From Subsistence to Symbolism

My wife understands me.  She realizes that I do not see what does not interest me.  After years of marriage and her frustration with me not seeing what she believes I should see, I think she has finally given up on me.

I write this because very often I do not see those things that have no influence in my life.  It would be simply too challenging for me to worry,  be concerned, or even to fret about things that some consider as symbolic.  All around, license plates have messages or symbols I agree with and others that I do not, but they do not register in any way and, therefore, have no impact on me.  The same is true with banners and flags.  Thinking back I can recall some that I liked, others that I did not, but none of them have had much, if any, effect on my life.

These thoughts came to me with a heavy heart.  Last week we were united as a nation; mourning for friends and families of those who were murdered in Charleston.  Yet within days that unity was shattered by some who are more focused on symbols than on life itself. While we should have given a few days of reflection about those deaths and the deaths of innocent Christians and Muslims murdered in Europe and the Middle East, we were instead forced to split our thoughts away from them to the issue of tearing down statutes.

I understand some believe that the Confederate battle flag is a symbol of the Civil War, but that war has been over for 150 years.  Except for a twisted few, I do not believe it represents anything more than regional pride.  Many forebears were lost in the War Between the States on both sides yet we have lived, loved, and fought side by side in many wars since.  We should not let this be an issue to create hate and division.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in complete contradiction of the Virginia Supreme Court in determining that the state could determine what was acceptable on state license plates.  Interestingly, when the Virginia General Assembly agreed to a plate requested by the Sons of the Confederacy, the design was not to be a flag but rather a depiction of Robert E. Lee.  Some went to court for the right to be allowed to use the flag and won.

In a Supreme Court ruling a week later, the Justices ruled that every state had to recognize same sex marriages.  My church teaches that I should not judge the actions of others.  Judgement is instead the role of God.  I, therefore, am doing my best to not see this ruling as a symbol of anything that should have any effect on me.  It will not, unless some decide that they are going to force their views about marriage on me.

I am, however, very concerned that the Supreme Court can twist words to suit the majority of a nine member court.  With this and the so called Affordable Care Act law decision, they have found language that does not exist in the Constitution.  The court’s proper role if they find a conflict with the Constitution is to defer to the legislative process for the elective representatives of the people to correct or amend legislation.

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