Strange Days

07/06/2009 Human Observations
July begins as June ended; with celebrity death and civil unrest abroad.
Death has come to six well known celebrities over the past two weeks … Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon, Charlie’s Angel actress Farah Fawcett, Pop icon Michael Jackson, actor Walter Mathau, NFL quarterback McNair, and former Secretary of State Robert McNamara . The presidential election in Iran had questionable results, compelling multitudes of citizens to take to the streets in protest. The violent quelling of those demonstrations has revealed the nature of the ruling party in that nation. A peaceful coup in Honduras has removed the previous leader from power, raising concerns about the mindset of those presently in charge. Demonstrations in China have been met with violence from authorities in yet another attempt to restore the “status quo”. North Korea launched yet another long range missile, testing their nuclear reach and the patience of the international community. And an assortment of bombings in Afghanistan and Iraq filled the newswire almost daily. Also, Republican Sarah Palin resigns as Governor of Alaska, with one and a half years remaining before her term expires.
Yet obscured by the sparkle of many headlines was the U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow the state of Texas to become exempt from the Voting Rights Act. The state of Texas has finally found a way around an act of Congress that prohibits a state from creating obstacles to prevent minorities from voting. The question remains … why would Texas want to be exempt from this politically equilibrating piece of legislation? My guess is that other Southern states are lining up behind Texas to also take this position. Disturbing … to say the least. Forty four years of progress is vanquished in a single stroke.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the “man of sin” turned out to be a woman? Just a thought.