I have this habit of watching bad movies and then complaining to my wife about how the bad guys in the films are completely unbelievable and behave in ways that are so untrue to life as to make them laughable -- which is the way I'm feeling about the Republican Party at the moment. They claim that they love their country and hold the Constitution in the highest regard imaginable, but then toss the two over the side when they have the slightest inkling that doing so might bring them some political advantage in the mid-term elections.
Which is really, really sad.
http://www,britethorn.com
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I am, of course, speaking of the controversy surrounding President Obama and his recent remarks reiterating his belief in the First Amedment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
What could be simpler? What could be more plain? I know that a lot of people lost their lives on September 11th of the year 2001, and that a lot of people are still raw and in a state of healing, but how in any way does that erase the First Amendment Rights of Americans to worship in the manner of their choosing?
And why do Republicans feel that their need to gain control of the House and Senate is worth destroying all the good work that has been done over the past several years convincing the Muslim World that America is tolerant of Islam, that it does not persecute followers of the Prophet Mohamed. Sure we SAY that we are tolerant of Islam, but when push comes to shove we will deny them the right to worship in a place of their choosing for the simple reason that it makes some Americans angry or uncomfortable. Never mind how that denial, how that slap in the face of Islam will be viewed overseas and in the middle-east where so many of our soldiers are in harms way. Its the easy path: give the people what they want. Throw the Constitution overboard if it means you're going to pick up a few House Seats and drag President Obama's polling numbers down a few points. That's all okay if it gives you your ultimate goal: Power. Never mind the soldiers who will die or the Muslim American who will turn away from a government they no longer believe represents them or safeguards their freedoms.
America is for Christians, Jews, Mormons a few ragtag Atheists and Agnostics: but Muslims need not apply.