Category Archives: death

The Parable of the Scorpion

Posted on by March 7, 2016

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverSaturday night I was getting ready for bed. I looking around the bathroom and I happened to look into the bathtub. There in the bathtub was a beautiful specimen of a . . .scorpion. It was medium size and had nice proportions for such a nasty, creepy-crawly bug. There he was trying to get up the porcelain sides of the white shiny surface. To no avail.

You know, of course, that scorpions and humans don’t get along too well together. Scorpions like to scare and sting, humans like to kill the thing. So I looked around the bathroom to see what I could discover for a defense. I saw my wife’s hair spray. I thought that might work. So I sprayed the bug with the aerosol. It slowed him down. read more

Justice Antonin Scalia Dies

Posted on by February 13, 2016

Ronald ReaganThe longest serving Justice on the Supreme Court died today. He had been appointed by President Ronald Reagan. By all accounts he was not only wise and scholarly, he was friendly and had a good sense of humor. He caused the Court to consider carefully what they were deciding, and to look closely at the issues and the deciding factors. Not always apparent in Judges minds.

I suppose he liked this story about why you actually need a lawyer at times: “A businessman who had consulted his attorney for some legal advice ran into a friend to whom he recounted his experience. read more

George Washington and the New Year—or Century

Posted on by December 31, 2015

Landsdowne paintingAfter George had finally left public life and retired to his beloved Mount Vernon, he had a few years of private life. Yes, he was still visited by friends and neighbors on a regular basis, but no more public obligations.

One evening he went out to mark some trees to be cut down. It was during a slight snow-storm. When he came back he was horse and told Martha he was feeling “unwell.” Martha offered to make his some remedy to ease his pain.

He told her: “No. Let it go as it came. You know I never take anything for a cold.” read more

Give Me Liberty

Posted on by December 29, 2015

PatrickHenryI received my monthly “Speaker” magazine today. I am a professional speaker and have been a member of this fine Association for many years. Of course, my interest has been speaking about the Founding Fathers and the way they taught character and leadership.

But today as I looked at my new magazine, I couldn’t help but think that there was no National Speakers Association in the 1700’s. And indeed, there were no professional speakers in that day either. There were, however some very great speakers. John Adams, with his persuasive ability comes to mind. read more

Governor Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty . . .

Posted on by November 3, 2015

PatrickHenryI can recall a time after High School, when I could sort of remember the name of Patrick Henry. I even knew that he gave a monumental talk at some point in his life where he said the words: “Give me liberty . . . or give me death!”

I didn’t know when he gave that speech, or where it occurred. But I seemed to think it was sometime around the Civil War period. As you can guess, history was not my favorite subject in High School.

Then in 1976, yes, 1976, as a young attorney, I was elected to represent a Phoenix Mayor’s committee at a National Convention of Citizens Crime Commissions, to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that year. For those of you who weren’t around then, that was our Nation’s Bi-centennial celebration of the adoption of our Declaration of Independence. read more

Ben Franklin’s Dying Remarks

Posted on by October 30, 2015

Ben FranklinMy mother-in-law passed away last night. She was a very special person. Why? Because she made everyone around her feel special. She always had a beautifully positive outlook on life and life’s experiences. I remember the first time I met her and how welcome she made me feel.

Anyway, her death brought to mind Benjamin Franklin’s last days. He was the wisest and oldest of the Nation’s Founding Fathers, almost by a whole generation.

Early in April, 1790, Franklin complained of a pain in his chest which endured for at least 10 agonizing days. Then it subsided just enough to let Sally, his daughter, make his bed fresh for his so that he might “die in a decent manner.” After making up the bed, Sally declared that she was praying that Ben would get well and live for many more years. Franklin quietly responded: “I hope not!” read more