This is a new rule for the Neocons. The Washington Post editorial from yesterday demonstrates the variability of The Rule Of Law under the necon administrations. There is another, failed, attempt to change laws that were originally pushed by Republicans in the past that limited Presidents to two terms, passed after Franklin Roosevelt's fourth win. In 1988, when there appeared to be a possibility of Ronald Reagan's winning another term, the Neocons wanted to reverse the law. This is an irony in that Neocons argued during the Clinton Administration that "this is a government of laws, not men", but reverse their stance when Neocons face being restricted by their own rules. The latest flighty move is the overturning of the Constitution, specificially Section One, Clause Five, which prohibits non-native citizens from running for the office of President. Ironically, Neocons are also anti-immigration.
UPDATE: Friday October 31, 2003 5:11 AM
The Monolith of Evil
Reading the quotes on Mother Jones [link gone] by President Bush, it occurs to me that he is still fighting the 1950's Cold War, with 'terrorists' instead of 'commies'. It is a monolithic evil, as Communism was monolithic among the Cubans, Soviet Union and China (plus satellite states). Experience in the 1960's and '70's proved that to be a false view. The situation in Iraq is proving the equivalent view today to be false as well. Saddam's secular government was more secure, and as brutal if not more so, than the more religious governments around the world. Now, the various sects are fighting for supremacy and external national citizenry that is being referred to as 'terrorists' coming into Iraq are more accurately pilgrims coming to their spiritual center. Yes, Jerusalem is the center of all Biblical religions, but look how few actually consider it as their most commonly thought of (e.g. Catholics: the Vatican, Islam: Mecca, etc.).
UPDATE:Tuesday August 05, 2003 1:08 AM
Gay Marriage, Republican Neocons, and The Catholic Church.
A little history: in 1960, when John F. Kennedy was running for President (as a Democrat), the Republican Party was concerned that his Catholicism would mean a kind of 'takeover' by The Catholic Church. With the recent fight over a judicial nominee and his views reflecting the official stance of that same Catholic Church, the Republicans are now trying to use their own anti-Catholic rhetoric from those years against the Democrats. [this is the reversal technique - see Rule 15]. Now, the important thing about this is not the religion, or personal beliefs of the candidate, but their understanding of the Law, notably the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The religious issue is a distraction.
Sixteen words, twenty eight pages, eighteen and a half minutes.
Fellow Republicans, it is the cause of Republicanism to resist concentrations of power, private or public, which enforce such conformity and inflict such despotism.Excerpt from the text of Barry Goldwater's 1964 speech at the 28th Republican National Convention, accepting the nomination for president. Provided by the Arizona Historical Foundation. Located at this link
Friday January 24, 2003 2:40 AM
A Disconnect
Some of the same people who are concerned about the Total Information Awareness Program of the federal government are also condemning the bureaucratic bumbling of the INS and other agencies. Do they believe that the government will be more efficient at handling American's information than foreigners?