May 22, 2017

Phil Beaver works to establish opinion when the-objective-truth has not been discovered. He seeks to refine his opinion by listening when people share experiences and observations. The comment box below invites readers to express facts, opinion, or concern, perhaps to share with people who may follow the blog.

Note 1:  I often dash words in a phrases in order to express and preserve an idea. For example, frank-objectivity represents the idea of candidly expressing the-objective-truth despite possible error. In other words, a person expresses his “belief,” knowing he or she could be in error. People may collaboratively approach the-objective-truth.
 Note 2: It is important to note "civic" as in citizens for the people more than for the city.

 The Advocate:  See online at theadvocate.com/baton_rouge.

  

Our Views (“the Almighty created”). “The levees . . . eliminating . . . the traditional means that the Almighty created . . .”

This is merely my nomination for the most notorious nonsense I ever read.

To whatever, if anything beyond physics (energy, mass and space-time), controls what-is, it could be blasphemy and ought to be avoided in every circumstance. At least, readers ought not rely on such bad ideas.

   

Today’s thought (Psalms 119:105). Dean erroneously interprets David’s expression of life experiences and observations as a recommendation of the Bible.

The quest is to master Bible lessons and mimic them. However, a God that is so weak as to compete with my love for my family members is not a God I choose. Read the essay at jewsforjesus.org/answers/did-jesus-teach-his-disciples-to-hate-their-parents/ .

These kinds of life-choices, once recognized, are plain and cannot be obfuscated by the constructed mystery of the afterdeath.

Letters

LSU tigers (Martin). That is not a newly expressed concern, but it is still an anticlimax to Landrieu’s actions.

Now, if someone wanted to take “Volunteers” from Tennessee, I’d call in AMO. J

Disheartening politics (Vicknair-Pray). Are you saying that your God is more all-powerful than my God?

If so, you can’t ask me to trust you to collaborate for civic justice: You stonewalled me to start with.

Cal Thomas column (single-payer medicine). I think you told me the English government lies to the English regarding the success of their socialized medicine.

And, “cult-like faith [in ‘free’ health care] is causing” death.

“Competition and a market-based approach would be better.” I think that could be so with no doctor unions, government-sponsored insurance, and other forces against the free market.

Yet catastrophic health problems must be addressed, and direct government provision happens one way or another.

Thus, it seems to me the approach should be cash payments for routine medical services, free-market insurance for typical hospitalization with riders for risks beyond the usual, and coverage of catastrophes from general state funds, with federal backup.

Poverty is a catastrophe that should be constantly lessening rather than increasing, and that problem should be addressed with quality education rather than welfare.

Charles Krauthammer column (Trump guardrails).  Consider the old saw, “When in Rome speak as a Roman.” It seems Trump lies to liars. If the first lie has not sent them into a quest Trump can ignore, tell other lies till one bemuses them. Then get back to work for the people.

Death penalty failure (Page 1A). Alvin Plantinga persuaded humankind to accept Abraham Lincoln’s opinion that God (the God, whatever that is) left civic justice to the people. By all means any afterlife begins at death---beyond the people’s responsibility.

Gerald Bordelon’s decision perhaps informs us that death may seem better than recalling the experience of victimizing and killing a person. Keeping Bordelon alive might have been cruel and unusual punishment.

Euthanasia is conducted in the USA, 60/year in Oregon. See http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Reference&zid=5cb440ad9a2dda9f9aa1249c9a51e15a&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ1771600106&userGroupName=gotitans&jsid=e520b8d3f3fa2f6268ad5a92e9d1f165. This and other experience should empower us to find suitable means to meet our responsibilities in cases of heinous crimes:  objective application of forensics including DNA to confirm conviction, death penalty with expedient execution using humane methods, and the determination to act for victims and their families.

I encourage legislators to act swiftly to restore responsibility to our system for assuring public safety & security. It seems our duty more than any of the all-powerful God’s duties:  They assign it to us, according to Plantinga and common sense.

Can’t trust the Associated Press (Page 10A). Julie Pace and Vivian Salama whine imposition of liberal democracy.

Meanwhile, President Trump wonderfully represents the people of the USA as not visiting foreign countries to dictate ways of living but to partner for safety & security against IS.

So far, Trump voters like me are getting what we hoped for: A person who has the stamina to press for integrity by dealing with liars his way.

On a personal note, I hope Trump eventually leads Americans to want to volunteer for public-integrity rather than compete for dominant-opinion.

Can’t trust the Associated Press (Page 10A). Hope Yen is nursing the Russian collusion limb, and that is a good occupation for a writer.

Other forums

American literature from 1720 to 1774 shows that many colonists who became statesman wanted to emancipate the slaves. They perceived England was enslaving the loyal subjects in the colonies, established the Continental Congress, and began to write state constitutions, changing from British colonists to Americans. Some asserted that if they won independence, responsibility for the slaves would be on them, and they would free the slaves.

The draft constitution for the USA was known to be imperfect---a temporal compromise, and therefore, part of its genius is the provision for amendment. For example, in 1790 only 5% of free citizens could vote. After 131 years, women descendants were enfranchised to vote. After another 45 years, African-slave descendants were fully enfranchised yet continue to contest voting practices.

However, the preamble to the 1787 draft constitution is a civic agreement for willing citizens to collaborate for mutual justice in their lives more than for municipalities, traditions, ideologies, or religions. 

Citizens may use the preamble to help focus on voluntary public-integrity anytime the perceive benefits and want to make them happen.

Phil Beaver does not “know” the-indisputable-facts. He trusts and is committed to the-objective-truth of which most is undiscovered and some is understood. He is agent for A Civic People of the United States, a Louisiana, education non-profit corporation. See online at promotethepreamble.blogspot.com.