Holder: Bin Laden To Get Same Rights As Charles Manson

In an exchange with House Republicans on Capitol Hill yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder was addressing concerns regarding enemy combatants receiving constitutional protections. That's when the following gem came rolling out of his mouth.



There seems to be this theme with the current administration, and unfortunately that theme is a fundamental misunderstanding of the Constitution of the United States. As an enemy combatant, OBL or any other militant is not granted any constitutional protection, as they are NOT citizens of the United States. Supplying legal rights to unlawful enemy combatants endangers soldiers of every nation who follow the Geneva Convention and rules of war currently:

Granting unwarranted legal rights puts soldiers and civilians at risk by rewarding treachery with privilege. Unlawful enemy combatants – individuals who do not adhere to the traditional laws or customs of war – are not entitled to Prisoner of War (POW) status or the full protections of the Geneva Conventions, let alone unfettered access to U.S. courts. Summarily granting them these privileges would cripple the integrity of the laws of war. Enemies will be less inclined to follow the rules if they suffer no consequences for breaking them. Contrary views rely on guilt-ridden, utopian thinking that says America deserves her enemies and that they will love and forswear violence against her if only she just meets some indeterminate but much higher standard of justice and fair play. When only one side plays by the rules on a battlefield, that side is likely to disproportionately suffer from illegal acts of war.

Unfortunately, this administration is all too willing to abandon the voice of reason and sanity as well as the rule of law for the voice of it's political base.

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Shifty Steny

Here's another Washington DC politician who was against the Slaughter Solution before they were for it. G_d that sounds familiar... Almost like I've heard it before. Hmmm.



Add this to the long list of examples of politicians who will change their moral and ethical standards dependent upon who is in control and what the issue is. Shame on you Steny.

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Hump Day Hottie

It's clear to me now, that I do not grasp the concept that Andy and Mr. Mayor were going for with their 'Hump Day Hottie' posts. I am, however, content in continuing in my 'delusion' by posting pictures of actual hot women.

Moxie X.Cathedra is "a Los Angeles based writer, photographer, and technical geek who regrettably, has entered into a witness protection program requiring me to trot around the web under silly made-up aliases. I spend my spare time fussing and tinkering with my beloved 1985 Porsche 911." She blogs over at her place, Moxie.nu and hosts a radio show on Blog Talk Radio called the Humor Institute. The onwer of a facebook account which wont allow her to add her middle initial, she is always looking for new members for her mafia. She's an unapologetic atheist with a rapier wit and a looker to boot. Careful though boys, she's recently engaged and knows the true definition of gun control is using both hands. So without further ado, I give you our Hump Day Hottie, Moxie X. Cathedra!

Be sure to drop her a line. And for the love of G_d, don't forget to check out her radio show!

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Unintended Consequences

Today on Morning Joe, Jim Cramer talked about some of the anticipated effects of 'health care reform' being passed. Just what does Cramer anticipate? Take a look:



According to Jim Cramer, should Obamacare pass, income tax rates will jump into the 50-60% range, it will "break the [federal] budget" and will likely cause capital gains and dividends to be taxed at the income tax rate. Do I need to tell you what the tax increases alone would do to our economy? It's important to note that these are not included in the CBO analysis of the bill, they are the professional opinion of investor, Jim Cramer.

H/T: Mark Finkelstein @ Newsbusters

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What Is 'The Filibuster?'

CBS Sunday Morning News did a small spot regarding the history of the Filibuster. Senate rules, as laid by the founders, require that the upper house gain no less than 2/3rds support for any legislation before the legislation can be passed. Why is this? It helps to prevent simple rule of the majority. There are extremely few circumstances where a simple majority can pass legislation, this is referred to as the nuclear option or reconciliation. Reconciliation is only considered applicable when attempting to pass a budget, as congress is constitutionally mandated to perform this task. Any and all other legislation must pass with the 2/3rds majority. Filibustering is a procedural tactic that can be used by the minority party within the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on certain legislation. At any time where the controlling party within the Senate has 2/3rds of the seats (known as a super majority) and attempts to pass legislation, they do not need to garner support from the opposition party to do so. The only means left to the minority party to prevent the passage of the bill is what is called a filibuster. Rules within the Senate allow a senator to speak as long as they wish on any subject unless 3/5ths of the voting body brings debate to a close under what is called cloture. Often, the minority party will use the filibuster in the form of prolonged debate in order to prevent the passage of a bill to which they are adamantly opposed, but do not posses the required voting members to defeat.



The filibuster has gotten a bad name, and fortunately has not been required during the attempt to pass 'health care reform.' Keep in mind that until the special election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts, the Democrats had a super majority in the senate. This means that the Republicans did not posses the voting members to prevent 'health care reform' legislation from passing. However, the senate never brought the legislation to a vote because Democrats could not gain enough support within their own party to pass the legislation. If and when the 'health care reform' legislation is defeated, it will be because the Democratic party could not capitalize on it's super majority within the senate to pass the bill.

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Know When To Say When UPDATED: Inhofe's Response

Add him to the gallery of people who are completely oblivious to the damage that has been done their cause. Right next to Obama, Pelosi and Reid.



I think this dead horse has been sufficiently flogged. Perhaps it's time to find another cause du jour?

And, just in time, Sen. Inhofe takes Gore down a peg, or seventeen.



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To Support And Defend The Constitution of The United States

Congressional Responsibility... not intended to be an oxymoron.

If you've been paying attention to the news recently, it should come as no shock that Democrats in congress are considering passing the Senate version of the 'health care reform' bill without voting on it. It seems to me that this is at odds with not only the oath of office, but the very Constitution itself.
Article I Section VII of the United States Constitution (excerpted):

But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively

Congressional Oath of Office:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

So, how then do Democrats propose getting around the constitutional requirement?

Pelosi (D-Calif.) would rely on a procedural sleight of hand: The House would vote on a more popular package of fixes to the Senate bill; under the House rule for that vote, passage would signify that lawmakers "deem" the health-care bill to be passed.

The tactic -- known as a "self-executing rule" or a "deem and pass" -- has been commonly used, although never to pass legislation as momentous as the $875 billion health-care bill.

It's a tactic that has been used by both parties and having been reviewed by the court is considered constitutional. However, guess who took the case to court, petitioning against the self-executing rule? Funny you should ask:

But put aside the present for the moment and step into my time machine. Dial the date selector back to 2005 when the Republican majority in Congress approved a national debt limit increase using a self-executing rule similar to the Slaughter Solution.

Guess who went to federal court to challenge the constitutionality of the move? The Ralph Nader-backed Public Citizen legal activists.

...

And now for the kicker, guess who joined Public Citizen in that suit with amicus briefs:

Nancy Pelosi

Henry Waxman

Louise Slaughter

It's important to point out that there is a fundamental difference between what the Democrats are attempting now, and what the court ruled on in the case mentioned above. At issue was a text correction to a bill which had been passed through congress. The GOP attempted to use the self-executing rule to confirm the correction of the text, without having to vote on the amendment. Again, the legislation went on to be voted upon by the entire body when the GOP attempted to use the procedure. Not so with the Democrats:

It's important to be clear that the issue before the court was whether a minor text correction was sufficient to satisfy the constitutional requirement that both chambers of Congress must pass the exact same bill. In this 2005 case, the court ruled the minor correction was acceptable.

The deeming of an entire bill to have been passed without a prior recorded vote goes far beyond a minor text correction, so the constitutional principle clearly would be violated by the Slaughter Solution.

The Slaughter Solution is unconstitutional and should be challenged on such grounds. As the Democrats are fond of reminding us, you are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts. Congress is required to vote on legislation: fact.

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Have You Heard The One About...

GoldLeadfinger, he's the man, the man with the Midas deadly touch.

The Olympic Medal Committee today withdrew Downhill Skier Lindsey Vonn's gold medal and awarded it to President Obama. Turns out President Obama is going downhill faster than anyone in history.

Okay, the joke may be a little lame, but in the context of this next story, it's hilarious. President Obama is threatening to remove his support from Democrats who are wavering on their support for 'health care reform.' Said one anonymous Democrat:

"Stop... oh please... it hurts... Take it back..."

It seems that Midas Obama has the golden, er lead touch. In each of the last several elections, every candidate that he's backed has gone on to lose the election. In case you are keeping count, here is a short list from memory:

• Creigh Deeds
• John Corzine
• Martha Coakley
• Bill Owens*

Recently, Obama made an appearance in Las Vegas, where he made mention of Harry Reid no less than 4 times. In polling afterward, Nevadans said they were 17% less likely to vote for Reid after the President's visit.

The reality is that the best thing Democrats can do to provide some sort of help to their reelection campaigns in November is to run as fast as they can from the 'health care reform' legislation. Conceivably, Democrats who take a stand against 'health care reform' and the so-called 'slaughter solution have a chance at saving their seats in November, whereas anyone who embraces 'HCR' is doomed.

*President Obama did not campaign for Bill Owens in upstate New York. Bill Owens went on to win the special election.

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I'm from the government, and I'm here to spy.

If reading this doesn't make your skin crawl, then go get your pulse checked.

U.S. law enforcement agents are following the rest of the Internet world into popular social-networking services, going undercover with false online profiles to communicate with suspects and gather private information, according to an internal Justice Department document...

I don't buy the 'if you're not doing anything wrong, you don't have anything to be worried about' argument since Big Sister Napolitano added us all to a watch list for being 'Right Wing Extremists.'

It's difficult for me to buy that the anyone who posits a dissenting opinion on any of the political subjects in the headlines today, is not on the short list of individuals to be watched. After all, only right wing extremists are opposed to quality affordable health care for all... and global warming... and raising taxes... and... and... and...
Ever wonder what lengths the government can go to in order to minimize a threat, regardless of whether or not the law has been broken? Wonder no more.

Make sure you know who you're accepting a friend request from, and inform your family and friends. The government has no business knowing what you're doing and with whom unless you are charged with a crime.

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President Obama, You Picked The Wrong Horse

It's never too late to admit you're wrong, Mr. President

Natoma Canfield sent a letter to President Obama explaining that after a rise in premiums, she was forced to drop her health insurance. Obama has been riding the story ever since. The only problem is, Canfield is receiving care from a cancer center in Ohio regardless of her lack of insurance.

Natoma Canfield, the cancer-stricken woman who has become a centerpiece of President Obama's push for health care reform, will not lose her home over her medical bills and will probably qualify for financial aid, a top official at the Cleveland medical center treating her told FoxNews.com.

...

"She may be eligible for state Medicaid ... and/or she will be eligible for charity (care) of some form or type. ... In my personal opinion, she will be eligible for something," he said, adding that Canfield should not be worried about losing her home.

"Cleveland Clinic will not put a lien on her home," he said.

Cleveland Clinic offers personal guides to patients like Canfield who are concerned about payment to try to match them up with programs that can provide full or partial assistance. One option is state Medicaid coverage, which Canfield did not have when she was admitted. Another is charity care that is routinely provided by the hospital, which is a nonprofit. Cleveland Clinic reported providing $99 million in charity care in 2008.

For the time being, Canfield is probably the clinic's most famous patient.

Canfield gained national attention after Obama publicized a letter she wrote to the White House in February. In the letter, she detailed how skyrocketing premiums had forced her off her insurance.

Skyrocketing premiums forced her off her insurance, but not from receiving medical care. Sick people are able to receive care, regardless of being insured.  However, our health care system is in need of complete overhaul. There is nothing worth saving. Raze it to the ground and start again!

H/T: Gateway Pundit

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Please Excuse Our Dust

Not quite the waste of money that this sign was...

We've been hard at work streamlining the appearance of Classicaliberalism, so that it's a more enjoyable, easier read for our valued consumers. We promise to be back to posting news and commentary tomorrow. Until then, bump around a bit and let us know what you think.

Thanks much,

CL

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Pass The Legislation, Then Write and Debate It

I know much hay was made over Nancy Pelosi's remarks about passing the bill so that people can learn what's in it... but, she's doubled down on stupid and dropped another gem. Ephasis mine:

In her most expansive case yet for health reform, Nancy Pelosi argued in a small roundtable with bloggers today that passing it into law would set the stage for a great, long-term debate with the GOP over the proper role of government in our lives...

So, just to confirm that I have this correct, we need to pass the bill so that everyone can see all the great things that are in it. Then once it's passed and we all see it's magnificence, at that point we can debate the merits of the bill. Gotcha. That's brilliant.

Speaking of the nuclear option, this is the approach that the GOP needs to adopt the next time Democrats are holding up the confirmation of judicial nominees.

No really, he's going to be great. Just put him on the bench, then we'll have a discussion about whether or not he'll make the right kinds of rulings.

And in other news, this guy's been elected President of The United States for the 2012 term. We'll begin exploring his past in 2014 and then we'll debate whether or not he's right for the country some time the year after that.

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Good Lord I'm Tired Link Dump

What's your vector, Victor?

Today/Yesterday was a long, hard day. Grandpa CL passed away a short time ago, (no, not that one. The other one, can you believe it?) and we all gathered at an Uncle's house in Northern CA for a memorial service today. We rose at 5:30 this morning, which was really 4:30, because I was to dumb to remember to go to bed early, becuase it was the end of Daylight Saving Time. Blah, blah, blah and on and on, ad nauseum. You can imagine the rest.

So let's jump in with both feet, shall we?
My Favorite VP Daughter, Liz has been catching quite a bit of heat lately over her decision to attack the Gitmo 7. Here is why it matters who they are and whether or not they serve in the Department of Justice.

It's ALIVE!!!!! All 2,309 pages of it....

I'm sorry to direct you to the LA Times, but it's important to understand how the left is going to continue to go after the Tea Party Movement. Newest reason, because Justice Thomas' wife is starting a chapter. Everyone knows that when your husband is a Supreme Court Justice, you must forgo your political ideology forever!

Have you ever seen a grown man naked? RIP

The Bible never mentions social justice. It does mention caring for the poor. Caring for the poor by stealing from people of means, without any expression of sacrifice by the giver is about as anti-biblical as you can get.

I am completely shocked. Shocked, I say! I cannot believe that James Sikes was probably lying.

As long as everybody is cinching up their belts real tight to weather this economic storm, why not get comfy? Looks as though it might last until 2023. You didn't have any other plans, right?!

Dead Man Talkin'. Mind you, this is the same A**hole who was asleep at the wheel during the financial meltdown.

Money quote of the day: "The American People are tired of this crap!"

And finally, Basil makes Axlerod tolerable. Thank you, Basil!!!

Good night, y'all. May G_d keep you safe. Have a great start to your week.

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Cowgirl Rule #5

It's been a while since we've had a Rule #5 Sunday, so we're going to make up for it BIG TIME! Woohoo!!!

I know pretty much everyone is a fan of cowgirls, so I've brought to you the hottest cowgirls to be found! We're even trying out a new feature. Just as with any picture on teh blogger, if you click the picture, a new larger version of the picture opens up. However, the last picture is quite possibly what you would call not safe for work, so as such this time you'll have to click on the picture to view the unedited version. No worries, though, it does not redirect to an NSFW site, just the unedited picture. Someone let Smitty know that we're back in the game! Alright, let's move along little doggies!

Next up is quite possibly the hottest cowgirl around, although she ain't exactly dressed up as a cowgirl in this picture. Faith Hill!

Finally, our first foray into click for unedited content. Nothing but her birthday suit, a cowboy hat and some boots. Just the way G_d intended!

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Keith Olbermann's Father Has Passed Away

Keith revealed to the world that his father, Theodore C. Olbermann passed away:

My father died, in the city of his birth, New York, at 3:50 EST this afternoon.

Though the financial constraints of his youth made college infeasible, he accomplished the near-impossible, becoming an architect licensed in 40 states. Much of his work was commercial, for a series of shoe store chains and department stores. There was a time in the 1970's when nearly all of the Baskin-Robbins outlets in the country had been built to his design, and under his direction. Through much of my youth and my early adult life, it was almost impossible to be anywhere in this country and not be a short drive to one of "his" stores.

Keith goes on to talk about his father's impact upon his own life in his blog, Baseball Nerd. We'll spare Keith the disgusting treatment that Ann Coulter was subjected to when her father died. No one deserves that type of disrespect in a moment of mourning.

Rest in peace, Mr. Olbermann.

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What The Left Thinks of You

If you only knew better...

"Farmer reading his farm paper" By George W. Ackerman, Coryell County, Texas, September 1931

In an unfortunately typical take on middle America by one of the few lefties I follow, Green Eagle wants you to know that they pity your lacking existence in some no-name town. Take heart, them folks in the big cities do stop to feel sorry for you blue collar folks! Here is a sample of the raw emotion that the left feels for the poor folk, like you:

Now, think of the people, living in a place like Holcomb, having TV and movies every day showing them what kind of life is lived in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, constantly reminding them of the endless diversions in places like these, and rubbing their noses in the emptiness of their existence. And remember, that by and large all of these people have lived their lives just the way they were told to, working hard and trying to raise decent families. Imagine the desperation that these people must feel as they tell themselves that their church socials and high school basketball games are a decent substitute for all of the wonders that the world has to offer, and which they will never experience. Now think of them getting angrier and angrier as the years go by, as their lives go nowhere, and as they are taunted by the constant reminders of how much life has given to others. And yet, they are unable to put the pieces together and come to an understanding of how this happened to them.

These are the prey of the Republican party, of the Evangelical charlatans, of the conservatives. These are the people who are so desperate to comprehend their misery, the emptiness of their lives, that they will accept the lying, corrupt baiting of the Republicans as a rational explanation. It would never occur to Democrats to increase these people's misery by further exploiting them; it is the stuff of life to Republicans.

Be sure to read the entire post. They try hard, but fall so short in understanding middle America. You could only be foolish yokels, manipulated into supporting a political party. You have no idea what real happiness is!

Sure, you can be entertained by things like living only an hour away from the mountains and the beach. Then again, maybe you're one of those who gets joy from seeing the smile in you're neighbor's newborn baby's eyes. Maybe you're one of those who can go to a place and point to something that you helped build with your hands, a business that makes America the greatest nation on the earth. Maybe the feel of rich soil on your hands, and sweat on your brow brings you happiness. Or maybe you're one of those who gives your time away helping those who cannot help themselves, understanding that true happiness comes from selflessness.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong and true happiness comes from eating at a Chinese restaurant where Brad Pitt might stop by...

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Slow Jam Saturday Night

Here's a little slow jam to help you ease into your Saturday evening. She Talks To Angels by the Black Crowes. Enjoy.



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Cool, Dawg!

No words are needed.

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Caption Contest

Sieg Heeeeey!

Nothing like a limp wristed Nazi to start your Saturday off right. This infantry man wants to show you his Panzer and play hide the potato masher. You have any bright ideas for a caption? Leave them in the comments!

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Friends Week

It's time to tie up Friends Week. Our last entry into Friends Week is none other than SkunkFeathers. Here's a picture of Skunks and Seymour many, many, many, many, many, many moons ago. Funny story, just as Skunks went to pick up Seymour, he was stung by a hive of bees, thus the appearance of muscle tone. Anyhow, Skunks and Seymour spend their days wandering the beautiful parks and wild land just out Skunks back door. When they're not assaulting innocent Rattlesnakes, they are toying with Nigerian Princes. Yeah, suffice it to say, their schedule is pretty darn full.

There's been such a overwhelming positive reaction to Friends week, that we'll have to have another one in the near future, and get to all the great friends that we didn't have time to cover. Friends like BARH, Patrick, Innominatus, Girl on the Right and perhaps even a few more.

Finally, and most sincerely, thank you to my bloggy friends for being good sports this week. You guys are the best!

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Red Planet Cartoons

If you're not a regular at the American Spectator blog, then it's entirely possible that you're not familiar with Yogi Love's brilliant work.

Yogi is the author and more brilliantly the artist/illustrator behind Red Planet Cartoons. Much as Michael Ramirez is able to sum up the most pressing and controversial political happenings of the day, Love brings a humorous and sharp-witted take on the garbage happening in Washington.

If Red Planet Cartoons is not on your reading list, it needs to be, NOW!

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Blog Props

The Classical Liberal (no, he and I are not the same person) was kind enough to stop by and leave a comment at our lowly blog. I've bumped through a few of his posts, and he appears to be good people. He also appears to be new to the whole blogging thing and has been at it for a mere 7 years. So be sure to poke around his place and leave a comment or two, you know, help the new guy out.

TCL has a post on the importance of understanding the Constitution, and an easy way to remember it's articles. Go check him out, and be sure to leave comments!

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Fun Times Friday

I posted this originally back a few months ago. Since it's a good Friday and I don't have a job to worry with, let the fun begin (again)!

Words... I just can't find the words.

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John Edwards Humor

Ann Coulter reminds us what it was like when John Edwards was still a 'respected' politician. Sigh... the good old days. Anyhow, if you're cornfused about what Ann is referring to, here's a little refresher for you. Enjoy!

And teh awesome follow up:


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Human Trash Friday

Borrowing heavily from Paul's White Trash Wednesday, I bring you Human Trash Friday. Up first is a post for all you readers from Tennessee.  "Your tax dollars at work..."

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Democrats Stuck

This piece of brilliance is entitled, well, Democrats Stuck on an Escalator... Enjoy

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Separation of Church and State

 Thomas Jefferson

These are some of the most powerful words NOT found in the United States Constitution. What makes them so powerful? The complete and utter misconception that they are law. For those of you who are not familiar with the concept of separation, follow along as I show it's beginnings and the latest, twisted example of Thomas Jefferson's promise.

Before we get started, I want to put up some reference material which will be important to the blog post. It is the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. It reads as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

James Madison is the man who actually penned the first ten amendments to the Constitution, however, it is Jefferson who is primarily responsible for the concept of the separation of church and state that we know today. During 1801 and 1802, Thomas Jefferson was corresponding with a group of Baptists in Danbury, CT named Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins and Stephen S. Nelson. The Baptists, concerned with political interference in the practice of their religion (i.e. the reason they left Europe) and with the fact that the Constitution did not specifically list freedom of religion as an 'inalienable right,' just as a freedom not to be prohibited, wrote a letter to President Thomas Jefferson expressing their concerns. It should be emphasized that their concern was for the free practice of religion, not the protection from religion.

In his return letter to the Danbury Baptists, Jefferson reaffirmed the protection granted by the Bill of Rights for the free practice of religion and declared that the First Amendment in essence buil[t] a wall of separation between Church & State. Jefferson's intent, as well the pleadings of the Baptists are crystal clear. The First Amendment of the United States was written to protect the ability to practice an individuals religion of choice without interference from the Government. It is not implied nor intended to provide freedom from religion, but instead freedom of religion. However, early in the 20th century as progressives established themselves within the power structure of the United States government, they began to slowly redefine the very definitions of ideas and statutes given in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Separation of church and state shifted from a protection of the church to a protection for the state.

Fast forward to the 2000's. An attorney, emergency physician and atheist named Michael Newdow filed a lawsuit attempting to remove the phrase 'Under God' from the pledge of allegiance as it was alleged to be a violation of the separation of church and state. In an initial ruling on Newdow vs. United States Congress, Elk Grove Unified School District, et. al., the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase 'Under God' constituted an endorsement of religion and therefore violated the First Amendment's prohibition of respecting religion, also known as the Establishment Clause. Michael Newdow brought the lawsuit on behalf of his daughter, of whom he did not have primary custody. When the ruling of the 9th Circuit was appealed to the Supreme Court, the USSC ruled that Newdow did not have primary custody of his daughter and therefore did not have standing to allege that the recitation of the Pledge was a violation of the Establishment Clause.

In 2005 a new lawsuit was filed in US District Court on behalf of three unnamed families, challenging the legality of the 'Under God' phrase within the Pledge. From Wikipedia:

Judge Karlton issued an Order stating that, upon proper motion, he will enjoin the school district defendants from continuing their practices of leading children in pledging allegiance to "one Nation under God." The case was later appealed to the Ninth Circuit under Newdow v. Carey...

Which brings us to today... er, more specifically, yesterday.

A federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments on Thursday that the phrases violate the separation of church and state.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel rejected two legal challenges by Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow, who claimed the references to God disrespect his religious beliefs.

"The Pledge is constitutional," Judge Carlos Bea wrote for the majority in the 2-1 ruling. "The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded."

Atheist blogger Allahpundit sums up the opinion in his post:

Where, as here, compulsion to recite is absent, government action respects an establishment of religion only if the government coerces students to engage in a religious exercise. Coercion to engage in a patriotic activity, like the Pledge of Allegiance, does not run afoul of the Establishment Clause. The Supreme Court recognized this distinction in the earliest of the school prayer cases, Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962). In Engel, the Court considered a school’s policy directing children to say aloud a prayer written by state officials. The Court found this policy violated the Establishment Clause because “[the] program of daily classroom invocation of God’s blessings as prescribed in the Regents’ prayer is a religious activity. It is a solemn avowal of divine faith and supplication for the blessings of the Almighty. The nature of such a prayer has always been religious.” Id. at 424-25. The Court was also careful, however, to distinguish the prayer in Engel from a ceremonial reference to God in a footnote…

In other words, the Establishment Clause is violated only if (a) you’re forced to praise God or (b) forced to listen to someone else praise God in the context of a prayer. No prayer + no compulsion = no problemo!

I'll save you from the dissenting opinion by Judge Stephen Reinhardt, but you can read it here if you are so inclined, all 130 pages of it.

The flaw in the reasoning of 'Under God' dissenters is and always has been that some how the recitation of God's name makes you religious or constitutes the practice of religion. Saying God's name no more makes you religious than saying the word plane makes you a pilot. Reciting the phrase 'Under God' no more constitutes the practice of religion than looking at a plane makes you a passenger on that plane.

However, this and every issue of the recitation of God's name along with every public Christmas display would be a non-issue for evermore if people truly understood the origins of the separation between church and state. I would argue that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson would grieve and openly weep were they able to see how their words have been twisted into a justification for the war being waged on religion in this nation today.

What's your opinion? Is the phrase 'Under God' in the pledge of allegiance unconstitutional? Is 'Under God' controversial? Let me know in the comments!

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Friends Week

I am quickly learning that Friends Week is not making me any new ones, and might be alienating those whom I claim currently. Oh well, what the hell, right? Today's installment features our Bestest Kentucky Buddy, ChristinaJade. Well, not so much CJ, as it is her van. Yes, it's never hard to tell when CJ is in your neighborhood or at the store you're preparing to visit. Hard to see under the bumper sticker, or two are her Pit bulls. She's pretty, but keep your distance. I'll let you decide why.

Be sure to check back tomorrow at this time to see our final installment of Friends Week!

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Everything You Need To Know...

About a movie trailer, cable news show, and evening news report. I have to thank Basil for the final push to put these all together. He posted the first video over at his place last night.

So for your enjoyment, a compelling movie trailer!


Followed by the quintessential cable news program. Content Warning

Breaking News: Some Bullshit Happening Somewhere

Finally, every evening news report. Content Warning


Brilliant.

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Friends Week

We continue our exciting dive into Friends Week tonight showcasing our favorite bureaucrat, Mr. Mayor! Mr. Mayor is normally not one to toot his own horn, as it were, but when there's a budget surplus and no political scandal on the horizon, it's hard to stop him from one of his favorite activities. Which activity is that you ask? Well, Mr. Mayor is a wicked euphonium player and is active in the brass rock band, 'We Blow!' Mr. Mayor has been known to serenade Canadian Reindeer in the nude before getting ready for a big show. Be sure to check Mr. Mayor out er, or what I meant to say was, 'check out his site!'

Be sure to check back tomorrow at this time to see our next installment of Friends Week!

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Hump Day Hottie

I've decided to jump on the band wagon, as it were, and offer my own take on the 'Hump Day Hottie.' Since this was not my idear, I'll go ahead and link to those out there in the bloggy world who helped inspire the idea... as soon as their posts go up. In the mean time, here are what we have from last week.

Andy's effort. Thanks for the link, Andy... I think. Followed by Mr. Mayors. I confess, considering the pictures I've posted below, it might be that I do not fully grasp the concept of the whole Hump Day 'Hottie' thing. Is there sarcasm involved? Anyway, thank you gentlemen!

And, here are the posts from this week:

Andy's Place

Mr. Mayor's Mitchieville

So, here we go!  For this week's offering, we have stunning representations from Christina Hendricks...

And Audrina Patridge.

Remeber, click to make 'em larger! This week's photo's are courtesy of Egotastic and Use My Computer.

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Matt Damon, Douchebag

Is it time to start the 'Matt Damon is a Douchebag' club yet? If not now, when?


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Walmart = Racist

On Saturday last, Mr. Mayor revealed to a dumbfounded world the reality behind the racist pricing tendencies of that anti-labor powerhouse store for backward yokels known as Walmart. Don't believe me? The Mayor was kind enough to provide photographic evidence.

So foresighted was the Mayor that he lead this ABC news story by a full 4 days. Congrats, Mr. Mayor! At issue here is whether or not the fact that the 'black barbie doll' is selling for nearly half the price of the 'white barbie doll' is racist. Of course the only logical reason for this in our overtly race sensitive society is Andy's new favorite word, RACISM!

You see, in a capitalistic, predominantly white society, the only motivation for this type of douchery is racism. It cannot have anything to do with supply and demand. No! Besides, we all know that the capitalist system is racist at it's core anyway, right?

Paul pointed out, in a completely unrelated yet brilliant post yesterday, that black Americans make up about 13% of the population as of 2008. Would it not stand to reason then that a doll which in theory appeals to only 13% of the population would not sell as well as a doll that in theory appeals to 65.6% of the population, once you remove them pesky Hispanics? Don't try peddling your conservative, fear-mongering rational discernment here, whitey! No, no! This can only be the work of racist, black hating corporate fat-cats at Walmart!

Right...

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Admonishment of The Day

If I could pound one thing relentlessly to make you understand it's importance, it would be this: Do NOT underestimate the ability of Congress to pass Obamacare. Obamacare is not dead yet, and getting complacent will not help kill it.

What have you done to help kill the bill? Start with your congresscritter, then contact others in your state.

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Friends Week

Today's entrant is our good buddy Andy. This is a video of Andy and his lovely wife Ethel during a recent performance at the community center. It was a real treat for the rest of the over 75 crowd who is normally accustomed to a calm game of bridge. Way to go Andy! Keep 'em on their toes!

Be sure to check back tomorrow at this time to see our next installment of Friends Week!

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Glenn Beck Blows... UPDATED Massa Investigated for Groping... VIDEO Added

Glenn Beck blows it. What did you think I was trying to say?

I normally find myself in Glenn Beck's corner on things, although here lately he's run off the rails on a few subjects. However, there's beginning to emerge a disturbing trend with Mr. Beck. Is he in danger of being written off by those who still listen to him as some sort of lose cannon, pointing his 'framers' gun at anyone whom he ascribes progressive or communistic tendencies?

Glenn had Michelle Malkin on his nationally syndicated radio show this morning, and he laid in to her. Over what? Why over Malkin taking issue with Beck's decision to give scumbag, sleaze peddler, pervert, disgraced Democrat[ic] Congresscritter Eric Massa an hour of airtime on Beck's TV program. Some conservatives are concerned with the possibility of this coming back to bite conservatives who are not overly willing to distance themselves from possibility of this guy only using this as an opportunity to save his political hide. I happen to agree with that general assessment. I am afraid that the draw of the 'whistle blowing' democrat is far to overwhelming for those involved to truly calculate the risk of the destruction that will be wrought when the accusations of sexual impropriety are revealed to be true.

Is Massa a powerful voice because of the bribery, and politics of destruction revelations? Yes. Is he completely tainted because until the accusations of his sexual impropriety shot to the headlines nationally, he didn't have squat to say about the process? And because his sudden claims of being pressured are awful damn convenient? Yes.

Massa is attempting to use this situation to portray himself as a political martyr and reposition himself as a viable candidate by exploiting the right's voracious appetite for anything anti-socialized medicine and anti-Obama. He's done it before. He grabbed hold of the phony soldiers thing.




This guy is an opportunistic sleaze of the worst kind, grabbing on to any perceived public outrage and attempting to capitalize upon it to better his personal situation. Turns out Michelle was wrong... we are apparently no longer on the same side.  Glenn appears to be on his own. Want to know why you shouldn't have Massa on for an hour, Glenn? This is why.

---

Update: Too soon to say I told you so?

Update II: Apparently 'salty language' is not the only thing Massa is guilty of.

Update III: "Boderline paranoid"...

Update IV: Turns out Michelle Malkin was right. Watch it while it's hot, Fox has this recent tendency to pull their videos down quickly.


The full train wreck is here.




Update V: The story comes full circle. Complete with video.

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Friends Week

It's friends week here at Classicaliberalism! We're excited to give the readers insights into what our friends in blogging do when they're not here commenting on my posts.

Getting things started this week, is Paul. Paul is an architect and works in construction. He likes crocs, mullets, long walks on the beach and bashing liberal's heads with baseball bats. When he's not blogging and working, he enjoys home renovation activities. Be sure to stop by at Paul's place and learn something!

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Hypocritical Gays

 Somebody's Fabulous!

You might have heard that a local State Senator by the name of Roy Ashburn was arrested last week for drunken driving after leaving a notorious gay bar in Sacramento. For a week, people were working themselves up into frothy foams attempting to determine just what it was that Roy Assburn was doing out so late at night, with an unidentified male in the car, supposedly leaving a gay night club. Today, Senator Assburn let the gay cat out of the bag:

State Sen. Roy Ashburn said he was feeling "numb" mid-morning Monday after announcing to his constituents that he is gay.

Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, came out Monday morning in an interview with talk radio host Inga Barks of AM 1180 KERN.

That numbness is a result of squeezing too hard. Just relax and you wont be so sore next time, or so Andrew Sullivan says...

Anyway, over the course of the week between Ashburn's arrest and his 'coming out,' accusations were flying all over the web accusing him of being a hypocritical gay. The very people who should, according to their own professions, have been Assburn's biggest defenders were tearing him down, all in the name of politics.

I don't give a rat's petootie whether or not Roy's gay. I don't care what he does in or out of a closet in the privacy of his or any other man's home. I do care how he votes. Roy's been pretty consistently conservative in his voting, so I have no problems with Roy. I do, however, have issues with how this will be used by the radical gay agenda as an example of self-loathing republicans who vote hypocritically. Asserting that all gays should vote for gay rights issues is the same as saying all whites should have voted for McCain and all blacks should have voted for PeeBo. This assertion is, of course, ludicrous.

For the record, the Government should not be involved in relationships, period. A marriage is a personal, physical and spiritual bond which a couple enters into, one with the other. When I read my bible (which doesn't happen often enough) I don't recall the part in Genesis 2:24 where it says:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh, once the government has been paid for the marriage license and blood work has been completed.

This is why all gays should be libertarians, or conservatives on this issue. Sadly it's no longer about the issue, but an agenda. It's not enough to be accepted, they must instead be allowed to perform their revolting acts on television, in the streets and in your face. Should you protest, why you're nothing but a homophobic bigot. What, you didn't know?

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SARAH PALIN SAYS F*@# YOU! or something...

Fair warning. I am in a funk and my writing will reflect that. I seem to have taken off my razor sharp wit and drippy sarcasm before I went to bed last night and have yet to find it this morning. My apologies...

In today's example of leftist morons, we have a real winner. This esteemed libtard goes by the name of Kagro X, aka David Waldman. Not that David Waldman, this one:

Yes, so brilliant is this man, that he calls his wife an idiot who betrayed her own kind by starting the propagandist outlet of Fox News, and he admits to torturing his children all on his public profile at DKos.

Anyway, on to the real reason for the post. It should not surprise anyone at this point that leftists and progressives have no morals. It should not surprise anyone that they are so invested in a thought process that they will damn all evidence to the contrary to forward their bilk. Although it could be implied in the last sentence, I am not speaking of Global Warming, Healthcare; per se, Minimum Wage, Gay Rights, ACORN, Second Hand Smoke or any typical lefty talking point du jour. Well, okay, maybe just one lefty talking point. You know the one about Sarah Palin being a foaming at the mouth mental midget? Seems, David X accuses Palin of telling everyone else to screw off after she got hers. True story, well sort of...

See! It says so, right there in the headline. Sarah Palin, apparently, is a fan of Socialized Medicine when she needs to use it, but "f*@#" the rest of y'all.

There's only one minor, teensy weensy little detail that David X forgot to check out before he hammered Palin. See, according to Palin, they were going across the border into Canada to get medical help in "the 60's," however, Yukon didn't begin Socialized Healthcare until 1972. Hmm, I'm pretty sure that "the 60's" and 1972 are different decades, but I might be off. I'll go ahead and defer to Barack "57 States" Obama on that one.

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Contrasts

I've decided that I like posting pictures and videos, as it's a lot less typing for me. So, in our next installment, I offer for your viewing pleasure a videographic representation of the two parties approach to legislation. Enjoy.

This is how the Democrat[ic]s approach legislation. Brain: off, Heartstrings: pulled.


This is how the Republicans approach legilsation. Brain: fully engaged much to the chagrin of the smartest president, evah, Heartstrings: neatly tucked away for a real tragedy.


Of course, the best part of this is that Dental Coverage is NOT included in Obamacare. So tell your constituent to get comfy and send her a tube of polygrip.

Shortly thereafter, Peebo explained his complete ignorance on the difference between liabilty and collision automobile coverage (both of which have absolutely nothing to do with health coverage) then he ended things up by picking a wicked booger on live TV. Keep in mind that George W Bush was the dumbest President in history.

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