The Worst Question I Have Ever Heard…

Up until now, I have never had a reason not to like Whoopi Goldberg, probably because I do not watch the View (but after all, who didn’t like Sister Act?). But after seeing this clip from the View, I cannot but be amazed at the stupidity of some people in this world. Ms. Goldberg’s question about whether she should be worried about being made a slave is ridiculous.Usually I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I cannot do that here. There is simply too much ignorance for one person to deal with.

In the context of the discussion, the conversation was about Roe Vs. Wade. Senator McCain said that he disagreed with the decision, not mainly because it deals with abortion (although that is an important reason), but because the Supreme Court violated its boundaries of power and made a decision that became a law. This issue of legislating from the bench, is outside the Constitutional boundaries given to the courts. Senator McCain was saying that if an abortion law was needed, it needed to come through the proper channels. Those proper channels are as follows: the people express their concerns to their Representatives, the Congress makes a bill and passes it, then the President signs it into law. This is how a law is made: from the people, not from 4 or 5 judges who think they know what is best for the country. Senator McCain then said that if it was overturned, the decision would be left up to the individual states (an opinion in line with Amendment 10 of the Constitution). Good job Senator, for standing up for what the Constitution actually says.

In this context, Senator McCain says that he would appoint judges that have this strict view of the Constitution and would interpret the law, as it was intended by the authors. Somehow, Ms. Goldberg took that to mean that Senator McCain wanted to bring slavery back. If Ms. Goldberg actually read the Constitution, she would know that the 13th Amendment clearly states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

The irony in this is that only a strict Constitutionalist would interpret that as freedom from slavery.

But Senator McCain is not free from criticism here. At the end of this, he says “I understand that, and get that. Thank you.” But Senator, it does not make sense, and no one else seems to get it and you should have said so. You should have told her why that statement was wrong. Come on Senator, where is that Maverick spirit everyone hears so much about?

-J. Heffley

Republican Convention-Night Two

Last night, night number two of the Republican National Convention, there were two speeches given by two vastly different Senators. Starting out, former Senator and conservative Fred Thompson gave a fantastic speech about John McCain’ record. Thompson eloquently discussed McCain’s history: ranging from his early life, military career, and stances on issues. Thompson did an excellent job making the case to the American people that Senator McCain is the man for the job. After his speech last night, I am surprised that he did not do better in the primaries. I encourage everyone interested in politics to go and listen to Thompson’s speech, I believe that it will be one of the best coming from this convention. Here are a few quotes from Thompson about Senator McCain.

—”This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. Strength. Courage. Humility. Wisdom. Duty. Honor. It’s pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, ‘Who is this man?’ and ‘Can we trust this man with the presidency?’”

—”But while others were talking reform, John McCain led the effort to make reform happen — always pressing, always moving for what he believed was right and necessary to restore the people’s faith in their government. Confronting when necessary, reaching across the aisle when possible, John personified why we came to Washington in the first place.”

—-”My role is to help remind you of the man behind the vision. Because tonight our country is calling to all of us to step up, stand up, and put ‘Country First’ with John McCain. Tonight we are being called upon to do what is right for our country.”

—”There has been a time in our nation’s history, since we first pledged allegiance to the American flag, when the character, judgment and leadership of our president was more important. Terrorists, rogue nations developing nuclear weapons, an increasingly belligerent Russia, intensifying competition from China, spending at home that threatens to bankrupt future generations, for decades an expanding government, increasingly wasteful and too often incompetent.”

“—To deal with these challenges, the Democrats present a history- making nominee for president — history-making in that he’s the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for president.Apparently — apparently they believe that he would match up well with the history-making, Democrat-controlled Congress — history-making because it’s the least accomplished and most unpopular Congress in our nation’s history.”

After former Senator Thompson came Senator Joe Lieberman. Even though Sen. Lieberman used to be a Democrat (I’ll forgive him for that) I must admit that he did an excellent job supporting McCain in this speech. He talked of McCain’s record from personal experience (he has been with McCain in the Senate for twenty years). He then contrasted McCain’s experience of bringing together republicans and democrats for the better of the country to Senator Obama’s lack of experience. Overall, Lieberaman gave a good speech and I appreciate him being willing to go against party for the good of the country, more politicians need to start doing that.

In addition to these two speeches, the GOP played a tribute to President Ronald Reagan and his achievements in office. I believe that honoring the loss of such a great man was fitting for this event and I salute the GOP for honoring the death of a man who did so much for his country. As time moves on, I believe that historians will continue to grasp the magnitude of the accomplishments that occurred during his administration and will see him as one of the greatest Presidents in our history.

It’s just too bad that more faces can not be added to Mt. Rushmore.

Tomorrow night, McCain’s vice presidential pick, Governor Sarah Palin will be giving her acceptance speech. The only other main speaker that I recognized was Governor Mike Huckabee so I will be putting up a post about these speeches also.

-J. Heffley