If a Catholic priest refuses to marry two Missouri Synod Lutherans, isn’t that exactly what he’s doing, refusing service based on someone’s beliefs?
Most Americans age 50 and above, and all immigrants who have become naturalized citizens, understand that the form of government in our Constitutional Republic, as specified in the Constitution of the United States, has three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. That one branch cannot wield excessive power, certain “checks and balances” are built into the system to prevent it.
Again, most Americans can tell you that the courts, through their decisions, protect the people against unconstitutional laws passed by the Legislature, that the President may veto a bill sent to his desk, and if they feel strongly enough (i.e. have enough votes), the Congress can override a presidential veto.
That is about as deep as most peoples’ knowledge of the subject goes. Today I would like to share with you some more checks and balances in our brilliant 1791 Constitution.
Before we do that, let’s look at the main purpose of the Federal Government and that is to Continue reading
Photo courtesy of Jacqueline “Jackie Jet” Hakes Brix
My old friend in Thailand, Charoen is a great guy.
Back in the day we had many fun adventures flying together at the Thai Flying Club. We even flew together on the great “Hong Kong to (almost) Beijing Air Rally.” I think I actually showed him his first aileron roll in the Robin.
P’Charoen (a respectful form of address meaning “Older Brother”) runs a successful business painting really big commercial buildings in and around Bangkok. His wife is a lovely, accomplished lady who is tolerant of P’Charoen’s somewhat “mischievous” ways when out with the boys.
One day, we were talking at the flying club and he mentioned taking his wife to the range and teaching her to shoot pistols. Knowing P’Charoen as I do, I half-kiddingly asked him if he really thought that was a good idea.
His response astounded me. (translated from Thai and a twenty-year-old memory). He put his arm around my shoulder for a big brotherly lecture on one of the important things for a man to know:
Carl, you must understand that the female of the species does not think like we do.
If a woman gets really mad, she might shoot the gun just to scare you. If she does that, you want her to shoot accurately or you might accidentally become paralyzed.
Or if she’s really, REALLY angry and decides to shoot you, but only means to injure you to teach you a lesson, you want her to shoot accurately so you don’t become injured too badly.
Or paralyzed…
And if you’ve really done it, and she’s had it to the point she really wants to kill you, well of course you want her to shoot accurately.
So you don’t become paralyzed!
I don’t know if my friend’s Thai/Asian flavored theory on the thought processes of women are really accurate or not, but I’m teaching Helen to shoot and encouraging her to practice as often as possible.
Just in case…
I was reminded recently why I had sworn off making political comments on Facebook.
A group of people, including a gent I’ve known since high school (that’s almost 40 years) turned a thread about whether Joe Biden was a good choice to run against President Trump in 2020 into a marathon slam fest on Trump voters and supporters.
Lamenting how stupid Trump supporters are because polls show most would vote for him again.
My friend’s explanation was that Continue reading
Army Inside Out
Anyone who knows me is familiar with my hobby of playing with language and inventing new words.
Once, while walking down a series of “people mover” moving sidewalks in the Minneapolis airport, I was in such a hurry to get to my gate that I didn’t notice the next moving sidewalk was not working.
When I stepped on that sidewalk, I suffered from disorientation due to “anticipation bias” because I expected it to be moving when I stepped on it. Having mentally and physically prepared for the motion of the floor under me, landing on that stationary floor caused me to become so disoriented that I nearly fell down.
After recovering from my disorientation, I thought to myself that there must be a word for the odd sensation I had just experienced.
Dizzyness? No. Even the highbrow “vertigo” didn’t seem to do it, but was close.
Finally, I came upon Continue reading
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