Dr. Williams

The apprehension of boarding an airplane today is well-founded. Practically everyone associates the fear of flying with a foreboding sense that the plane will actually crash. They may have a valid point, because now, most of the commercial airlines have eliminated two engines on their aircraft. This, for the sake of cutting fuel costs, has jeopardized passenger safety. A prime example occurred in January of 2009, when a commercial jet with only two engines both shut down during ascent which forced that plane to make a miraculous landing in the Hudson River. Had there been four engines mounted, the decibel level would have been loud enough to scare birds and other foul farther away, so that what caused that engine failure wouldn't have happened. Only through the skill and knowledge of the pilot and crew, a tragedy was adverted.

"These are the times that try men's souls." Remember that quote? Some 250 years later we are again facing times that try men's souls. From wave after wave of violent carnage that shows no signs of abating, an economy all based upon a house of cards that is poised to crumble at a minutes notice, a world on the edge of a Global Warming catastrophe, to the massive depth and scope of corruption that is in not only our political system, but now has reached our legal system as well. These are all signs of the times that try men's souls.

Out of the pages of history, galloping across the western plains of the Old West rides a lone crusader bringing law and order to an otherwise lawless land. With stealth and cunning many an outlaw met his fate. Horace Mann was broad of shoulder, and narrow at the hip, and everywhere he went the long arm of the law was not far away. With steely blue eyes wearing his white Stetson he struck terror in those who broke the law. The Stetson, the hat that was to become synonymous with western lore became the embodiment of truth and justice, which set him apart from the outlaws of the time. Atop his Appaloosa, sitting tall in the saddle with his Winchester at the ready, everyone knew in an instant that justice would soon be served. As fast as he was with a six shooter, the deadly aim of his Winchester many an outlaw found himself entombed on Boot Hill. His fame and his legend spread through-out the West. Soon news of his exploits reached places like New York where newspapers dubbed him The Shadow Rider. The man and his Winchester found its way into dime novels where many a young boy fantasized riding the plains of the wild west.

They say the nature of a man is best judged by his actions and deeds. For Sam Jones—a mild tempered man who has seen first hand the wonton despair and despondency of ordinary citizens, day after day, languish in quiet desperation just clinging to the hope that one day soon their lives will take a sudden turn for the better—is about to make a decision that could very well alter the destinies of millions of Americans.

Terror strikes fast and swift, leaving a wake of blood after these predators of the deep. I guess it was the movie Jaws that truly awakened everyone to just how terrifying, and yet so misunderstood Great White Sharks really are. Myself I was very fortunate in all my adventures in diving that my only encounter was with a small sand shark. A quick thump on the nose, and it scurried off to more lucrative morsels. It is so unfortunate that shark attacks happen. But, we all have to remember that any time we enter the ocean waters, we are intrusive into their realm of reality, and not the other way around.

Of all our founding fathers it was Thomas Jefferson who understood that education was vital for the preservation of our liberty. He also knew that the abuses of power would undermine, and eventually destroy, the republic. Today, too many of our elected officials are out of control. Case in point: the Trump Administration. It is our education that is fundamental for the preservation of our heritage. But too much of that has been omitted. For over one hundred years, America continues to operate on fiction of law. What we mean by fiction of law is when, "something known to be false is assumed to be true." This is stated by Ryan v. Motor Credit co., 130 N.J.Eq. 531,23 A.2d 607,621. "That statute which would deprive a citizen of the rights of person or property without a regular trial according to the course and usage of common law, would not be the law of the land."