The Wall between Church and State

Thomas Jefferson was a huge advocate of the separation of church and state (along with many religious leaders of the time). Unfortunately, 200+ years later, Americans have regressed into intolerant religious fanatics attempting to legislate morality in the name of Jesus (not Allah!). Remember, separation exists to protect religion from the state just as much as to protect the state from religion. Anyways, I figured Ron Paul was a big supporter of a secular state, so I was thrilled to find this interaction:

Here's the transcript, of Ron Paul's reaction to Mike Huckabee's Christmas ad, given a short while ago on Fox News:


STEVE DOOCY: Mike Huckabee has started running an ad in Iowa, where you're at right now, also in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and in the back, it's a windowpane but it also looks a lot like a cross. And, and, we had a guest a little while ago who said it was inappropriate to be using religion for political purposes. Congressman, I'm just curious what you think?

RON PAUL: Well, I haven't thought about it completely, but you know, it reminds me of what Sinclair, uh, Lewis once said, he said 'when Fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross.' I don't know whether that's a fair assessment or not, but you wonder about using a cross like he is the only Christian, or implying that subtly. So, uh, I don't think I would ever use anything like that.

DOOCY: So, uh, Congressman— you know, uh, Governor Huckabee is not selling fascism. He's — simply sending out a Christmas message, anyway, just curious how you felt about that. Congressman, if you would sit right there in Des Moines just for a moment, we're going to take a quick time out...

Source

For more information (recommended reading, really) click here

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adam

Polar Opposites: The President and The Constitution

This is old news by now, but is still worth a mention because of the irony.

CBS reported that President Bush told General Musharraf of Pakistan that he could not be "the president and the head of the military at the same time."

Contrast this position with Article II, Section II, Clause I of our own Constitution:

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 Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

-kg*m/s

Huckabeesuckinaspresident!

With the surge in polls of Arkansas' former populist governor Mike Huckabee, the GOP is basically saying:

"Screw you fiscal conservatives and lovers of rationality."

If he ends up receiving the nomination, libertarian minded citizens will fully divorce themselves from the Republican party.

A few months ago, Huckabee spoke about being the "President of Main St. not Wall St." (He's anti greed! Ayn Rand, now's your turn to shiver!). Also, Mike Huckabee doesn't believe in Evolution.

Hey: The 1600s called. They want their geocentric thinker back.

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adam

Davy Crockett, Taxation, and... Bears?

ESPN reported the five-year-old tenth great-grandson of Davy Crockett killed a 400+ pound bear. The irony here is that Davy Crockett himself (legend has it) also killed a bear at a similar age.

Crockett, Representative from Tennessee, perhaps delivered the best, and today, most ignored, speech since the institution of the Union.

Not Yours to Give

And as CNN's Wolf Blitzer pointed out one Congressman's vote against awarding Rosa Parks a gold medal, one can only wonder how far we've come as a nation.

Hopefully this kid will continue to take after his descendants. We could sure go for another Davy Crockett.

-kg*m/s

Overboard

The New York Times posts:

Michael Vick, once one of the highest paid and highest profile players in the National Football League, was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting ring that was based on his property in rural southeastern Virginia. ... At the government’s request, Vick has deposited $928,073.04 in an escrow account, for the care and evaluation of those dogs.

I think a little under a million dollars to take care of the dogs along with additional fines would be more than sufficient. Since when have animals been granted rights under the US Constitution? Sure, Vick shouldn't be able to own another pet, but jail? Seriously? No wonder there is an overcrowding issue.

Don't think that's hash enough? Let the free market decide! Already, Vick has lost major contracts with various sporting goods providers, has been suspended from the NFL indefinitely without pay, and is currently being sued by his former team.

This case makes me grooooooooooooooooooooooooan.

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adam

Ron Paul

It's no question we here at the Clemson Libertarians are in love with Ron Paul!

With the Tea Party approaching quickly, the Ron Paul blimp is set to fly! Though it may push the envelop on campaign finance laws, seeing this bad boy in the air will make me proud to be an American.



Why do we love him so much?



Hopefully, the freedom hating neocons don't steal this election!

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adam