I had a run-in with the law this week. Well, it was not specifically I who did, and, it was more of a “walk-in” as opposed to a “run-in”. But that statement was generally true. If you are a regular reader of this website, you are aware that our oldest son is running a lemonade…
Tag: America
Independence Day
It’s hard to appreciate independence as an American in the 21st century. We are still benefitting today—July 4th, 2013—from the courage and bravery of a people whose chosen leaders pledged their “lives, [their] fortunes, and [their] sacred honor” two hundred and thirty-seven years ago. Well over two centuries of time has passed since that particular…
DOMA Arigato
Just about a week ago, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) was in the news for two rulings in regards to same-sex marriages. One was specific to California (Proposition 8), and I won’t address that here, but the first was regarding a case challenging the constitutionality of section three (§3) of the Defense…
Question With Boldness
Though most people nowadays can conceive of no better poster child for agnosticism (or, at the very least, deism), Jefferson himself may have had a bone to pick with such people. In a letter to his nephew, on the topic of forming his own views on religion (a topic which he labeled “important”), Thomas Jefferson…
Regarding Liberty
We’re being monitored. At least, we’re being recorded. Straight out of the storyline in George Orwell’s novel 1984, technology has gotten to the point that anyone who wants to, and has the resources to—like, the US Federal Government—can monitor and store all electronic communications. That really is astounding. This past week, Edwards Snowden, a former…
The Real Value of Stuff
I love visual truth. Even though I am a person who loves words, and communicating thoughts, emotions, questions, and experiences through just the right word or phrase chosen to build a vivid picture of truth in one’s mind, there is nothing quite like a visual “object lesson”. Tonight mine came in the form of a…
Millard Fillmore: Underappreciated
This will probably surprise you, but … no one cares much about President Millard Fillmore. At least, not according to this article. Since we’re just a week past President’s Day, I figure it’s still appropriate to honor one of the men who served in that capacity for this great nation of ours. Did you know…
Constitutionally Speaking: The States Have It (as do the People)
If you are a fan of history, and perhaps also an American citizen—both of which I am—then I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at our Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, as seen through the eyes, words, and actions of the people who constructed it. It’s very interesting to see where we’ve come from, how…
Constitutionally Speaking: Freedom of Religion (not FROM religion)
Today we often think of the First Amendment as restricting all forms of any religion in the public forum; it being essential to our freedom of religion—that all may worship, or not worship, as they see fit, without being forced to do so by any government hand. A simple reading of the actual amendment will…
Constitutionally Speaking: We’ve Got It All Wrong!
OK, I admit. That’s just a fun, “grab-your-attention” kind of headline. But it’s not far from the real truth. At least for many of us U. S. Americans. The first amendment protection of free speech, and more specifically the part about freedom of religion was the central part of an interesting discussion the other day….