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Ted Cruz and the Constitution

Supporters say that they like Ted Cruz because he “supports the Constitution.”

What bullshit.ted-cruz

Ted believes states should decide civil rights issues such as gay marriage (which, of course, he opposes). Rights should not be voted on. That’s the same argument the segregationists gave and they were wrong too. For Cruz to claim the Constitution allows states to deny basic rights shows that he doesn’t understand the Constitution.

He also does not support the 1st Amendment, especially the Establishment Clause. He’s constantly bitching about how religion is under attack — you know, the whole fake War on Christmas crap — and there’s a reason he gave his announcement the other day at a college that teaches the world is only 6000 years old.  Cruz hates the Constitution, because it prevents him from forcing kids to be taught his church’s creationist story in public schools.

Cruz passed laws when in Texas having to do with immigration which Texas has no power to regulate, and has said that states have the right to do so despite the Supremacy Clause.  That’s hardly the reaction you’d get from someone who “respects the Constitution”. He proposed something called “interstate compacts” wherein states could get together and nullify federal laws they don’t like. You know, ’cause that worked so well for the confederates before.

As for rights of criminals, he was one of many who fought to take away the rights of American citizens who were suspected of terrorism, despite the Constitution’s guarantees. Sadly, he wasn’t alone there, but that hardly makes him a lover of the Constitution.

And you know that part of the Constitution that says the president signs treaties? Cruz supported the GOP Iran letter, so it’s clear that he has no respect for the Constitution’s separation of powers in these matters. (Of course, if it was a Democrat doing that to a Republican President, he’d be screaming “treason”).

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Aaron go Bye

“I am resigning even though I am not corrupt. I’m also not gay. I am not a crook. These are not the droids you are looking for.”

Corrupt Republican representative Aaron Schock resigned today, admitting no wrong doing.Y4HQJ

The closeted anti-gay Schock was brought down not by his hypocrisy, but by numerous ethical violations which kept piling up so fast that he had to do something.  Let’s see:

I’m assuming his resignation is part of some deal to not have charges brought against him or something similar, or perhaps there is more corruption out  there that we just don’t know about that this deal will keep secret.

In any event, good riddance.

 

(thanks to Glenn Hauman for that terrible pun headline — it is St. Patrick’s Day, after all)

 

 

 

 

 

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Conspiracies for nerds: Hillary’s email

There has been a huge cry from People Who Would Never Vote For Hillary In A Million Years over this new email scandal which involves … well, I’m not exactly sure. Apparently, Hillary Clinton used her own personal emails for her own personal business.

You can see why this makes her unqualified for the Presidency. That was sarcasm.clinton email

Seriously, this is the kind of “scandal” that appeals only to Republicans who are searching for anything they can be outraged about. You remember Republicans — they’re the ones who yawned when millions of legitimate governmental emails mysteriously disappeared in the Bush administration during an investigation, which seems clearly to be a violation of the law. Hillary’s email problem, according to these Republicans, is much different. Hillary violated an internal policy. Sure, it’s not the same thing as actually breaking the law, but it’s at least as serious as not abiding by the Employee’s Handbook.

This is the kind of thing that is really only understood by nerds anyway. I mean that with no disrespect, but not using the right email? There’s nothing sexy about that “scandal.” No one cares.

As Democratic consultant Paul Begala said, “Voters do not give a shit. They do not even give a fart … Find me one persuadable voter who agrees with HRC on the issues but will vote against her because she has a non-archival-compliant email system and I’ll kiss your ass in Macy’s window and say it smells like roses.”

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Stupidest Ben Carson Quotes

Forget the fact that Dr. Ben Carson has never held an elected position in his life and is about as qualified to become the Most Powerful Man in the World as any other random doctor you could find.  He is an idiot when it comes to politics and history.

He is, however, a wonderful source for stupid quotes. Here are some of his best (or worst, depending on how you want to look at it):Obamacare-27

“ObamaCare is the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery.” Because providing health care to people to make sure they don’t die is exactly like owning slaves! Why, the two are practically synonymous!

“[America is] very much like Nazi Germany.” He said this because he believed liberals are like Nazis, what with their love of equality, gay rights, and freedom of religion. We know how much the Nazis loved those things.

“I think most people when they finish that course, they’d be ready to go sign up for ISIS.” This was his objection to an American history course that taught students about slavery and Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil disobedience — you know, history. Clearly, learning facts would obviously make people immediately join a terrorist group. It goes without saying. Which is why no sane person ever says it.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman. It’s a well-established pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA [North American Man/Boy Association], be they people who believe in bestiality — it doesn’t matter what they are.”  It’s true, you know. Gay people getting married to the person they love is exactly like non-consentual child molesters and animal abusers.  No, wait, I remember now, they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. My bad.

“Well, do those same people argue for freedom of choice when someone says, ‘I want to buy a gun, I want to buy an Uzi?'”  This one is good. When asked if marijuana should be legal, he said no, it was a gateway drug and it “leads to hedonism.” He was then asked if it wasn’t a matter of free choice, and he responded with this quote. Mind you, he thinks guns should be easy to obtain, so with this quote he is attacking liberals for being hypocrites while simultaneously being exactly as hypocritical.

“Because 9/11 is an isolated incident.”  That was his response to a question asking him how he could say Obamacare is worse than 9/11. Because of course. 9/11 killed thousands of people;  Obamacare has saved thousands. Excellent analogy.

“A lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay.”  This was his scientific evidence that being gay is a choice.

“So if there were a container of contaminated urine, and somehow it managed to find its way to someplace a lot of damage could be done. Someone comes up to a lab worker. He knows he’s got the urine. ‘How would you like to have a million dollars?’ … Such things have been known to happen.”  This is a doctor talking now, about ebola, and how it could be used as a chemical weapon even though every other doctor said no, that couldn’t happen.

“Why did evolution divert in so many directions — birds, fish, elephants, apes, humans — if there is some force evolving to the maximum? Why isn’t everything a human — a superior human?”  What the hell is a doctor doing denying (and clearly not understanding) evolution?

“For most of our history, schoolchildren were taught the guiding principles of the Constitution from the earliest age, and even members of Congress with controversial civil rights histories such as the late Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia kept a copy of that great document in their jacket pocket to remind them of the responsibilities and limits of governance.” I talked about this in a previous post wherein this genius talked about things in the Constitution which aren’t there. This quote belongs on this list mostly because the two heroes of the Constitution he mentioned were both KKK members who did everything in their power to subvert the Constitution and keep people like Dr. Ben Carson from having any rights. Sometimes I wonder if maybe this is guy is just suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

But you know, this idiot is a new Republican icon because he appeals to their stupidity.  (I won’t say he is a conservative icon because there really are smart conservatives.  None of them seem to have any power any more in the new Stupid Party.)

So they love Dr. Ben Carson — a man who is absolutely opposed to government handouts! And he should know — raised in public housing, gone to public schools, fed with food stamps, supported with welfare, kept healthy with medicaid, received federal grants and loans to go to college —  he knows how terrible government is!

Oh, did I mention that besides being stupid, he’s also a flaming hypocrite?

 

Edit: Please note that this was written back in March of 2015. He’s said a lot more stupid stuff since then.

 

Sources:  

http://wonkette.com/550031/ben-carson-so-glad-his-welfare-mom-wasnt-dependent-on-government

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/8/ben-carson-placed-on-southern-poverty-law-centers-/

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/11/15/top-10-quotes-that-prove-neurosurgeon-ben-carson-doesnt-have-the-brain-to-be-president/

http://www.thegailygrind.com/2015/03/04/gop-presidential-hopeful-ben-carson-gay-choice-prison-turns-men-gay/

https://afarensis99.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/stupid-creationist-quote-of-the-week-ben-carson-on-evolution/

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsmax-Tv/ben-carson-recreational-marijuana-colorado/2014/01/02/id/544939/#ixzz3TTJ7lTY9

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/16/carson-a-plea-for-constitutional-literacy-on-const/#ixzz3TTL3MuCE

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If not Hillary, then who? (a poll — give your opinion)

It’s being reported today that Hillary Clinton may announce her candidacy earlier than expected.  Or maybe not.  No one seems sure.

I’m hoping she decides not to run so that some other rising star in the party could step in.  While Hillary would certainly be the front-runner (especially against the current Republican field), she has a lot of baggage.  She’s said some pretty stupid things over the years, and despite the crazy conspiracy theories there are indeed legitimate concerns over some of her actions.<> on February 25, 2014 in Washington, DC.

Hillary also makes it very difficult for Democrats to attack Jeb Bush as being just another one of those insider families that run the country.  We won’t be able to attack political dynasties.

I’m sure she’s considering all this.  If she runs, she could lose.  She could even lose the Democratic primaries again.  Instead, if she doesn’t run, she can be a deal-breaker behind the scenes and be remembered in history as a good Secretary of State.  And she can avoid the huge attack machine the Republicans have ready for her.

But also, I don’t want her.  I think she’s a political animal who doesn’t really stand for that much.  Mind you, I’ll vote for her over any Republican, but I won’t be excited about it.  It will be like when I voted for Mondale and Dukakis (or for that matter, Bill Clinton).  Meh.  Better than the alternative.

The American people like being entranced by someone new.  It certainly worked to Obama’s advantage when he ran against her eight years ago.  He did not have a long record, and that allowed people to project what they want onto him while also making it harder for anyone to attack him on previous positions.

So who would I like? Ah well, if I’m dreaming, I’d chose Elizabeth Warren.  She’s still tie into the “let’s elect the first woman President” vote that Hillary appeals to, but dammit, she’s like the Teddy Roosevelt of our age.  We need someone like her.  (I like Bernie Sanders too for many of those same reasons but I don’t want him to get the nomination because I think he’d lose the general election.)  And there are some other good possibilities, too:  Jim Webb.  Howard Dean.  Tim Kaine. Amy Klobuchar.

Vote for your choice, and give an opinion in the comments!

 

 

 

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Governor Wolf’s First Month: Not Like He Didn’t Tell You

With today’s announcement of a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania, newly elected Governor Tom Wolf has made good on his campaign promises in many ways that make liberals happy.Governor-Wolf2-300x221

Also in his first month, he has:

  • Expanded Obamacare by adding the medicare provisions, allowing millions of Pennsylvanians to get health care who could not afford to do so before
  • Banned all gifts to the Executive branch and demanded that the legislature do the same
  • Made a clear non-discriminatory policy for his administration (including appointing a transgender woman as our Physician General)
  • Signed a moratorium on drilling in state parks and lands
  • Advocated making medical marijuana legal in the state

This is indeed what we elected him for.  It’s not like these are surprise actions;  he campaigned as a Democrat and was elected, and is doing exactly what he said he would.

Maybe if Democrats in other states had acted like Democrats, they might have won their races, too.

Now it’s been announced that the 2016 Democratic Presidential convention will be held in Philadelphia.  This will be a good time for Wolf to bring himself to a national presence.

Let’s hope he doesn’t let us down by then.  So far, I am very impressed.

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Obama refuses to stereotype toys

Here’s another reason to like our President in general, even if you disagree with his policies.

The president was participating in the Marines’ “Toys for Tots” campaign and was donating gifts. When you donate, you place the boy toys in one bin and the girl toys in another. Mr. President was having none of that. He distributed the toys equally between the two boxes. He placed basketballs, sports toys and lego toys into the girl’s bin. “What, girls don’t like toys?” he responded when questioned.

Obama has raised two wonderful, educated, polite, and respectful girls with a wife he obviously loves. When Republicans criticize him for not supporting “family values” I just shake my head.

So Merry Christmas, boys and girls! May you play with whatever toy you want without someone telling you that the toy is a “girl’s toy” or a “boy’s toy.”

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Goodbye Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert’s last show was last night (No spoilers!  I recorded it and will watch it later!). With just a few lines of sarcasm, he could take down ridiculous right-wing talking points in a way Jon Stewart could not.  (Not to dis Stewart;  it’s just a different way to make the same points.)

The last month or so on Colbert has been interesting, because he seems to have dropped his character more often and seems to be saying what he really thinks in his own voice.  Let’s hope he continues that on his new show.

I did a search to find some of his best quotes, but let’s face it — he’s been on the air for years and there are many.  So here are just a few for the fun of it:

It is a well known fact that reality has liberal bias.

Contraception leads to more babies being born out of wedlock, like fire extinguishers lead to more fires.

This is a picture my wife made of Stephen Colbert using dryer lint. It's now hanging in a Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum somewhere. Her web page is here: www.heidihooper.com

This is a picture my wife made of Stephen Colbert using dryer lint. It’s now hanging in a Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum somewhere. Her web page is here: http://www.heidihooper.com

Isn’t an agnostic just an atheist without balls?

Folks, I don’t trust children. They’re here to replace us.

Here’s an easy way to figure out if you’re in a cult: If you’re wondering whether you’re in a cult, the answer is yes.

I believe that the government that governs best is a government that governs least, and by these standards we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.

I cannot stand people who disagree with me on the issue of Roe v. Wade… which I believe is about the proper way to cross a lake.

I love making observations. That one is a classic example.

I love the earth. If you ask me it’s the greatest planet in the world.

I love the truth. It’s the facts I’m not a fan of.

I may not agree with what you have to say but I will fight you to the death for the right to fight you to the death.

If I had one wish, it would be for self-drying pants. Wait — no! Unlimited wishes! How do I return these stupid pants?!

If women are breadwinners and men bring home the bacon, why do people complain about having no dough? I’m confused. Also hungry.

In God’s eyes, all children are beautiful but here on earth we have higher standards.

It’s August, which means Congress is in recess and Mitch McConnell has shimmied back into the ocean to seek a mate.

Mitt Romney’s email was hacked! So if you start getting messages that sound like they’re from a bot, he’s fixed the problem.

NASA scientists have discovered a new form of life. Unfortunately, it won’t date them either.

New study reveals men like to cuddle. Another study reveals men will say anything to get into bed with a woman.

I don’t know why Obama’s denying the Gitmo prisoners habeas corpus. I can only assume the guys they got detained over there did something really unforgivable. Like remind Obama he was once a professor of Constitutional Law.

Now, for my younger viewers out there, a book is something we used to have before the internet. It’s sort of a blog for people with attention spans.

Researchers from Britain’s Keele University have found that swearing after an injury may help alleviate pain. Evidently, the pain that you feel is inversely proportional to the number of middle names you give Jesus.

Summer movie idea: take all the sequels that are out right now, and make movies about their backstories.

The pen is mightier than the sword, if you shoot that pen out of a gun.

The worst thing about affirmative action is that it encourages reverse discrimination, so-called because it goes in the opposite way of how we naturally discriminate.

There’s an old saying about those who forget history. I don’t remember it, but it’s good.

Where does Congress get off saying that people have a right to Habeas Corpus? It’s like they’re holding these truths to be self-evident!

We need to cut the budget. If we don’t cut expensive things like Head Start, child nutrition programs, and teachers, what sort of future are we leaving for our children?

They say the only people who tell the truth are drunkards and children. Guess which one I am.

Think books aren’t scary? Well, think about this: You can’t spell “Book” without “Boo!”

NASA reported that they found methane gas being emitted on Mars. I always thought that came from Uranus.

Now, I don’t see color. People tell me I’m white and I believe them because police officers call me “sir”.

I stand by George W. Bush because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo-ops in the world.

I’m disappointed that my own Catholic Church has decided that capital punishment is wrong. Which is pretty hypocritical if you think about it, because they wouldn’t even have a religion if it wasn’t for capital punishment.

Obama avoided the Vietnam draft with a letter from his family doctor diagnosing him as medically eight.

Wikipedia is the first place I go when I’m looking for knowledge … or when I want to create some.

Why would we go to war on women? They don’t have any oil.

Hillary Clinton said one of her favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz. Well, I re-watched it recently, and I can’t believe I never noticed the liberal subtext before. Judy Garland — gay icon — stars as Dorothy, an innocent girl from the Heartland, who gets swept away to a drug-induced fantasy land where’s she’s greeted by labor activists from the local guild. After she murders a powerful Oz official, she becomes a fugitive, hitting the road with a racially diverse group including a laborer, an animal-rights activist, and a treehugger. Who are all, for some mysterious reason, great dancers. And along the way, they get so high on poppies they think they’re being attacked by flying monkeys. Folks, there’s a short walk from “There’s no place like home” to “It Takes a Village.”

Mentioning Jesus in your speech: Small government. Doing what Jesus asked: Big government.

Dreams can change. If we all stuck with our first dreams there would be a lot of cowboys and princesses running around.

A father has to be a provider, a teacher, a role model, but most importantly, a distant authority figure who can never be pleased. Otherwise, how will children ever understand the concept of God?

All Dogs Go To Heaven? Sorry, kids. It’s only the dogs who’ve accepted Christ.

Christianity is the best way to cure gayness—just get on your knees, take a swig of wine, and accept the body of a man into your mouth.

If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we’ve got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don’t want to do it.

 

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No, Illinois has not made the filming of cops illegal

Here’s an important lesson which I hope all readers of this blog already know:

Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.

There’s a new meme going around about how terrible that new law in Illinois is because it makes it a crime to film police! 2009-Dodge-Charger-police-car-1 Except, of course, that it doesn’t.

Mind you, I am all in favor of filming police when they perform their actions.  I support cameras in police cars and on officers. In fact, a dashboard camera video recently helped me get a “not guilty” finding for my client in a trial since it contradicted the officer’s statement and showed that my client was not “intoxicated, staggering, and slurring his words.”

This Illinois law is very similar to one we have here in Pennsylvania, which I support.  It prohibits you being filmed without your consent in private situations.  It does not protect you when you are in obvious public places where your expectation of privacy is minimal.

In other words, the law prevents me from secretly recording a phone call with you, secretly recording a private conversation, or otherwise infringing on your privacy.  It also prevents you from secretly recording a police officer in his private life in matters that are unrelated to his job or in situations where, for instance, the cop is having a private talk with a judge or a lawyer in a courtroom. That’s a good thing.

This law does not protect police officers in the traditional course of their duty, even if they are talking to you privately — because the officer has no “expectation of privacy” in his position.

The law has the support of the ACLU, because it protects privacy.  It’s a good law.  The meme trying to make people dislike it is misguided.

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Editorial cartoon: Southern Justice