I just returned from a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I saw more than one sign referring to the city as “The City of Patriots.” That made me think. pa·tri·ot  ˈpātrēət/ noun 1. a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. 2.a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government Many men these days claim the above title, bu

From Juvenile Law (CASA) conference in Boston: Facts – Statistic 1. Every time a child changes schools, he/she regresses approximately 6 months. Statistic 2.  There is a disproportionate number of children of color in the foster care and delinquency system. Statistic 3.  Children of color are generally detained longer after being taken into state custody, due to unsuitable or unavailable homes. Statistic 3.  Most states lack sufficient resources to adequately respond to the p

Balance is challenging but essential. This is not just an abstract, new agey concept, but a very practical one. Without balance we topple, or at least we wobble. “But with some of those one side should win,” you say. I hear you, so let me clear something up: Balance isn’t necessarily symmetry. Put several light weights on one side of the scale, and one heavy weight on the other, and it won’t look balanced, but it may still be. Only the one bearing the weight can say when the

So much arguing and so little clarity about so many things. So many people bicker over ideas without defining the terms they are using as they sling their words. But the definitions make all the difference. Some recognize this and use the unrecognized dissonance to their advantage and some assume both sides of the argument agree on the definition. Further, some (many) rebel against whatever authority may have established already a definition, and then manufacture a debate by

I’m confused about some things: People argue for the right to public prayer under the 1st Amendment even though Christ instructed us to pray humbly in our closets. Matt. 6:5-7 People argue that marriage should be redefined as between same gender, because the equal protection clause should not be hindered by 18th century definitions, but they maintain that the right to bear ‘arms’ should be limited by the 18th century definition of ‘gun.’ People argue that “bearing arms” shoul

“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!” Bill Cosby used to do a comedy routine in which a dad would say that to his bratty kid. It was a joke, but in many cases – maybe most cases – he who gives can also take. When the president appoints someone to a lofty position, that someone has to remember to keep the president happy, lest he be removed with the same ease. When a parent releases the family car to the teenage driver, the teenager does well to remember tha

In April of 2014, I had been in my present position a relatively short time, had just argued an election case on the qualifications of local judges and was in the middle of the Arkansas case on same-sex marriage, when a tornado curled, twisted, and traumatized its way along a 24 mile path of destruction through my county. An EF4.  The EF stands for “enhanced fujita” – Fujita being the guy who came up with the rating system. The “4” means that vehicles are overturned and house

Dark, dank, moldy cell Back of truck, personal hell human cargo is not the past still alive, spreading fast she wakes up, sees the day wishes she hadn’t just wanted to play edge of yard seemed safe enough he was friendly when he drove up offered her money to go for a ride in a blink too late bad man lied bag over head scared of the dark bumpy old road the sounds of a park cries until another is shoved in with her sounds younger and screaming taken from theater truck moves on

I’m no Jimmy Buffet. I already know there’s no woman to blame for my troubles, if I’m honest about it, though sometimes I blame her anyway. I’ve tried a rum drink in the Caribbean and couldn’t tolerate it. I’m not a fan of sand in places where it grinds off skin, and I won’t wear flip flops long enough to blow one out on a pop top. The rest of my group were floating around face down, looking at fishies and coral and getting odd shaped sunburns on their backs. Back on shore, w

Too fat Too nerdy Too skinny Too phat I’ve so little control of What’s under my hat Wearing the wrong shirt Buttons don’t match Wife says I can’t Wear shoes with a latch Hair is too short But don’t grow it out Keep it just right Can’t look like a lout You look like a boy! You run like a girl! I’m embarrassed by you! I think I may hurl. Who made the rules? I sought not your view. Nobody’s told you? You didn’t know you blew? My standard’s not you, Or your best friend You value

My journal of 2007 & 8 is titled “Lessons on Humility & Wisdom” because I was seeking to glean from daily life what I could of those two characteristics as I wrote. I was trying desperately to use my journal to filter these values out of the normalcy of each day. I’ve written recently about God’s presence outside of the time spectrum, and that I think this has everything to do with how we perceive unanswered or ignored prayers. I haven’t finished my thinking on that yet, but

An Effort at Empathy: How long can I hide my incompetence? They will surely see through the veil today.          (professional) I hear him coming – he and his belt Will mom let him again? I was just trying to play.           (girl in closet) So many attack even friends viciously betray Why should helping the people be this way?        (politician) I need to be me Stop calling that a sin! You be you, and they are they Try to understand what it is to be born this way.        (L

Evocative times we occupy at present. Lack of decorum evokes inflammation of emotion. Inflamed emotions erode sound reason. Reason is required in international and personal relations. Relations are crucial for a nation to be One. Word choice, or Language, is a window to the heart and mind. Undignified language exposes an undignified heart. Undignified hearts breed racism, pride, prejudice, thus danger. Danger impenetrable by bullets, missiles, or warheads, as it comes from wi

Some days are like roller coasters; some days are like the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyworld, or the movie “Groundhog Day.” Like I’m trapped in a room with an annoying loop of some stupid pop song playing. Hit me Baby one more time, one more time, one more time, one more time, noe rmeo mtie. It makes you carazy. And what, pray tell, are we accomplishing? Saving the world? Nah. Too big, too wide, too deep. Save that for the Justice League or those “Avengers” people. Obl

When I was in the bathroom this morning, brushing my teeth and getting ready for work, I discovered this: I couldn’t believe my eyes. How could the woman I love do this? Certainly it wasn’t simple carelessness. . . She must have had a convulsion, or a twitch, like I do when I’m not medicated, or something worse. Or maybe she did it on purpose just to mess with me. After twenty-some-odd years of marriage, perhaps she is finally trying to end me by a disorderly-swab-induced pan

I know a lot of females. I know a lot of males. I know intelligent, sophisticated members of both genders and I know people of both that are dumb as a sack of rocks. So I don’t understand why we still have problems of inequality.  Now I’m not typing this to make points with anyone. I have enough points with those that affect my life routinely and I’m not looking for points from others. I’m not running for any office. . . but I had lunch today with some intelligent females and

A weak minded person needs someone to hate: a target for stones, an object to berate. They find the subjects by judging their message: “If they challenge my position, of course I’m irate!” The intellectually challenged move in herds. The herd is king, and principles are just words. Value is in power – might makes right; and if the right lacks might they take from the non-erudite. Faith is like clay, to mold, form and bake into whatever will render subjects frail enough to tak

What would incline me to think I might be a redneck? Why would I strive for such a goal? I’ve never had a skoal ring faded into the back pocket of my jeans (but my friends did), never drank beer from a can (but my friends did), never milked a cow (my parents and cousins did), wasn’t raised fishing, hunting or even shooting (friends were) and I can’t spit more than an inch or so and even that usually leaves a little on my chin (i know a “girl” in Birmingham that can hit a stop

To listen, read and write more, and to communicate less words but more meaning. Each year for the past several, I have resolved to speak less but say as much or more. Hopefully I am making progress. Have a good year, however you define that. #parenting #politics #prayer #christian #zen #meditation #newyear #resolution #peace #Depression #Freedom #family #Jesus #Anger

An Open Letter to Whomever the Shoe Fits: I am weary of your contradictions. Stop preaching against bullying while electing bullies. Please take down your tolerance flag if you can’t tolerate whatever flag I fly. Please do not abuse my good sense with your support of the Constitution if you insist on the government promoting an establishment of religion or chilling the free exercise of any. Don’t ridicule me and insist that I should laugh. Don’t tell me you’re a servant if yo