Finally, A Race!

I was beginning to wonder if it would happen.  A real contender would join the Democrat field for the presidential nomination.  And so it has.

Jim Webb is a good man and I think he'll give Hillary a real run for her money.  She's been inching left to keep Elizabeth Warren out of the race but I don't think Ms. Warren ever intended to run.  I think she sees herself being more effective as a power in the Senate.  If so I agree.

Webb will now pull Hillary back toward the center or he will own it.  It will be interesting to see how she handles it and what her minions have planned for Mr. Webb.  I doubt it will be fair nor truthful.

For the moment anyway, I'm elated.  Not only does Hillary have some real competition, Jim Webb is a man I could vote for.  I hope that doesn't jinx him!

If You're Looking For Heart...

If you're looking for heart our little corner of the world sure has it.  We are anything but perfect.  There are the social climbers, the ne'er do wells, the takers - and the givers.  When the chips are down they far outweigh the negatives.

The towns here remind me of a big metropolitan area where the boundaries are blurred by growth.  Such it is here between Rathdrum, Post Falls Hayden and Coeur d' Alene with even more smaller ones tossed in for good measure.

When there is need they all respond.  Take a few mosnths ago when a police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. The support for his family was phenomenal from moral support to cash contributions.  One little girl set up a lemonade stand to raise money for the officer's kids.

As fate and weird stories would have it, shortly thereafter the little girl's own father was killed in an auto accident. Again the out pouring of support including the police who set up their own lemonade  stand to raise money for her family.  We don't hate our police around here. They are us. Neighbors.  Friends.  With heart.

Then there was Iron Man last week in which a blind vet competed and finished.  He was accompanied by a very special brother-in-law who not only trained with him but competed with him every step of the way.  Both are more than Iron Men to me! And certainly have stout hearts!

Most recently was a story on the news last night.  A councilwoman from Post Falls was letting people know there were yard signs available for houses where vets live who could be spooked by fire works.  No charge.  She got the idea when she  planned to attend the big show in Coeur d'Alene with a combat vet.  He couldn't even get to the beginning of it.  Oh my, there are so many of them of whom we are unaware. It's the caring that sparked the action! And heart.

There are places listed as best to retire, best place to vacation, best this and best that but if you want an example of the most important aspect of any community - heart - then check out this little corner of northern Idaho.

You'll recognize it.  In the people.

Rethink The Direction Of Your Anger!

I listened to Chris Christie announce for the presidency this morning.  I heard him say Americans are not angry but yes, they are frustrated.  Well, some are angry and I suspect among those are the professional protesters.  Why else would there be calls for a mass burning of the American flag because it's only a piece of cloth that we worship while the problem is the oppressed.

Or to disarm the NYPD because they represent the powers that be.  I don't think they'd necessarily agree with that.

Back to the flag.  Yes, it is a piece of cloth and it is merely symbolism but rethink about what it represents.  Not oppression.  Rather at the moment it represents what the country once was, not what it is now.

But don't burn the flag.  Revere it and do what's necessary to return it's stature.  Protest those who have brought it to it's figurative knees.  The politicians.  Both parties are surviving and thriving on discord and it has gone beyond frightening.  It's disgusting.

Who is to blame?  Those among us who are apathetic.  Those who revere a scandal tainted Hillary Clinton above all others in the quest for the presidency.  Just because she's a Democrat?  What a lousy reason.  Because the rest of the declared democratic field is a joke?  Whose fault is that?  Pay attention!

As for the Republican field, there are some good people vying for the nomination but someone had better set a fire under themselves and soon.  Right now they all kind of blend together.  Where's the scrap?  The fight?  The indignity toward how we've fallen in world stature?  Sure they all speak to it and blame this administration but it isn't just them.  Congress is to blame.  The Court too is guilty of over stepping its bounds.  Yet we're not hearing it.  Like the old cell commercial - Verizon if I remember correctly - where the guy is always saying, "Can you hear me now?" No.  I cannot hear you.

But that's what we need.  Someone so strong the press has to pay attention.  Someone who can make headlines during every news cycle so no one can doubt who he or she is. The media isn't going to help them.  They're going to have to do it on their own. The cause, restoring the country to greatness, must become the focal point and the candidate must be the one who rallies the people.

Do we have such a person?  Maybe.  But who and where?  I throw down the gauntlet.  Is anyone willing to pick it up and run with it?  We desperately need you if you're out there.  Time's a wastin'!

My Thoughts On Gay Marriage And The Court

Now that Gays have the right to marry according to the Supreme Court it's time to put that part of the Gay agenda to rest.  There is no mention of what constitutes a marriage in the Constitution so in essence the Court has made law but it's not unprecedented.

Consider back in the days when it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry.  The Court also changed that. Hopefully somewhere within that decision they will be afforded the same rights as traditional married couples.

Hopefully too, those religions that vigorously disagree will not be forced into preforming marriages for same sex couples. The rights have to be a two way street with respect for truths on both sides.

Obviously I haven't read the decision.  I'm just "musing" about the subject..

Over the years I've found a number of friends who have gay family members and in my circle all have embraced them and their relationships. Why not? You would embrace them if you didn't know their preferences.

I'm sure the LGBT community has other issues that need resolving though I don't know what they are.  Perhaps, though, this Court decision will make it easier for them.

One last thing would make it a triumph for that community.  If somewhere along the line research would find the gene or lack thereof that controls one's sexuality.  That would eliminate the issue of deviancy.  I know from my own cousin who is gay that he knew it at a very early age.  At the age when a young man's fancy would turn to girls or girl's to boys. There was no deviancy - just difference.

You discover you aren't the same as your friends and instinct tells you to keep it to yourself.  That has changed a lot since I was that age.  More and more young people are "coming out" and being honest about their feelings. More importantly more and more families, friends and many in the broader community are accepting.

It will be nice when people no longer have to "come out".  You just are what you are.  It would also be nice if the narrow and traditional definition of marriage would change to encompass anyone who loves another and wants to share a commitment and a life.  A just God, it seems to me, would not frown on a spiritual bond either.

Considering attitudes are changing and acceptance is more wide spread it seems to me the Court has just eliminated the long slog toward equality.  I personally believe it was inevitable. Just let everyone live with love, commitment and happiness regardless of gender.

It shouldn't be political.  It should be just.  And now it is.  

ACA And The Court

So the Supreme Court once again has sided with the administration.  I have mixed feelings because it's setting a precedent with which I'm uncomfortable.

The idea of providing affordable care to the less than affluent is worthy to be sure.  I'm not sure it should have taken a 2000 page bill to accomplish same especially since there are still nuts and bolts clunking around within it.

That said and the fact it is now law is it.  Things should and no doubt will be tweaked over time.  It should not be political but rather what's best for those purchasing their insurance, those providing it and the medical community.

Also, if one state gets government subsidies so should all of them no matter who set up their system.

So what's the problem?  The idea that the way the law was written is now being deferred to intent.  I'd like to think legislators would be more careful of their language in bills of the future but I fear they will not knowing a good lawyer will be able to argue intent over substance.

That would make all legislation tentative until a court rules.  I think it's a dangerous precedent but it's over and done.  It bears watching in the future.

Under a less liberal administration I would like to see legislation that requires laws to be obeyed as written.  Otherwise they will ultimately be useless.  The President has showed us how easy it is to bypass legislation when it has suited his purpose the Supreme Court has given him a pass.  The next step is dictatorship. Caution.  Please.