A LITTLE OF THIS & THAT

Notes of Concern…

                               …Jackson Blair

A Little of This & That

I apologize, in advance, that I will deal with a number of random issues in this column rather than focusing more completely on just one. Contemplating writing the column for this week, I found more than one topic on which I really wanted to voice an opinion.

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DEATH IN FLORIDA

The President of the United States once again made comments on an issue of current local law enforcement that will eventually become an issue in a court.

Just as I found his comments about the liberal Harvard professor’s treatment of local police a number of years ago, followed by a beer drinking photo-op for the professor and the policeman at The White House inappropriate, I continue to think as the Chief Executive of the nation, in charge of the Attorney General and the appointment of jurists, he would be well advised to keep his opinions on sensitive legal matters to himself. His public utterances can affect judges and juries and harm the legal process. I am referring here to the case in Sanford, Florida, where a neighborhood watch official shot a young black teenager.

Since the facts continue to be in question and no one has reached a conclusion about the veracity of reports, it would seem we all should take a deep breath and await the detail before condemning the shooter, the victim, or the Governor of Florida.

Frankly, when I see the Reverend Al Sharpton racing to Florida, stirring up the minority community and appearing all over television, I am reminded of his role in the Tawana Brawley fiasco in New York City decades ago where a young woman claimed to have been abused by New York City police, and the turmoil ruined the careers of attorneys and policemen and was eventually determined to have been built on rabble-rousing and lies with the assistance of newspapers and television. What Ms. Brawley said happened did not happen.

These things are rarely what they seem at the outset, and it is time for cooler heads to review all the details -- not be in a rush to judgment. 

Each of us should wait until the pertinent facts are known.

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THE “SUPREMES” & OBAMACARE

Moving on to the “Supremes,” dealing with the Obama Health Care law. As I was writing this column huge  numbers of people were queued up, seeking admission to the Supreme Court to hear arguments for and against Obama’s Health Care Plan. 

When this column appears, come of the following things will have happened. As of today, they have not.

Not one word has been spoken on the matter at the Court.

Not one testimony has been heard at the Court.

The justices have asked no questions in the Court.

That being said, every political prognosticator is writing about whether the ultimate decision will hurt or help Obama in his election campaign.

I have absolutely no interest in whether the decision of the Supreme Court helps or hurts anyone’s political campaign. I hope the Court, wizened as it is, can determine whether the legislation is appropriate under the Constitution and then let us know.

Bottom line: Is it legal?

Whether Governor Romney is the eventual nominee of the GOP is also of no import to the question of what health plan, or stance on health issues, should be the purview of the federal government. The President gets to propose legislation. The Congress gets to pass legislation. It falls to the Supreme Court to determine its legality.

Many have their “boxers in a wad” over what Mitt Romney decided was best for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts many years ago when he was the Governor. The man has explained his position then and has taken a position on the completely different question of how the feds should handle the issue.  Suggesting that the actions a Governor takes at a State level should be considered more deeply than his current comments about how he might operate differently in the Presidency is as silly as assuming Obama’s behavior as a radical on the campuses of his youth is an accurate reflection of his views today.

And while I am complaining about this foolishness, let me tell you that the Romney family decision to carry their dog thirty years ago, securely fastened and crated on the top of their family car, as well as decisions a young Obama made that in hindsight look pretty silly, have little to do with the next presidential election.

There is a huge difference between running any state and being President. The issues are more complex at the federal level and the decisions more far-reaching and one’s constituency quite different.  The views--the current views--of whoever is the GOP standard bearer will be vetted nicely in the late summer and fall, as will the performance of the sitting President.

Will the court uphold all the provisions of Obamacare?

If they do, so be it.

If they do not, back to the drawing board.

The only sure thing is that when the legislation passed in Congress, most Americans polled indicated they were against it. So when it is discussed in the next national election, the people will have an opportunity to speak at a time when their views can really impact the direction the executive and legislative branches take on this issue.

The Court is supposed to be non-partisan. Let them do their thing.

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DOCTORS & EDUCATORS AS BANKERS

Recently the President had occasion to nominate someone to head the World Bank. He selected a man who has considerable success as an educator and health professional.

Banking experience or international finance experience?

Nada! 

I admit to a knee-jerk moment when I thought that the President was making a huge error. On reflection, knowing the work of the World Bank is primarily in underdeveloped nations, working with serious food and health issues, I decided this might prove to be one of Obama’s better selections.

It shows him thinking outside the box, pushing the envelope, and changing the paradigm! Kudos to the President on this one.

How about that!

 I got all the contemporary “buzz words” into one sentence complimenting the sitting President of The United States!

Do they give Nobel Prizes for this?

If so, I am a shoe-in!