Watching the Half-man, half-amazing hit the 3/4 basketball shot is special, however...

November 28, 2015

As I am reflecting on the amazing things that happened in my life this year, I decided to take this Thanksgiving Season and just share them with others. In my amazement, I just happened to see the ESPN clip of Vince Carter still doing his thing as he has for so many years in Volusia County, in North Carolina, and all across the NBA cities and across the world.

I met Vince during his Summer Camp in Volusia County and what a show he put on for the youth of Volusia County. When I left this camp I knew that I would not only complete the rest of my journey across Florida but I would return to Volusia County and would put in the hands of the fifth grade students a copy of the Constitution booklets.

Each day that I get closer to that reality and from time to time I flip on ESPN and see Vince reminding that life is truly amazing when you are doing the things you enjoy most in life.

Today, I attempted to bring over from the Face Book some of the material and post directly on my blog page for those who go all out in social media. I can see that there is still many things that I still need to learn but I am getting there.

 

Joseph Cofield

27 mins · ESPN ·

I had the honor to meet Vince Carter during his Summer Camp while he was giving back to the youth of the Volusia County School District in Florida. When I gave Vince one of my 27 - 67 Constitution shirts and a copy of the Constitution I knew from that moment on that I must work with the VCS and get those Constitution booklets in the hands of their fifth and seventh grade students. The seventh grade students are completed and before the Christmas Break the entire fifth grade s...tudent population (4,320) of Volusia County will be completed as well. If you think those fans in the stands were amazed by Vince's 3/4 shot, you should have seen the faces of the youth, parents, family members, and students across Florida seeing the Half-man, half-amazing returning to his high school and putting on a show just for them. Vince inspired me to continue my journey across Florida despite the heat. After seeing the shot that made the fans come out of their seat, I am now determined to keep my promise to the fifth grade students of Volusia County as well as the other 200,000 fifth grade students across Florida to make sure that they get a copy of the Constitution booklet that they can have for their very own. Thanks Vince for all that you do both on and off the basketball course; you are truly "Amazing" and a "First Class Individual" who inspires and bring out the best of others as you display your gifts and talents. Please keep that smile and continue to bring that same smile and joy to others my friend. Joseph Cofield, Naples, Florida – 11-28-2015.
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Half-man, half-amazing 3/4 shot

Vince Carter saw the clock wind down and launched one from the Grizzlies own free throw line

espn.go.com

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Joseph Cofield Check out the smile from Vince both on and off the basketball court. He knows how to bring joy into the lives of others. Vince is truly deserving of the statute in front of Midland High School in Volusia County, Florida. One of the best moment of my journey across Florida was seeing how Vince Carter was giving back to the youth of Florida. What a great example for others to emulate in life! You may not be able to dunk like Vince or hit the 3/4 basketball shot but trying giving back with your time and talents and you will be amazed the lives you will touch.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Joseph

 

The History of God Bless America...

November 21, 2015

Today is the "Birthday" of my wife and I am being thankful for all our blessings a song just kept coming to me. As a matter of fact, I have humming this song since Thursday, November 19, 2015 when we all song it after the great presentation by Father Philemon Patitas.

The presentation was at the St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, Naples, Florida.

Sponsor by: CHRISTIAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM MINISTRY

"Republic not a Democracy - Implications for Religious Liberty"

The song was sung so beautifully that it has lifted my spirits every moment since the last note on 11-19-2015.

My wife and I are so proud to have attended this presentation and thus we share this wonderful and the history of the song with you today.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0

 

 

 

Below is a short history! Many of you will view the video even I instruct you that the history would be much better in case you did not know the history.

 

Now that you have viewed the video, I want you to read the brief history below and then view the video again. I am sure that that you will be humming this wonderful song for days.

 

 

A Nice bit of History      

Frank  Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when  he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless  America" on  the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a  tear or two. 
  
Here  are the facts... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the  very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA ". But before you watch it, you  should also know the story behind the first public showing of 
the  song. 
  
The  time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was  taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a  time of hardship and worry for most Americans. 

This  was the era just before TV, when radio shows  were HUGE,  and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to  their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than  Kate  Smith. 
  
Kate  was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used  today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". 

Kate  Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her  voice     coming  over the radio, she was the biggest star of her  time. 
  
Kate  was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and  afraid  of what the next day would bring . She had hope for America ,  and     faith  in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she  went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White  Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would  make     Americans  feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking  for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a  song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in  1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She  and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public,  but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America . Any  profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America . Over the years, the Boy Scouts  have received millions of dollars in royalties from this  song. 
  
  
This  video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the  orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first  time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the  background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In The  Army Now." At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie,  sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald  Reagan. 

To this  day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country.  Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of  her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the  results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and  worry..... And for many generations of Americans to follow. 
  
Now  that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it. 
Many  people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with  "God Bless America ....." So here's the entire song as originally sung.....  ENJOY! 


 

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0

 

Joseph



Third Favorite Amendment Continues...

November 9, 2015

As promised before continuing with Section 2, of Amendment XIV, I will pick up where I left in my last blog:

"Thus to so many other teaching points in this section, I will continue my next posting with more information about Section 1 of Amendment XIV before going on to Section 2."

Recap of Section 1 - All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside...

The next part of the section may seem a look familiar to because it echoes the rights of the people once again, "No State shall make or enforce any law which abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States."

Again the Supreme Court over the years has been called upon to decision for the State and citizen exactly what is the intent of the statement. An example of the loose wording can be found in the Slaughterhouse Cases (1873) where Court disagreed with the interpretation that the Privileges or Immunities Clauses applied in the Bill of Rights to state governments. Therefore, one can argue that under this ruling only the rights of national citizenship- such as access to the courts and the right to travel to the government's capital applied. However as the Supreme Court has often done over the years with the change in the attitude of society the Court did rule for example in Saenz v. Roe ((1999) forbade states to reduce welfare benefits for newly arrived residents because that restricted the right to travel.

When you look at the next part of this same paragraph you will notice as well that the Due Process Clause in Amendment XIV is almost the same Amendment V, " nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty,or property without due process of law;"

I believe that this is such an important point that I shall stop here and continue my Daily 27 - 67 Constitution Lessons explaining exactly how Amendment XIV and the two major parts of the important Due Process Clause applies to the Bill of Rights to the through the doctrine of:

1. Incorporation of the Bill of Rights
2. Substantive  Due Process

I listened to a person attempt to gloss over this recent and I decided that I better stop this nonsense before at least ten (10) more people become just as confused.

In my next blog, you will be able to better understand these two important parts of the Due Process Clause as only a James Madison Fellow can break it down so simple for you to understand.

My students only say to me Mr. Cofield I did not understand that from my reading. I tried to explain that is why the many years on earth that I have and the years of paying those college professors, and becoming a James Madison Fellow allows me to do for you. I now charge them as I will do for you once you learn this lesson pass it on to someone else.

Joseph

My Third Favorite Amendment...

November 8, 2015

Early last month when the candidates running for the highest office in our land was debating about what the Fourteenth Amendment means I had to jump off my seat and decide to share this Amendment with everyone I met for an entire week.

The Fourteenth Amendment (Amendment XIV) actually have a total of five Sections with of course the fifth section stating "The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article." This seems about the only part of the Amendment XIV the candidates could agree upon.

Unlike my other favorite Amendments, I will take the time to break each of the other four sections of this Amendments down for you because of the importance of each of the section in order to understand the Equal Protection of the Laws.

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; or deny to any within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

As I mentioned in my last 27 - 67 Daily Lesson, the Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) (please note that Sanford was incorrectly spelled in the original court document and thus is written this way for the importance of keeping this page as accurate as possible) the Supreme Court decision gave the States the rights to determine citizenship. You may recall that I also stated the Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, free or slave, could never be citizens of the United States.

In Section 1 of Amendment XIV defines both national and state citizenship and for the first time this Amendment defined citizenship in the Constitution for the first time. This means that as of July 9, 1868 my ancestors and their fight now allowed me to be born a citizen of this great United States of America.

This is why the Amendment XIV is so near and dear to me because "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" automatically became citizens of the both the American nation and the state in which they resided. Even this wording was not perfect for all the people of this nation. The nation had to go back and correct another group left behind. The government got it totally right in 1924 when the amendment not only cover those person "subject to the jurisdiction" but to the Native Americans we know as the American Indians as well.

Thus to so many other teaching points in this section, I will continue my next posting with more information about Section 1 of Amendment XIV before going on to Section 2.

Joseph

Bill of Rights Institute...http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/engage/students-programs-events/scholarship/

November 8, 2015

When I started my blog page in April 2015, I never dream it would evolve so much. I just wanted to get people interested in my 27 - 67 Journey Across Florida.

I promised those who assisted me getting off the ground that I would return their favor by making this blog site not just about me but about reaching out and helping others get excited about the Constitution and develop that passion which consumes me for wanting to learning more.

Thus, I want to share with my readers and supporters as well as others the wonderful news about the Bill of Rights Institute. Please pass this along to others so that the students, schools, teachers, and communities can profit this wonderful opportunity to enter the Student Essay Writing Contest.

The students get an opportunity showcase their skills, teachers get a much needed reward for their students doing so well, the schools get the opportunity to show the world the school officials are doing the right things, and communities get bragging rights for showing off the village it takes to make our students so successful.

I believe that this is a true Win - Win situation, thus, I, Joseph Cofield, approve this contest from the Bill of Rights Institute. Please see the information below:

Bill of Rights Inst. ‏@BRInstitute  · Nov 2 

We're proud to announce the We the Students Essay Contest for 2016! Enter for your chance to win $5000: http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/engage/students-programs-events/scholarship/ … #histedchat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/engage/students-programs-events/scholarship/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deadline: February 7, 2016

Winners Announced: April 12, 2016 

In 500-800 words, answer the following question:

The Founders believed in the sanctity/vital importance of the individual liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. To what extent (or in what ways) has our government compromised on these liberties in the name of security or the general welfare? 

In your answer, incorporate the principles and specific examples (including current events) that support your conclusion.  

Eligibility

The Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students who are no older than 19 and no younger than 14 as of the end of the Contest Period who (1) attend school in the United States, one of its territories or districts, or an American Armed Forces School Abroad, and (2) who are in grades 8 -12 attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, or (3) are enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program, or (4) are attending a home school program. 

Student Prizes

Grand Prize: $5,000 cash (plus a scholarship to Constitutional Academy)

Runners Up: 6 cash prizes of $1,250 each

Honorable Mention: 8 cash prizes of $500 each 

Scout Prizes

Girl Scout Winner: $2,500

Girl Scout Winner’s Troop: $500

Boy Scout Winner: $2,500

Boy Scout Winner’s Troop: $500 

Additional Student Incentives

Refer a Friend – 10 random drawings of $50 each

Step Two Submission Drawings – 10 random drawings of $500 each 

Prizes for Teachers of Winning Students

Teachers of Winners: 15 cash prizes of $100 each

Teachers with 5 or more nominations: 5 random drawings for $50 each

 

Please do pass this information on to others. You will not miss my daily lesson for today because you will find that my next blog will be about my third favorite United States Constitution Amendment.

 

 

Joseph





My second favorite Amendment of the Twenty-seven Amendments...

November 6, 2015

Are you aware that there only 4,400 words in the United States Constitution? You may also want to know that the U. S. Constitution is the oldest and the shortest written constitution of any government in the world.

In addition to giving you my favorite Amendments, I will attempt to give you fascinating facts about the Constitution. Please share those facts with others as we continue the 27 - 67 Constitution Daily Lesson of the Constitution!

On Thursday, I had the honor to be one of the judges for the VFW Post 7721 Essay Writing Contest for the middle school students. The topic for the essay was "What Does Freedom Means to Me" and I had a great time reviewing the 29 and narrowing down to the top 10 and then selecting the top three from the group. Those well written essays left no doubt in my mind that my next favorite to share with you would be Amendment Thirteen (XIII).

Section 1. Neither slaver nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, of any place subject to their jurisdication.

Finally the nation with the Thirteenth Amendment ratified in 1865 attempted to solve the issue of slavery in America after so many failed compromises. Many prayers were answered from my ancestors on December 6, 1865 because on this day the Thirteenth Amendment finally outlawed slavery within the United States of America.

The Articles of Confederation did not provide a solution, major events such as the invention of the cotton gin created the pressure of keeping the balance of power between the North and South. The Westward Expansion attempted with Missouri Compromise (1820) to keep a balance between free and slave states turned out to be yet another failed compromise. Perhaps even more shocking within this compromise was the fact that under the Fugitive Slave Act the federal law even authorized federal agents to detain and return fugitive slaves to the owners.

The nation was starting to drift apart with the issue of slavery when in Dred Scott v. Sanford the Supreme Court ruled Dred Scott and his family and appeared to allow slaveholders to birng slaves into part of the Union. When I am asked why the Thirteen Amendment ranks so high on my list of Amendments it is because it started the process of correcting one of the most damages statement written within our history.

On March 6, 1857 Chief Justice Roger Taney stated that African American, free, or slave, could never be citizens of he United States. The Chief Justice went even further by saying that blacks were "beings of an inferior order" who "had no rights which the white man was bounded to repect."

In my mind, I believe that this was turning point and signal that our Constitution got it right and began to fulfill the Declaration of Independence's promise that "all men are created equal."

You have now been provided with some facts about the Constitution, short history lesson, and a justification of why Amednment XIII is on the top of my list of favorite Amendments.

Joseph

My favorite Amendment...

November 5, 2015

I am often asked what is your favorite Amendment of the entire Twenty-seventh (XXVII) Amendments. When I say all of them I get this look of doubt. Therefore, I learn to list the Amendments in order as they directly impact me in some special way.

Therefore, I have to say that the Twenty-sixth (XXVI) Amendment starts my list of favorite Amendments. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United State or by any State on account of age.

I felt really empowered when I understood this Amendment and the impact it gave me a citizen. Upon turning eighteen years old I registered to vote. I have voted in every local, state, and federal election that I was eligible because this is how important the Twenty-sixth Amendment is to me.

This amendment stated that I was now considered part of the adult world and that I could make adult decisions. I was already in the United States Army but my mother had to sign in order for me to legally be accepted in the United States Army.

Finally the nation as well as every state agreed with the ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment on July 1, 1971 that soldier can not only serve in the military and fight for the nation but also can vote and make adult decisions. In order to understand this, one must remember that this was during the period of the escalation of the Vienam War and the young people wanted a voice to decide the leaders who making a decision to send them off to war.

Congress passed a Voting Right Act in 1970 to set eigtheen as the minimum age for voting in national and state elections because of the broad power of Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

However, in Oregon v. Mitchell  (1970), the Supreme Court ruled the law was valid only for national elections so it took Congress proposal of the Twenty-sixth Amendment on March 23, 1971 and three-fourths of the states on July 1, 1971 to give eighteen years old citizens the right to vote. This was the fastest any of the Twenty-seven Amendments ever gave approved.

Thus, you will find why I consider this my favorite Amendment of all. Please stay tune for my other Amendments as I review all the 27 Amendments to the United States Constitution.

Joseph