Posted on 06/07/2013 6:22:04 PM PDT by neverdem
I take some very serious issues with Lindsey Graham. I’ll admit, to an extent, it seems a little personal. After all, Graham and John McCain ridiculed Rand Paul’s filibuster over whether or not the President believed he had the authority to kill American citizens. However, the latest evidence of his cluelessness – to say nothing of his inability to understand a basic concept like “liberty” – may well elevate him to the lofty position of Obama of the GOP.
You see, recently I bid a fond farewell to the First Amendment under the Obama administration in a piece here at TheBlaze. Like Obama killing American citizens without due process, he seems to have the support of the senator from South Carolina.
Graham, who has been in office long enough that one would imagine he’s stumbled upon the bill of rights from time to time, recently said he doesn’t know if the First Amendment extends to bloggers. “Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves,” he said. “Is any blogger out there saying anything—do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”
These are the issues of our time? Did he really say that?
First, the First Amendment extends to every single American. In addition to freedom of the press, it also protects the freedom of speech. That means that obviously it extends to bloggers. The idea that it wouldn’t shows just a profound lack of understanding on something so basic.
However, that’s only part of the way Graham has brought new heights to the term “stupid.”
(AP Photo) His very question goes against the grain of what the freedom of the press means. The idea behind it was so to ensure that power is questioned. Anyone who had the money for a printing press instantly became “the press.” Credentials weren’t necessary. College education wasn’t necessary either. You just started cranking out your paper and distributing it wherever you wanted. It was a thing of beauty.
Today, the process is even easier. Most American households have a computer. Today, the printing press is as much a metaphor as a literal thing. Digital presses, or what most refer to as “blogs,” are as common as hair. The access to the technology is much more readily available as it was during the era of our nation’s founding.
The fact that Graham seeks to question whether or not a blogger deserves the same protections that the legacy media enjoys should be a cause for concern for his constituents. Any argument that precludes them could easily be a slippery slope towards stealing away even more liberties. After all, saying that the First Amendment only applies to print can also be extrapolated to mean that the Second Amendment only applies to flintlocks.
Of course, Graham also believes that these are the issues of our times. Drone strikes, a rancid economy, and a host of other things are going on, but whether or not bloggers get to enjoy freedom of the press is really the important question.
My own question is, is this really up for debate? At what point did this become the question of our times? The courts have routinely treated blogs the same as newspaper and television media.There’s a reason for that.
If his tenuous grasp on the First Amendment wasn’t enough to saddle him with the label of “Obama of the GOP,” then we have his comments on Fox and Friends Thursday morning. In light of the news that the United States government is listening in on Verizon phone calls, Graham said that as a Verizon customer himself, he has no issues with the government spying on him without a warrant.
Both of these situations shows that somewhere in the course of his life, Graham missed what the very essence of being an American really is. We are supposed to be protected from our government, as well as by it. The Constitution serves as a wall between the power of the state and our daily lives.
Graham, in his effort to look tough on terrorism and crime, has instead opted to hand the terrorists one of their biggest victories in this war. If their goal is to destroy America and our freedoms, then Graham may well be one of their greatest allies.
After all, bombs alone won’t destroy what we stand for. It takes someone like Graham who has no appreciation for freedom to do the last little bit. He seems only too eager to do his part.
When are GOP South Carolina voters going to kick this guy out of the Senate?
As long as he keeps bringing in the federal bucks to the state of SC won’t happen. With his seniority, he could last forever.
Strong reason for term limits. IMHO
Looks like he is up for reelection next year.
He’s part of the coup. A host of fellow travelers.
Why isn’t anyone going to challenge him for the GOP nomination in his re-election bid?
I’m sure someone will, but the GOP will support an incumbent RINO over a TEA Party conservative challenger.
“He’s part of the coup. A host of fellow travelers.”
The mainstream press gives him almost as much air time as John McCain.
When are GOP South Carolina voters going to kick this guy out of the Senate?
The SC GOP primary is open. Miss Lindsey is busy trolling for Democrat votes with all this “bipartisan” back stabbing.
Several FReepers on this thread, and others, have asked, "Are the folks in South Carolina going to primary this guy?" Answer: We're working on it. Linda has a massive war chest.
I'm personally hoping Trey Gowdy gives it a shot.
Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
"Republican by day, Democrat by night."
Want on or off this ping list?
Just FReepmail me.
Can only imagine what they have on him??? Reminds me of the Godfather when the senator from Nevado praised Michael. He murdered a prostitute and the Family covered it up.
I don’t like Graham, but these wild comparisons of people who are nowhere near as criminally inclined, or inclined to be a traitor like Obams is, are ludicrous.
It serves to buttress the idea that Obama is not any different than many others out there.
OH YES HE IS!
Think “The Firm”. Somebody has something on him. I don’t see how he can do a 180 like he has.
“As long as he keeps bringing in the federal bucks to the state of SC won’t happen. With his seniority, he could last forever.”
Graham has been bombed with negative ads on his amnesty stand for nearly a year. His approval has dropped from 71% to 54%. And he will be challenged in the primary.
Rather than speculating on what you think you know, how about dropping $1,000 into the campaign kitty to defeat him.
What I think I know! The only reason this idiot is still in office is because of the pork he is able to inject into all the bills he signs his name to.
about dropping $1,000 into the campaign kitty to defeat him
You have no idea were my campaign dollars go and yet you "speculate" that I don't spend to defeat him. How sad.
Correct. The GOP establishment, moderates and democrats will back him in the primary and the Democrat party won't even field an opponent in the general.
Graham’s is imprisoned by the idea of being a member of the ‘world’s most exclusive club.’ I would love to see someone seriously challenge him in a primary.
Yes, they are all obamas. We’ll never know who’s behind them, but we can tell who they are by what they do.
The government doesn’t get to decide who is and who is not “the press”. We are all the press, and we all have the same first amendment rights as one another.
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