Enemy Camp?

I am utterly disgusted with the supposed news organization known as MSNBC. Last night after the President attempted to sell his latest version of how to handle the Afghanistan war Chris Matthews had the temerity to call West Point the "enemy camp."

Now I realize that the closest Mr. Matthews has come to a member of the military, at least in his adult life, was when he watched one of the Clinton parades but this is way overboard. I know that nothing will be accomplished by contacting MSNBC and I know that nothing would be accomplished by contacting Mr. Matthews himself, but perhaps it is time for right minded individuals to watch his show for a night or two and put together a list of his advertisers. I'm sure that if enough of us were to get together and email them the link to his comments one or two of them might rethink sponsoring his show.

Have they lost their minds?

Earlier today I listened to Attorney General Holder's opening remarks during his appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr Holder was absolutely eloquent in his explanation of how he came to the decision to bring the 9/11 conspirators to trial in New York City. "These are cases that have to be won," Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee. "I'm not scared of what Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would say at trial, and no one else needs to be afraid, either. I know we are at war. We need not cower in the face of the enemy. No more delay. It is past time to finally act."

The problem comes in comparing bringing these conspirators to trial in a civilian court with bringing the Blind Sheik to trial after the 1993 WTC bombings. In 1993 the case was handled, soup to nuts, as a criminal matter. That includes rules of evidence and the proper handling of the purported criminals.

From the start of the search for the 9/11 conspirators it was handled as a military effort with different rules of evidence and no requirement to mirandize any suspects. Since things were handled so differently how can we not be concerned that vital evidence, collected in appropriate method by the military, will not be tossed out on a technicality? The proper way to handle these individuals at this point is using a military tribunal, who's rules of evidence have been followed as well as their rules for handling these war criminals. To do any less is to chance their release on a technicality that no one wants to see, or do they? There is a difference, Mr. Holder, between cowering and being concerned by someone acting irresponsibly. Especially when they hold your family's safety in their hands.

Pre 9/11 mindset?

I continue to hear that certain people in this country have reverted to a pre-9/11 mindset. That is to say that they no longer see the need to retain enhanced security procedures at airports, seaports and other ports of entry. They see no reason to secure our borders to the best of our abilities and they think that to do so is more about racism than security.

I hate to say this but they do not have a pre-9/11 mindset. In actuality they have a pre-11/4/79 mindset. These people have forgotten that there are people out there, who have proven themselves for decades, that hate anything and anyone American simply because they are American.

The worst part, to me, is that our current administration seems to be full to over-flowing with these people. They have reverted to the Carter-era political tactic of attempting to molly coddle people who are our enemies by constantly attempting to find common ground with people who are more interested in gaining precious time to buy/build more weapons than they are in finding agreement with ANY western nation. These people, though they wear the costume of the 21st century, still live with a 17th century mindset. They honestly believe that they are going to bring about the world's salvation through the slaughter of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people of all races. Yet there are numerous people in the Obama administration that believe that if they can only talk to these people one on one they can come to agreements that will satisfy everyone, much like the Carter administration believed in the late 70's.

Albert Einstein is purported to have said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Perhaps those in Washington need to be reminded of Einstein's genius.

The problem with treating terrorists as criminals

I am saddened to report that a United States federal judge has sentenced an admitted member of Al-Qaida to a mere eight years in prison because of treatment that he received while in a Navy brig.  According to the AP U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm stated, "I believe based on everything that I have heard that you truly do not regret what you did and that you would do it again after you go home," But in a stinging critique of government interrogation techniques that included threats to have al-Marri's family rounded up in Saudi Arabia, the judge also said he would reduce al-Marri's sentence "My personal belief as a judge is that that was totally unacceptable, That's not who we are."

While some of the tactics used against this man are absurd in the extreme it is no less absurd than treating someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to kill as many Americans as possible as a simple criminal.  These people don't give a tinker's damn whether or not we want to be friends with them or that we are going to take a live and let live attitude.  They want to kill us simply because we do not share the same religious beliefs.  They want to kill us because women can wear whatever attire they want to, because women are allowed not only to get education but because they are allowed to get higher education, because people have free speech and the freedom of religion and the freedom to associate with whomever they wish.  

Until and unless Americans come to the realization that these people are not simply criminals, that they are enemy combatants, that since they are not wearing a uniform it would be entirely legal, by international treaty, for our military to execute them on the battlefield, we will continue to have to worry about further attacks on our nation.  Unfortunately it seems like the majority of the American public has no grasp of the situation that we have found ourselves in so the attacks will continue.  Our federal agents will have to continue their 100% interception rate because even a 1% error rate will put all of us in an astounding amount of danger.  As long as the powers that be continue to treat this as a criminal issue rather than the act(s) of war that it is the American public will not wake up.  Unfortunately that means that we will probably have to endure another attack before the giant reawakens.

The little light has turned on - Part 8

Today we end this series with the last seventeen amendments to the Constitution. 

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."  George Washington

Amendment XI.* 

*The Eleventh Amendment was ratified February 7,  1795.

  The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to 
extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against 
one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens 
or Subjects of any Foreign State.  

                         Amendment XII.* 

*The Twelfth Amendment was ratified June 15, 1804.

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot 
for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be 
an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in 
their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct 
ballots the person voted for as Vice President, and they shall make 
distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all 
persons voted for as Vice President, and of the number of votes 
for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit 
sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed 
to the President of the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, 
in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open 
all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--The 
person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall 
be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number 
of Electors appointed, and if no person have such majority, then 
from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on 
the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives 
shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing 
the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation 
from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall 
consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and 
a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if 
the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the 
right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth PA day of 
March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, 
as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of 
the President--]* The person having the greatest number of votes as 
Vice President, shall be the Vice President, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no 
person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the 
list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for 
the purpose shall consist of two thirds of the whole number of 
Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary 
to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office 
of President shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the 
United States. 

*Superseded by section 3 of the Twentieth Amendment. 
                                 

                          Amendment XIII.** 

**The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified December 6, 1865. 

  Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a 
punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, 
shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their 
jurisdiction. 

  Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 

                           Amendment XIV.*** 

***The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified July 9, 1868. 

  Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States 
and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce 
any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens 
of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, 
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any 
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

  Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several 
States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number 
of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the 
right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President 
and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, 
the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of 
the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of 
such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United 
States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, 
or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in 
the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the 
whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

  Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, 
or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil 
or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having 
previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of 
the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an 
executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution 
of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion 
against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But 
Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such 
disability. 

  Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, 
authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions 
and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, 
shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State 
shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of 
insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim 
for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, 
obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

  Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate 
legislation, the provisions of this article. 

                             Amendment XV.* 

  Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall 
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on 
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

  Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 

                             Amendment XVI.** 

  The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, 
from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several 
States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. 

                            Amendment XVII.*** 

  The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from 
each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each 
Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the 
qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of 
the State legislatures. 

  *The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified February 3, 1870. 
 **The Sixteenth Amendment was ratified February 3, 1913. 
***The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified April 8, 1913. 


  When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the 
Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of 
election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any 
State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments 
until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may 
direct. 

  This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or 
term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the 
Constitution. 

                           Amendment XVIII.* 

  [Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the 
manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, 
the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the 
United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof 
for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. 

  Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent 
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

  Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have 
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures 
of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven 
years from the date of the submission here of to the States by the 
Congress.] 

*The Eighteenth Amendment was ratified January 16, 1914. It was 
repealed by the Twenty-First Amendment, December 5, 1933. 

                             Amendment XIX.* 

  The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be 
denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of 
sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate 
legislation. 

                             Amendment XX.** 

  Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end 
at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and 
Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in 
which such terms would have ended if this article had not been 
ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin. 

  Section 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, 
and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless 
they shall by law appoint a different day. 

  Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of 
the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President 
elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been 
chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the 
President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President 
elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; 
and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a 
President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, 
declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one 
who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly 
until a President or Vice President shall have qualified. 


*The Nineteenth Amendment was ratified August 18, 1920. 

The Twentieth Amendment was ratified January 23, 1933. 


  Section 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death 
of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose 
a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, 
and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate 
may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have 
devolved upon them. 

  Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of 
October following the ratification of this article. 

  Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have 
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures 
of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the 
date of its submission. 

                             Amendment XXI.* 

  Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution 
of the United States is hereby repealed. 

  Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, 
Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use 
therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, 
is hereby prohibited. 

  Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have 
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in 
the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven 
years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the 
Congress.

 *The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified December 5, 1933. 

                             Amendment XXII* 

  Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President 
more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, 
or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some 
other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of 
the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any 
person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed 
by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding 
the office of President, or acting as President, during the term 
within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office 
of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. 

  Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have 
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures 
of threefourths of the several States within seven years from the date 
of its submission to the States by the Congress. 

                            Amendment XXIII.** 

  Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the 
United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: 

  A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the 
whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which 
the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event 
more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those 
appointed by the 
 *The Twenty-Second Amendment was ratified February 27, 1951.
**The Twenty-Third Amendment was ratified March 29, 1961. 

  States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the 
election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed 
by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such 
duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment. 

  Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation.

                            Amendment XXIV.* 

  Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in 
any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for 
electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or 
Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the 
United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax 
or other tax. 

  Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 

                             Amendment XXV.** 

  Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or 
of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. 

  Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice 
President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall 
take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of 
Congress. 

  Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro 
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and 
duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written 
declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged 
by the Vice President as Acting President. 

*The Twenty-Fourth Amendment was ratified January 23, 1964. 

**The Twenty-Fifth Amendment was ratified February 10, 1967. 


  Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the 
principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body 
as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore 
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their 
written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the 
powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately 
assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. 

  Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro 
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume 
the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a 
majority of either the principal officers of the executive department 
or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within 
four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the 
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. 
Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty- 
eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within 
twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, 
if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress 
is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses 
that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his 
office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as 
Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers 
and duties of his office. 

                            Amendment XXVI* 

  Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age. 

  Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

                           Amendment XXVII** 

  No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators 
and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of 
Representatives shall have intervened. 

 *The Twenty-Sixth Amendment was ratified July 1, 1971. 
**Congress submitted the text of the Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the 
  States as part of the proposed Bill of Rights on September 25, 1789. 
  The Amendment was not ratified together with the first ten Amendments, 
  which became effective on December 15, 1791. The Twenty-Seventh 
  Amendment was ratified on May 7, 1992, by the vote of Michigan. . 

The little light has turned on - Part 7

I apologize to anyone who may have been following this blog for the length of time since my last post, unfortunately I was ill and then had to will myself not to post anything political for the past several days as I promised that I wouldn't until the entirety of the Constitution was covered.  To that end today I will post the Bill of Rights.  The first ten amendments to the Constitution that were proposed and approved by the founders.

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Patrick Henry

AMENDMENTS 
                      TO THE CONSTITUTION 
                             OF THE 
                    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

                          Amendment I.* 

*The first ten Amendments (Bill of Rights) were ratified effective 
December 15, 1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, 
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom 
of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably 
to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

                          Amendment II. 

  A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free 
State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be 
infringed. 
                
                          Amendment III. 

  No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, 
without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner 
to be prescribed by law. 


                          Amendment IV. 

  The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, 
shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable 
cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing 
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 

                          Amendment V. 

  No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise 
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand 
Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the 
Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor 
shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in 
jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case 
to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or 
property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be 
taken for public use without just compensation. 

                         Amendment VI. 

  In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to 
a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and 
district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district 
shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of 
the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the 
witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining 
witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for 
his defence. 

                         Amendment VII. 

  In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed 
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and 
no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court 
of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. 

                         Amendment VIII. 

  Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, 
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

                         Amendment IX. 

  The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be 
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 


                         Amendment X. 

  The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, 
nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States 
respectively, or to the people. 

The little light has turned on - Part 6

Today we cover the final three articles of the Constitution; Article V - Amendments, 

Article VI - Covering debts created before ratification, and 

Article VII - The ratification process.

"Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to every religious sect."
James Madison, letter to Jacob de la Motta, August 1820

Article. V.  

  The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it 
necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on 
the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several 
States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, 
in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as 
Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of 
three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three 
fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may 
be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may 
be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall
in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth 
Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its 
Consent, shall be deprived of it's equal Suffrage in the Senate. 

                          Article. VI. 

  All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the 
Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United 
States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. 
  This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be 
made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be 
made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme 
Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, 
any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary 
notwithstanding. 
  The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members 
of the several State Legislatures and all executive and judicial 
Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall 
be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but 
no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any 
Office or public Trust under the United States. 

                         Article. VII. 

  The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be 
sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the 
States so ratifying the Same. 
  done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present 
the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand 
seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United 
States of America the Twelfth In Witness whereof We have hereunto 
subscribed our Names,

Tomorrow - The Bill of Rights

The little light has turned on - Part 5

Article 4 - The full faith and credit clause as well as certain rights guaranteed to the states, several of which have been superceded in the past century.

"A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicity."  Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address

Article. IV.

  Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to 
the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other 
State; And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner 
in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and 
the Effect thereof. 
  Section. 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all 
Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. 
  A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, 
who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on 
Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, 
be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of 
the Crime.  
  [No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws 
thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or 
Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but 
shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or 
Labour may be due.]* 

*Changed by the Thirteenth Amendment.

  Section. 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this 
Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the 
Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the 
Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the 
Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of 
the Congress. 
  The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful 
Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property 
belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution 
shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United 
States, or of any particular State. 
  Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in 
this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each 
of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, 
or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) 
against domestic Violence. 

The little light has turned on - Part 4

We now got to article 3 regarding the Supreme Court.

"Can the liberties of a nation be sure when we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift from God?" - Thomas Jefferson

Article. III. 

  Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested 
in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may 
from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme 
and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, 
and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, 
which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office. 
  Section. 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and 
Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, 
and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to 
all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to 
all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to 
which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two 
or more States;--[between a State and Citizens of another State;--]* 
between Citizens of different States,-- between Citizens of the same 
State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, [and between 
a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or 
Subjects.]* 

*Changed by the Eleventh Amendment. 
  
  In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and 
Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court 
shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before 
mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, 
both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such 
Regulations as the Congress shall make. 
  The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment; shall be 
by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said 
Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any 
State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may 
by Law have directed. 
  Section. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in 
levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them 
Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on 
the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession 
in open Court. 
  The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, 
but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or 
Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. 

RIP SFC Jared C. Monti

Regardless of your feelings about the war on terror I would ask that everyone remember this American hero today.  President Obama will be honoring him today with a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor.  It is men like this one that we need to ensure our children and our children's children learn of and that they know the true honor that these men have brought to themselves, their families, their branch and their country.  Again I say, RIP SFC Jared C. Monti.

The full story from the Wall Street Journal.

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will award cavalryman Jared C. Monti a posthumous Medal of Honor on Thursday for repeatedly braving enemy fire to rescue a wounded comrade in the Afghan mountains, the first such decoration presented by this president.
During a Taliban attack, Sgt. First Class Monti twice ran into the open to try to retrieve the wounded man, only to be forced back by rocket-propelled-grenade and machine-gun fire. Sgt. Monti, 30 years old, of Raynham, Mass., was cut down on his third try and died at the scene.
"It was pure courage and love for his soldier," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Cunningham, 29, of Whitingham, Vt., a sniper who was in the firefight.
The president is scheduled to present the award to Sgt. Monti's parents, Paul and Janet Monti, in the East Room of the White House.
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor, reserved for those who risk their lives with gallantry beyond what duty requires. Sgt. Monti will be the 3,448th recipient since Congress established the medal during the Civil War. President George W. Bush awarded five such medals for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, all posthumously. He awarded others for prior conflicts.
Mr. Obama is deepening U.S. involvement in Afghanistan while winding it down in Iraq. He will soon face the decision of whether to deploy more troops to Afghanistan on top of 21,000 he has already approved. Public opinion toward the war, meanwhile, is souring.
Sgt. Monti enlisted in the Army at 17. Over the years, he accumulated a chestful of medals, but he rarely spoke of them. His father didn't know his son had received a bronze star until he found it in his son's drawer, according to report from ABC News.
The action that claimed Sgt. Monti's life came on June 21, 2006, in Nuristan Province along the volatile Pakistan border. Sgt. Monti, then a staff sergeant, was commanding a 16-man patrol from the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division.
The squad was supposed to position itself on a mountaintop to call in artillery and air support for a larger offensive, but the big operation was delayed. A helicopter sent to resupply the men apparently drew the attention of a Taliban force that first numbered around 30 but steadily grew larger, according to Sgt. Cunningham.
"They just kept running down the mountain," Sgt. Cunningham said in an interview. "They swarmed into a position where they could shoot at us."
The Taliban split into two groups to flank the Americans troops and came within 50 yards.
Sgt. Monti called for mortar fire, artillery and air strikes, then realized that one of his men, Pvt. Brian Bradbury, was lying wounded and exposed to enemy fire. During a lull in the shooting, the soldiers could hear Pvt. Bradbury calling out that he was unable to move.
Sgt. Monti tightened the chin strap on his helmet and made three attempts to retrieve the private. The distance was short, perhaps 20 yards, but the grenades and gunfire were intense. "I'm going to get him," Sgt. Cunningham recalled Sgt. Monti saying.
On the third attempt, a rocket-propelled grenade hit Sgt. Monti in the legs. As he lay dying, he asked Sgt. Cunningham to tell his parents that he loved them. Soon after, U.S. artillery and bombs ended the fight.
"Going out there to get his soldier...instilled so much courage in me and all our guys to continue to fight," Sgt. Cunningham said.
Medics eventually reached Pvt. Bradbury alive. But he and one of his rescuers died when the hoist that held them to the helicopter gave way.
The Army promoted Sgt. Monti posthumously to sergeant first class.

The little light has turned on - Part 3

We now start on Article 2 of the Constitution.  Presidential powers and duties.  This also includes information regarding impeachment.  Very interesting reading.

"The language of the Constitution cannot be interpreted safely except by reference to the common law and to British institutions as they were when the instrument was framed and adopted." --- William Howard Taft President of the United States and Chief Justice SCotUS.

Article. II.
                                                                                                                     
  Section. 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of 
the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the 
Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen 
for the same Term, be elected, as follows 
  Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof 
may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of 
Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in 
the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an 
Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed 
an Elector. 
  [The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by 
Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an 
Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a 
List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for 
each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to 
the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the 
President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the 
Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having 
the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number 
be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if 
there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal 
Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately 
chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a 
Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House 
shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the 
President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation 
from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall 
consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, 
and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. 
In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person 
having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the 
Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal 
Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.]*

*Changed lay the Twelfth Amendment. 

  The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and 
the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the 
same throughout the United States. 
  No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United 
States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be 
eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be 
eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of 
thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the 
United States. 
  [In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his 
Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties 
of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and 
the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, 
Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, 
declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer 
shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President 
shall be elected.]*

*Changed by the Twenty-Fifth Amendment. 

  The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a 
Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during 
the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not 
receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, 
or any of them. 
  Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take 
the following Oath or Affirmation:--``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 
that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United 
States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and 
defend the Constitution of the United States.'' 
  Section. 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army 
and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several 
States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; 
he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in 
each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the 
Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant 
Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except 
in Cases of Impeachment. 
  He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the 
Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present 
concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent 
of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and 
Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the 
United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, 
and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest 
the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the 
President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. 
  The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may 
happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which 
shall expire at the End of their next Session. 
  Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress 
Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their 
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; 
he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of
them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the 
Time of Adjoumment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall 
think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; 
he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall 
Commission all the Officers of the United States. 
  Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of 
the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, 
and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and 
Misdemeanors. 

The little light has turned on - Part 2

"Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government."
— James Madison

Article 1, Sections 4 - 10

Section. 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for 
Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by 
the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make 
or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators. 
  The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such 
Meeting shall be [on the first Monday in December,]* unless they shall 
by Law appoint a different Day. 

*Changed by section 2 of the Twentieth Amendment. 

  Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns 
and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall 
constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn 
from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of 
absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House 
may provide. 
  Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its 
Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two 
thirds, expel a Member. 
  Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to 
time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment 
require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House 
on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be 
entered on the Journal. 
  Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the 
Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any 
other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. 
  Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a 
Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid 
out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, 
except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from 
Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective 
Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any 
Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any 
other Place. 
  No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was 
elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the 
United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof 
shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any 
Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during 
his Continuance in Office. 
  Section. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House 
of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments 
as on other Bills. 
  Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and 
the Senate, shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the 
President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if 
not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it 
shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their 
Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration 
two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall 
likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, 
it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses 
shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons 
voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each 
House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President 
within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented 
to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, 
unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which 
Case it shall not be a Law. 
  Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the 
Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a 
question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the 
United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved 
by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and 
Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. 
  Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, 
Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the 
common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all 
Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United 
States; 
  To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; 
  To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several 
States, and with the Indian Tribes;
  To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,  and uniform Laws 
on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
  To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and 
fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; 
  To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and 
current Coin of the United States; 
  To establish Post Offices and post Roads; 
  To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for 
limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their 
respective Writings and Discoveries; 
  To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;  
  To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, 
and Offenses against the Law of Nations; 
  To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules 
concerning Captures on Land and Water;
  To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that 
Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; 
  To provide and maintain a Navy; 
  To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval 
Forces; 
  To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the 
Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; 
  To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, 
and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service 
of the  United States, reserving to the States respectively, the 
Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia 
according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; 
  To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such 
District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of 
particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of 
the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority 
over an Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State 
in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, 
Arsenals, dockYards and other needful Buildings;--And 
  To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying 
into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by 
this Constitution in the Government of the United States or in any 
Department or Officer thereof. 
  Section. 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of 
the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be 
prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight 
hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such 
Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.  
  The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, 
unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may 
require it. 
  No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. 
  No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in 
Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to 
be taken.*  

*See Sixteenth Amendment. 

  No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State. 
  No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or 
Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall 
Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, 
or pay Duties in another. 
  No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of 
Appropriations made by Law, and a regular Statement and Account of 
the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published 
from time to time. 
  No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no 
Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without 
the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, 
or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. 
  Section. 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or 
Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit 
Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in 
Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or 
Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of 
Nobility.  
  No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any 
Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely 
necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of 
all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall 
be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws 
shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress. 
  No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of 
Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any 
Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or 
engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as 
will not admit of delay. 

IMHO These six sections are those that Congress wants us to understand the least.

The little light has turned on

I have finally come to the realization that both the general public and the majority of those in power have never read, nor do they care to understand, the most important document in American history. That of course would be the United States Constitution. In order to better the nation as a whole I am going to post, section by section the document in question and some quotations on how it should be read and understood by those who know it best, the founders. To that end:


"On every question of construction let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning can be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one which was passed." --- Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States

The Constitution of the United States of America

Preamble:

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article 1; Sections 1 - 3

                                Article. I.
 Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a
Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House
of Representatives.
 Section. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members
chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the
Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for
Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
 No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the
Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that
State in which he shall be chosen.
 [Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the
several States which maybe included within this Union, according to
their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the
whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a
Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all
other Persons.]* The actual Enumeration shall be made within three
Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States,
and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they
shall by Law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one
for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one
Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of
New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight,
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York
six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six,
Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

*Changed by section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

 When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the
Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill
such Vacancies. The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker
and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
 Section. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two
Senators from each State, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]* for six
Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

*Changed by the Seventeenth Amendment.

 Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first
Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes.
The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of
the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth
Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; [and if
Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the
Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary
Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then
fill such Vacancies.]*

*Changed by the Seventeenth Amendment.

 No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age
of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he
shall be chosen.
 The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the
Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
 The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro
tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise
the Office of President of the United States.
 The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When
sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When
the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall
preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of
two thirds of the Members present.
 Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to
removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office
of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party
convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment,
Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Continued - next issue, the remainder of Article 1

My thoughts on what could be done

Just so that everyone understands that I am not against any changes, I've been thinking about things that could be done without turning over so much of the economy to the government. There are a few things that could be done fairly easily and would help the economy and the health care industry.

Allow small employers to join together in their purchase of health insurance in order to gain the types of savings on health insurance that larger companies get. This would help many of the smaller companies and their employees allowing them to save money all across the board.

Allow the purchase of health insurance similar to the purchase of auto insurance. In many states you can not purchase health insurance from an out of state insurer. Allowing the purchase of insurance from any company would create more competition and drive prices down.

Tort reform. We can do this while at the same time ensuring that people with valid concerns continue to have the right to do so yet end the absurd lawsuits that do exist. Part of the reason that doctors order so many tests is that they are afraid of being sued for not performing tests that are out of the ordinary on the outside chance that it may find something. Doctors would no longer have to pay such high insurance costs of their own and would be able to drop their prices proportionately.

These are just a few ideas that have come to mind. I am sure that many others have valid ideas as well, share them with us. Let me know what you think, add that comment and let anyone who comes by see what we can all do, together.

A little help here

Can anyone explain to me why, with the history of the Veterans Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and the US Postal Service, we should believe that the government is going to be able to do a viable job with health care? Seriously, we know that Medicare, Medicaid and the Postal Service are all incapable of meeting the needs of those they serve at a viable price point. The Veteran's Administration, to include the hospitals, is filled with all kinds of questionable service practices. I really just don't understand how anyone who can add 1 and 1 to get 2 would believe that the government can help.

Then we have the President's town hall meeting yesterday. The young lady who asked why people are saying bad things about health care reform is one interesting point. I won't say that she was a set up, I will say that it has been reported that her mother did campaign for the President last year, that her mother was a senior member of Massachusetts Women for Obama, and that her mother donated to the campaign. Then we have the AARP question. Mr. Obama made a point of saying that they were on board with the plan. According to the AARP site that isn't quite the case. Part of their statement reads "While the President was correct that AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits, indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."

I am ever so glad to know that it is only those that are against the bill that are circulating "rumors" about health care reform. I would also like to remind everyone that they should take the time to actually read HR 3200, the only bill that has moved through any of the committees in congress. Do not take my word for anything, do not take the media's word for anything, read the bill yourself and make up your mind. I know that it scares me.

One question on the health care initiatives

Some may feel that I am overstating the situation but I can't help but questioning why there is a need to move so fast to effect changes to something that is anywhere between 1/7 and 1/5 of our economy. I am truly confounded by this.

It takes one to two years to decide on who will even run for the Presidency much less who will become president. It took the Obama family six months to decide on the type of dog that they wanted. It takes most people several months to decide on what type of vehicle they are going to buy next but our illustrious leaders have decided to affect a major part of our economy in a matter of two or three months. They are in such a hurry to pass some type of legislation, perhaps to make it look like they are actually doing something, that they aren't even willing to read the legislation that is being proposed in detail.

People tell me that I am playing "chicken little," that I am over-reacting to the situation. I have to wonder though, would any family move so quickly to do something that could adversely affect their incomes by 1/7 to 1/5? I rather doubt it.

Facts ARE stubborn things, Mr. President

This is a direct link to a White House blog in which it is suggested that anyone who comes across "fishy" information regarding health care reform it should be reported to a white house email address. In fact, the exact wording is:

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

I have seen many things in my life, many of which made me scratch my head but to see the White House ask people to report dissent is absolutely astounding. I could have sworn that we had a Constitutionally protected right to free speech. I thought that political dissent was a good thing, that is what the Dems were saying for the past eight years. Now this! I am utterly sickened by what we have come to.

Racism in disagreement?

I've just had the dubious privilege of reading Paul Krugman's Op-ed piece in the New York Times today. While there are many issues that could be taken with the piece, one paragraph in particular left me feeling particularly concerned, it reads:

"That is, the driving force behind the town hall mobs is probably the same cultural and racial anxiety that’s behind the “birther” movement, which denies Mr. Obama’s citizenship. Senator Dick Durbin has suggested that the birthers and the health care protesters are one and the same; we don’t know how many of the protesters are birthers, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s a substantial fraction."

Mr. Krugman evidently feels that those of us who are against HR 3200, please note sir that it is NOT the President's proposal but that of congress, are racist at heart. Let me assure you that, at least in my case, nothing could be farther from the truth. My objections to the bill are all based on my reading of the actual bill. Something that I would have to wonder if Mr. Krugman has done. I wonder how Mr. Krugman feels about the concept of being forced into the "Public plan" should he change jobs after the bill is signed into law regardless of whether or not his new employer offers a health-care plan? I wonder if Mr. Krugman has noted how well the government has done running Medicare, Medicaid or the VA health plans?

Seriously sir, if you want to disagree with us that is certainly your right. However to infer that it is wholly based on race when you don't even know the individuals in question lowers the viability of your arguments to the level of high school gossip.

I am somewhat amused

Primarily by the leaders of the Democrat party and their insistence that the "protesters" at the various and sundry Health Care "Town Hall" are being put up to it by others. Their abundant and obvious hypocrisy is hilarious, or should I say it should be, considering the way in which they use ACORN and other organizations like it to "protest" in support of their varying issues. They bring in these folks who have had these health care "problems" to speak at these meetings so they automatically assume that anyone who has a concern on the other side had to have been brought in as well.

What the supporters of HR 3200 don't seem to understand is that at over 1000 pages these servants of the people will, once again, enact legislation that they have no desire to read or understand and the people don't like it. The party of the people doesn't seem to understand that the people are actually reading the document and they are finding it wanting in many, many ways. The potential for abuse is astounding but don't just take my word for it, go to thomas.loc.gov and read it for yourself. You can look it up either by the bill number or as "Affordable Health Choices Act" and do what your members of congress refuse to do, read the bill. While you are at it, follow the link on thomas for the congressional budget office report and the directors blog on this subject. It is enlightening to say the least.

Attn: Michiganders & other thinking Americans

Just when you thought that it was safe to have a Conyers in an elected position, congressman John Conyers gave us this according to CNS News:

During his speech at a National Press Club luncheon, House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.), questioned the point of lawmakers reading the health care bill.

“I love these members, they get up and say, ‘Read the bill,’” said Conyers.

“What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?”

Full story with video here.

Now you may call me old fashioned but somehow I was under the impression that our representatives were sent to congress to enact legislation on our behalf. In my estimation that would infer that they knew exactly what they were voting on BEFORE actually voting on a piece of legislation. The job that we pay them for is to read the legislation and, if necessary, take a few days with lawyers to ensure that what they are voting on is appropriate not only for their nation but more importantly for their constituents.

Unfortunately I do not have the opportunity to vote for or against Mr. Conyers. I would suggest that those who are his constituents ask him precisely what he sees his job as being and if he feels if what he is doing is for their betterment. Representative Conyers can be contacted on his web page. Take a few minutes, let him know how you feel.

Hyphenation

Let me start by saying that I have no issue with people who hyphenate their names. My wife does it, all while claiming that using my name is so very difficult. So you hyphenate it? It seems to me that some people seem to be comforted, as in part of their being comes from being hyphenated.

What really concerns me is all of these people who hyphenate being American. I am of German, Irish and Swedish heritage and I am very proud of my lineage but I am not a hyphenated American. I was born and raised here in the U.S.A. and though I have lived in Germany for a short period I am not a German-American. There are people who can rightly call themselves XXX-Americans. These are people who have emigrated to the US from elsewhere. If you were born here you are not an XXX-American, you are a plain old fashioned American. You can be of Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Irish, African, Egyptian, Lebanese, Japanese, Chinese or whatever heritage but if you were born here you are not XXX-American.

We have enough issues these days that separate us from each other. Everything from religion, to politics, to skin color to you name it seems to be something that will keep people apart. This absurd reliance on being an XXX-American should not be on the list.

Attention Congress... BOTH houses

Now that we have bills in both houses to address health care reform I'd like to take a minute or two to address the idiocy that is inherent in both of these absurd pieces of legislation. Let's first take a look at whether or not any member of either house has the potential to actually understand exactly what they are voting on BEFORE they actually vote on it.
In the case of the house bill, roughly 1,015 pages in length, I don't even believe that the authors of this legislation understand exactly what they are doing. When we add in the fact that they are laying the majority of the "funding" of this legislation at the feet of those who create the most jobs, in the middle of a recession, we see where this can do absolutely nothing but destroy a fragile job market and add more people to the dole by forcing small and mid-level employers to either lay off or completely release employees. Well done house. (NOT!)
Now lets take a look at the 600+ pages of legislation coming out of the Senate. In their infinite wisdom our great legislators have decided to put the majority of the funding on the insurance companies. For some reason it has completely escaped our esteemed Senators that the insurance companies will not be willing to just eat this sugar-coated pill but will pass the additional costs on to the consumers. Of course they will probably say that the companies can't do that and that if they do they will face harsh penalties. If that happens they will be forcing many of these companies out of business, but that is obviously unimportant to those knights on the hill. That would again force more people on to the public dole since their insurers no longer exist. The truly wonderful idea is that both houses are forcing this tripe through with no input from the Republicans because, after all, "they are just the minority party after all and their ideas can't be that good or they would be in the majority."
Perhaps what the blithering idiots in Washington really do want is to force us all onto the public dole. That way they could more readily force people to act and think in a manner that they would find more appropriate. Want that cheeseburger, what about a Coke or Pepsi? Candy bar, anyone? Better make sure that you're willing to either pay extra for your health insurance or extra taxes to cover your inappropriate eating habits. Once that camel gets it's nose in the tent how long will it take for them to tell us what an appropriate hobby will be for you? How about how many hours of TV or internet use you are allowed per day?
It is time for all of us to wake up and remind these morons that they work for us, not the other way around, and that if they want to keep their jobs it is time for them to listen to us.

I'm so confused

Nancy Pelosi, in talking about her choice not to support the legislation approved by the Senate that would block the further release of any photos from Abu Grhaib, etc., said that she felt that it was important for transparency in government that this type of move not go forward. While Ms. Pelosi espouses that type of view it is obvious to me that she could be the Hypocrite-in-Chief as far as government is concerned. She has blocked any attempt to start an investigation into her charges against the CIA while saying "I stand by" my accusation. She just pushed through rules that would change the way that ethics investigations are handled in order to make it more difficult for the FBI, etc. to properly investigate things yet the worrisome part to me is this is just a partial list. So tell me, please, Ms. Pelosi, is there a new definition for transparency or are you just the complete hypocrite that you appear to be?

Private William Long

For those not paying attention, that is the name of the U. S. Army soldier who was killed two days ago in Little Rock, Ar. by a home-grown Muslim terrorist. Pvt. Long was a recent graduate of basic training and was in Little Rock to see the man who recruited him into the service. He was there with another Pvt., Private Quinton Ezeagwula who was also wounded in the attack. These two young heroes were standing on a street in an American city and were shot by an Islamic militant for the crime of being in the military. Police say 24-year-old Abdulhakim Muhammad, aka Carlos Bledsoe, told them he killed Private Long and wounded the other soldier because of what the military had done to Muslims.

One would think that the President of this nation, the commander-in-chief of the United States Army, would have something to say about such a heinous attack on two members of the military who were in a U.S. city and not in a combat zone. One would think that this type of situation would have as much weight, if not more, than the heinous murder of Dr. Tiller did on May 31st of this year. Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. Two days after I contacted the White House about the absence of any public statement by the President on this subject there is still nothing on the White House website. There has still not been any formal statement to the press. Lastly there has been no reply to my email. Maybe this should be a warning to the men and women in uniform about the mindset of their commander-in-chief.

Rest in peace Private Long, you will be remembered.

ETA: It has come to my attention that the President has indeed released a statement about the death of Private Long, unfortunately it was released only to the Arkansas press. While I appreciate the effort I find it hard to understand why it was only released in Arkansas. Does he feel that the rest of the nation is unconcerned by acts of terrorism in this country? Does he think that American's could care less about the violent deaths of our soldiers here at home? If so, Mr. President, you have a LOT to learn about the American people.

A comment to the White House

The death of any of our military troops is always something to be concerned about. The death of one of our troops, on our streets, for nothing more than being in the military should concern every American regardless of race, religion, political view or any other reasonable standard. Our President has yet to say one word about the horrendous murder of a military recruiter in Little Rock, Arkansas yesterday. At the same time I find the speed with which the White House had a statement about the horrendous murder of Dr. Tiller astounding. I do not find the murder of this doctor to be any less important than the death of this soldier who was doing his duty but neither do I find it to be of any higher import. Because of this I felt it necessary to send the following to the White House, I will keep you informed of any reply I may receive.

"Why is it that there has been no statement from the President regarding the attack on two Army troops in Little Rock? One of our troops was killed, on the street, at home, for being an American soldier and his commander-in-chief has nothing to say about it. What a sad state of affairs, jumping on the horrendous death of Dr. Tiller yet ignoring our troops on our streets."

The new GM

I will be really interested in seeing just exactly what GM becomes over the next few months, and years. I have to wonder just exactly what pressure Government Motors will have put on them to build the smaller, more efficient cars that the government wants but consumers rather obviously do not. How long will it take for the fed to move in with their "approved" vehicle list is anyone's guess, but I would assume that we will see something very quickly. The question then becomes can the government declare bankruptcy when they drown the new company that they own in red tape and cars that no one will buy?

Bettering our society

The news of the past few days has proven that Congress and this administration are so far out of touch with the vast majority of Americans that they would need to get in touch with everyone in order to get any more out of touch. Let's take a look at a few of the ways that they've decided to better our society.

In order to pay for health care for the masses they are contemplating taxing the health care benefits of those of us who actually have jobs and health care. Never mind the fact that health care has been a pre-tax deduction ever since I have been working but now we want to tax those who are already carrying the load even more to pay for other's health care. I realize that we already do pay for this, to some extent, with increased costs at hospitals but in order to make it fair to everyone we will tax those who are paying the freight even more.

Then we have the new CAFE standards that our friends in the White house are proposing. It is estimated that this will raise the cost of a new car or truck by as much as $1,300.00 per vehicle. This is another concept to make things fair, after all if it is good enough for California it should be good enough for all of us.

Lastly we have the ever popular Cap and Trade policy that is another guaranteed tax on everyone starting at the lowest income level and going from there. The CBO estimates that this will hit the lowest income households approximately 3.3%, the middle quintiles between 2.7% - 2.9% and the highest income quintile 1.7%. It seems that the hardest hit groups would be the 95% of Americans that the President is constantly saying that he is least willing to add taxes on.

It could just be me but I'm pretty sure that the idiots in Washington need to start facing the same taxes that they lay on everyone else. They constantly write laws that they are immune from, starting with taxes, and then claim that they don't understand why we are getting tired of them. Personally I think it is time for a wake-up call. Contact your reps and tell them that it is time for the government to live within it's means and to leave our wallets the hell alone.

ETA: Pushing more taxes on the people in a time of recession has been tried in the past. The last time round brought us the great depression. Maybe those on capital hill need to read more history.

Hypocrisy? Nah...

I was just reading an article from Newsweek about how the President is once again attacking businesses that are sheltering money overseas, as well as persons who are doing the same, and how he wants to put stringent regulations on businesses that are moving jobs overseas. Immediately after that I found another article about Fiat taking over Chrysler. Is it just me, or does anyone else see hypocrisy in an administration that will damn business for moving jobs overseas and then force an American company to sell out to an Italian company? What, are none of those jobs at Chrysler going to go to Italy? None of the profit will be going to Italy either I guess. Yet no one in any major media outlet seems to be able to identify this as being an issue, or are they just too far in love?

Missed during the Spector debacle

Last week, on the 29th to be specific, the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, was asked a question about co-operating with a Spanish judge who is contemplating bringing charges against officials in the Bush administration because of the "torture memos" that were released by the Obama administration. (See final two paragraphs: http://tinyurl.com/cnwvuf) Mr. Holder, in his infinite wisdom, decided to say that he had not ruled out co-operating with the judge's investigation. Perhaps Mr. Holder needs to have someone re-read his oath of office to him, particularly the part about "uphold and defend the constitution" since it seems to be foreign to him that this type of decision would be above his pay grade and only for the president himself to authorize. Mr. Holder is best known as the man behind the Elian Gonzales decision under the Clinton administration where he came to the conclusion that we should ignore the laws that allow Cuban citizens immunity once they are on U. S. soil. Is it any wonder why some of us question his appropriateness as Attorney General to begin with?

It just keeps coming

Interestingly enough Senator Specter found all sorts of reasons to say that the Republicans of Pa. had turned against him but never touched on one of the most blatant reasons, his vote in favor of that horrendous $787,000,000,000.00 spending bill WITHOUT HAVING READ IT. For some reason it has become a good thing in his mind to blindly approve the spending of his constituent's money without ensuring that such spending is not only vital but appropriate. We've all read multiple times about the wasteful spending and those of us who pay attention have also read the Government Accounting Office's, Congress' own accountants, study of the bill that said not only will this spending not hit our economy until next year at the earliest but also that it would end up costing us, or more appropriately our children, several times the money that is being spent. Gee Senator, do you think that voting in favor of such tripe may just have had some impact on your re-election as a Republican in Pa., especially when we tend to be a little more on the fiscally conservative side of the house?

Finally some honesty from Specter

Arlen Specter has finally admitted that he is a Dem. I have been waiting for him to admit this for years and am not at all surprised considering that he is not conservative on the vast majority of issues including the Second Amendment and he is certainly not a fiscal conservative. Now I can only hope that there is a solid conservative voice found for the people of Pennsylvania, we need to get the country's fiscal house in order and the left will not do that, not that the Republicans did any better under the last administration.

Homeland Security?

Janet Napolitano is supposedly taking her new position seriously but one has to wonder just how serious she is about it. She starts her administration of that post by first deciding that the name terrorist should not be used in reference to persons such as Osama bin Laden and company. Then she starts insulting anyone who has ever served in our military and infers, at the very least, that anyone who disagrees with the Obama administration is a terrorist. So we can't call terrorists by that name but Americans who have served in the military or who disagree with ANY Obama postition a terrorist? Is there something wrong with that picture or is it just me?

Now we have the new swine flu "pandemic" that is affecting our country. We are not going to stop people from traveling to the origination point, nor are we going to stop those from that country from entering our country BUT we will have anyone who works in an airport and may come in contact with those people wear gloves and face masks. We are concerned about the health of the government employees but not for the general public? I thought that Homeland Security was supposed to be trying to protect the people.

What a joke

I've been sitting around for the past few days watching the various and sundry members of the majority in congress run for cover over water boarding. All of these people who are demanding investigations into the Bush administration seem to suddenly be suffering from memory lapses themselves. It really would be fall on the floor funny if it weren't so sad. They knew good and well what the CIA was doing, what had been approved and what kind of information was being garnered from these sessions but now are claiming that they weren't fully informed. Strangely enough though they seem to want to keep the actual meeting agendas away from the general public. Why am I not surprised?

Just me?

Perhaps it is just me but I find it interesting that the President has decided, this week, that he will leave open the possibility of prosecuting those who authorized the use of enhanced interrogation techniques on the terrorists that we have had in our custody. Mainly this is due to the fact that last week he stated quite blatantly that he would not do so. Which is it? This current administration is more confounding to me all the time. At one point we were promised the most open administration in history, then came the stimulus package that was pushed through before anyone in either house could have read it. Then we have all of the various and sundry appointees who have tax issues, and that doesn't even speak to those that have views that most Americans would find questionable. What is going on? How do we relieve ourselves from these professional politicians?

A new home

Welcome to my new digs! A little background is probably in order. My name is Bill and I live in the great state of Pennsylvania with my wife and daughter. I work as a programmer for a fortune 500 company, trend toward being conservative, am a 2A advocate, amateur photographer who specializes in nature and wildlife, and a huge Philadelphia Flyers fan. This is where I intend to express myself for anyone and everyone's viewing pleasure or displeasure. It is where I intend to let me be me. I hope that you will take my views into consideration and I will try not to be overtly negative, but I will go in the direction that my mind takes me. Have a great day!