Posted on 12/31/2010 5:22:25 PM PST by RyanC1384
As we reported yesterday, Republicans plan to read aloud the Constitution of the United States when the 112th Congress kicks off on January 6th, 2011. Many find this to be a political tactic, a gimmick of sorts. Republicans are attempting to hold support from the Tea Party and are howling for Congress to follow the Constitution word for word. A firm skeptic of this Republican stratagem is Ezra Klein of the Washington Post, one of the most astute minds when it comes to procedure within Congress and fiscal concerns. Yesterday he appeared for an interview with MSNBC's Nora O'Donnell to discuss the matter:Returning To The Constitution
Conservatives have fired back with venom and a touch of sarcastic vitriol. The site Iowahawk was even moved to create a satirical essay of Ezra Klein applying for work at the Washington Post. The rambling text portrays Klein as a buffoon who is unable to string multiple thoughts together or think critically. Others, like EyeBlast's Stephen Gutowski, have employed a less ambiguous tactic by outright blasting him. Gutowski firmly asserts that Klein's stance on the Constitution is a liberal plot for power:
Make sure you watch that again to get what hes arguing here. Hes not saying that he can’t understand it because its over 100 years old. Hes saying that nobody can understand it because its over 100 years old.This narrative is all too familiar coming from the right wing of the American political spectrum. They insist that all liberals are power hungry, anti-constitutional socialists, who have an overarching goal of destroying what this country stands for and the foundation she was built upon.By the way, in case it isn’t clear, the reason these two liberals want people to believe the constitution is impossible to decipher is because they despise the constitution. Liberals want the government to have limitless power and that is in direct contrast with what the founders designed the constitution to do. Of course the constitution allows for its own amendment but liberal policies simply aren’t popular enough to garner constitutional amendments thus simply ignoring the constitution is the next best step.
Plus who cares about rule of law when it comes down to it? We’ve got a liberal utopia to build!
As with much of the political discourse these days, both sides make reasonably valid points. Unfortunately the urge to paint your foe as "Anti-American", and utilize hyperbolic rhetoric is blinding to any rational thinking. The best way to preface my point is by planting a quote by Salman Rushdie during his interview on Wednesday night with Charlie Rose. During a lucid discussion around religion and their holy books, Rushdie said this :
You can find in these books (holy) the texts that justify the point of view you happen to have already.Klein was suggesting exactly this: the Constitution is akin to a holy book. It was written hundreds of years prior, so individuals are unable to derive exactly what the original writers were intending, while at the same time mapping their existing political philosophy onto the text.
This shows that conservatives have a point, but they are misguided in their need to monopolize the urge for power to the liberal side of the isle. The plain truth is that because certain portions of the Constitution can be interpreted and construed, this void is filled in by politicians. Politicians with their own limitations, corrupt inclinations, and agendas. Contrary to the belief of each political party, this proclivity is not confined to one side of the power structure in Washington.
Apparently Klein got wind of the right wing outrage, he responded to his detractors in a post this morning:
The Constitution was written more than 223 years ago, and despite the confidence various people have in their interpretation of the text, smart scholars of good faith continue to disagree about it.I remain cynical that his attempt to clarify will be framed in any other way than weak by his opponents. When conservatives invoke the Constitution they speak with an air of ownership. It is does not demean the document to recognize that over time it can lose its contextual meaning. After all, we do have amendments for a reason.
Interesting statement considering his moronic piece touting all the achievements of the Massachusetts Health Care Program, and how Obamacare would be even better.
Less than 15 minutes before the ZOT.
Most impressive.
And yet you didn’t zot me when you had every reason to a couple months ago when I had a serious meltdown after a really bad week (and hence very, nay, extremely! drunk).
Happy New Year, Admin Moderator. Salud!
LLS
Oh and ryan... you are a faggot.
LLS
Is that ryan looking longingly at ezra? That boy in the background has bedroom eyes for ezra.
LLS
IATZ, and it’s too bad, too, because I wanted to salute you, Ryan! Yessiree, our diversity is our strength, and I think it’s important that all points of view be presented here, including those of cliche-spouting, brain-dead liberal pukes. Yes, Ryan, it’s important that your voice should be heard, because now we can point to you and say, “Kids, stay in school. Don’t let this happen to you.”
To be added or removed from the Viking Kitties list, FReepmail Darkwing104.
Ezra Klein is a known “journo-list” propagandist. Anything he says or writes should be taken within that context. That is, he’s a shameless political activist with an agenda, and he should be brushed off like dandruff.
I watched this ass-wipe. If he thinks the Constitution is but an order of elected officials he’s got another thing coming. An elected 223 may be on order.
No, that would be PRETENTIOUS RECENT GRAD WITH DELUSIONS OF ADEQUACY. We wouldn't want the libtards think that we were uneducated or illiterate.
Sorry, should have added :-) at the end.
I've been drinking some wine, which I never do, so I hope I didn't offend him. LOL
BTW - Happy New Year to the Noobs, the Lurkers and the Oldsters like me. May 2011 be what we all hope it will be.
The last ZOT of the Decade of Deception? IATZ.
That should be a major focus of all GOP campaigns in 2012. Liberals view everyone else as beneath them.
Typing “RyanC1384” into Google shows this same name being used at HuffPo. Not really surprised.
Good riddance to bad ZOT!
I'm too late again, huh 50mm. Here's hoping I don't get taken to the woodshed this time.
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