July 29, 2010

Thursday stuff--Republicans getting crazier, and Obama Administration disappoints

Graham now wants to remove citizenship by birth. Oh, and remember, he was the one that everyone called one of the moderate and reasonable ones.

And can anyone explain this to me? The people who spend the most time talking about the sacrosanct nature of the Constitution and the original intent, are the ones who want to throw out the 14th Amendment because they are anti-immigrant? Never mind that we need immigrants to keep pace and maintain our economic viability. Nah. If it helps rile up the base, let's do it.

And because many people just consider me a blind Democrat liberal commie who worships Obama, let me add this little troubling tidbit. Yglesias notes that the admin has further loosened the kinds of actions that the FBI can do without a warrant to include internet activity. I am really unsure why, in the age of FISA that we need to undermine our constitutional protections further. And this is just the kind of shit that drove me crazy under Bush. I think it is time to write a letter. Perhaps if liberals stand up to Obama on this, we might get somewhere. Can't exactly expect conservatives to care about the FBI looking in our browser history.

13 comments:

JFG said...

At last, something that Lindsay Graham and I agree on! I am for such an amendment to the Constitution. We long ago passed the point where we need to allow citizenship to just anyone who is born here.

By the way, the amendment process is the legitimate way to change the Constitution. Lots of liberals think that judges can change it whenever they want, but they're wrong.

Streak said...

Why, in all holy hell, are such idiotic republicans drawn to this blog? I know there are smart ones. But outside LB, I don't hear from any of them here. And JFG just proved that point.

JFG said...

I am not a Republican. I am an independent conservative. I hate most Republicans almost as much as I hate Democrats.

Streak said...

You are right. No need to say Republican. Like I said, I know some smart Republicans.

Noah said...

Lots of liberals think that judges can change it whenever they want, but they're wrong.

Good heavens. JFG, if you have any integrity at all whatsoever, you'll take that back. That statement isn't based in fact. The court, under Bush, made lots of conservative interpretations which were lauded by the conservative community (and which, of course, liberals decried).

But your half-brained reply, based on a 30-year-old conservative election year talking point, unsubstantiated by fact, acknowledges one truth about your and your fellows' line of thinking: a court which decides a case you favor is upholding the law as you think it should be. But a court that decides differently is an ACTIVIST COURT full of ACTIVIST JUDGES!

That's not how the courts work. That's not how they can work.

steves said...

That's not how the courts work. That's not how they can work.

True, they have never worked liked that since Marbury v. Madison.

Perhaps if liberals stand up to Obama on this, we might get somewhere. Can't exactly expect conservatives to care about the FBI looking in our browser history.

I think that moderate independents should speak up, too. These are the people that flocked to Obama, mostly to see changes in policy, not just lip service. I hate to say this, but Obama may be a one term president.

Streak said...

Steve, if he is a one term president, then shame on the independents who sat on their damn hands in 2004, or worse, voted for the idiot. And shame on anyone who will bump this guy out for the alternative Republican, because I can guarandamntee you that the Republican will be a Sarah Palin clone. If people oust Obama for that, then fuck them. Because that is ridiculous. And demonstrates an amazingly short term memory.

steves said...

I am not saying that I want that to happen, I am just being pragmatic. Obama has done some really good things, but has also failed to do some things he said he would do. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect more from our leaders.

Streak said...

God I am tired of drive-by troll comments.

Steve, I understand your point. I would simply like to know why these independents and moderates only seem to talk about expectations or deficits when it is the guy cleaning up the mess? Did they lower the bar so much under Bush that they reelected him because he pronounced a word correctly? Because I didn't see him do anything positive in his first administration--certainly nothing as positive as healthcare reform or financial oversight.

Why is it that people expect more from Democratic leaders and simply let one of the dumbest presidents of all time get away with everything from torture to abject incompetence?

Rumsbig said...

The primary interest of almost every elected offical in the federal government is themselves. Their interest in the country is limited to how the country can be used to advance their primary interest.

Streak said...

Jesus. Can anyone comment here without simply parroting talking points?

steves said...

I can only speak for myself, but I was complaining about Bush's spending, foreign policy, and many other things. I don't expect Obama to be perfect, but I would like him to do what he said he would do.

Streak said...

Fair enough, Steve, though how many Presidents are able to do everything they say they will? But please don't tell me that you would prefer a Republican of the type we are most likely to get over Obama after everything he has done well. Do you have any good faith belief that a more conservative President would be better on civil liberties stuff?