We are a nation governed by laws. Over 226 years ago our founding fathers adopted a constitution to serve as a framework for our governance. Over the years it has been amended but, battered and bruised, it is still the standard by which we live. However the laws by which we are governed are established by legislative bodies in thousands of jurisdictions across our great land. The requirements of the law can vary greatly from city to city or state to state. The only standard by which they are all judged is whether they are within the boundaries set by the constitution.
Why, you ask, am I blogging about this at 5:00 am? That is because the lead story on the 5 am news is a live report from the Austin PD about the results of their "no refusal weekend". For the uninitiated this is a program, passed by ordinance of the Austin City Council, in which drivers suspected of driving while intoxicated are required to submit to whatever sobriety test that the police officer deems necessary to prove sobriety, up to and including forcibly taking a blood sample. These "no refusal weekends" generally are on holidays when the dumbasses are out in force, driving drunk. And, as you might expect, it is like shooting fish a barrel. The program is advertised and reported on in hopes of convincing these fools not to drive drunk but they still do and people still die in alcohol related accidents. Sadly, no matter how much we try we cannot legislate stupidity from existence!
So what's the problem? Well that pesky constitution for one. In our zeal to make everyone safer we are ignoring several of the principles of criminal justice system. A person is innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peers. He can not be compelled to testify against himself. The police cannot conduct a search without probable cause. Forcibly taking a blood sample could be construed as testifying against oneself or an illegal search, in my opinion. For the most part the burden of proof has been shifted to the "defendant" in that he must prove that he is sober, or not guilty. Why is this allowed? Because laws are presumed legal until proven unconstitutional. That means John Roberts and the Supremes. The process for taking a case before the Supreme Court is expensive and can take several years. Meanwhile these violations go on.
Does the means justify the ends? So we trample on a few constitutional rights but we get those damn drunks off the road so that is okay? They just announced the stats from the Memorial Day weekend, 2013 vs 2012. Arrests were up to 99 in 2013 from 89 last year. So it doesn't seem to be deterring anyone. But maybe it is. The enhanced enforcement may be paying off but at what cost? Just the rights of some drunks.......
Look, I decided years ago that if I am going to drink away from the house I will either have someone else drive, i.e. a designated driver, or make sure that it is limited to ONE DRINK. This was way before the current initiatives. So far it has served me well. Blame it on maturity, the deterrence of the costs associated with a DUI or whatever I will not be doing a "Rosemary Lemberg" for you!
But more to the point if the enforcement is allowed to encroach upon constitutional protections for DUI enforcement, why not other crimes? The old slippery slope argument comes to mind. So, for me, we only have one constitution, and there is an amendment process. Let's do it right!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Patriotism 101
Recently there was an event that took place in Caldwell County that brought the subject of patriotism to mind. Defining it can be difficult but hopefully in a couple of paragraphs you will know my definition. If not my next reading material will be concerning persuasive speaking.
A few weeks ago it was announced that three busloads of wounded warriors would be coming through Caldwell County, making a brief stop, and continuing on to Port O'Connor, Texas for a fishing trip that had been organized for them. The fishing trip sounded like a nice thing to do for these guys and gals but I really didn't understand why they were stopping in Lockhart. Well the people of Lockhart turned out, including the high school band, ROTC, and drill team as well as every politician that could claw there way to the parking lot of Kruez Market. It was an all out effort to show our "support of the troops" and I think the folks of Caldwell County did a pretty good job.
Is that patriotism?
May 18th was Armed Forces Day. I saw any number of posts on Facebook reminding us of that fact but saw very little else being done to recognize our currently serving military men and women. Can a comment or two on Facebook thanking our military for all they do be defined as patriotism?
Memorial Day will be observed on May 27th this year and many observances will be held around the country. While probably 70% of the population will have a holiday on that day probably fewer than 10% will attend any kind of recognition of these men and women who died for our country. Their sacrifices made what we have possible.
Is that patriotism?
The answer to all of the above, in my opinion, is HELL NO!!!! Patriotism is not about a public display, a few hollow words on a social media site, or solemn ceremonies that few attend. Patriotism is about loving your country and fighting to preserve the precepts on which it was founded. And that fight belongs to each and every citizen of this country, not just those that wear the uniform!
Here are a few characteristics of a patriot as I see it. First and foremost, involvement in the process. That means V-O-T-I-N-G! It is appalling to see elections that are decided by less than 20% of the registered voters. We are a representative republic which means the people we elect represent all of us. Isn't it pathetic that less than 1/5th of us make that decision for all of us? True patriots educate themselves and go to the polls!
Answering the call to duty is an obvious sign of patriotism. While most people would assume I mean serving in the military I am really thinking much more broadly. During WWII the vast majority of people serving in the military were young men. Even today the military is male dominated. But I submit that those women that became "Rosie The Riveter" in the factories during the war were just as patriotic as the men on the front line. They were doing their part to contribute to the ultimate victory. While the men fought in foreign lands the women and children endured rationing and separation and hardship at home. Sharing the sacrifice is something we all do as patriots. There really is a lot we could learn from that generation!
Finally, holding those that lead us accountable! Politicians will try to get away with all they can. The founding fathers always intended to have a citizen legislature where our representatives return to their lives and careers after a short period of public service. Unfortunately our government has evolved into a cadre of professional politicians that have done very little in life but working for the government. And this is on all level of politics! Our current representation is due for a major turnover and it is our job as patriots to do that when they are not service our country's best interest.
So on Monday, May 27th, when you are enjoying your day off from work, I ask that you do remember those patriots that made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Some were drafted, most volunteered, but all answered the call to duty that ended their lives. Their futures ended on the beaches at Normandy, in the middle of the oceans, or any of other countless foreign battlefields on which we have engaged. Their patriotism makes our holiday and everything else we hold dear in this country possible! The least we can do is step up to the plate to preserve the country for the future generations!
A few weeks ago it was announced that three busloads of wounded warriors would be coming through Caldwell County, making a brief stop, and continuing on to Port O'Connor, Texas for a fishing trip that had been organized for them. The fishing trip sounded like a nice thing to do for these guys and gals but I really didn't understand why they were stopping in Lockhart. Well the people of Lockhart turned out, including the high school band, ROTC, and drill team as well as every politician that could claw there way to the parking lot of Kruez Market. It was an all out effort to show our "support of the troops" and I think the folks of Caldwell County did a pretty good job.
Is that patriotism?
May 18th was Armed Forces Day. I saw any number of posts on Facebook reminding us of that fact but saw very little else being done to recognize our currently serving military men and women. Can a comment or two on Facebook thanking our military for all they do be defined as patriotism?
Memorial Day will be observed on May 27th this year and many observances will be held around the country. While probably 70% of the population will have a holiday on that day probably fewer than 10% will attend any kind of recognition of these men and women who died for our country. Their sacrifices made what we have possible.
Is that patriotism?
The answer to all of the above, in my opinion, is HELL NO!!!! Patriotism is not about a public display, a few hollow words on a social media site, or solemn ceremonies that few attend. Patriotism is about loving your country and fighting to preserve the precepts on which it was founded. And that fight belongs to each and every citizen of this country, not just those that wear the uniform!
Here are a few characteristics of a patriot as I see it. First and foremost, involvement in the process. That means V-O-T-I-N-G! It is appalling to see elections that are decided by less than 20% of the registered voters. We are a representative republic which means the people we elect represent all of us. Isn't it pathetic that less than 1/5th of us make that decision for all of us? True patriots educate themselves and go to the polls!
Answering the call to duty is an obvious sign of patriotism. While most people would assume I mean serving in the military I am really thinking much more broadly. During WWII the vast majority of people serving in the military were young men. Even today the military is male dominated. But I submit that those women that became "Rosie The Riveter" in the factories during the war were just as patriotic as the men on the front line. They were doing their part to contribute to the ultimate victory. While the men fought in foreign lands the women and children endured rationing and separation and hardship at home. Sharing the sacrifice is something we all do as patriots. There really is a lot we could learn from that generation!
Finally, holding those that lead us accountable! Politicians will try to get away with all they can. The founding fathers always intended to have a citizen legislature where our representatives return to their lives and careers after a short period of public service. Unfortunately our government has evolved into a cadre of professional politicians that have done very little in life but working for the government. And this is on all level of politics! Our current representation is due for a major turnover and it is our job as patriots to do that when they are not service our country's best interest.
So on Monday, May 27th, when you are enjoying your day off from work, I ask that you do remember those patriots that made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Some were drafted, most volunteered, but all answered the call to duty that ended their lives. Their futures ended on the beaches at Normandy, in the middle of the oceans, or any of other countless foreign battlefields on which we have engaged. Their patriotism makes our holiday and everything else we hold dear in this country possible! The least we can do is step up to the plate to preserve the country for the future generations!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The Way The Wind Blows
We live in a time of opinion polls. This is not to say that this is a new phenomenon but that it seems they drive our society more today than I can ever remember. Used to be polling agencies lived on political campaigns and scrounged for business in between. Sometime in the last 10 years that changed and now hardly a day goes by that the news media isn't trumpeting statistics from a variety of polls on an unlimited number of subjects. It seems that they are telling us what we are thinking and nobody seems to be questioning their validity.
A perfect example is public opinion concerning same sex marriage. Through a coalition between the mainstream media and gay/lesbian groups it seems that the American public is in favor of it. Of course five years ago we were overwhelmingly against it. What changed? Did all of the "homophobes" leave the planet, one way or another? Did God speak to his people saying "I was just kidding about that abomination thing, it's cool"? The best I can read the bible still says the same things it did the first time I read it. And yet you have Protestant denominations embracing the gay/lesbian lifestyle in their clergy. The Boy Scouts today decided to allow openly homosexual boys into their troops. It seems that everyone has their finger in the air trying to anticipate which way the wind is blowing so they can make sure that is the way they are going as well.
I ask again what changed? Did 30% of the heterosexuals in this country all of a sudden decide to try the other side of the fence? No, I don't think so. How did it become cool to be gay?
The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind.........
The moral fiber of our country is gone. The nuclear family is an oddity these days and you better not say that it takes a mother AND a father to raise a child!The definition of family in our society seeks to absolve everyone of the stupid mistakes they make and to legitimize these mistakes. The stigma of being a dumb ass has been removed and it is being celebrated!
And who learns the lessons that society is teaching us today? That would be the next generation. Because Susie having two mommies or two daddies is supposed to be just fine. The boundaries are falling hard! What are "traditional families" supposed to teach their children? Is any behavior beyond the pale?
I was raised during a time of black and white. Right and wrong. Good and evil. Behaviors that went against the teachings of the Bible were considered wrong and evil. The last thing you did was to glorify these behaviors!
Today, however, there is no right or wrong. If the clerk gives you back the wrong change you keep it. Old Joe fathers several children in the community and fails to take responsibility for any other them but that's okay. Teenagers change sexual partners more frequently than they do their underwear. In this age of moral relativism it doesn't matter. And that makes me sad.
The genesis of the above rant was the decision made by the Boy Scouts today. It was not totally unexpected but disappointing nonetheless. I was a Boy Scout from age 8 to 14. If working had not become more important I would have probably made Eagle. Scouting was very important to me during that time and helped to keep me going in the right direction. It was always a good compass for me and millions of other boys since 1912. It was a constant that I thought would be there indefinitely, I guess. But today they waived the white flag of surrender to political correctness. It is merely a formality before gay leaders will be running the show. How long will it be before they remove God from it?
Listen, you can call me what you want, I can take it. My values and principles do not change because Gallup says everyone else did. I know the basis of my beliefs and those have not changed either. God will sort it all out soon enough and I will put my money on my positions any day!
A perfect example is public opinion concerning same sex marriage. Through a coalition between the mainstream media and gay/lesbian groups it seems that the American public is in favor of it. Of course five years ago we were overwhelmingly against it. What changed? Did all of the "homophobes" leave the planet, one way or another? Did God speak to his people saying "I was just kidding about that abomination thing, it's cool"? The best I can read the bible still says the same things it did the first time I read it. And yet you have Protestant denominations embracing the gay/lesbian lifestyle in their clergy. The Boy Scouts today decided to allow openly homosexual boys into their troops. It seems that everyone has their finger in the air trying to anticipate which way the wind is blowing so they can make sure that is the way they are going as well.
I ask again what changed? Did 30% of the heterosexuals in this country all of a sudden decide to try the other side of the fence? No, I don't think so. How did it become cool to be gay?
The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind.........
The moral fiber of our country is gone. The nuclear family is an oddity these days and you better not say that it takes a mother AND a father to raise a child!The definition of family in our society seeks to absolve everyone of the stupid mistakes they make and to legitimize these mistakes. The stigma of being a dumb ass has been removed and it is being celebrated!
And who learns the lessons that society is teaching us today? That would be the next generation. Because Susie having two mommies or two daddies is supposed to be just fine. The boundaries are falling hard! What are "traditional families" supposed to teach their children? Is any behavior beyond the pale?
I was raised during a time of black and white. Right and wrong. Good and evil. Behaviors that went against the teachings of the Bible were considered wrong and evil. The last thing you did was to glorify these behaviors!
Today, however, there is no right or wrong. If the clerk gives you back the wrong change you keep it. Old Joe fathers several children in the community and fails to take responsibility for any other them but that's okay. Teenagers change sexual partners more frequently than they do their underwear. In this age of moral relativism it doesn't matter. And that makes me sad.
The genesis of the above rant was the decision made by the Boy Scouts today. It was not totally unexpected but disappointing nonetheless. I was a Boy Scout from age 8 to 14. If working had not become more important I would have probably made Eagle. Scouting was very important to me during that time and helped to keep me going in the right direction. It was always a good compass for me and millions of other boys since 1912. It was a constant that I thought would be there indefinitely, I guess. But today they waived the white flag of surrender to political correctness. It is merely a formality before gay leaders will be running the show. How long will it be before they remove God from it?
Listen, you can call me what you want, I can take it. My values and principles do not change because Gallup says everyone else did. I know the basis of my beliefs and those have not changed either. God will sort it all out soon enough and I will put my money on my positions any day!
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