Bart and Roland Mracek (to his right) join to congratulate David Daly (2nd from left) on his appointment as new CEO of PSE&G and on his daughter giving birth to twins – both within the month of October. Dave spoke at the Princeton Chamber of Commerce’s November luncheon, showing his cogent, concise knowledge of our local and national energy needs, along with a personal commitment to fighting the good fight for cleaner energy.
Bart & old paddling buddy Rick McKee team up for the annual Delaware Raritan Canal Canoe race on Sunday, October 29th. Despite the torrential rain, Bart & Rick completed the 11 miles and 4 portages in 2 hours and 19 minutes, winning the tandem canoe category trophy. Proof that experience and sweat can squeak a triumph over weather and age’s injuries – now and again.
Law is the tool you turn to when society doesn’t work. It should be the last resort, not the first response.
Do you agree?
In my humble ponderings, every law is a blanket, laid over an entire human situation, applying the same stringent repair to that section of the social herd.
The hope is that the individuals who suffer under a given legal dictate will be fewer in number than those helped. The few individuals who might achieve remedy from some illegal substance will be far fewer than the enormous number of addicts enabled by allowing that substance to be freely marketed. And often this appears to prove true.
Law, by its innate definition, limits human freedom. Legal compliance mandates a confinement of the free flow of human behavior. And when this keeps the gun-pointing intruder or the pen-wielding con artist from attacking our community, such confinement holds obvious advantage. Yet when any solution by its very nature amalgamates the individual into the human herd, and encroaches on people’s precious freedom, must it not be one applied with some reluctance and careful monitoring?
One of the prices we pay for governing ourselves via a representative democracy is the creation of a system which rewards legislators for the sheer number of laws they create. After all, lawmakers are in the business of churning out laws. It is the sole fixit tool they hold in their social repair kit. Everyone wants to elect and praise that Congressperson who creates constant legal action. But perhaps with law’s immense power to crush as well as create, might we seek alternative methods of reforming our society and bringing a little better life for us all?
Just a thought,
– Bart Jackson
A fantastic day spent with wonderful friends.
Hooray for Word Power! Last night, I attended a marvelous celebration of the written word at my alma mater U.S. 1 Newspaper where Publisher Rich Rein gathered all the contributors (amateurs & professionals) to laud and expound on their Summer Fiction Issue’s poems and short stories. Writing enlightens both she who creates and he who reads. Good for you Rich!.
Hooray for Word Power
It was a marvelous celebration of the written word. Last night, as U.S. 1 Newspaper’s first freelance writers, I attended founding publisher Rich Rein’s celebration of their Summer Fiction Issue. One of Rich’s brilliant editorial brainchildren, the Summer Fiction Issue invites amateurs and semi-pro writers to submit a short story or poem which he and his dedicated staff publish in this absolutely delightful, 60-page anthology.
You could feel the passion in every submission. Rich stood before all those assembled, calling up the poets to share their words aloud, and then invited each short story contributor to give the details behind their tales, while he followed with praiseworthy points and anecdotes. Boy, do we writers need more of this. Writing warms and enlightens both she who writes and he who reads. Lyrical words poignantly reveal the human mind and soul at its honest utmost.
Amazed, I listened to tales of brick walls scrabbled over, blizzards bringing stormy contemplation, glimpses of real desires laid bare in diners, offices, and at the end of a bayonet. In an age when the pen and the creative mind driving it get crammed continually from broad avenues to ever-briefer alleyways of expression, Rich’s Summer Fiction Issue stands as welcome relief. So allow me to add my personal hip – hip – hooray to this unleashing of the grand power of the printed word. And as a post script, if any editor or media host is really seeking what concerns lie most prominently in people’s minds, you have only to scrutinize this paper.
Wishing you every success,
– Bart Jackson
