May 23, 2008 archive

Texas seizure of polygamist-sect kids thrown out

By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press Writer

2 hours, 33 minutes ago

SAN ANGELO, Texas – In a ruling that could torpedo the case against the West Texas polygamist sect, a state appeals court Thursday said authorities had no right to seize more than 440 children in a raid on the splinter group’s compound last month.

The Third Court of Appeals in Austin said the state failed to show the youngsters were in any immediate danger, the only grounds in Texas law for taking children from their parents without court action.

The California marriage decision and basic civics

Glenn Greenwald, Salon

Thursday May 22, 2008 09:16 EDT

That a law invalidated by a court is supported by a large majority is not an argument supporting the conclusion that the court’s decision was wrong. Central to our system of government is the premise that there are laws which even the largest majorities are prohibited from enacting because such laws violate the constitutional rights of minorities. Thus, the percentage of people who support the law in question, and how lengthy and painstaking the process was that led to the law’s enactment, is totally irrelevant in assessing the propriety of a court decision striking down that law on constitutional grounds.

Contrary to Wittes’ extremely confused argument, a court striking down a law supported by large majorities is not antithetical to our system of government. Such a judicial act is central to our system of government. That’s because, strictly speaking, the U.S. is not a “democracy” as much as it a “constitutional republic,” precisely because constitutional guarantees trump democratic majorities. This is all just seventh-grade civics, something that the Brookings scholar and those condemning the California court’s decision on similar grounds seem to have forgotten.

The duty — the central obligation — of judges faithfully applying the law and fulfilling their core duties is to strike down laws that violate the Constitution, without regard to what percentage of the population supports that law, and without regard to whether it would be “better” in some political sense if democratic majorities some day got around to changing their minds about it. It’s perfectly appropriate for, say, marriage equality advocates or political candidates to take into account whether it would be preferable, in some political or strategic sense, to achieve gay marriage incrementally or legislatively, only once there is majority support for it. But that is a completely inappropriate factor for a judge to consider, because the judge’s sole consideration is whether the law is consistent with Constitutional protections.

Constitutional protections are all about minority rights.  Super majorities, Electoral College?  All designed to protect the weak from the mob and the State.

It’s not the system, it’s the people in it.

Are we going to bomb Iran?  Will Bush actually leave?  Will gas really be $15 a gallon and when, or will they just release the ebola virus.  These and other great questions to be decided in total secret at Bilderburg 2008.  How bad and how long will the depression be?  Yes, this year David Rothkopf’s Superclass, the elite Davos Douchebags, meet inside the US, perhaps for the last time!

This off-the-cuff rant cross posted from my little blog The Wild Wild Left! Come visit!

You douchebag, you just noticed what a fucksnot psycho this man is?

FromWAPO

Hagee’s sermon was delivered in the late 1990s, and this, after saying Gays caused Katrina RECENTLY, is your tipping point?

Oh yeah, right, the gays don’t have as big a voting PAC or as many purse-strings as the Jews he offended. He has offended women, Catholics, he basically hates anyone but rich white born-again neo-cons; and THIS is what it takes to get your attention tuned to the fact he is a whack-job?

“Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them,” McCain said. “I did not know of them before Reverend Hagee’s endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.”

Some days I feel like I’m living in Bizarro World.  I’m reading the news from the usual sources, and I come across this beaut from ajc.com, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“John McCain is kind of like Jesus Christ on the cross,” Everhart said as she began the second day of the state GOP convention. “He never denounced God, either.”

John McCain is like Jesus?  Really?  uh… in what way?

Let’s see here.

Jesus on peace and war: blessed are the peacemakers.

John  on peace and war:  bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.

Jesus on marriage: May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

John  on marriage: At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.

Jesus on sacrifice: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

John  on sacrifice: Since the beginning of their marriage, Senator McCain and Mrs. McCain have always maintained separate finances.  As required by federal law and Senate rules, Mrs. McCain has released significant and extensive financial information through Senate and Presidential disclosure forms.  In the interest of protecting the privacy of her children, Mrs. McCain will not be releasing her personal tax returns.

Jesus on respect:  do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

John  on respect:  Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?  Janet Reno is her father.

You get the idea.  Feel free to add your own observations.  Add your own spiritual advisor, deity, or scientific principle in comparison to the Maverick.  Have some fun.  Otherwise, in Bizarro World, we’ll all go mad and O.D. on Woolite.