Bill's Focus

or a Hard Heart?

I have often heard people describe others with “He or she has a good heart.” or “He made a mistake, but he has a good heart.” or “He did what he had to do, but his heart was in the right place.”

When we say someone has a “good heart” we are issuing a verdict on his or her character. It is a statement of ultimate approval. It is often a forgiveness. It is a description that redeems an imperfect person.

Would you vote for a leader who doesn’t have a “good heart”?

Last week was infuriating and encouraging. Yup, I am writing about mixed emotions again. But how can you feel otherwise after a week like this?

The Supreme Court decided to legislate from the bench by actually hearing a case about “presidential immunity” – a concept that doesn’t exist in the U.S. Constitution – for a very good reason. The lawyers for “45” argue that a president can do anything he wants while in office and be immune from accountability – even order the killing of a political opponent. Doesn’t it sound like the court wants a monarchy? There was absolutely no reason to hear this case. It should have been dismissed as nonsense – validating the decision by the appeals court. And very oddly, there was no reference to Trump or his alleged deeds by any of the justices. They just babbled about philosophical concepts and worried about issues that had nothing to do with the case they had accepted! Argh!!!

But on the bright side of life, we were treated to Trump being forced to sit quietly as he is tried in a criminal court. He was forced to sit and listen as a judge looked down at him. A judge who had the ability to tell him to shut up. Trump was sitting, falling asleep and farting. Remember, every minute the wannabe dictator is in a courtroom, he is not playing golf or campaigning. There are only so many hours in a day.

And also remember that Al Capone was imprisoned not for murder (and there were plenty) but for tax evasion. Pundits poo poo the Election Interference (Hush Money) trial, but it may be the one where justice is actually served. A jail cell is still a jail cell – no matter how you get there.

By the way, I believe Judge Merchan will hold a hearing on Thursday about Trump’s continuous violations of the gag order. What do you think the punishment should be or will be?

For a really complete and professional recap and assessment of anything Trump trial related, I refer you to Joyce Vance and her substack analysis. Joyce is a former U.S. Attorney and is currently a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the University of Alabama. If you are a TV news watcher, you may recognize her as a “legal contributor”.

And most of you who read Bill’s Focus, know Robert Hubbell. But in the odd chance that one of you doesn’t, it is worth posting this referral. Last week in particular, Robert helped me with my emotional swings from extreme anger to thoughtful appreciation. I highly recommend this edition of “Today’s Edition Newsletter”.

And now for my mental health and maintaining a balanced life, some notes on growing food and enjoying canine companionship. Here is what our organic vegetable garden is looking like at the end of April. The beginning!

Maeve’s DNA results:
83% Australian Cattle Dog (aka Heeler)
6% Border Collie
4% Australian Shepherd
3% German Shepherd
2% Miniature American Shepherd
2% Chow Chow

The family is preparing to be herded. Affectionately, of course.