In His Name Vol XVI

Our laws are based on "Stare Decisis," i.e., precedence, which in ancient times protected monarchies, the rich, and the priesthood.

In 1823, in the Supreme Court case, Johnson v. M'Intosh, the Doctrine of Discovery, a White interpretation of the law, became part of a federal law used to dispossess Native peoples of their lands. In a unanimous decision, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, "That the principle of discovery gave European nations an absolute right to New World lands," and Native Americans lost their rights of occupancy.

Will our present Supreme Court constituency has the courage to write laws that represent the people, and not anachronistic concepts?

Surviving Polio at age 3 1/2, then cancer, followed by back surgery, Ed Reyes is a survivor.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California and a graduate of Citrus College, Azusa, California, and California Polytechnic University, Pomona, majoring in Management, Behavioral Science, and Criminal Justice.