Political Irony

12 Comments

1. trekker wrote:

   I’m surprised the policy was publicly instated. It would have been much easier to just start the detentions without any fanfare.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 7:10 am | Permalink
2. Hassan wrote:

   Trekker, its been happening already (even assassination). But that was illegal, now by this law it has become legal to do so.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 7:25 am | Permalink
3. Bard wrote:

   Somehow I laughed the hardest at the “Prime Minister of Al Queda” bit.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 8:11 am | Permalink
4. Arthanyel wrote:

   The ACLU should already be preparing the Supreme Court briefs to get this overturned. It is the clearest example possible of an unconstitutional law.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:23 am | Permalink
5. PatriotSGT wrote:

   And people thought the Patriot Act was bad. This seems more like a Bush era issue then an Obama era issue. Clearly the Government is overstepping its limits. I understand that is you take up arms against the US or actively plan to overthrow the government then you have in essence renounced your citizenship. However, who will be determining whether or not those obvious actions have been taken and what happens while that determination is being evaluated, what due process exists? In the military every member must make a personal determination as to whether an order is a lawful one, regardless of who gives it. This could be one case where one might have to choose to disobey a direct order from the President of the United States. A sad commentary on the over-reaching of our current government. “Change you can believe in”, I don’t think so.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 11:52 am | Permalink
6. Iron Knee wrote:

   The problem with constitutionality is that the constitution specifically gives the president (commander in chief) the power to prosecute a war, which entails powers way beyond normal constitutional powers. This includes the power to restrict free speech, detain people, and even kill “the enemy”.

   The real problem is that we have become addicted to the phrase “war on”. War on Terror, War on Drugs, even the War on Christmas. We think of everything as a war, so it is no surprise that the government starts using war powers to fight these wars. And as long as the Congress declares the war (or even sort of declares the war), then it is perfectly legal and constitutional.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:28 pm | Permalink
7. PatriotSGT wrote:

   Ah yes and in that the problem lies. Traditioanlly, wars have been fought against some nation state like Iraq. But can declaring war on a non state movement such as terrorism or even Al Quaeda really be considered a war, legally? Same goes with drugs. I think the constitutionality of the “wars on terrorism and drugs” and other non nation states entities should be examined. Did congress declare “War” on terrorism and if so where does it live? Where’s Dennis Kuchinich on this? Unfortunately I don’t think any main stream supporters of the President will criticize him during this election period, because they are too afraid of him losing. So I guess we will bail out on our principles just like Washington and big money. We’re no better, who wants to be “the pot calling the kettle black”, as my Grandmother used to say.

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 1:32 pm | Permalink
8. Iron Knee wrote:

   I agree with you PSgt.

   I just want to make one distinction. In the past, people would vote for the “lesser of two evils” as if they didn’t have a better choice. But I don’t think that is what is happening with Obama. I believe that Obama actually pretty much represents the mainstream of America.

   Do I agree with him on everything? Of course not. I would love for Congress and Obama to end the War on Drugs and the War on Terrorism. But if he did, he would certainly piss off the majority of Americans.

   Obama has to be the president for everyone, not just me.

   If my choice is someone who is middle-of-the-road like Obama, or some right-wing nut, the choice is obvious. If you want to elect someone more progressive than Obama, then you need to get up off your collective asses and work for that (like the right-wing has done, with both time and money).

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 1:44 pm | Permalink
9. PatriotSGT wrote:

   “I agree with you PSgt” wow, what a christmas present, thanks IK!

   Friday, December 23, 2011 at 4:09 pm | Permalink
10. Don wrote:

    Well I agree with most of what PSgt said, too, except for the part about folks not of the right criticizing him. I’m seeing plenty of that across the political spectrum.

    I didn’t vote or a major party presidential candidate several times in my life. Each time, the fellow I liked best (let’s call him the righty just for yucks) won. In no case was the vote between the Dem and the Rep close enough that the 3rd part candidates’ votes would have changed the election. A couple of election cycles ago, I started voting for one of the major party candidates. How’s that worked for me? I’ve voted for one winning candidate in three tries. If I was a baseball player I’d be making $10M a year. I did vote for Al Gore and look what happened there. Even though I voted for the (arguably) winning candidate, he lost. If that one had fallen the other (correct?) way, I’d be batting .667 and making $15M a year. I don’t see myself going back to the minors this election cycle, but voting day is a long way away.

    Friday, December 23, 2011 at 4:29 pm | Permalink
11. Iron Knee wrote:

    PSgt, I often agree with you. It just doesn’t appear that way because I have to watch you like a hawk to make sure you don’t keep making those false equivalencies!

    Friday, December 23, 2011 at 5:59 pm | Permalink
12. PatriotSGT wrote:

    I do the same thing Don. I’m a terrible democrat and would be an equally terrible republican because I vote for who I think will do the best job. I’m probably batting the same as you as well.
    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you gentlemen and all the readers of this site!

    Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 8:30 am | Permalink