Behind the back of the Constitution...

I can't get over Gates and Obama saying that the decision to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a decision that should be made by the Congress, only after the Pentagon has weighed in. Has either of these fellows ever taken a Political Science or an American Government class???

THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE SUPREME COURT IS TO DETERMINE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF LAWS.

If the subordinate courts are required to never, ever find a law unconstitutional, then we have no need for the Supreme Court. The very existence of the Judicial Branch has been negated and subsumed by the Executive and the Legislature. Now - while the Executive and the Legislature are busy pandering to the great unwashed masses, I'm glad the Judicial has my back and - at least nominally - is paying attention to Constitutional rights.

Latest Yahoo News Article Here...

Paladino is a murderer

Harsh words? Yes.
But this isn't like every time you swear a kitten dies... or some more bizarre, obscene joke version making the rounds...
This is a Tea Party backed, candidate for the Governorship of the state of New York who's saying things that are cruel enough and bigoted enough to cause young gay people to kill themselves. And unless and until this right wing, conservative evil is called out and held accountable, kids will die. Our culture is doing that, and we need to stop it. If - in order to stop it - I have to point out the hatred and villainy of Paladino's remarks, so be it.
Even an apology at this point in time wouldn't help, because too many people in America are just as closed minded, mean, and bigoted as he. But an apology couldn't hurt.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/10/national/main6945678.shtml

The Least of Their Problems; Wake up, America

A Colorado middle school has banned the wearing of crosses and rosaries.
They originally sent home a letter with students saying that the wearing of crosses and rosaries were offensive to those of some particular faith traditions.
THEN, they said that cross and rosary wearing had been adopted as gang symbols and they were being banned for that reason.
All I have to say is: if barring crosses and rosaries is your idea of a significant step in combating the evils of gang behavior, heaven help your student body. Gang violence, bullying and presence will not be deterred by something so simplistic. Wake up, America.


http://www.gazette.com/articles/school-105857-springs-cross.html

Yes, there's a double standard

While we decry the perception in our country that all Muslims, even the moderates, are out to eradicate those of other religions and nationalities, our ally, Israel, has passed a 'loyalty bill' that requires that persons seeking citizenship declare loyalty to a "Jewish and democratic" state. How can we continue to support such one-sided nationalistic behavior perpetrated IN THE NAME OF RELIGION? Can you imagine the outcry (absolutely valid) if the US were to add to it's nationalization process for immigrants a loyalty oath to a "Christian and democratic" nation. Now I know there are some (way too many) who'd like that, but doesn't a common sense separation of religion and government (even in countries that don't have our First Amendment) obligate a pretense of not requiring religious allegiance to a sovereign nation? Isn't that kind of militaristic religious fervor and warmongering the very thing that many Americans are using to demonize Muslim nations? Shame on Israel for their narrow-minded, self-serving religious action, wrapped in governmental clothing. With the insisted upon continued movement of folks to the West Bank and the thinly veiled religious loyalty test, I've got to wonder if Israel is a) serious about peace, b) willing to compromise and c) mature enough to take a place in the world's family of nations without demanding that the world revolve around Israel...

In the Sunday School class I teach, this morning I posited that God doesn't see national boundaries and individual property lines and probably isn't crazy about the idea of 'ownership.' Not sure when and if Creation is ever going to get that idea, or the whole idea of all of us being children of God.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_israel_palestinians

Laying the blame squarely at the feet of Joe the Plumber

I'm a big fan of editorial cartoonist Ben Sargent. Why does it seem so very much that our choices this election are stupid and mean-spirited versus weak and irrelevant? Surely, surely, surely there must be decent men and women out there who care enough about their country to help lead. Or has politics and our country's morally and mentally bankrupt attitude frightened off every possible candidate with talent and integrity? I blame Joe, the plumber and the Republican mindset of playing to the fears of the great unwashed masses.

It is a curious fact that when we get sick, we want an uncommon doctor; if we have a construction job, we want an uncommon engineer; when we get into war, we dreadfully want an uncommon admiral and an uncommon general. Only when we get into politics are we content with the common man. - Herbert Hoover

Wildlife Family Units

I like to think that I'm as tender-hearted and compassionate as the next person. Heck, I like to think I'm more tender-hearted and compassionate than most. But evidently not if you compare me to Washington DC Councilwoman Mary Cheh, who has introduced a bill in DC that would require you to use traps if you have wildlife vermin, like squirrels or raccoons, in your house. If you can't use traps and must kill the intruder, you must use humane means to kill it. And - here's the kicker that I'm not sure I'm on board with (assuming I can find a humane way to kill a marauding wild animal) - if you trap it, you've got to attempt to maintain the animal's family unit. I'm not sure if that means you have to put the animal back where it was when it found its way into your house, or if you have to try to catch all its relatives and relocate them en masse.
In any event, I'm not sure I'm observant or objective enough to assess a wild animal's family unit. At the risk of sounding like a stereotype sort of person: all those squirrels look alike to me.

The Importance of the US Constitution

Much like religion, many of the aspects of American democracy are not real. We only like them, use them, revere them and tolerate them in the abstract. When - in the cliched, cold, hard light of day we have to live by them -- we abandon them. I salute a jurist who is serious about the Constitution, even when not being used as an instrument of convenience.

"The Constitution is the rock upon which our nation rests. We must follow it not only when it is convenient, but when fear and danger beckon in a different direction. To do less would diminish us and undermine the foundation upon which we stand."
JUDGE LEWIS A. KAPLAN OF UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN MANHATTAN, who barred testimony from a crucial witness in the first trial of a former Guantánamo detainee.

My dog Tony died on Monday. He was 19 years old and will be missed more than I can say... Thanks to everyone who texted, emailed, called with sympathies!

GLBT Teen Suicides

There have been four GLBT teen suicides in the past three weeks. When is our culture going to name names and call out the real causes: internet bullying AND a culture that is so homophobic and cruel towards homosexuals that - for most teens - death would be preferable to acknowledging your real self?

INITIAL ENTRY

I shall continue to be an impossible person so long as those who are now possible remain possible.
- Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin

I will offer my opinions on news, politics and the culture of our times. These are, indeed, interesting times. We'll see where this commentary sideshow leads. You're welcome to follow. I look forward to your comments.