Theology and Democracy or Republicanism

Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence should be given great attention in the United States today. As a lawyer, I consider the Declaration of Independence to be analogous to a new companies “Articles of Incorporation” or “Articles of Association” for an LLC.

Those are the documents that create a new company to be guided by the purposes described in such a document. The U.S. Constitution is analogous to the By-laws or Operating Agreement of the new company. They describe how is will be managed. read more

Christianity and the Supreme Court

Just think of how much things have changed since the beginning cases in the Supreme Court. I believe our Founding Fathers would be chagrined and amazed at the convolutions that the modern Justices go to in order to declare their new “findings” in the Constitution.

JamesMadisonOne of the Supreme Court Justices nominated by James Madison was Joseph Story. Now remember, Madison was the most learned man when it came to the U.S. Constitution. He sheparded it through to approval, including writing many of the “Federalist Papers”. read more

Beauty and the Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers coverPeanuts cartoons often have sage words of wisdom and advice. Here’s one I like:

Charlie Brown says to Lucy who is looking in a hand held mirror: “ . . . and besides, never forget that beauty is only skin deep!”

Lucy responds with vehemence: “I DENY THAT! My beauty in not only on the surface, I goes down deep . . . layer after layer, after layer, after layer!”

She looks back into her hand held mirror and says: “Yes sir!”

Then adds: “I have very think beauty!’

I think that same process could be applied to the Founding Fathers of America! Just change the word beauty to the work WISDOM! These were men, and women, of unparalleled wisdom! Never before, or since, have a group of 55 or 56 men, and their respective women, been able to come together to accomplish so much! read more

Patriotism and September 11

thomas paineYes, we all remember where we were on that 9-11 day in 2001. I was exercising on a treadmill at the gym and saw it on TV—over and over and over again. How can we forget?

Patriotism was at a very high level on the days and weeks after that tragedy. All Americans felt it. That brought us all together.

Since then it seems as if our feelings of patriotism have slipped, taken a back seat, or been demoted. Other things are now more important.

This reminded me of a quote from Thomas Paine, the author of “these are the times that try men’s souls . . . “ read more

Did You Know This About the Constitution?

Who was Gouverneur Morris?

Was he a Governor of some State or Colony? What did he do that I should even know who he was?

No, that’s not a misspelling. That’s how he spelled his name—Gouverneur. And he pronounced it “Goo-ver-newer”.

constitutionNo, he was not a Governor at the time. He was one of the important men attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787. He was one of the important men, at that Convention, such as James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. read more

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

800px-Mtchoirandorchestra_ConferenceCenter_(cropped)I am a long time football fan and a patriot. I love to watch football games, NFL, Colleges, even some high school. I also love our country. The Pledge of Allegiance is special to me. We said it every morning while standing in our classrooms, hands over our hearts, facing the flag, in elementary school. Then somewhat less in high school.

It was important to sing the national anthem in assemblies, plays, and especially prior to sporting events. Red Skelton made patriotism even more widespread with his recording of him reciting the pledge and explaining what it meant to him. read more

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

ThomasJeffersonWe (my wife and I) were recently on a trip to Utah to see some old friends. We saw them and had great memories and tales to tell. On the way back I suggested we should go the other route home which would take us trough Monticello, Utah. They, the Utahns, pronounce the name of their city “mont a sell oh,” unlike Thomas Jefferson, who said he liked to pronounce the name of his home the Italian way: Mont a chell o.

Well, we decided because of time not to go that way. But some day I would like to visit that city and ask someone why they chose that different pronunciation. read more

Americans Must Vote

constitutionThe Declaration of Independence together with the United States Constitution created a government never before seen by man on this earth. It is a government of the people and by the people. The people have a mandate to chose their own leaders. To vote!

This election is about who will sit on the Supreme Court, as much as it is about who will be President of the United States. After all, Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life—no elections, no impeachments. A President presides for 4 years, or perhaps 8. Justices may serve for 10, 20 or 30 years. For life, or until they choose to retire, as did Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. read more

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers coverHere are just a few words I think you should be familiar with. Are You?

Founding—those who take the first steps in building.
Fathers—to make oneself the founder, producer, or author of.
Uncommon—not ordinarily encountered, unsusual.
Heroes—exhibiting or marked by courage and daring.
Colonists—member or inhabitant of a colony.
Colony—a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state.
Farmers—a person who cultivates land or crops or raises livestock.
Mechanics—a manual worker or machinist.
Statesman—one versed in the principles or art of government.
Representative—standing or acting for another.
Vote—to cause to be cast for or against a proposal.
Monarchy—individual rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person.
Democracy—government by the people especially rule of the majority.
Republic—a government in which the supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law. read more

Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton and Burr

hith-alexander-hamilton-EBoy, that was an eye-opening account of “Legends and Lies” by Bill O’Reilly tonight. It was on TV. Pictured was the death of President George Washington, the election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, which was decided in the House, and the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

As you will recall from your High School history class, Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in the duel. Scholars still debate whether or not Hamilton had purposely aimed high miss Burr or if he just got off a bad shot. I am inclined to believe the first. read more