The Plain Meaning of Words

I want to point out this post because it underscores something that I strongly believe: Republicans can differ on issues; that is to say, my views on a family's decision to have an abortion, the need to be an evangelical Christian, among others, need not be litmus tests on "true Republican belief". Some of these issues, which are referred to as "social conservatism" have little or no relevance to me or impact on my political views. If Rowe versus Wade were repealed tomorrow, the effect on a family's decision to carry to term or not would be unchanged here in Oregon. As it was prior to Rowe versus Wade.

The issue with Rowe versus Wade was not the outcome, but the path to the decision that concerns me.

And a lot of Republicans hold the same view. Or both views, contemporaneously. Which is a source for confusion among conservatives and liberals, alike.

The appalling truth is, the tortured logic that was used to arrive at Rowe opened a Pandora's Box of what is now referred to as "legislating from the bench". These shattering words, "penumbras and emanations" wreaked havoc upon the plain meaning of words. (For a good analysis here, try Robert Bork, "The Tempting of America", Free Press, 1990.)

Which brings me to this post. From NW Republican from whose views I find myself differing on many occasions. But in this instant, I Am Coyote gets it right. This is what he finds in Appellant's Brief in federal court:

"As a matter of Oregon law, the only pertinent question when verifying a petition signature is whether it matches the purported signer's signature on the relevant voter registration card. Whether the purported signer in fact did sign the petition is of no moment under Oregon law."

The party of the Left is corrupt. It is corrupt in simple ways. When the simple meaning of words are viewed as barriers to be overcome by fiat, we are no longer a nation of laws. Fortunately, one federal judge is forcing your elected officials to to what the law requires.

But they will not do this voluntarily. No. And it is this thinking that led to the debate over "hanging chad". A debate that even then Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court could no longer engage. A debate that had to be closed by the United States Supreme Court.

Because this debate attempted to side-step the law. And when party hacks are emboldened by their own lawlessness they come back to do it again.

Remember, this is who you voted for.

Presidential Candidate Comparison Chart

Tom Cruise for President (Or, Getting Used to the Idea of Mitt Romney)

I'm not a Christian.

I don't believe in the Immaculate Conception.

Once you pierce the venier of Organized Religion, you see that you have to believe things that really don't make any sense. Which is kind of the bases of the rituals of any religion. I guess. I don't know if studying the dao of Jesus would form the basis of a religion. Some things are "religious" without religion. I guess.

And, in my understanding of Christianity, you must believe in Jesus being the Son of God, you must believe in the Virgin Birth, and there's one more thing. I'll be checking the creeds later. But you have to sign on to be one.

Which brings me to Mitt Romney and Tom Cruise.

Tom Cruise is a popular actor. Makes a ton of money. I have a hard time watching him in his latest incarnations, but "Risky Business" was a hoot. And the Navy jet one. Never could grab a corner on the samurai movie. I'm not an artsy guy. I guess.

But imagining Tom Cruise as President of the United States of America? So the good faith and credit of the United States could be used to persue alien invaders that live in volcanoes? Or, something? I guess not.

So, with the Mayor letting me down with his endorsement of Senator McCain, I guess it's time for me to get used to a Romney presidency. Yeah, he's a Mormon. And yes, I have a problem with people who choose to believe the "things" necessary to be a Mormon.

But I'd rather vote for a guy who believes that plates found in Pontiac, Michigan were the latter writings of Christ, than a guy who believes that aliens live inside us. You've got Jesus, Virgin Birth, Immaculate Conception, Son of God, oh, and some plates found in Michigan. Except for the plates, Mormons are no more "wierd" than most Catholics, and every single Lutheran. Religion qua religion has different meanings for different people. There was a significant movement in the late 19th century toward mysticism. Today, goverment leaders and their august assemblies are embracing a new religion of global mysticism. And, they're attempting to tax the weather.

Imagine, people dumb enough to pay for a bottle of water. Or, paying a tax on the weather.

So, here I sit, waiting to leave for the airport. It's a cold, cold day outside. Today, the House met to listen to Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Brilliant luminaries asked questions supplied by staff.

The world is a better place.

Just Too Busy

Work. Bookkeeping. End of the the year stuff. Still a couple of end-of-the-year projects that need to be finished...and a couple important first-of-the-year projects going on. A lot of companies are truly busy this time of year. Add-on getting one son to Michigan two weeks ago, and Indiana tomorrow--prepared and ready--not a lot of time for this blogging foolishness. The good news is he did well at Michigan. I spoke with him last night though, and he thinks he wants to go to Indiana. So, preparation for Indiana got a little more important. While he has been accepted to the universities, he needs to play well to gain acceptance by the music schools at those universities. Oh, and did I mention scholarships? Indiana has a profound amount of scholarship help available. With two sons attending university, scholarship help is important. My oldest son could have chosen Rice or Cal Tech. And I encouraged him to attend either of those schools. He determined that Oregon State had a highly competitive engineering program and that it was closer to home. Between his National Merit scholarship and the other scholarships he receives, his education expense is fairly low. And in-state tuition is a lot more attractive than out-of-state tuition. Trust me. It is.

Son Number Two has seen the horizon and has set his sights on different lands. Three years ago he talked about getting out of Dodge. So, two summers ago I flew him into Boston to spend three weeks studying there. Last summer he went to Interlochen to study there. His problem is he wants to play at an elite level. My mom and dad attended University of Idaho. Click on the link. Did you know that Lionel Hampton endowed the school of music there? I blame my piano teacher. And my choir director. The Idaho Mafia ended up at Oregon State, but before they left, in the Forties, they changed U of I. For a group of small town kids, studying music and U of I was a geat time, when music and traveling bands seemed a ticket to success. But as good as they are, the comparison to Michigan and Indiana pales through comparison. When Dr. Foley asked about my son's plans last winter, I let him know that we knew where Oregon was...and that we were looking at Oregon as a "safety" school. Oops. But let's get real. When you check on the top performers in the country you see a nexus of Michigan, Indiana, Eastman and Juilliard. You'll also see Cleveland pop-up, but with Mr. Mack's passing the institute there lost its marque.

So...gotta go. We're leaving for the airport in hours and I've got things to do. After this process is complete, the seed pod has done its job. And next week it's Kansas. The orchestra there is in a building phase--what does that mean?--but the teacher there is top notch. And if these schools don't work out, there's always Arizona State.

So, what are you up to?