So. Are we promoting a democratic uprising, and if so, where’s the proof? Are we naively helping usher in another Muslim theocracy, at the expense of long-time allies who have been amenable to helping US interests? Do “we” have any say in any of this at all…? I don’t know. But here are some links to keep you up to speed on what’s happening in Egypt (courtesy geoffb): An Overview
February 2011
Frisch fries, jumbo sized
When last I reported on our old friend she’d recently been sentenced to an extended jail stay (of which she wound up serving only a few days). On Dec 23, her electronic monitoring device was removed. Another wrist slap. Well, today, Frisch was arrested yet again. She’s being charged by the Lane County Sheriff with one count each physical harassment and criminal impersonation. Perhaps this time she’ll do an entire
In which I respond, using a bit of educated conjecture, to The Kingston Trio’s query, “Where have all the flowers gone?”
me: “Dunno. China, maybe…?”*
“ABC News Reporter Brian Hartman Threatened With Beheading”
See here. Other reporters being detained and beaten. Just like our own TEA Party protests, right, Chris? See Drudge for the latest updates. This is not going to end well. In fact, when Obama shows up on TV in a sweater and starts talking about an energy crisis and ennui? Time to dig your Capezios and gold chains out of storage.
“Judge holds Interior in contempt over drilling ban”
From The Hill: A Louisiana federal judge on Wednesday held the Interior Department in contempt for re-imposing a deepwater oil-drilling ban last year after the judge had struck down an earlier version of the moratorium. The contempt finding provides political ammunition for Republicans and pro-drilling Democrats who say Interior is blocking offshore development. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) quickly called the order a “sharp rebuke of the Interior Department for continuing
“Durbin: Obama Administration Should Enforce Obamacare Even Though Judge Ruled It Unconstitutional”
Compare and contrast: On one hand, a “living Constitution,” with a rather elastic idea of how the text functions in new contexts? Why, absolutely. Penumbras, etc., are an important component of allowing the Constitution to account for more modern ideas of “social justice.” On the other hand, a judge’s ruling that doesn’t specifically issue an injunction, but instead relies on the government to understand that the functional equivalent of an
What should we do with the Constitutionalists?
Well, if you happen to be a hardcore “progressive,” you can come up with all sort of ideas! Remember: the ends justify the means. Because once you’ve granted yourself the moral high ground (convenient, that), anything you do to beat back evil — and what is a society built on equality under the law, individual freedom, natural rights, and free market capitalism if not evil — is good and righteous.
“Attorney General Cuccinelli announces he will seek expedited review of Virginia health care lawsuit in the Supreme Court”
From Cuccinelli’s office: Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced today that Virginia will file a petition to ask the United States Supreme Court to take Virginia’s health care lawsuit now, as opposed to waiting for the case to first be decided by the court of appeals. The Petition for Certiorari Before Judgment in the United States Supreme Court in the case of Commonwealth v. Sebelius will be filed pursuant to
Party lines
47-51. The way forward is now clear: the House must work on refusing funding; the states given injunctive relief need to stop complying, in lieu of the federal government getting a stay; the GOP must bring the vote in both Houses consistently; and in the run-up to 2012, the defeat of ObamaCare needs to be tied to the defeat of Obama and any Democrats in the Senate. The electability question
