YOU HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO LIE

This Bea is Bell, wondering if the name Xavier Alvarez is familiar? If not let me enlighten you. He is a defendant in a case before the Supreme Court (US vs. Alvarez).  Mr. Alvarez was an elected official of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Pomona, California.  While attending one of their meetings he informed its members that he was a wounded veteran and that he had received The Congressional Medal of Honor.  Some other medal recipients checked the Internet and found out that what Mr. Alvarez had claimed turned out to be a big lie. He had never even served in the armed forces.

As a result of that falsehood he was convicted of violating the 2006 Stolen Valor Act which prohibits lying about military honors and records. His lawyer appealed the conviction on the grounds of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech. As a result the California District Court of Appeals struck down the verdict and it eventually reached the United States Supreme Court.

Now here’s the question. Do people have a Constitutional First Amendment right to lie? Lord, I should hope not! I can just see my granddaughter declaring her right of free speech whenever she got caught in a lie. Not that it would save her from any punishment, but I'm sure that she would think that it was well worth the effort.

From what I understand about this whole thing is that the problem the Supreme Court faces in making its decision is this: is a narrow law designed to prosecute specific lies constitutional? If that's the case, I think that "lying laws" should be directed at some of the biggest liars of all—Congress—no, make that politicians in general.

Imagine if the average citizen could "refresh" the memories of Presidents, Senators, Representatives, governors—all politicians—with evidence of their lies and have them convicted for those lies. I admit that everyone lies sometimes, but lies designed to deliberately conceal wrongful acts, immoral behavior and threats to national security all would be violations of the public trust and would therefore deserve convictions.

It seems that not all of the Supreme Court justices agree with the present Stolen Valor Act. Justice Sotomayor stated that just offending others by itself is not enough to justify limiting speech.

"So outside of the emotional reaction where's the harm?” she asked.

She seemed the least willing to accept the Obama administration's defense of the law.  The argument is that the value of the highest award or any others is diminished because some people lie about having received them. I have to admit that choosing some lies over others sounds like a slippery slope to me.

So I guess I have to ask, do we make a federal case out of lying? Why make some lies against the law and not others? I don't envy the Supreme Court in deciding this case. I bet all of those lying politicians are glad that there haven’t been any "no-lying laws" directed at them.

Too bad, I enjoy musing on that possibility, and that's no lie.

A SOUND INVESTMENT

Hattie Collier here. If you’ve been following my friends and myself, you know that I am not the money wizard of our group.  That’s not going to stop me from offering you a sound piece of investment advice. 

Depending on where in the United States you live, all you need is $5 to $10, and two hours of your time.  My investment tip:   the movie Red Tails.  This George Lucas film directed by Anthony Hemingway is the Word War II story of the first African American fighter pilots.  The name Red Tails was the popular name given the pilots because of the bright red markings on their airplanes.  These men were actually known as the Tuskegee Airman—Black pilots trained at Tuskegee University as an experiment to see if Blacks were capable of being aviators. 

Now, just like I’m not a money wizard, I’m also not a movie critic, so this is not a movie review, yet I’m giving my opinion anyway.  The way the characters talk in this movie doesn’t quite ring true and the story just scratches the surface of the true story, but at least the story is out there. So to get the most out of your time and monetary investment, adults should take their children or some other young person to see this movie

They will probably find it hard to believe that at one time in this country these young men had to fight for the right to fight for America. Black Americans had fought in this country’s wars since the Revolution. It borders on the ridiculous that they had to “prove” over and over that Black men possessed pride, bravery, courage and intelligence, but it happened.  This movie might seem especially significant during Black History month, but as far as I’m concerned this is American history month. 

The best part of the investment that you’ll make in going to see this movie is that it gives movie goers the chance to see that as people we may have different struggles in life but the human connection is the same.  Love, hate, pride and fear are all human emotions and no matter the people or the culture, there are lessons to be learned in how obstacles are overcome in life.

Now here’s how to make your investment grow. Take the time to go beyond this movie and learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can learn about a subject from watching a movie.  I’m talking about go to your libraries and getting books about these men. Do some research on the internet and if you’re lucky enough, talk to someone with knowledge of the events.  After all, movies can’t capture all of the real human drama of a story.  

It would be hard to loose on your investment on this one, especially if you take your kids. Not only will you spend time with them, but you may help them understand their place in the world, as well as teach them to value the contributions others have made in shaping it.  That’s a lot for a few dollars and 2 hours of your time. 

Just muse on that.

MEN OF WHAT CLOTH?

Connie Palmer here, and this week I have a rant that I can’t hold back.  It’s about church ministers and how some of them have gone too far.

I read last week about one so-called minister—and yes I question his claim to that title—was crowned a “king”.  Nobody seems to know what kingdom he is ruling as “king”. It seems to me that the only thing that he has control of are the minds of the members of his mega church, which reportedly number over 20,000 people.  So I guess he was crowned king of his church.  All I can say about that is the minds that he holds control over in his church need intensive therapy, because the people must be crazy.

I won’t even dignify this stupidity by providing the name of this so-called minister. Those of you who follow the news might know about it already.  To those who aren’t familiar with the story it’s not worth going into detail, but I’ve just got to have my say about this.

I go to church most Sundays and I would call myself a woman of faith. I believe in a Higher Power, but I do not believe that power is given exclusively to any one individual here on earth.  Having read and seen stories about the influence of religious institutions on all societies over time, it’s not hard to understand how we as Christians have come to the point where we adore ministers (and I include the pope, priests, bishops, cardinals and anyone else in this category).  The result of putting these religious leaders on pedestals has caused some foolishness that is hard to understand.

This particular so-called minister is not only a hypocrite, but it’s obvious that he’s stupid as well. In making an apology to the Jewish community because the “king” had been wrapped in a Torah scroll while he was lifted up in a chair, he stated that “The ceremony was not my suggestion, nor was it my intent, to participate in any ritual that is offensive in any manner to the Jewish community or any group… Furthermore, I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a King, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord."

Oh really?  He figured that one out after the ceremony huh?  If I’m not mistaken, it was his butt that sat down in the chair, let the scroll be wrapped around him and offered no resistance as four men lifted him up on their shoulders. 

I can’t help but wonder why people follow idiots like these?  Remember the good Reverend Jim Jones and how more than 900 of his followers swallowed poison and gave it to their children because he told them to do so?

What is it, some sort of undiagnosed insanity in this nation that makes some people tolerate the excesses of some of these men of the cloth?  I guess any one of them would feel like a king flying from place to place in a private airplane, living in palatial mansions and driving around in expensive automobiles, especially if these necessities are paid for by their churches.  Mind you, I don’t have any objection to any minister owning these extravagances if they pay for them with funds they have earned from their salaries, royalties from book sales, speaking engagements, etc.  My problem is when the church pays for these things.  This sort of idiocy really angers me when these same religious leaders and their congregations have not been about the business of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and taking care of the real necessities in the community that too many religious institutions ignore.

I’m disgusted by what has happened among too many so called religious leaders, and even more so regarding their followers.  I refuse to support any of these charlatans, and if that means that I’m headed to hell for taking such a stance, then so be it.  I have no doubt that I’ll have plenty of clerical company among those flames.  So muse on that!

A Brain Fart by Miss Fanny: THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!

I’ve been on this earth a long time and one of the advantages of having lived for eighty something years has been that I’ve lived through a part of the American history that my great-grandchildren are reading about these days.  Nobody can put their spin on my reality.  I’ve been there, done that and seen it.

As a member of a minority race in this country, I’ve come face to face with the "Colored Only" signs that are seen on TV in grainy black and white newsreels.  Not only were they present in the South, where I come from, but in the North where I moved to later.  I’ve seen them in restaurants, in hotels, in bathrooms, in public parks and in movie theaters.  Shoot!  I’ve seen them in hospitals and even in grave yards.  During my lifetime, minorities have been discriminated against from birth to death.  Now that’s hard-core when folks continue that segregation mess after you're dead. 

It’s been something knowing that I’ve done my small part in helping make some of the changes for the better that eventually came about in this country.  When my cousin, Susie, was walking ten miles round trip to and from work during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, I saved up and bought her two pairs of the most comfortable pair of shoes that I could afford and sent them to her with a note that read:  Keep on Walking!

I was at the church, right here in my adopted hometown in the north, when in victory black folks held up the “White Only” sign that used to hang in the local amusement park.  Before it was forced to integrate, black folks could only enter the park gates once a year.   

 Whenever he came to our city, I went to see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak. Nearly every time he was here there was some sort of bomb threat, but I never let that stop me from going.  When buses were organized to go to the March on Washington, my late husband and me were the first couple in our church to sign up.  I was there when the “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered.  I was also in Atlanta when they buried Dr. King.  We drove all night to get there and arrived in time to stand with thousands of others outside of the church where his service was held.  We also followed the mule-drawn wagon to his burial site.

 Yes, I’ve lived a lot of the history and when I’m gone, and others like me are gone, there won’t be any more firsthand accounts about what really happened.  That’s why Black History Month is so important.  Any chance to discuss the contributions of all of this country’s citizens should always be encouraged.  If things like Black History Month didn't exist, I’m sure that the history that I have lived and lived through would get lost due to lack of interest, or it might get distorted because people don’t like to hear the truth about what happened “way back then”.  America doesn't like to talk about race.  Too many folks think that if you talk about it then people will get upset. 

There’s a saying that goes ‘the truth will set you free’.  I say, let that truth shine, and learn as much as you can about the history that helped shape this nation—all of the history, good and bad.  Now muse on that.      

BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A JOB?

I’m Beatrice Bell—Bea to my friends—and I am happily retired.  I’m not looking for work, either part or full time because my friends, Hattie and Connie, I manage have managed to stay busy trying to solve a couple of cases of criminal activity that came our way.  But that’s a story for another time.

I bring up the subject of work because for the past 3 or 4 years this country has been in a job crisis.  Every politician is either shouting about the need to create jobs, or they’re boasting about how many new jobs they’ve brought to their communities.  I was kind of curious about these jobs that have been created and those that will be created in the future. Back in the day parents urged their children to be doctors, lawyers, or teachers.    As trends changed and the economy grew, there were many non-traditional jobs that were open to men and women alike.  This was especially true in the manufacturing industry.  These “good jobs” paid salaries that helped grow  the middle class.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics  (BLS) has looked at categories of jobs that will likely disappear by the year 2018.  Some of them surprised me.  Others I never thought about.

By 2018, it is predicted that there will be 700 fewer jobs for judges— magistrate judges, and magistrates—then there were in 2008.  This will be mainly due to budget cuts. Surprisingly, another reason is that judges once left for better paying jobs in the private sector, but they now stay on the bench because of the economic down turn.

Fashion designers are among those jobs are predicted to become distinct.  It is estimated that by 2018 only 200 more designers will find work in that field.  To quote Carol-Hannah Whitefield, who was a finalist on Project Runway in 2009, “The world doesn’t need another [fashion] designer.”

Thanks to improved software, Insurance Underwriters are doomed to extinction.  It’s easy to see that job being absorbed by others, especially since they punch in figures and the software lets them determine if a client is approved or not.  Add to the fact that the insurance field is in such turmoil; the future for underwriters looks grim.

Remember in the not too distant pass when we all had money to travel and we’d call a Travel Agent?  Now, thanks to web sites such as Priceline.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 1,200 fewer travel agents to have work in 2018.

Everyone knows how the newspapers have disappeared from the scene and along with them the job of Newspaper Reporter.  The BLS states that 4,400 jobs will disappear by 2018.  It’s no wonder.  With the Internet, people who can read want the news fast and quick.  

You get the picture.  So where are these jobs of the future coming from?  It looks as though the service industry will be a mainstay.  The health field will provide jobs.   Unfortunately the majority of the jobs of the future now pay less than $30,000.  Everyone knows that people need jobs but with rising prices and inflation, they will barely sustain the middle class life style that many of us have enjoyed in the past. 

The bright side is that our children may have to struggle a little more to create their version of the good life. History tells me that just like in the past, the job market may change but there is every reason to believe that the jobs will be there and the future will be bright.  So muse on that.

PAULA DEEN REFUSES TO CHOKE ON THE FAT

I’m Hattie Collier and I’m about to give up watching television.  I thought I was ready to give up on all the nit-pickin’ and kindergarten nonsense of the government—both local and national.  If it’s not that then it’s some story about some celebrity that I don’t know about, don’t care about, and don’t want to hear about.  This person had a baby that person’s gets divorced; now this week it was all about Paula Deen.

 In case you haven’t heard, a lot of people are in an uproar over Paula Deen announcing that she has Type 2 diabetes.   I’ve heard this lady’s name from time to time, but I really wouldn’t know her from a talking donut.  Turns out she is a well-known chef and has a show on cable’s Food Network.   Now I don’t cook that much and I sure don’t watch cooking shows, so I’ve only seen her once or twice.   Turns out Deen has been cooking professionally for about 20 years and has built quite a fan base and an empire along with it. 

The problem is that Deen has been promoting her cooking recipes and they are loaded with butter, sugar and salt.. She describes it as “Southern” cooking.  Though some deny it, to most people, southern cooking means lots of fried foods, lots of sugar and lots of salt—exactly  what she delivers; and the more butter the better.

So far, no crime has been committed, right? I mean, no one’s ever been jailed for having diabetes or shot for cooking with butter; but many of Deen’s fans, fellow chefs, and other diabetes victims are crying foul.  They say Deen is a hypocrite for hiding her condition for three years.    Recently, she fessed up to having the disease on the CBS Today Show, but at the same time she made that announcement, she sweetly added that she has been working with Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company as well (although she didn’t volunteer that she was a paid spokesperson).  Now people are speculating that she kept on dishing out her fattening recipes until it was profitable to tell about her condition.

The woman makes money from cooking shows, restaurants, book deals and public appearances.  She’s a cook, not a fool.  Of course she wants to protect her income and pointing out that the same food you glorify can give you diabetes—and that you’re living proof of that fact—can be a money killer.

So now she sings a different tune, sort of.  She says that you can eat her cooking, but in “moderation”.  Check with your doctor, she says.  She also says that she’s not going to stop the way she cooks, but advises that folks don’t have to eat it every day.  In addition, she’s going to be working with the drug company to offer advice on dieting and controlling diabetes.  She won’t stop the way she cooks or eats but she is “cutting out the sweet tea.”  Say what? 

Well Paula, here’s some advice that I would like to give to you. I say keep dancing on both sides of the fence.  That makes you no different from fast food joints, calorie laden vending machines or gourmet restaurants that cleverly hide the fat and sodium content of their food.  Someday people will learn that they are responsible for their own actions and if they trust their health to the advice of a cook rather than a doctor or dietitian, they will pay the consequences.

For years the medical profession has been shouting about cutting fat and salt intake, exercising, and eating smaller portions. I say if that piece of chicken drowning in a ton of grease is calling your name, don’t listen to the doctors listen to Paula go for it.

As Paula told Oprah, “I’m your cook not your doctor.”  Now muse on that.

SAY WHAT?

Hi folks!  It’s Connie this week welcoming you back with us in the year 2012.

I was hoping that this year would be much better than the last one in some respects, and I’m sure that it will be, but thinking about what happened recently with my teenage granddaughter, Tina, it looks like some things might remain the same.

You see, a short while ago she rushed into my house flushed with excitement.  Her eyes were shining.  Her smile lit up the room like sunshine.  I just knew that she was about to make a major announcement that would have me beaming with grandmotherly pride.  Maybe she had gotten straight A’s on her report card, or perhaps she was running for class president.  No!  Better yet, maybe she had decided to work toward the goal of becoming the first woman President of the United States!  She could do it.  I knew that she could! I would help her, groom her, and encourage her along the way.  After high school she would go to Yale or Harvard where she would graduate at the top of her class. She would become an attorney, win headline making cases and eventually run for the U.S. Senate and then become the unchallenged nominee for the President of the— 

“Beyonce and Jay Z just had their baby!”  Tina gushed breathlessly as she made her announcement. 

Say what?  My grandiose daydream crashed to earth like a meteor. All I could do was stand there and look at her.

“It’s a girl!”  She squealed, prancing around the room like a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.  “Her name is Blue.” 

Huh? Who names their kid a crayon color?  So I asked, “What’s her middle name, Red?” 

She didn’t appreciate the flash of humor.  “Her middle name is Ivey,” she informed me haughtily.

“Blue Ivey?” I echoed.  “I wonder what they’re going to name the next one, Red Beans and Rice?  Yellow Fever?”

I thought that was funny, but Tina didn’t like that one either as she said with an adolescent pout, “It’s obvious that you don’t get it.”

She was right.  I don’t get it. Why in the hell am suppose to care if some singer and her rapper husband had a baby?  It wasn’t as though married couples didn’t have babies every day. 

What I do get is that this obsession that our country has with celebrities has gotten out of hand, and it seems to be getting worse.  Maybe as our lives become burdened with the realities of life—unemployment, foreclosures, divorce, infidelity—it’s much more exciting getting wrapped up in the lives of people who seem to have everything.  We want to be them. Unfortunately, these obsessions don’t solve our problems. Instead it uses up the energy we might be able to direct toward making our own lives a little more satisfying.  What a waste.

Meanwhile, Tina did give me credit for at least knowing who Beyonce and Jay Z were.  She gave up on me ever understanding the significance of the birth of Blue Ivey to mankind.  She says that I’m “hopeless”; but she’s wrong about that.

I have a lot of hope that her obsession with the lives and success of others will become a self obsession that will take her far in life. I know that I plan on doing everything that I can do to see to it that the next time she waltzes into the room so excited her announcement will be about real accomplishments—her own.  

Happy Musings!