Crimes And Vices

  I have thought about this so many times, but I never realized that in trying to protect people, 
government was invasive of freedom.  However, another thing to consider is this: if your lifestyle
causes sickness, is the government then responsible for your treatment?  The answer is yes and 
no.  At least that is how it has been historically.  By "government," I really mean the taxpayer.   
Freedom is the issue.  The question then arises:  Is government responsible for the consequences 
of poor choices?  Again, the answer is yes and no.  Here are 3 quotes regarding this matter.  RD

 "Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by 
legislation,and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes."     
Abraham Lincoln  (1809-1865) 16th US President

"In Europe, when tobacco was first introduced, it was immediately banned.  In Turkey, if you got 
caught with tobacco, you had your nose slit.  China and Russia imposed the death penalty for 
possession of tobacco."          Andrew Weil, MD   (1942- )  American author and physician                 

"Vices are those acts by which a man harms himself or his property. Crimes are those acts by 
which one man harms the person or property of another. Vices are simply the errors which a man 
makes in his search after his own happiness. Unlike crimes, they imply no malice toward others, 
and no interference with their persons or property. In vices, the very essence of crime—that is, the 
design to injure the person or property of another—is wanting. It is a maxim of the law that there can 
be no crime without criminal intent; that is, without the intent to invade the person or property of another.
 But no one ever practices a vice with any such criminal intent. He practices his vice for his own happiness 
solely, and not from any malice toward others. Unless this clear distinction between vices and crimes be
made and recognized by the laws, there can be on earth no such thing as individual right, liberty, or 
property, and the corresponding coequal rights of another man to the control of his own person and 
property."             Lysander Spooner   (1808-1887) Political theorist, activist, abolitionist



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Piety, Religion, Morality (Pt. 2)

So, what/who  is that "something" or "someone" that is the perfect guide?  It is the Word of God.  It is God Himself.  Only He is perfect.  His Word is perfect.  The Word of God is God.  (see John 1:1)  If you want perfection in your life, find God.  If government wants perfection in it, then let it be guided by God.  The United States government never has been , nor ever will be, a theocracy.  This does not mean that it has not been, or may continue to be, guided by God.  There is much more, pertinent to this.  However, I will finish my words with the following  quote:

"It is impossible to govern a nation without the Bible."       George Washington

Piety, Religion , Morality (Pt. 1)

"The happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, 
essentially depend on piety, religion, and morality."           
Fisher Ames       (American statesman)

Yes, things have changed.  But some things will never change.  I am fully aware
that there are no perfect people, governments or nations.  But all of the
aforementioned are wise to seek perfect counsel, and perfect counsel only
comes from God.  Several weeks ago, 10 immigrants were interviewed by
the local newspaper.  Basically, all of them said the same things when asked
why they left the country of their origin.  However, 4 of them, all from the
same country, stated that they left their country because the government was
so corrupt.  So, is the government of the United States corrupt?  No.  Is there
corruption in it?  Yes.  Why?  What do I mean?  There is a difference between
a corrupt government and a government that has corruption in it.  The
government is run by human beings.  That is the problem.  It is quite simple to
me.   Since human leaders are imperfect, they need to be guided by
something/someone that is perfect.    (RD)

High School Football "Fever"

On August 26, high school football season starts.  It marks the first day of a 10 game season.  I am looking forward to see the Sweetwater High School football team play their best.  I look forward to a great season, and much, much fun.  I will be at every one of their games.......that is the plan.   There is no need to utter platitudes.  All that is necessary for them to succeed is to prepare and play their very best. May the good Lord bless the players, coaches and all connected to Sweetwater football.
Go Red Devils!

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"

Father Flanagan was in charge of an orphanage named "Boys Town" in Nebraska.  There is a famous drawing that we usually see around Christmas time.  Originally, in 1921, there was a young boy at Boys Town who had difficulty walking due to leg braces.  Other boys would take turns giving him a ride on their backs.  There is actually a well-known photograph of this young boy, together with another one of the boys giving him a ride

Potential

Every athlete dreams of having his or her "best game."  I believe every athlete that achieves a superb performance generally thinks: "I could have done better."  Yes, I think we can all agree that eventually an athlete  arrives at the conclusion that he or she will not improve a time or score more points or runs.  However I believe that a real athlete can be happy and grateful for certain accomplishments.  Nevertheless, most athletes, at the end of the road think: "I could have done better." Or, "I could have worked harder."  That is just the nature of an athlete.  Satisfaction guaranteed?  Maybe.  But probably not.