Basics

Basics, originally uploaded by lucienphoto.

I just saw a WalMart commercial on TV. WalMart saves you money by not paying enough to the vendors that provide the goods to you. We get caught in the trap of getting a deal, but we forget about the vendor who might be our neighbor. Each one of us that is so eager to save a few pennies might want to think about how this affects your neighbor and your neighborhood.

Feelings

4449, originally uploaded by lucienphoto.

We have all understood that Justice Sotomayor should not introduce feelings into any argument in which law prevails. She may not have feelings about civil rights. She should not have feelings about women's issues. She should have a blind eye towards justice and precedents because the law is all about objectivity, until we start the discussion about abortion. Her opinion about this topic is paramount. We need to know which way she might be leaning and I suppose the best way to ferret this information out of her is to explore her feelings on the topic. Sordid awful feelings. What makes abortion so very different? We did not talk about capital punishment yet. We did not talk about health care. Just the A bomb. OK

Fairy Tales

, originally uploaded by lucienphoto.

Sometimes when life is kicking your teeth in and you feel that you can't trust anyone, you just have to take a leap of faith. Do what you want; laugh at the folly of struggle. I have been listening to the confirmation hearings for Sonia Sotomayor. I am appalled at the rancor and vituperative nature of the questions and accusations. Pomposity and arrogance abound here. There are those who would actually postulate that The Supreme Court of the United States of America merely applies the law that Congress writes. That the law is immutable. If so immutable, why do we now have the abolition of slavery, women as whole citizens, abortion rights, civil rights and voting rights that were previously prohibited.

Sonia Sotomayor is a product of her history, culture and socioeconomic status. We all are. To pretend otherwise is foolishness. Each and everyone of our justices applies the law based on education, experiences, political beliefs, social awareness and a combination of other factors.

If the law were so objective, there would be little need to squabble about one's personal philosophy. If the law were totally objective, we could simply review rulings made and opinions offered by justices. If the law were not red nor blue, we could simply apply an objective test. But corrections have been made. The lower courts are not always affirmed in opinions and rulings. The court system is about fallible people making decisions about other fallible people.

Dream Sonia Sotomayor that your fairy tale can come true. It can happen to you. Stay young at heart. Know that there are those of us who acknowledge the challenge of impartiality and justice in an unjust and very partial world.

Copper Tones

Copper Tones, originally uploaded by lucienphoto.

Sunday afternoon. I am at the U11 baseball championship game at the park. Thankfully it is not swelteringly hot. We have a gentle cooling breeze. The boys have already given up because they were thumped in the first two innings and are down more that 12 points already. My cell phone buzzes in my pocket. A referral for a few portrait shots. Birthday coming up and wants to have some decent photos. I agree to meet her following my lunch break the following day. We crank out a handful of these cool images and this is what is I think one of the best. Always fun to work with fun people.