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Not only that…

…but it’s, like, over 100-years old, to boot!

Grow up, fetishists. The height of sophistication is admitting that the government is restrained by nothing, really — and that we all know it.

(h/t sdferr)

36 Replies to “Not only that…”

SGT Ted says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:14 am

No, no. The Height of Sophistication is that Government is there to implement all the Correct Ideas, which, as it would happen, are all leftist ideas.

All other Incorrect Ideas are to be discarded and banned, like the Incorrect Ideas that place limits on enacting the Correct Ideas.
sdferr says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:27 am

Doing only a little violence to Ms Lepore’s piece, it seems to me her argument boils down to “the Constitution doesn’t mean something, something particular, ghastly and narrow, confined, restricted, limited, circumscribed, and finally intelligible — no, heaven forfend! — it means everything, or anything contingently useful or necessary to our wish, hence ultimately, is a thing itself unintelligible.”
newrouter says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:28 am

“A national survey taken this summer reported that seventy-two per cent of about a thousand people polled had never once read all forty-four hundred words.”

you’d think it would be read in gov’t schools.
Lost My Cookies says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:31 am

Can’t be all that if it’s only forty-four hundred words.
Silver Whistle says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:33 am

That was a very poor read. It was as if Hamilton, Jay and Madison had wasted their time – Lepore had nothing to say about companion or contemporary documents. That paper by Natelson in The Ohio Law Journal, recommended by sdferr as I recall, “The Real Original Understanding of Original Intent” was a proper examination of the subject.
cranky-d says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:35 am

I wonder if the 4400 word count includes those amendments that have been superseded by newer ones. If so, it’s even shorter than we would think, thus making it even less important.
McGehee says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:37 am

If she appeared at a rally, her sign would read, “Fetishize New Yorker, not the Constitution.”
geoffb says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:37 am

An unexamined question at the heart of this debate, then, is how people actually read the Constitution. Many people are now reading it, with earnestness and dedication, often in reading groups modelled on Bible study groups. The Tea Party Express endorses “The Constitution Made Easy,” a translation into colloquial English made by Michael Holler, and available on Holler’s Web site for eight dollars and ninety-five cents. Holler studied at Biola University, a Christian college offering a Biblically centered education. Much of his translation, which appears side by side with the original, is forthright. His Article III, Section 3, reads, “Congress will have Power to declare the punishment for treason, but the penalty may not include confiscating a person’s property after that person is executed,” and, in an end note, he supplies the helpful information that “Corruption of Blood” refers to the common-law confiscation of the property of executed traitors, which “had the effect of punishing the traitor’s heirs, or bloodline.” Holler’s Second Amendment is less straightforward; he inverts the language of the original, so that it reads, “The people have the right to own and carry firearms, and it may not be violated because a well-equipped Militia is necessary for a State to remain secure and free.” Holler is an N.R.A.-certified handgun instructor who, in addition to offering courses on the Constitution, sells classes in how to obtain a concealed-handgun permit.

You would think that the ability to read English was a requirement for one to write for a magazine like “The New Yorker”.
sdferr says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:45 am

From an online Madison’s Notes On the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Franklin’s whole speech as published:

Mr. President
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said “I don’t know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that’s always in the right — Il n’y a que moi qui a toujours raison.”

In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another’s throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity. Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administred.

On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument. —

He then moved that the Constitution be signed by the members and offered the following as a convenient form viz. “Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the States present the 17th. of Sepr. &c — In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.”

This ambiguous form had been drawn up by Mr. G. M. in order to gain the dissenting members, and put into the hands of Docr. Franklin that it might have the better chance of success.
cranky-d says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:53 am

People as well-considered in their thinking as the Founders and those others who aided in the creation of the Constitution would never be in politics today. The climate simply does not encourage such people to want to be a part of it.
geoffb says:

January 11, 2011 at 12:09 pm

Perhaps this piece should be looked at as a love letter to E. Klein.
serr8d says:

January 11, 2011 at 12:30 pm

“Corruption of Blood”…well, they of Left persuasion are wanting to again seize even more of the assets of the Dead in the form of revised Estate taxes, so that phrase can be trotted out and given fresh meaning.
Stephanie says:

January 11, 2011 at 12:31 pm

New meme alert… even if violent rhetoric didn’t cause this tragedy we must take steps against violent rhetoric cause the next one will. Cong Brad Sherman on Meghan Kelly’s show just now.
LTC John says:

January 11, 2011 at 1:33 pm

#13 – Awesome – “prior restraint” seems to have been missing from Mr. Sherman’s lexicon… I have a few words from mine I could apply to him…Fool, poltroon, dolt, scoundrel, blackguard, wastrel, and intellectual sluggard.
TaiChiWawa says:

January 11, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Expect some pol to propose changing those blood red stripes in the flag to environmental green. And that something needs to be done about those stars, which just scream “exceptionalism.”
Ric Locke says:

January 11, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Thought experiment: The Right collectively decides to make the dreams of Halperin, Krugman, Frum, et. al., come true. How many survivors?

Regards,
Ric
Ric Locke says:

January 11, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Hmm. Eating my comments again?
donald says:

January 11, 2011 at 1:48 pm

The snow did not melt on my house or dish. We still can’t get on state road 16 or I’d be gone. Now we won’t be able to get out of the house till Thurdsay at best.

Going to watch the PBS documentaries on India now. It’s all I got.

Well, and 2 ambien.
donald says:

January 11, 2011 at 1:50 pm

That piece of shit Steak Shapiro mentioned this morning that this is when the guys around here start beating their wives. He’s from Boston and his daddy bought him a sports radio station.
steph says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Proposal for the XXVIII Amendment to the US Constitution:

Sticks and Stones may break our bones, but Names and FREE FUCKING SPEECH can never hurt us.
donald says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:18 pm

Amusing!

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2011/01/028117.php
Stephanie says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:23 pm

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, for example, used red bull’s eyes on a map to show the GOP candidates in its sights. Ryan Rudominer, a spokesman for the DCCC, told the Palm Beach Post over the weekend that the Democratic map was not threatening since it used an image that is also associated with Target, the national retail chain.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/01/gabrielle-giffords-tim-pawlenty-2012-presidential-race-/1

I think they’re trying to kill off all tea partiers by making us gag to death.
Stephanie says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:28 pm

We can get out, but I can’t think of anywhere I want to go. I’m kinda craving a tasty waffle from the Waffle House. Or some scattered, smothered and covered hashbrowns.
McGehee says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:49 pm

I managed to get out briefly this afternoon in a top-heavy RWD truck; roads in my part of Coweta County are drying off fast, though even 154 had ridges of slushy snow down the middle of each lane. TWC says it’s 36°F. in Sharpsburg and oughtn’t to get below freezing again until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.

Donald are you on Twitter? If so, look for me as ak4mc.
Stephanie says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:50 pm

JAMES TARANTO: The Authoritarian Media: The New York Times has crossed a moral line. “The New York Times has seized on a madman’s act of wanton violence as an excuse to instigate a witch hunt against those it regards as its domestic foes. ‘Instigate’ is not too strong a word here. . . . The Times is far from alone in responding to the Tucson massacre with false accusations and inflammatory innuendoes against its foes. We focus on the Times because it is the leader–the most authoritative voice of the left-liberal media, or what used to be called the ‘mainstream’ media.”

Insty put a link up but it takes me to a firewalled site.

I’ve been saying this for days. It is a witch hunt. On the plus side, it has shown us which of those who claim to be on our side are eager to claim the pointy hat, repent and join the hunt.
mojo says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:55 pm

But was there an effetely amusing cartoon?

Hey, it’s the New Yorker. Whadda ya want?
donald says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:57 pm

I’m not McGeehee. But I lurk on your website every now and then.

I’m right behind the vet shop as you’re entering into Senoia from the west.

It actually looks like it’s melted in the drive way right now, but an hour ago my wife, who is a better driver than I couldn’t get out there.

If I had my 2500, I’d probably make a break for it, but alas, it’s a chevy and it sucks.
sdferr says:

January 11, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Insty put a link up but it takes me to a firewalled site.

It didn’t me, but here’s a link straight from the WSJ just in case it’ll help.
A fine scotch says:

January 11, 2011 at 3:24 pm

donald,

If you want to make sure your dish doesn’t clog with snow/ice, you can spray “Pam” or some other non-stick spray stuff on it every couple of months. The results of cold weather just slides right off.
happyfeet says:

January 11, 2011 at 3:24 pm

I guess the idea the New York Times is working off is a theory that people would be less inclined to vote for Team R if they thought Team R was harboring violent insurrectionists.
donald says:

January 11, 2011 at 3:28 pm

Now ya tell me!
Stephanie says:

January 11, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Thanks, sdferr. It is an awesome article. It takes the hypocrisy and ties it in a crisp little knot around the New York Times’ necks with Krugman as the binding. Excellent noose they have made for themselves innit?
Stephanie says:

January 11, 2011 at 3:56 pm

Some info on the shooter’s family:

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/11/neighbor-jared-loughners-parents-are-hurting/

The whole family may have issues.
McGehee says:

January 11, 2011 at 4:53 pm

If you want to make sure your dish doesn’t clog with snow/ice, you can spray “Pam” or some other non-stick spray stuff on it every couple of months.

When we had a dish up in Alaska, we had very little trouble with snow and ice clogging the thing, for three reasons. A, it was a full-size C-band dish; 2, it came with a cover; and on the gripping hand, at 64° N. Lat., the dish itself is damn near a vertical surface anyway.

My wife’s aunt in Chattanooga didn’t understand at first why we had to have it put on the roof.
geoffb says:

January 11, 2011 at 11:18 pm

“Whopper with a side of”…
Entropy says:

January 12, 2011 at 7:37 am

I can’t believe you linked that in the new yorker and made me read half of it.

I will not sleep for days.

It makes no damn sense. And god is it long – I couldn’t make it through to anything resembling an actual point. It’s like the most dillute chewbacca defense I’ve ever seen.

Ben Franklin swaddles babies, Andrew Jackson was impeached – he had a pocket constitution, John Boehner is a dumbass, parchment is lovely, bumper stickers, lazy dumbasses writing in pidgin in text messages, the cost of souvenirs at the National Library and the price the author payed for them, Chewbacca living on Endor despite being a wookie, christ if it doesn’t meander it’s way through trying to be an encyclopedia of the trivial and irrelevant.

The content appears to be a diagnostic tool for detecting Alzheimers.

And the writing sucks!

The National Center for Constitutional Studies, founded by W. Cleon Skousen, a rogue Mormon, John Bircher, and all-purpose conspiracy theorist, prints a stapled paper version, the dimensions of a datebook, thirty cents if you order a gross.

John Bircher, and all-purpose conspiracy theorist? How many people are we talking about?

How many commas in that sentance, 7? I could write that. Except if I wrote it, I’d have a point. And even I don’t take that long to get to it.

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Not only that…

36 Replies to “Not only that…”