A Thursday Thought from a famous Russian author and philosopher:
“Compassion is the chief law of human existence.”– Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Tag Archive for law
This Law is Weird but Necessary
Who would think that a law would have to be on the books against putting a video camera into a public restroom? You’d think it was common sense and reasonable respect not to do so. Guess not. It happened twice in a Walnut Creek, CA, Starbucks–the same Starbucks. There is a suspect, Jacob Turner. However, embarrassed, mortified victims must come forward to make the case against him strong. I’m not sure I’d admit to being a victim.
Anyway, this is, on the surface, a silly law, and it may be hard to enforce; but, unfortunately, people being people, it’s needed.
Fascinating Video & New Stuff
Go to my other website, http://www.JackieODonnell.net, and on the Home page view a video that I think you’ll find surprising and fascinating. There’s a bit of personal information there I’m rather proud of, too.
This newly updated website has other pages you might be interested in, as well. Read an original poem on the Poetry page or take an informative, helpful quiz (click on Quiz-icals). If you or someone you know has a disability, on the Adept-Able Living page you’ll find suggestions for a useful product and equipment maintenance/safety, plus some disability law you should know and a thoughtful quote.
While you’re wandering around my website, please visit the My Books page and read what my paper and e-books are all about and where you can get them.
And, as always, I welcome your comments to any of my posting or the content of my website.
Thanks for reading.
Work for a Quarter an Hour?
Would you work for 25 cents an hour? You might if you’re encouraged to believe that’s all you’re worth. But, wait–there are labor laws to prevent that. Not true, if you’re a person with a disability. There’s a loophole in the labor law that allows companies to enrich themselves and pay huge salaries to their CEOs by “helping” those “poor, unfortunate souls,” giving them jobs so they “can feel good about themselves, like real people“–and paying them next to nothing.
These companies know how hard it is for a disabled person to find employment, and they’re aware that fewer than 20% of people with disabilities can actually end up with jobs.
Read about this unfair situation: “Subminimum Wage” for Disabled Workers Called Exploitative.
Then do something about it by signing the petition to the Labor Department. Also, check into charities that hire the handicapped (e.g., Goodwill Industries) before donating to them. Find out how much their disabled employees are paid, and how much their CEO and other officers make.
Checklist for Today
⊂⊃ VOTE! Or you lose the right to complain about politicians and laws until the next election.
A Law to Save Children and Adult Lives
CA has just passed a law that other states should have on their books. That is, schools must now stock epinephrine pens for students and staff who suffer a life-threatening allergy, such as the common ones to peanuts and bees. Every second counts when the potentially deadly allergy symptoms appear. 911 is great, but an ambulance takes time to arrive. People who know they have these allergies should carry epinephrine, but what if they forget or lose it on the playground or haven’t replaced outdated medication? Accidents happen. Schools should be prepared for all emergencies, including this one.
If your state doesn’t have this law, you can get the ball rolling by promoting one. For help (and to see if your state does have this regulation or is considering it), go to http://cqrcengage.com/aafa/epinephrine.
This is important to the lives of our children. Go to that link NOW and get started!
Explore My Updated Site
I’ve just updated my other website (http://www.jackieodonnell.net) and invite you to take a look. Check out (and click on) the Monarch butterfly on the Home page. There’s some of my poetry (Poetry page); the five most popular blogs since the last time I updated (Pop-Posts page); some suggestions for a useful product and equipment maintenance/safety, plus some disability law, and a thoughtful quote-all for people living with a disability himself or in his family or among her friends (Adept-Able Living page).
While you’re there, look on the Home page for a special offer for my website/blog readers for a good discount on any of my e-books, then go to the My Books page to learn how to apply the offer.
And, as always, I welcome comments!
Thanks for reading.
Gay Boy Scouts
If a Scout didn’t acknowledge that he’s gay, whether or not he’s sexually active, how would the leaders or troop know his orientation? If he’s just as honorable as other troop members, doing what is his best for God and country, obeying the Scout Law as best he can (he and the others ARE human and ARE kids with limitations)? If he strives to help others, keep himself physically strong, mentally awake, and, within the limits other young Scouts have (background, socio-economic factors, family life experiences), morally straight?
It’s probably this last one that Scout leadership feels a gay boy can’t comply with. If so, then any Scout–homosexual or heterosexual—who is having sexual urgings should be banned, or all should be admitted until they show they can’t abide by the Scout Oath and Law.
Why is it impossible for a gay youngster to be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent (the Scout law)? Certainly, generations of closeted gay Scouts have passed the test.
Is Scout leadership afraid that a gay boy will seduce others or have their gay-ness rub off onto others? If so, they don’t trust the heterosexual Scouts to be adhering to the Oath and Law. Those Scout-failures, then, should be kicked out.
Or maybe the fear is that a gay Scout might organize a sex-orgy at a Jamboree?
OK If Lobbyists Write Our Laws?
Interest groups are writing our laws. It surprised me to learn that a Capitol Tracking study of CA bills introduced during the 2011-12 session found that 27% were written by interest groups. Lawmakers simply added their names to them, and thy’re not required to acknowledge who actually wrote the bill. The bills that the governor signed into law during that time–60% were sponsored by interest groups and 30% by legislators. That means that lobbyists–non-elected individuals–are essentially making our laws.
In defense of our elected officials, term limits ensures that most are new to the job. It takes much of their terms of office to learn a little about a lot of issues and a lot about a few issues. Then they’re out of a job and new people take over. They have to depend on someone, then, to advise them. That’s the lobbyist’s task, and we can only hope that our best interest is being put forward along with whatever it is that the lobbyist is promoting.
Are you happy with the laws being proposed and passed? In January,Senator David Vitter (R-LA) introduced a Constitutional amendment to impose term limits on Congress. If you think that all Californians are getting fair treatment and protections under our system, support Vitter’s proposal. If not, let your discomfort with the idea be known to your Congress-member right now.
Boston Bombers: You Got to Us
You proved something to us. We’re mourning our 3 dead and 176 injured. And those of us who weren’t there when your bombs went off are watching news coverage of the medically trained marathon volunteers as they rush in to tend the wounded, as well as the many other runners and spectators putting their fear aside to help however they can. We’re learning of the two soldiers just back from Afghanistan who rushed in to put pressure on wounds, then ran to the hospital to give blood. We‘re hearing about the many faiths who are organizing an interfaith prayer service for the victims. We see law enforcement agencies from all levels of government working together to aid victims and find clues to who did this terrible deed. We’re finding out about people from as far as California, at our nation’s other coast, mobilizing to offer assistance in Boston. We’re listening to government leaders from the President on down speaking with determination, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Yes, you got to us. You got to our spirits and hearts, to the soul of America. You brought us even closer together as a nation, as a united people. You brought out our compassion, not our fear. You emphasized our oneness, not our divisions. You caused us to focus on what is right and good, not on what is selfish, jingoistic, or evil.
I doubt that that was your intention.