Just SAY it!
Me and Sandra,
Texans United in Constitutional Liberty
Of late, the Supreme Court has been handing down some legal interpretations that are of interest. Most interestingly, I have agreed with conservative Sandra Day O'Connor most often in a couple of the latest rulings. O'Connor was the lone dissenter in the decision making eminent domain possible for "developing" communities. This flies in the face of everything Texan. O'Connor grew up out in the dirt among people who don't like the guvmint messin' with they thangs. There is still a strong independent frontier spirit among many Texans that may well be related to family tales of struggles to keep land away from carpet baggers, railroad men, oil barons, big ranchers and various other capitalist varmints. At any rate, she and I both abhor the idea of any land grabbing for the purposes of making others a profit. Recently, Lubbock, Texas pulled some major shenanigans with eminent domain for a developer's dream come true in the old Tech Ghetto and East Overton neighborhoods ravaged by the May 11, 1970 tornado. These so-called "blighted" blocks had some very wonderful old and possibly "historical" homes and many older Lubbockite's homesteads were snatched up to make way for the "new and wonderful McDougal's Overton Park". This was nightmarishly reminiscent of the Potter's Field in never-born George's world from "It's a Wonderful Life". Taking away the land of the poor has long been the bastion of a protected class.
The second ruling upon which Sandra and I agreed was her hard-line First Amendment stance on the ten commandments being posted in public buildings. O'Connor once again showed her Texas frontier roots by standing on the foundational principles of the separation of church and state. State sponsored and/or maintained properties may not foist any one religious view upon the masses. Government may not foster the idea that the "state", in this case the nation as represented by the states of Texas and Tennessee, endorses a particular religious view. Let's not forget that the pilgrims were running from a state forced religion. They ran as far as they could and many died along the way. Religious freedom means that anyone can practice any religion. Separation of church and state means that our national and state governments cannot endorse or support any religion. Although there is room for a historical presentation of religious information it must be the intent of such postings to be historical or educational, rather than a thinly veiled attempt to trump other's beliefs.
As a resident of Lubbock for more than two decades, I was able to observe the fierce independence of those Texans who landed on the Llano Estacado and fought their way to survival in a near desert. I grew to understand their conservative social values, punctuated by a zealous protection of the right to do as they please as long as it harms no one else. The great thing about them was that they had their ideas and they let you have yours. Freedom is freedom for everyone. Go Sandra!
Texans United in Constitutional Liberty
Of late, the Supreme Court has been handing down some legal interpretations that are of interest. Most interestingly, I have agreed with conservative Sandra Day O'Connor most often in a couple of the latest rulings. O'Connor was the lone dissenter in the decision making eminent domain possible for "developing" communities. This flies in the face of everything Texan. O'Connor grew up out in the dirt among people who don't like the guvmint messin' with they thangs. There is still a strong independent frontier spirit among many Texans that may well be related to family tales of struggles to keep land away from carpet baggers, railroad men, oil barons, big ranchers and various other capitalist varmints. At any rate, she and I both abhor the idea of any land grabbing for the purposes of making others a profit. Recently, Lubbock, Texas pulled some major shenanigans with eminent domain for a developer's dream come true in the old Tech Ghetto and East Overton neighborhoods ravaged by the May 11, 1970 tornado. These so-called "blighted" blocks had some very wonderful old and possibly "historical" homes and many older Lubbockite's homesteads were snatched up to make way for the "new and wonderful McDougal's Overton Park". This was nightmarishly reminiscent of the Potter's Field in never-born George's world from "It's a Wonderful Life". Taking away the land of the poor has long been the bastion of a protected class.
The second ruling upon which Sandra and I agreed was her hard-line First Amendment stance on the ten commandments being posted in public buildings. O'Connor once again showed her Texas frontier roots by standing on the foundational principles of the separation of church and state. State sponsored and/or maintained properties may not foist any one religious view upon the masses. Government may not foster the idea that the "state", in this case the nation as represented by the states of Texas and Tennessee, endorses a particular religious view. Let's not forget that the pilgrims were running from a state forced religion. They ran as far as they could and many died along the way. Religious freedom means that anyone can practice any religion. Separation of church and state means that our national and state governments cannot endorse or support any religion. Although there is room for a historical presentation of religious information it must be the intent of such postings to be historical or educational, rather than a thinly veiled attempt to trump other's beliefs.
As a resident of Lubbock for more than two decades, I was able to observe the fierce independence of those Texans who landed on the Llano Estacado and fought their way to survival in a near desert. I grew to understand their conservative social values, punctuated by a zealous protection of the right to do as they please as long as it harms no one else. The great thing about them was that they had their ideas and they let you have yours. Freedom is freedom for everyone. Go Sandra!
posted by Pennster at 12:06 PM
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