Mark’s Musings – July 17, 2013
Mark Fortune
As Americans we have a very special and one could even suggest a unique grasp on freedom and the rights and privileges that accompany that freedom. Now it seems that if we vote the wrong way – or make the wrong “decision” depending on which side of the fence you’re on – the government simply steps in and with the sweep of a hand, or the banging of a gavel, changes the direction of we the people’s – opinion. Or vote, or jury decision, fill in the blank on whatever you wish here.
I am speaking of the recent Supreme Court decision to declare California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional and the much more current possibility that the U.S. Justice department may pursue George Zimmerman after a jury of his peers in Florida found him innocent in the killing of Trayvon Martin. The Justice Department is being pressured by the NAACP according to national media sources to take up a case against Zimmerman using the Federal hate crimes laws. It is way too early to know if this will, indeed, happen or if there is enough evidence to pursue a charge. Obviously, the higher levels of the judicial system exist to allow for a change in decision and to prevent local or even state, bias, to exist. Of course, as Americans, we tend to want to declare our opinions more openly when we disagree with the decision. That too, is our right and one we should treasure. Those rights came with a huge price tag as we remember each Memorial Day.
Probably ought to cover some local items of interest. Ohio Chautauqua is returning to the big, white tent at the fairgrounds beginning Tuesday, July 23. You can read all about it as they say, in the insert inside this issue of The Beacon. It promises to be a great week with five fantastic people portraying our early years. If you attended the event a couple of years ago, you already know how talented these people are and how well they portray the person they present. Great stuff. Bring the kids and learn about the early years of Ohio.
Now we’ll see what the Tribe is made of as we head to the second half of the baseball season. The All Star game will be history when you read this – and let’s hope that Cleveland hurler Justin Masterson “masters” the National League lineup. Masterson has partnered with the Bright Hope organization to help bring aid to the children of the Mathare Valley slum in Nairobi, Kenya. These people live on one dollar per day. Masterson and his wife are leading the Feed Their Future campaign which is to help 1,400 students in the area who are currently enrolled in one of four schools that Bright Hope supports. This is a very worthwhile cause and is a fine example of a major league athlete using their talent to help those less fortunate.
Category: Mark's Musings
