Pocket Change

I’m sure everyone has heard about the lawyer, now Administrative Judge in D.C., who filed the $54 million lawsuit against his favorite dry cleaners over a lost pair of pants.  Evidently, the Honorable Judge Roy L. Pearson never heard of judicial temperament (or the Golden Rule).

Judge Pearson said the pants cost $1,150.  What?  My entire wardrobe didn’t cost $1,150.  I don’t know where he buys his pants but I am sure I won’t be shopping there any time soon.

The Honorable Judge Pearson went far above and beyond the principle of Lex Talionis (an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth).  A bit of good news is that after turning down an offer to settle for $12,000 he lost his battle in the courts Monday.  Wonderful?  Not really.  It cost the Chung family, owners of Custom Cleaners, $100,000 in court costs.

America has become a “sue-happy” society overloading an already overloaded judicial system with frivolous court proceedings for redress of wrongs.  The Pacific Research Institute reports that taxpayers are spending $865 billion annually for out-of-control legal system costs.  I must agree with John Engler, NAM president, “It’s time for congress to wake up and realize America can no longer be a nation of the lawyers, by the lawyers and for the lawyers.”

Surely Judge Pearson’s actions will cause someone to stand up and say, “Enough is enough.”

The Golden Rule

Most people have heard and many have been taught to apply the golden rule since childhood.  “And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way,” Luke 6:31 (NASB).

While Jesus never referred to Luke 6:31 or Matthew 7:12 as the “golden rule” His statement summarizes the essence of the ethical behavior expected of His followers.  Believers are encouraged to live in obedience to God’s law by treating others the way we ourselves would want to be treated.

The Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “What you avoid suffering yourself, do not afflict on others.”  The Greek king Nicoles wrote, “Do not do to others the things which make you angry when you experience them at the hands of other people.”  But what Jesus said is, “Take the initiative in doing good.”  This is the key to the discipleship that Jesus wants — the kind of love God shows to people every day.

Miscellany

Paris Hilton is on the road again.  Released from jail about midnight Monday, she duck walked to a waiting SUV and fled the scene.  One problem!  It appeared (to me) as the vehicle drove away with Paris smiling and waving at adoring fans and tail-gating photogs — she wasn’t wearing a seat belt.  Is this a violation of probation?

Propagandist Michael Moore’s autobiographical movie “Sicko” advocates America adopting the government-run health care system of Cuba.  Well, Canada and Great Britain employ this form of health care and it seems to be working very well.  I read an article about a Canadian who needed emergency bypass surgery.  He was placed on a waiting list (scheduled for surgery four months from his initial visit).  In Great Britain the waiting period for knee replacement can be up to three years, for major surgery several months.  I have a better idea Michael, donate that 200 million you made from “Fahrenheit 9/11″ to the needy.

WOAI radio in San Antonio reports that before crossing the border illegal immigrants are given a cocktail consisting of diet pills, Red Bull and aspirin.  The report says this is to increase stamina.  But I think they are probably hoping to get drafted by some major league baseball team.

Obey The Law

The Louisiana ACLU has asked court officials to remove a portrait of Jesus (which has been in place for several years) from the lobby of Slidell City Court within a week or face a possible lawsuit.  The organization sent a letter June 20 to court officials stating the display violates the First Amendment by advancing religion.

City Court Judge Jim Lamz said in a statement, “I was shocked and disappointed to receive the letter.  To my knowledge, no one has made a complaint.  I’m disappointed the ACLU released their letter to the press either before or simultaneously to us, which indicates they’re not interested so much in resolution, but in confrontation and publicity.”

Katie Schwartzmann, the ACLU attorney who wrote the letter, said the display conveys a religious message and instructs those who see it to obey Jesus’ laws.

Joe Cook, Louisiana ACLU executive director said, “If you can’t accommodate, you must separate.  That’s the beauty of the First Amendment.”

The First Amendment implies no such thing.  As a matter of fact, one judge said during the court case of Bear vs. Colmorgan (1958), “If this court doesn’t stop talking about the Separation of Church and State, everyone’s going to think that’s what the Constitution says.”

The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishing of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof.”  I believe our Founding Fathers did not want a national religion (like the one they left in England) but also wanted it understood that government is not to oppose the freedom of religious expression.

What did our Founding Fathers and patriots say?

Patrick Henry:  “It cannot be emphasized too strongly, or too often, that this great nation was founded not by religionist, but Christians, not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

James Madison:  “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it.  We have staked the future of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments.”

Benjamin Franklin:  “Whoever will introduce into public affairs the principles of Christianity will change the face of the world.”

I could quote many others and cite hundreds of Supreme Court decisions (prior to 1963) stating that Christian principles are never to be separated from the government.

More To Life Than Concert

A fellow blogger suggested that the lifestyle a certain conservative republican is somewhat inert because he did not attend the road-tour concert.  Not true — my life is anything but dull.

Friday evening I dined on potted meat, pork and beans, and a tall glass of pomegranate juice followed by a large bowl of my favorite Blue Bell.  Then I settled in my comfy recliner to watch a good Wallace Beery movie, “Bad Man Of Brimstone.”  After that I played two games of solitaire.  I didn’t retire until 7:30 p.m.

Zero Tolerance

There are several things that bother me.  Such as Andy Rooney’s eyebrows, goofy insurance commercials featuring cavemen, people who smoke in restaurants, etc.  But zero tolerance in public schools is a real zinger.

Zero tolerance policies are inflexible rules that take responsibility away from teachers and principals — kinda turns them into zombies like those in “Night Of The Living Dead.”

Some examples of punishment doled out by lobotomized administrators are:  3 boys suspended for playing with water guns because they resembled firearms.  A six year old suspended for giving a schoolmate a lemon drop, which violated the schools drug policy.  A ten year old girl suspended for asking a boy if he liked her — sexual harassment violation.  An eleven year old died because his school would not allow him to bring his inhaler to school.  Students have faced disciplinary action for possessing such dangerous drugs as Midol and Listerine.

An ABA report contains the following statement:  “Public policy towards children has moved towards treating them more like adults and in ways that increasingly mimic the adult criminal justice system.  The most recent version of this movement is so-called “zero tolerance” in schools, where theories of punishment that were once directed to adult criminals are now applied to first graders.”

Please don’t misunderstand.  There is certainly nothing wrong with a zero tolerance policy concerning drugs, guns, alcohol, tobacco, etc.  But I believe it would be great if every zero tolerance policy included the phrase, “Please apply common sense to the enforcement of this policy.”

A Stick In The Grass

I was planning on stating my opinion concerning the nonsensical policy of “zero tolerance” in our public schools.  But I’m to tired to rant.  Besides, it might be best to wait until tomorrow to opine on the loss of common sense in America.

I mowed mother’s lawn today (75′ X 100′, took only three hours).  Before mowing I walked through the area to check for debris that could possibly damage my lawnmower, or my body, and came upon a stick about three feet long.  Not wearing my glasses at the time (I should say “as usual”) I bent over to pick up the stick and throw it over the fence.  Suddenly, the stick reared its head, looked me in the eye, and stuck its tongue out at me three or four times.  Without hesitation I logically decided it might be best to leave the animated stick alone with the hope that it would remove itself when I began mowing.

Motorcycle Llamas

A couple of years ago I had to go to Leon, Oklahoma for a speaking and singing engagement.  As I reached the top of a hill near the Red River border I was surprised to see a herd of llamas in the middle of the highway at the bottom of the hill.  Upon seeing an unfamiliar Toyota, they immediately scattered and headed for the borrow-ditch.

Upon returning home that evening I called my mother to let her know I was back in town.  During our telephone conversation I remembered seeing the llamas, and said, “There was a bunch of llamas in the road between here and Leon.  She asked, “Were they riding motorcycles?”  After a moment of silence I replied, “No, they were just standing there looking around.”

Confused by mom’s question, and amused by the mental image of a long-necked llama riding a motorcycle with his head thrown back and his sideburns blowing in the breeze, I said, “They did move out of the road when they saw me coming.” “Um,” she said, “I bet they were looking for an escapee.”

“What,” I thought to myself, “A herd of llamas on motorcycles looking for an escapee?”  That’s when I realized she understood me as saying “lawmen.”

I also realized that the misunderstanding was no fault of my mother’s.  Every time  I try to call one of the utility companies I am greeted by a computer that says, “State your name.”  After stating my name, the computer then says, “Please repeat.”  After two or three attempts with the same results, I put in my dentures and repeat my name once again only to hear, “Unable to understand. Please press ‘0′.”

Has God Blessed America?

Monday, the C-Span question of the morning was, “Has God blessed America?”  I heard only two callers deny the fact that we are, not only blessed with the privilege of living in America, but also denied the fact that God has abundantly blessed our nation.

The first negative response was from a white man with a northern accent who, after saying “no,” proceeded to offer a ridiculous commentary on Iraq.  The second negative response came from a black retired school teacher who lives in Alabama.  She went so far as to refer to America as “Mystery Babylon” (must be Alabamaological, its certainly not Theological).  Her rationale seemed to be that America is more of a hell than a heaven because slavery was once the norm.

These people, whomever they might be, need to have their brain removed and cleansed with some of grandma’s lye soap and placed back in its cranial cavity after some much needed fine-tuning.

Has God blessed America? Yes! Anyone who does not appreciate the blessings we enjoy as Americans, the freedoms we share, the beauty and glory of America, should move to an African village and live in a mud hut while wondering where their next meal will come from. Or, move to Iran where a person is stoned to death simply for kissing someone in public. Or, go live in some other extremist country where women are flogged for showing their ankles, failing to wear long sleeves to cover their arms, or refusing to cover their face.

Has God blessed America? Yes! I firmly believe that for over 200 years God has richly blessed this great nation, and the irrationality and imbecility of others can never change my mind.

Snuff Sniffin’

While cleaning shelves today I came across a tin of my Grandpa Bell’s 3 dot Honest Snuff –Grandpa died in 1956.  Being inquisitive, I removed the cap, placed the tin under my nose, and took a big sniff.  Evidently snuff grows stronger with age.  If you want a brain freeze worse than that of chug-a-luggin’ a one-quart Slurpee, just try some 51 year old Honest Snuff.  With tears in my eyes I went flying past cloud nine, Jupiter, Mars, and Pluto.

Before my snuff experience I read where Delcambre, Louisana passed a new city ordinance: NO SAGGY PANTS!  A stint of up to 6 months in jail and a fine of $500 could by imposed if caught wearing baggy britches.  When these young men who indiscretely show their butts reach my age, they will want to be seen in saggy shirts.  Not so much for show and tell as hide and seek.

When you have opportunity, check out the blogroll (links) to the left.  Got some good stuff there; free old movies, classic TV, and old radio shows like Amos and Andy, The Lone Ranger, etc.  If you click on Sigmund, Carl & Alfred check out the June 14 blog “Israeli Beast” — very good.