"What is your major malfunction, Private Pyle?"
Posted on 02/07/2002 4:25:05 PM PST by Private Pyle
When the attorney general of the United States purports to make laws instead of enforcing them, we are indeed in very deep trouble. Such is the case with the so called Anti-Terrorism Act which Attorney General Ashcroft presented to the legislature for rubber stamping. What is the difference between what is happening with our constitutional system and what Lenin and Stalin did in the darkest days of Bolshevik rule? Is not the Congress merely a rubber stamp for what the executive and its officers want done? If there is a difference between the former USSR, and the U.S. today, I would like to have it pointed out.
Every member of the legislature should be obliged to read and study Washington's Farewell Address which ought to have been made a part of the Constitution, and then be obliged to take a test on what they have absorbed, before being allowed to continue in their posts. Particulary, we would invite President Bush, and Attorney General Ashcroft, to observe the following extract from Washington's memorable speech:
"It is important likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those intrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department, to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power and proneness to abuse it which predominate in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.
Most ominous is the deathly silence of the Republican Party. The Republican Party may be written off as an enemy of the Constitution. Let us put an end to the charade, and call a spade a spade. I warn the American people that under the excuse of tragedy of September 11th, our rights and our liberties are all but obliterated. The New World Order is at hand. Orwell's 1984 is a living reality in Washington D.C, while the so called Republican Party busies itself with legislation of little importance and allows the Constitution to be bludgeoned to death. There is not even any pretence anymore.
"our liberties are all but obliterated"
Just a tad overreacting?
P.S. Can someone tell me how much a "tad" is?
Practically to the letter what has been done by the administration.
Where they and I differ is in doing these things within the context of what the Constitution allows. It is, after all, the supreme law of this land. That which is the basis for all other laws. For everyone, in time of war or peace!
The supreme law of this land. Think about that. Not "the supreme law of this land, except for....," or "the supreme law of this land, except when..."
That from which all other laws must arise. If not, then it is just an old yellowed piece of paper.
Do you provide charts with this such as another fellow who dealt in such generalties regarding serious problems did?
It's slightly more than a "touch", but less than a "bit"...
"What is your major malfunction, Private Pyle?"
The only time a government can impose complete tyranny is when they have the consent of the sheepel. Healthy skepticism acts as another form of checks and balances in a representative government and should be encouraged. The public will never be duped by exercising skepticism of government’s policies, only through blind trust can tyranny truly flourish.
We gots waaaaaaay better toilet paper.
1. The 9/11 attacks occur. It becomes known that there is a terroristic threat to this nation. This is the situation, or problem to which the assessment must be applied.
2. Once identified, formulate appropriate remedies for all problems, ie, come up with fixes for the problems.
3. Apply the fixes!
Still with me? Not convoluted enough for you? No matter the "situation" or "problem," are you telling me that this is not the path from first identification of problem, to eventual resolution of the problem?
My post dealt with the issue of the Constitution being eschewed in this process. What are your thoughts on that point?
LOL! Just like bridge tolls and income taxes, the 'sunset' will somehow just never happen. In fact, in this case, that's easy to demonstrate. This bill is in reaction to an action (terrorism). An act, or the potential for that act (like murder, even in top-security prisons), can NEVER be eradicated, therefore the 'need' for this 'protection' will never disappear. Once we decide to stop squishing some Middle Eastern nations (plus the Phillipines?) that refuse to help us, then the terrorists will magically become domestic, rather than foreign. (I wish I could find that FBI pamphlet that specifically mentions those who quote Constitution as probable terrorists)
A shame, too. I like sunsets.
That's true, but none of the members of the House or Senate were allowed to read the bill before signing it.
In the area of personal liberty, we face some real dangers. Throughout our history, starting with the Civil War, our liberties have been curtailed and the Constitution has been flaunted. Although our government continued to grow with each crisis, many of the liberties curtailed during wartime were restored. War was precise and declared, and when the war was over, there was a desire to return to normalcy. With the current war on terrorism, there is no end in sight and there is no precise enemy, and we've been forewarned that this fight will go on for a long time. This means that a return to normalcy after the sacrifices we are making with our freedoms is not likely. The implementation of a national ID card, pervasive surveillance, easy-to-get search warrants, and loss of financial and medical privacy will be permanent. If this trend continues, the Constitution will become a much weaker document.
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