I wonder if people are aware of an exchange on CNN between Chris Cuomo, and Alabama Chief Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore.  Let me start by saying that I feel the Justice, who was also involved in the Ten Commandments Monument issue about 10 years ago, while may be in line with the Constitution, is wrong in these times.  The exchange was over the Justice's fight to not issue same sex marriage licenses. To defy the federal judge, and to flaunt an issue currently before the US Supreme Court is bad judgement.  What should concern people is what Chris Cuomo, brother of NY governor Andrew Cuomo, and son of the late NY Governor Mario Cuomo.  A significant political pedigree to be sure.  What did he say?   "Our rights do not come from God. That’s your faith. That’s my faith, but not our country." 

The Declaration of Independence, the "organic law" that our whole system of government is based states very clearly that  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness".   Pretty straightforward where rights come from.

It really is simple.  Whatever man, or government gives, man, or government can take away.  We have contorted the definition of "right" to the point of having no meaning.  A "right" to healthcare.  A "right" to an education.  A "right" to a living wage.  The President several years ago referred to the problem of the US Constitution only containing "negative" rights, or rather what the government CAN"T do.  That is because to extend the term "right" to any of these other things, requires taking from one to give to another.  Not a right, an entitlement.  Making a "right" cease to mean anything.  I know that I often rant, but people need to understand what is happening.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Peering through the fog.

The opinion is my own, and in no way do I pretend to speak for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Church, to avoid lengthy repetition) Yesterday, November 5, the Salt Lake Tribune (a newspaper not know for sympathy to the church) reported on a change to Handbook 1, which access is limited to Stake Presidencies, and Bishoprics. Never mind that the change was reported through an excommunicated member that some how got access to the book, the PR spokesman for the church confirmed the change.   To sum it up, the church has defined same sex, or gay marriage, as apostasy, and as such, certain conditions are placed on the families, in particular the children.  Children of same sex marriages are not allowed to be named, blessed, or baptized as children.  And when they turn 18, to be baptized, they must not be living in the household, and must disavow the lifestyle.  They must also get permission from the First Presidency of the church.  The last...
Read more

a masterpiece

I received an invitation from a good friend to sing in a choir for an upcoming conference.  Of course, I am kind of a closet groupie for the director and her husband, and so the answer was easy.  But then it became irresistible. My favorite arrangement of my favorite hymn in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' hymnal.  I missed the first rehearsal, but attended tonight, and will next week as well. I would probably walk over broken glass on top of burning coals to sing that song.  Okay, not really, but if memory serves, I think I have sang it in performances one season, my first with the Heartland of America Community Choir and Orchestra, in 2004.  Fourteen years.  Now, those who have had me as a choir director know that as we sang songs I would say this was my favorite, or that one was, but really there is only one favorite. (no don't cue the Highlander music).  Know what it is? The lyrics and music were written by a frequent duo in th...
Read more

December 7, 1941, a day that will live in Infamy. How will yours be? #LIGHTtheWORLD

Seventy Five years ago, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into World War II.  A war that literally spanned the globe.  Hundreds of millions of people with their lives directly impacted.  An attack that its architect knew would doom his homeland, and yet out of duty to country and to his Emperor, planned and executed it. This is very important to understand. While I know that it is extremely unlikely that the actions that I take will impact more than a handful of people, I have come to realize that it is those small interactions, replayed billions of times the world over every day, by billions of people, that make a lasting difference.  It doesn't matter whether we pay attention or not, the mere actions we take do ripple across the world. So much hatred in the world. So much fear.  So much anger.  It was these emotions that resulted in such destruction.  But what can I do?  What difference can I make? Right now...
Read more