WHY DO OPINIONS CROSS THE ROAD? - Just a Minute Radio for 09-28-09

            Howdy there… it IS Monday – though for a while there last week we though we might wash away!

 

            Today’s JUST A MINUTE gives further discussion to the age old question of why does the Chicken cross the road? And perhaps there’s a great deal of wisdom in the offing if you want to be in on it.

 

            In downstate SC there’s a long road – running approximately SW-NE that divides Congressional Districts #2 and #6. It puts Congressman Joe Wilson’s constituents in choices which are similar to those in Congressman Jim Clyburn’s – only different. Looking at the maps published in the WaPO… you can easily tell why the district lines were drawn as they were. Dist. 6 includes, Charleston and North Charleston… lots of diversity in there.

 

            District Wilson’s includes Hilton Head… lots of out of state folks there, but also lots of golfers and people who are retired…in the upper income brackets… except on the other end of his district is Orangeburg with a heavy concentration of black students… and a history of some racial violence.

 

            All that to say – canvassing, census taking redrawing district lines… that’s all important in American politics. One could wish it was more unifying than diversifying – but the aim is to give everybody a chance at participating in the Government. The recent dust-up over Cong. Joe Wilson’s remark and Cong. Jim Clyburn’s Black Caucus leadership tells us that democratic leadership (with a small d ) isn’t easy to achieve – and in big cities and other places it often distorts ability to be representational.

 

            So it looks like we’re always going to have divisions over *something* -- let’s just make sure they are important and selfless… not selfish.

 

            Look up the story for Sept. 9-22… in the WaPo which seems to be rapidly taking the place of the NYT as the city newspaper of record. Things – they are a-changing… but that doesn’t mean we have to be angry at one another… St. Paul said… *if it be possible – as much as lieth in you – live peaceably with all men…* I guess the the two phrases to note – if it be possible… and as much as lieth in you – are the ones we most cling to as refuge for our excuses or prejudices or whatever else you think fits there. I believe it IS possible and it does lie within us (with the Lord’s help) – but it’s impossible *without HIM*… If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18, KJV :)

 

            Better get to bed… tomorrow is another day!  God bless you all.

 

            IN HIM

            Jack & Barbara Buttram

 

 http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama09-28-09.mp3

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/scripts/jamt09-28-09.doc

 

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“JUST A MINUTE”

WHY DO OPINIONS CROSS THE ROAD?

Just A Minute – There’s a revealingly important map  in last Tuesday’s Washington Post  - Sept 22. – It reveals Districts #2 and #6 divided by Columbia road downstate.

Rep. Joe Wilson, White and Republican represents District Two,  including, Orangeburg and Hilton Head; Rep. Jim Clyburn, Black and Democrat represents Number Six, across the road and includes Charleston plus suburbs and is a member of the House leadership, and Black Caucus.

So, you begin to see.

Mr. Wilson’s prominence resulted from his admittedly emotional outburst during President Obama’s House speech – for which he offered an apology, accepted by the President. Mr. Clyburn’s seniority position puts him in leadership of ‘inside Congress’ forces determined to punish Wilson.

The Post interviews similarly situated Carolinians on either side of Columbia Road.  The differences expressed underlay the Constitutional reasons why we require the census and ten year re-districting of House seats.

To read these comments and expressions is to add to understanding with which the founders wrestled.

The story appears in the 9-22 edition of the Washington Post -- it’s easily accessed.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

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