Posted on 03/28/2002 8:04:49 AM PST by sheltonmac
Rather than crash the pro-Bush orgy threads, I thought I would honor the requests of the "we must support the president at all costs" crowd and let them bask in their Republican utopia in ignorant bliss. Consider this a thread that seeks actual debate and discussion concerning the "accomplishments" of our current president. Feel free to voice your support or opposition to the president's policies. After all, dissension, even among conservatives, can be healthy.
This thread is in response to the blatant display of sheer ignorance on the part of some FReepers. There have been several threads initiated lately that have included some rather disturbing posts. Without naming names, I would like to share some of those with you:
"I guess when you want to get MEANINGFUL CFR you avoid the obvious veto bait and keep the issue out of the dem's hands, so that hopefully you can get a Senate elected and some JUDGES appointed.This person supports the president so much that he or she is willing to overlook the clear unconstitutionality of the Incumbent Protection Act. The president ignored his oath of office and deliberately signed an unconstitutional piece of legislation as part of some well-concealed strategy? Please.I guess when you are running a WAR you don't have time for this stuff that is nothing more than petty political junk. Instead, you get the bill where the SC can decide it."
"If you're 'proud he's your President' why don't you try supporting him instead of bashing him.Translation: President Bush is smarter than his critics. We should trust him without so much as a whimper of criticism regarding any unconstitutional legislation he may force down our throats. He hasn't betrayed anyone but the American people, so back off.He's smarter than you are. He knows what he's doing.
And he hasn't betrayed anyone."
"There are many of us who have chosen to STILL support the President even though we may disagree with some of the things he's done. Where is the reality in expecting the President to agree with you on absolutely everything he does? It's nowhere. Because that reality does not exist no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves that it does.Perhaps the "one issue" that dismays so many people is the fact that the president we are expected to support has violated the very solemn oath he swore to keep, that being his promise to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. Say what you want about Clinton. Play the "What if Gore were elected" game if you want. That was then, this is now. We have a president in office who essentially told America, "This law may be unconstitutional but I'm signing it anyway."But consider this. Think back two years ago... and now think of what the alternative could have been. Cripe, even Rosie O'Donnell admits she didn't like GWB, but even she supports him now. I am simply amazed that it takes one issue, one issue, to dismay so many people."
Has anyone read the statement on FreeRepublic's main page? It reads as follows:
Free Republic is an online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America.I always thought standing for smaller government meant just that, whether that means criticizing a Democrat or Republican administration. We need to ask ourselves one question: are we for smaller government and more freedom? If the answer is "Yes," then act accordingly. Let's not fall into the trap that says we must support the liberal policies of a president at all costs simply because he's not as liberal as a Democrat.
If one thinks of CFR as a 45 caliber slug, and the Constitution as a shattered bloody kneecap, then a "knee jerk" is not an innapropriate response.
Is that enough "actual THOUGHT" for you?
While it's good to discuss our differences and vent our frustrations, I for one am not going to freak out and condemn GW for life just because he signed this one bill. Face it, the law will be amended, you and I know it, and he knows it. I am a realist in that I am happy to be out from under 8 years of the Sperminator and equally happy not to be led into the Muslim wars by 'Earth in the Balance'. Cut Bush some slack. Have another beer and some barbecue. You'll have plenty of time to decide if you want to tar and feather him before 2004.
Being right is no consolation for losing. Ask those principled Aholes in Washington State how they feel their interests are being served by Senator Cantwell.
Net gain of one in 02, means the Senate will be ramrodding steadily more conservative judges to higher and higher courts. No blue slips, no character assassinations. That is called Effecting REAL CHANGE. What you and the others are doing, and hiding behind principle is called POSING.
You better hope so buddy, cause if the SC doesn't kill it then you have just witnessed the gutting of the constitution. You realize that the decision rests on one or two people and they are not the most reliable people on the planet.
Ah yes, I like that justification. "The Founders needed their guns for protection, but in this day and age we live in a safe society."
If you applied some "actual THOUGHT," you'd have realized it will be too late by then.
You know this is another problem i have with these so-called constitutionalists... Gutting the constitution? Are you insane? Tampering with the First Amendment yes. But allowing the courts to become More liberal, does much more damage to the document than this bill can do in a thousand years.
Amazing.
That's my fave! Especially when, if you ask the "one" question, you end up with a LibTar answer.
EBUCK
It's all about what he says and how much power he can get from the Dem voters over things. Not the actual issue.
He either punted to the court, like a coward, or he actually likes the bill, it protects him too. Either one is despicable.
It is time for all the armchair strategists to ponder what the political reaction would have been to the following statement and stand it represents:
"I will veto any bill which infringes the right of any American to speak his mind on any subject at any time. The first amendment benefits all Americans and insures all of our other freedoms. I will never sell out the American people for any reason whatsoever."
He would be more popular than he is now across every spectrum of the body politic. He would also have secured his place in history.
But he didn't do that, he doesn't have the courage or the brains.
In other words, being critical of a decision = bashing.
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