February 23, 2004

Keeping up with the Theodoms

One of the key principles that distinguishes the U.S. from, say, Afghanistan, is that historically we’ve resisted the urge to let the pulpit dictate government. We don’t, yet at least, live in One Nation Under Pat Robertson. But Robertson and others of his ilk certainly are trying. In fact, their latest effort to get around the inconveniences of the traditional interpretation of the U.S. Constitution is profoundly disturbing. The heart of it is “The Constitution Restoration Act of 2004.” On its face, this bill would seem to allow public officials and lower courts to make decisions on religious grounds and prohibit any court, including the U.S. Supreme Court, from reviewing them. Fortunately, a few people are watching these not-so-harmless folks. We turn first to Seattle blogger and author David Neiwert, who provides an excellent overview. Katherine Yurica provides more detail on the act itself.

Posted by tbrown at 01:58 PM

Bring it on

“I'd like to know what it is Republicans who didn't serve in Vietnam have against those of us who did.” -- Sen. John Kerry, in a letter to the White House Good question, isn’t it? Perhaps it's because they “had other priorities,” as Dick Cheney once said, and don’t like being reminded of it. But let’s remind them anyway. Also note that avoidance of wars is not confined just to the upper strata of this administration, but includes lots of hawkish members of Congress, not to mention their dear friends in the media.* Looks like Kerry is serious about counterattacking the slime machine. *Full disclosure: I was classified 1-Y (qualified only during time of declared war or national emergency) by the military during our Vietnam adventure, but I did urge my employer at the time, United Press International, to send me there as a correspondent. Instead they sent me to Europe. It didn’t take me long to become eternally grateful.

Posted by tbrown at 01:54 PM

Nader

“Some things are too horrifying to take responsibility for.” Nader left me speechless. Fortunately, there’s Adam Felber (link via Wonkette).

Posted by tbrown at 01:51 PM

Watching the watchers: The Stepford Reporters

“My job is to read campaign reporting, and I regret to note that on some days it seems that we're afflicted with a whole generation of Stepford Reporters, whose prose is more robotic than it is rooted in any kind of reality. What's sacrificed is accuracy and fairness to readers. Clichés blur distinctions and homogenize issues, eventually assuming a meaning of their own long after their original context has been forgotten.” -- Susan Q. Stranahan, in the L.A. Times (free site registration may be required).

Posted by tbrown at 01:50 PM