Jon Stewart raised the topic of the odd conservative fixation on the 2nd amendment to the Constitution--seemingly above all others--in a way that just tickled me. Because I have made this argument countless times both on the blog and in conversation, but I never succeeded in making it this entertaining. Keith Olbermann did it once, but we don't have him to kick around anymore. So, thanks to The Daily Show for making the point so well.
Showing posts with label Constitutional Rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Constitutional Rights. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Rachel Maddow: Prop 8 Roundup
Though Rachel Maddow is known to be an out lesbian, she doesn't climb up on the gay soapbox all that often. When the subject is big in the news though, she doesn't give it short shrift. In fact, she's probably got the best take on it across the cable news spectrum. Rather than post a series of Maddow posts, with running commentary (on a subject that is already well-covered on this blog), I'm just going to post a few here in this one post.
Some of the strongest points in the marriage equality battle are made in these clips. I heartily recommend watching all of them. You'll be entertained, and may even pick up a couple of arguments you hadn't thought about.
Some of the strongest points in the marriage equality battle are made in these clips. I heartily recommend watching all of them. You'll be entertained, and may even pick up a couple of arguments you hadn't thought about.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Steven Weber: 'Night, Court
For all of their bluster about strict Constitutional conservatism, the far-right has been acting very strangely (well, stranger than normal). They think it's standard American operating procedure for anyone who might look like they are an illegal immigrant (but they won't profile 'em!) to carry identification papers on them at all times. They think that the unwarranted wire-tapping of phones is nifty (as long as a Republican is in the White House). And now they think that if you try to blow something up you should not be Mirandized, you should not get a trial, and you should be stripped of your citizenship (if you had it in the first place).
That attitude is very strange to me, and is also strange to Steven Weber, actor and blogger (and a damned site better than me). He's got a great post up on the subject, and I couldn't agree more.
[Excerpt]
'Night, Court
Can anybody tell me why, when it comes to accused terrorists, military tribunals are preferable to normal judicial proceedings in a civil court of law?
Is it because they don't want those fancy pants New York lawyers being all wise-cracky during a "You can't handle the truth!" moment?
Is it because the three military judges are allowed to smash the defendant on his turban with their gavels? . . .
Read more at: Huffington Post
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Nothing is Private: DHS Data-mines Travelers
In the past, it was very easy to deride privacy advocates as alarmist, tin-foil-hatters. But, look at this, and tell me that this is the United States of America that we all learned about in school. Tell me this squares with what the founders set out to form.
Yes, this particular article deals with those people traveling from Europe to the United States, but remember, that would include you and me if we go there on a round-trip ticket. And do you really think that they only do this with foreign travel? That this isn't part of a larger data-mining program? And do you trust this administration to use this information only "where the life of a data subject or of others could be imperiled or seriously impaired?"
It's disgusting, it's wrong, and I dearly hope our next President starts dismantling some of these gross violations of people's rights.
[Excerpt]
Travelers Face Greater Use of Personal Data
Pact Covers Passengers Flying From Europe to U.S.
Pact Covers Passengers Flying From Europe to U.S.
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, July 27, 2007
The United States and the European Union have agreed to expand a security program that shares personal data about millions of U.S.-bound airline passengers a year, potentially including information about a person's race, ethnicity, religion and health.
Under the agreement, airlines flying from Europe to the United States are required to provide data related to these matters to U.S. authorities if it exists in their reservation systems. The deal allows Washington to retain and use it only "where the life of a data subject or of others could be imperiled or seriously impaired," such as in a counterterrorism investigation.
According to the deal, the information that can be used in such exceptional circumstances includes "racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership" and data about an individual's health, traveling partners and sexual orientation.
Yep, you read that right: sexual orientation. For WHAT possible "security" purpose?
Read on, it gets worse: WashingtonPost.com
Labels:
Constitutional Rights,
DHS,
Invasion of Privacy,
Privacy
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