Some Thoughts...

The Times We are In Deserve Contemplation


An airliner streaks across the sunset sky.

Times Like These...

SAM: "It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going because they were holding on to something."

FRODO: "What are we holding on to, Sam?"

SAM: "There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for."

FRODO: “I wish the ring had never come to me”, I wish none of this had ever happened”

GANDALF: “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."

Dean Welty was on WNLR this morning talking about the challenges we face. He spoke of legislation such as the 'Freedom of Choice' Act, ENDA, Hate Crimes and others all designed to fundamentally change the nature of our society. It's important that we participate in the electorial process this fall in the spirit of men like William Wilberforce. He's the British Parliamentarian who fought [often singlehandedly] for the abolition of slavery in the British possessions. It was a fight that he fought for almost half a century and he spent his life and health in the process.

Today Dean had some very practical suggestions. First go to the candidates' websites. See where THEY stand on the issues that matter to you. May I suggest that putting broadband internet in every cow pasture is a pretty low priority. Besides, let me tell you who gets those jobs anyway. When the fiber optic network came in here the low bidder was a company from North Carolina and the work was actually done by a crew of Mexicans. What Virginia jobs were even 'created' anyway?

Renewing has to come from somewhere much deeper. Dean reminded us that it indeed needs to be spiritual. As Wilberforce was motivated by his Christian Faith, so we need to be driven if we are to meet the challenges of our times.

If you will call Paul at WNLR: (540) 885-1150, he will send you a copy of Mr. Welty's broadcast.

"Who Am I, and Why am I Here"

I'm quoting Admiral James Stockdale [click to read], but Like Frodo in Tolkein's stories I probably wasn't trying to write a 'political' blog when I started. As a child I was always enthralled by the Sunday Sun 'Brown Section.' It was a beautiful publication full of photographs by the legendary A. Aubrey Bodine. The Brown Section celebrated every facet of life in Baltimore and the Maryland countryside that surrounded it. Sadly the beautiful Brown Section has been replaced by Sunday magaznes that are more 'pop' culture and 'ten ways to lose ten pounds' driven. I wanted to celebrate the life G-d has graciously allowed me to experience. I wanted a place to be able to point out sublime sunsets and magnificent mountains. My obsevation of life in all its facets led me, like Frodo, on this 'adventure.'

This Blog only has Three Readers

...and proudly so. That needs explaining so here goes:

First of all you, dear reader, and I LOVE those old lead-filled books that address you so. They invite you into their world politely. They do not feign familiarity but open a door and offer you hot tea and warm fellowship.

Second, it is me who is reading what I write. It is the things that interest me that you are reading about. There are things that are deeply cared about.

But most of all, it is G-d who knows the hearts of men. No, he doesn't subscribe, but I write to honor him. Sometimes I feel his pleasure!

Let the Journey Begin...

The Meaning of Sonia Sotomayor...

Redefining Our Society by Judicial Overreach


'Blind Justice' atop the Augusta County Courthouse.

Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation writes:

It is always a relief, and usually a surprise, when courts do the right thing, but it is never a sure thing. The California court this week surprised nearly everyone when it simply upheld the important right of that state’s citizens to recognize the traditional definition of marriage, and the sanctity of the vote. It is ironic, however, to watch those who claim ‘every vote counts’ are decrying a decision that validates the voters of California.

At nearly the same moment, President Barack Obama announced his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor. Almost immediately forces on both sides of the Supreme Court debate staked out their positions – many without having any idea what she actually stands for – and the battle over her nomination began.

What is striking to me is just how far we have come from the system of government our Founders envisioned. The news media, pundits, elected officials, public interest groups and scores of Americans have their entire focus on the make up and actions of the judiciary – the third branch of government the Founders intended to be the least powerful.

So here we are today with our freedoms hanging in the balance, with the future definition of terms like marriage and family awaiting validation or reversal by a handful of men and women whom, for the most part, we did not elect. Such is not the Republic we were meant to be, and frankly such is a Republic that cannot sustain itself for long.

Regardless of the outcome of the nomination proceedings for Judge Sotomayor, our system of government – a Constitutional Republic – loses a cornerstone when the voice and will of the people as expressed through our Constitution is subject to the whims of an elite few.

The people of Virginia in 2006 voted overwhelmingly to protect the definition of marriage. Like California, our laws protecting marriage were at the mercy of the courts until Virginians were given the opportunity to amend the state Constitution to define marriage. Because of that vote a handful of judges should not be able to toss aside thousands of years of human history and the evidence of social science that marriage between one man and one woman is best for society, families and children.

And yet, we know it is very likely that at some point our marriage amendment, or another state’s marriage amendment, will face scrutiny by nine people in black robes whom are accountable to no one – some of whom are no longer accountable to the document they swore an oath to uphold.

That is not the America our Founders envisioned.