Necessary Censure Or Free Speech?
During the debacle of the Harriet Miers SCOTUS nomination, Texas Supreme Court Justice, Nathan Hecht, was sought out by MSM to shed some light on Ms. Mier's character and quality. Now he is being
admonished by Texas' State Commission on Judicial Conduct for his comments.
The key issue concerns whether or not Justice Hecht utilized his office and reputation as a platform for endorsing Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court, which is forbidden under the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct .
Justice Hecht is appealing the decision and his attorney, Charles "Chip" Babcock, believes the Justice's free speech rights have been called into question.
Key graph: "
So it is permissible and a constitutional right that you can announce your position on abortion, the war in Iraq or anything else, but you can't announce your position on whether Harriet Miers would make a good justice on the United States Supreme Court?" Babcock asks. "Yeah, I disagree with that."Another consideration involves the actual constitution of an endorsement. At what point is a man or woman's opinion considered an endorsement? Those who know me well, are aware of my affinity for cheddar filled brats, but such food is clearly contraindicated for those battling high cholesterol or a heart condition. Does my opinion that this is the best brat in the world, constitue an endorsement to eat said brat by the aforementioned persons?
Perhaps, that is sloppy thinking, seeing as I'm not an attorney, but a consideration none the less.
Sounds like a politically motivated action to me.
A Good Series Of Articles On Iran
The
Jerusalem Post has a good series of articles on Iran.
Peace In Our Time ?!?!?
I don't know if you have seen this
acticle yet, but it sends shivers down my spine.
Well, we now know who will play the part of Hitler. Now, we just need to sit back and see who will play the role of Neville Chamberlain.
A Generation of Beggars
Last night we had company over for supper. It was not the typical evening, however. On two occasions within about thirty minutes the doorbell rang. Upon hearing it I gave my typical response as I walked to the door: “Go away.” My wife suspected that it might be the Schwann’s man. But, I reminded her that is was not Monday. As I approached the door on both occasions, I discovered that my front step was now occupied by street urchins … err … I mean young children. Perhaps these young waifs have lost their dog and are wondering if I had found it. Unfortunately, I was not to be so lucky.
The first group of elementary children informed me that they were raising funds for the elementary school down the block to purchase books and other educational materials. (Don’t I pay taxes so the schools can buy books?) I politely told them that I was not interested and sent them on their way. The second group of young high school girls were raising money for their sports team by doing chores and cleaning. I was in luck I thought. I need some cheap labor … err … I mean energetic volunteers to help me sod over my weed infested flower garden. But, no. They were cleaning up ditches and cemeteries. (Again, am I not already funding this in some manner?) Alas, I sent them on their way empty handed.
Now, however, I was quite upset. Twice in one evening, I had been beset upon by beggars in the comfort of my own home. I am half-tempted to write a letter to my local school board demanding a cessation to all fund raising activities. The school district just passed a large levy referendum two years back and now they send the students out hat-in-hand to ask for more money. I suspect that instead of using my tax dollars to fund the teachers and students, they have used the increase to fund their bloated top-heavy administration (how many principals do we really need and does the superintendent really need to lease that SUV at our expense?).
So, the assault of the panhandlers begins. “We need new play ground equipment.” “We need new sports equipment.” “We need new books.” “We need desks for our classrooms.” “We need pencils to write with.” Any moment I expect a rather plump elderly gentleman with a white beard and a safari jacket to jump out of my bushes and tell me that I can provide a good education to these children for less than the cost of a cup of coffee each day. WAIT A MINUTE! These kids aren’t from some third-world country. They live down the block. And besides I’m already funding them. I want to quote Ebenezer Scrooge to these young beggars. “I help to support the establishments that I have mentioned.” (I’ll leave out the part about decreasing the surplus population.) Unfortunately such a comment would be wasted on their un-read minds.
It hasn’t happened yet, but the one I hate the most is the student who comes to your door asking you to help fund their trip to Europe. I want to scream, “You want money to go on a trip …. Get a Job!”
We are teaching our children a bad lesson. We are teaching them how to beg. I, however, will have no part in it. Tomorrow, I put up the “no soliciting” sign. I just hope the schools have taught our children how to read.
Good Bye Lou
Cue the now long gone sound of ticker tape machines …
Louis Rukeyser, host of that economic masterpiece Wall Street Week, past away after a battle with a rare form of bone cancer. I’ll admit I was an infrequent viewer. But, when I did watch I always learned something. Although I enjoyed the economic and business discussions, my favorite parts of the show were the monologues at the beginning and end of the show. I loved his wit and his sense of humor. He will be missed.
May 1st
.... And to all our communist readers out there ... Happy May Day! Comrade.
And you thought I was going to rant about immigration.
