There's a 1297 edition of the Magna Carta in the National Archives. There's even a replica, printed in gold, right in the middle of the Capitol. Senators could send an intern down to read it.
David Sarasohn
I used to joke with friends about keeping my passport current in case a hasty departure might one day be warranted. I also used to joke about immigrating to Canada.
Used to. It's not so much a joke any longer.
This past week as Congress inched toward its mid-term recess, as our legislators had visions of re-election or presidential bids dancing in their heads our nation moved a step toward not being so enviable for its "freedoms."
This current administration is like the bully who changes the rules when things don't go his way. Don't like that pesky ol' writ of habeas corpus? Pfft. Ignore that part about invasion or insurrection and suspend it anyway. Oh, and about that torture thing... yeah, torture's bad, but, hey, here's an idea - let's all agree that it's bad and we shouldn't do it, but here's the thing, we can do it anyway because the president said so. It's that simple.
When learning that habeas corpus was written into the Magna Carta 400 years ago the president stated, "I didn't realize the country was that old."
Rimshot. Heard that one some time over the weekend.
Ironic that the Republican party is pulling out its hackneyed "Values" theme again this election. Is their definition of values something like going to church every sunday and praying only four of Hamid's fingernails have to pulled instead of five?
I'm weary. I no longer feel that I have a voice as a citizen of this country. There was a time when I felt my protests and concerns could (and did) make a difference. I can't point to a single politician of any party who I feel has the backbone to really lead this country. And that scares the hell out of me.
