"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves and wiser people so full of doubts."
--- Bertrand Russell
I believe I began with this quote before, but it just needed to be said again during this insane presidential campaign. How can every single politician, no matter his or her affiliation, be so very sure that his or her way is the only right way? I would love to have half that amount of confidence...but only half, because I am disgusted as I look at those who are so certain of themselves.
Our two-party system was designed to make our country the most efficiently run in the world. With the checks and balances in place, things should run smoothly and compromise should rule the day. Unfortunately, the men and women who ran for their positions by promising to fix our problems, neglected to explain that they had personal agendas to meet. The men who wrote our constitution so many years ago, did so with the intention of building a nation in which we can all be proud. The men and women who claim to follow that constitution today put their personal needs first.
Justice Scalia was more conservative than I would have liked, but he was an honorable justice and deserves to be shown the respect of us all. The poor man wasn't gone twenty-four hours when both parties started spouting off rhetoric that inflamed a public that should have been mourning a man who devoted much of his life to the pursuit of constitutional justice.
The republican congress needs to stop threatening to hold up our justice system for a year rather than accept an Obama nominee. That is a childish response to an unforeseen tragedy. The democratic members of congress need to work with the republicans and the President to find a moderate nominee who is beholden to no party line. That is the way the Supreme Court was meant to be run before Bertrand Russell's "fools and fanatics" decided to use it to prove their beliefs were the only truths.
On a lighter note, yesterday was my birthday, and Arthur and I have spent the week having fun. We played miniature golf, went on several walks through beautiful gardens, ate in several great restaurants, spent time with friends and family, and...I didn't read. I did finish one book, Protecting Paige by Debi Eisenberg, and it really grabbed at my heart. This coming of age historical novel introduces a wonderful protagonist whose life is torn apart when her family is killed by gang members as a gang initiation.
I began reading Between Black and White, a terrific legal thriller by Robert Bailey, but I have not read enough to fairly review it. I promise to review Bailey's book next week, along with another on my list, but I will only be reviewing one this week. It is a good one though, so I heartily recommend it.
As always, complete reviews will follow this blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
--- Bertrand Russell
I believe I began with this quote before, but it just needed to be said again during this insane presidential campaign. How can every single politician, no matter his or her affiliation, be so very sure that his or her way is the only right way? I would love to have half that amount of confidence...but only half, because I am disgusted as I look at those who are so certain of themselves.
Our two-party system was designed to make our country the most efficiently run in the world. With the checks and balances in place, things should run smoothly and compromise should rule the day. Unfortunately, the men and women who ran for their positions by promising to fix our problems, neglected to explain that they had personal agendas to meet. The men who wrote our constitution so many years ago, did so with the intention of building a nation in which we can all be proud. The men and women who claim to follow that constitution today put their personal needs first.
Justice Scalia was more conservative than I would have liked, but he was an honorable justice and deserves to be shown the respect of us all. The poor man wasn't gone twenty-four hours when both parties started spouting off rhetoric that inflamed a public that should have been mourning a man who devoted much of his life to the pursuit of constitutional justice.
The republican congress needs to stop threatening to hold up our justice system for a year rather than accept an Obama nominee. That is a childish response to an unforeseen tragedy. The democratic members of congress need to work with the republicans and the President to find a moderate nominee who is beholden to no party line. That is the way the Supreme Court was meant to be run before Bertrand Russell's "fools and fanatics" decided to use it to prove their beliefs were the only truths.
On a lighter note, yesterday was my birthday, and Arthur and I have spent the week having fun. We played miniature golf, went on several walks through beautiful gardens, ate in several great restaurants, spent time with friends and family, and...I didn't read. I did finish one book, Protecting Paige by Debi Eisenberg, and it really grabbed at my heart. This coming of age historical novel introduces a wonderful protagonist whose life is torn apart when her family is killed by gang members as a gang initiation.
I began reading Between Black and White, a terrific legal thriller by Robert Bailey, but I have not read enough to fairly review it. I promise to review Bailey's book next week, along with another on my list, but I will only be reviewing one this week. It is a good one though, so I heartily recommend it.
As always, complete reviews will follow this blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
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