuse? As we examine the matter here in Minnesota with the thirteen year old boy and his mother, I ask whether she should be considered an abuser of her son. If an adult with their wits about them refuses medical care for whatever reason, that is their choice, but when they participate in the denial of care for a minor with limited understanding of reality, that becomes something else entirely.
Quite correctly in this case, the state stepped in and attempted to legally force the mother to seek conventional care for her minor child. Medical experts say that with chemo therapy the boy has about a 90% chance of a cure. Without this therapy he has something less that a 5% chance of survival. Under the law the state has a compelling interest in protecting minor children from abusive or inattentive parents. The court correctly found that the child must be treated conventionally and as you know the mother then took her son and tried to run away. On Sunday they returned home and we will watch what happens next.
There are among us many people who choose alternative forms of treatment. Some believe in so-called faith healing. I am sure you have heard the stories of group prayers asking for miracles for sick people. I have no problem with asking for Divine help in these matters. I even advocate it as long as it also includes conventional medical care. If adults take this route, that is their choice. Children don’t have a choice however. They are the subjects of their parent’s beliefs. It is when prayer takes the place of conventional medical treatment that I have a problem.
Consider this. Perhaps chemo therapy is a miracle. Maybe blood transfusions, x-rays, surgery, organ transplantation, and all modern medicine are today’s miracles. If one believes in Divine intervention, is it not possible that these modern discoveries are divinely inspired? Don’t you suppose that Native American tribes would have preferred conventional medical care rather than peyote buds and witchcraft? Today medical people travel to poor countries throughout the world to provide medical care for those who would otherwise not be treated at all. I am sure that within those desperately poor countries herbal medicine is used when possible, but I am also sure that most would much prefer modern techniques.
I don’t criticize those adults who choose alternative forms of treatment. I have no quarrel with faith and its role in healing. My problem comes when adults deny medical care for their underage children who have no choice. Perhaps, when they are mature and able to make their own decisions, assuming they survive to adulthood, they may also choose alternate medical treatment. That would be their informed adult choice. While they are yet minors however, the state must continue to step in and protect them.
I have high hopes for the young boy who has returned to Minnesota. I believe his best chance for life rests with the medical people who will be treating him now. I further hope that his chemo therapy will be tolerable. I hope we all see a miracle of healing for this youngster.
Ron Scarbro May 26, 2009
There are many forms of child abuse. Certainly the most familiar come to mind. Is it possible that denial of medical care could also be a form of abuse? As we examine the matter here in Minnesota with the thirteen year old boy and his mother, I ask whether she should be considered an abuser of her son. If an adult with their wits about them refuses medical care for whatever reason, that is their choice, but when they participate in the denial of care for a minor with limited understanding of reality, that becomes something else entirely.
Quite correctly in this case, the state stepped in and attempted to legally force the mother to seek conventional care for her minor child. Medical experts say that with chemo therapy the boy has about a 90% chance of a cure. Without this therapy he has something less that a 5% chance of survival. Under the law the state has a compelling interest in protecting minor children from abusive or inattentive parents. The court correctly found that the child must be treated conventionally and as you know the mother then took her son and tried to run away. On Sunday they returned home and we will watch what happens next.
There are among us many people who choose alternative forms of treatment. Some believe in so-called faith healing. I am sure you have heard the stories of group prayers asking for miracles for sick people. I have no problem with asking for Divine help in these matters. I even advocate it as long as it also includes conventional medical care. If adults take this route, that is their choice. Children don’t have a choice however. They are the subjects of their parent’s beliefs. It is when prayer takes the place of conventional medical treatment that I have a problem.
Consider this. Perhaps chemo therapy is a miracle. Maybe blood transfusions, x-rays, surgery, organ transplantation, and all modern medicine are today’s miracles. If one believes in Divine intervention, is it not possible that these modern discoveries are divinely inspired? Don’t you suppose that Native American tribes would have preferred conventional medical care rather than peyote buds and witchcraft? Today medical people travel to poor countries throughout the world to provide medical care for those who would otherwise not be treated at all. I am sure that within those desperately poor countries herbal medicine is used when possible, but I am also sure that most would much prefer modern techniques.
I don’t criticize those adults who choose alternative forms of treatment. I have no quarrel with faith and its role in healing. My problem comes when adults deny medical care for their underage children who have no choice. Perhaps, when they are mature and able to make their own decisions, assuming they survive to adulthood, they may also choose alternate medical treatment. That would be their informed adult choice. While they are yet minors however, the state must continue to step in and protect them.
I have high hopes for the young boy who has returned to Minnesota. I believe his best chance for life rests with the medical people who will be treating him now. I further hope that his chemo therapy will be tolerable. I hope we all see a miracle of healing for this youngster.
Ron Scarbro May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
SUPREME COURT CHOICE
President Obama is set to name his choice for the Supreme Court very soon. There has been a lot of speculation. It should be a woman or it should be a minority, such as a Hispanic. How about a Hispanic woman? Most of this speculation is coming from the media as usual.
The problem isn’t the media this time however. The problem has come from the words of the President himself. He has said that the choice must be a person who will have empathy for the under classes. The choice must have compassion for the lesser among us.
I don’t believe anywhere in the Constitution is an allocation that Supreme Court Justices must have compassion for the so-called down trodden. No, they should be scholars who specialize in law and the Constitution.
The job of the Supreme Court is simple. They should decide legal cases based solely on the law, not the financial condition or the class of the plaintiff or the defendant. They should have empathy, yes, but empathy for the Constitution and the law only.
It is clear from recent decisions that The Court has long ago lost track of their true mission. Most of their cases are decided along political party lines. The founders of this Republic would turn over in their graves to see what we have become. Retiring Justice Souter has been a big disappointment to those among us who believe in our Constitution. His replacement will no doubt continue in his leftist liberal ways regardless of whether that replacement is a woman, a minority, or whomever. I say that because of who will make that choice.
The problem for the country of course, is that the liberals won the election and they will govern from the left. Their decisions affecting this country will be based on their beliefs in liberal politics. It will take many years for America to recover from this experiment in Socialism we are undertaking. One can only hope that the Supreme Court will hang on to enough true scholars who believe in the law to survive the current administration.
If you have had a chance to read my last newspaper column which has been posted to this blog just prior to the current posting, you will see my position. We are indeed becoming two separate countries. Several states have begun the process of passing legislation to extract themselves from Federal law and interference. As I pointed out in the piece, this is just in its infancy. It is sad that states have found it necessary to try and reaffirm their sovereignty in the face of Federal heavy handedness.
We have huge problems facing us. Over the next short period of time we are going to have to deal with North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, and who knows who else. The last thing we need at this time is a battle between the states and the Federal Government. Our job in the Gulf isn’t finished and may not be anytime soon.
As we go forward, we will need all hands on deck. The Feds need to understand that they will need the full co-operation of all the country to face the problems confronting us. These little irritations are not going to go away. North Korea and Iran are having internal problems and those are leading to this saber rattling, but it could provoke their neighbors into a confrontation. Israel has too much at stake to allow Iran to become a nuclear threat.
Please, President Obama, as you make you decisions, consider the effect of those decisions. Not just on you and your party’s future, but on the country’s future. The Constitution as written has served us for our history and it will continue to if it is allowed. Seeking justices who want to make law instead of interpreting law serves no one but those justices. You will need Oklahoma and Montana as well as Texas, Tennessee, and everyone on your side. I don’t care if your choice for the Court is an empathetic person, a minority, or a woman as long as they interpret law based on the Constitution.
Ron Scarbro May 25, 2009
The problem isn’t the media this time however. The problem has come from the words of the President himself. He has said that the choice must be a person who will have empathy for the under classes. The choice must have compassion for the lesser among us.
I don’t believe anywhere in the Constitution is an allocation that Supreme Court Justices must have compassion for the so-called down trodden. No, they should be scholars who specialize in law and the Constitution.
The job of the Supreme Court is simple. They should decide legal cases based solely on the law, not the financial condition or the class of the plaintiff or the defendant. They should have empathy, yes, but empathy for the Constitution and the law only.
It is clear from recent decisions that The Court has long ago lost track of their true mission. Most of their cases are decided along political party lines. The founders of this Republic would turn over in their graves to see what we have become. Retiring Justice Souter has been a big disappointment to those among us who believe in our Constitution. His replacement will no doubt continue in his leftist liberal ways regardless of whether that replacement is a woman, a minority, or whomever. I say that because of who will make that choice.
The problem for the country of course, is that the liberals won the election and they will govern from the left. Their decisions affecting this country will be based on their beliefs in liberal politics. It will take many years for America to recover from this experiment in Socialism we are undertaking. One can only hope that the Supreme Court will hang on to enough true scholars who believe in the law to survive the current administration.
If you have had a chance to read my last newspaper column which has been posted to this blog just prior to the current posting, you will see my position. We are indeed becoming two separate countries. Several states have begun the process of passing legislation to extract themselves from Federal law and interference. As I pointed out in the piece, this is just in its infancy. It is sad that states have found it necessary to try and reaffirm their sovereignty in the face of Federal heavy handedness.
We have huge problems facing us. Over the next short period of time we are going to have to deal with North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, and who knows who else. The last thing we need at this time is a battle between the states and the Federal Government. Our job in the Gulf isn’t finished and may not be anytime soon.
As we go forward, we will need all hands on deck. The Feds need to understand that they will need the full co-operation of all the country to face the problems confronting us. These little irritations are not going to go away. North Korea and Iran are having internal problems and those are leading to this saber rattling, but it could provoke their neighbors into a confrontation. Israel has too much at stake to allow Iran to become a nuclear threat.
Please, President Obama, as you make you decisions, consider the effect of those decisions. Not just on you and your party’s future, but on the country’s future. The Constitution as written has served us for our history and it will continue to if it is allowed. Seeking justices who want to make law instead of interpreting law serves no one but those justices. You will need Oklahoma and Montana as well as Texas, Tennessee, and everyone on your side. I don’t care if your choice for the Court is an empathetic person, a minority, or a woman as long as they interpret law based on the Constitution.
Ron Scarbro May 25, 2009
THE TIMES THEY ARE A' CHANGING
(The following was published in the Newsleader on May 22, 2009)
When a new administration is elected, it is assumed things will change. What one group considered legal and proper, another might see as improper. That is a perfectly legitimate consideration. The trouble begins when the new administration seeks to indict and punish the previous administration for its views of legality. One result of this activity is that the next administration will seek to punish the current administration. It will never end. Another result is that more wedges are being driven between different groups within this country.
I worry that we are becoming two separate countries. The changes being instituted by the current administration with their majority is having, in some cases, an unintended side effect on other parts of the country. Right now several state legislatures are enacting laws which will in effect negate the Federal Government’s power over that state.
It seems that we now have two basic philosophies at work. The liberal or so-called progressive, and the conservative or so-called traditional. Today the liberals are in charge. They won the election. That doesn’t change the fact that within this country are many states which are home to the more traditional philosophy of government.
The differences are so stark and so pronounced that several states are now advocating secession from the Union. Does any of this sound familiar? Wasn’t that at the root of the Civil War? The issues might have been different but the result was a bloody war between brothers and countrymen. Don’t think for a moment that it can’t happen again.
There is no doubt that the Federal Government has in many cases ignored the tenth amendment to the Constitution. That amendment guarantees states’ rights. Many states across this union are now enacting laws within their states that will take back those rights. These states are for the most part the more conservative among us, but do not be deceived, they are serious. They will restore their sovereignty whether the Federal Government likes it or not.
This has been in the works for a long time. This didn’t start with the current administration. Congress, with the blessing of a politicized judiciary, has passed laws which attempt to set the Federal Government up as the super power over states. We seem to have forgotten our history and as everyone knows, those who forget history are bound to repeat it.
The movement of these states toward the regaining of their sovereignty is a growing movement. It is just in its infancy. Ignoring these actions will be at our peril.
So what are we to do? What are we to think? What is our role if any?
Being the simplistic and naïve observer that I am, I offer a few thoughts. We all need to restrain our political conversation. We all need to observe and obey the law. We need to recognize that the Constitution is the law and not a “living” document that can be changed to suit the whims of whomever is in power. Politicians from all parties must learn how to get along. This country is not served by the constant bickering and back stabbing that has prevailed for so long. The opposition must be the loyal opposition. Practice patience.
Finally to any who would read this essay, go back and re-read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Understand why these documents have served us since our beginning. We all need to re-dedicate ourselves to this country. It is the greatest country on earth.
Ron Scarbro May 16, 2009
When a new administration is elected, it is assumed things will change. What one group considered legal and proper, another might see as improper. That is a perfectly legitimate consideration. The trouble begins when the new administration seeks to indict and punish the previous administration for its views of legality. One result of this activity is that the next administration will seek to punish the current administration. It will never end. Another result is that more wedges are being driven between different groups within this country.
I worry that we are becoming two separate countries. The changes being instituted by the current administration with their majority is having, in some cases, an unintended side effect on other parts of the country. Right now several state legislatures are enacting laws which will in effect negate the Federal Government’s power over that state.
It seems that we now have two basic philosophies at work. The liberal or so-called progressive, and the conservative or so-called traditional. Today the liberals are in charge. They won the election. That doesn’t change the fact that within this country are many states which are home to the more traditional philosophy of government.
The differences are so stark and so pronounced that several states are now advocating secession from the Union. Does any of this sound familiar? Wasn’t that at the root of the Civil War? The issues might have been different but the result was a bloody war between brothers and countrymen. Don’t think for a moment that it can’t happen again.
There is no doubt that the Federal Government has in many cases ignored the tenth amendment to the Constitution. That amendment guarantees states’ rights. Many states across this union are now enacting laws within their states that will take back those rights. These states are for the most part the more conservative among us, but do not be deceived, they are serious. They will restore their sovereignty whether the Federal Government likes it or not.
This has been in the works for a long time. This didn’t start with the current administration. Congress, with the blessing of a politicized judiciary, has passed laws which attempt to set the Federal Government up as the super power over states. We seem to have forgotten our history and as everyone knows, those who forget history are bound to repeat it.
The movement of these states toward the regaining of their sovereignty is a growing movement. It is just in its infancy. Ignoring these actions will be at our peril.
So what are we to do? What are we to think? What is our role if any?
Being the simplistic and naïve observer that I am, I offer a few thoughts. We all need to restrain our political conversation. We all need to observe and obey the law. We need to recognize that the Constitution is the law and not a “living” document that can be changed to suit the whims of whomever is in power. Politicians from all parties must learn how to get along. This country is not served by the constant bickering and back stabbing that has prevailed for so long. The opposition must be the loyal opposition. Practice patience.
Finally to any who would read this essay, go back and re-read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Understand why these documents have served us since our beginning. We all need to re-dedicate ourselves to this country. It is the greatest country on earth.
Ron Scarbro May 16, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
