"Serious Reservations"

As most Americans are celebrating the New Year, or sleeping, I'm busy becoming more annoyed with the US government.

Today, President Obama signed a military funding bill that included provisions that he claims to have not liked. He said that he signed the bill anyways because military funding would have run out on Monday. Maybe it would be nice if he decided to stand up against Congress this time. Of course, he has no history of doing so. And he said that he would not use the provisions for limitless, lawless detaining of people, American citizens or not, during his time in office. That however proves nothing, as he said he would close Guantanamo, yet he didn't (which is basically the same problem). And those provisions will stay in place for any future presidents who are completely okay with using them.

And what would be so bad about military funding running out? Maybe Congress would figure out a better bill the next time. It could force Congress to compromise. Or it would just prove that Congress can't agree on ANYTHING, even something they agree on. I'm not sure if you agree with me, but I have the odd feeling that giving the President the ability to detain people without a trial, for indefinite periods of time, is a minor problem for rights. And if Obama had problems with this, why didn't he mention them when Congress was still in session?

Maybe you'll consider joining me by fleeing to Canada.

Nakamura, David. "Obama Signs Defense Bill, Pledges to Maintain Legal Rights of Terror Suspects -
     The Washington Post." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 31
     Dec. 2011. Web. 31 Dec. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-signs-defense-
     bill-pledges-to-maintain-legal-rights-of-terror-suspects/2011/12/31/gIQATzbkSP_story.html?
     tid=pm_politics_pop>.

Nicholas, Peter. "Obama Signs Defense Bill but Balks at Terrorism Provisions - Latimes.com." Los Angeles Times - California, National and World News - Latimes.com. 31 Dec. 2011. Web. 31 Dec. 2011. <http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-defense-20120101,0,1970762.story>.

To End All Racism

Recently, a judge in Arizona outlawed a Mexican-American Studies class in Tucson schools, after finding it taught history "'in a biased, political, and emotionally charged manner,' and upheld state officials' findings that it violated a state law passed in 2010....He cited a lesson that taught students that the historic treatment of Mexican-Americans was 'marked by the use of force, fraud and exploitation'" (Smith). This means that he outlawed this class because teaching the truth is racist. He said that this class promoted racism! So in the same thread: let's get rid of all history about racism. Colonialism? Never happened. Japanese interment camps? Never happened. The Holocaust? Never happened. Civil Rights Movement? That never happened, because everyone was always nice to everyone else!


Smith, Matt. "Arizona Ruling Hits Mexican-American Studies Program - CNN.com" CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 28 Dec. 2011. Web. 29 Dec. 2011. <http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/28/us/arizona-ethnic-studies/index.html>.

Disqualified!

Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry have been disqualified from the Virginia Primary. Both campaigns reported turning in over the 10,000 needed votes. However, the Virginia GOP said that not enough were valid. 400 were needed from each of 11 districts, which is one potential source of problems. Or maybe Newt Gingrich just faked signatures, like how he faked twitter followers (Cook). (I recommend you watch this: "Newt Gingrich's Twitter Scandal"; I would embed it, but I'm having problems doing that)

Of course, Virginia is one of the hardest states in which to make the primary because of how many signatures are needed. Because of how difficult the process is, Michele Bachmann, John Huntsman, and Rick Santorum did not even submit signatures.

All this leaves but two possible contenders for Virginia: Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. Given that Mitt Romney was ahead of Ron Paul by 15% in a recent poll, there is a good chance he will win (Goldfarb). However, that poll involved Newt Gingrich, who had 30% of the votes; how that 30% is divided will be important (obviously).

Barrack Obama was the only Democratic candidate to turn in the needed signatures, and he thus wins the Democratic primary automatically.

Cook, John. "Update: Only 92% of Newt Gingrich's Twitter Followers are Fake." Gawker — Today's
     Gossip is Tomorrow's News. 2 Aug. 2011. Web. 24 Dec. 2011. <http://gawker.com/5826960>.

Goldfarb, Zachary A. "Gingrich Fails to Win Spot on Virginia Primary Ballot - The Washington Post."
     Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 24. Dec. 2011. Web. 24 Dec.
     2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-fails-to-win-spot-on-virginia-primary-
     ballot/2011/12/24/gIQAnErBGP_story.html>.

Kumar, Anita. "Gingrich, Perry Disqualified from Va. Primary Ballot - Virginia Politics - The
     Washington Post." Washington Post; Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. 24 Dec.
     2011. Web. 24 Dec. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/perry-
     disqualified-from-va-primary-ballot/2011/12/23/gIQA3BZNEP_blog.html>.

Political Blogging

It is extremely difficult to blog about politics when all the politicians are on vacation. I'll try :D

Euro Summits to the Rescue!

Now for a brief foray into foreign events:

Payroll Taxes

On the left: Eric Cantor representing the Tea Party and Radical Republicans. On the right: Obama. As you can tell, drawing people is not my strong point.

2-month payroll taxcut extension denied. Aren't Republicans all about low taxes?

"He has control of the Senate and the Courts!"

Sorry, I had to use this as a chance to make a Star Wars reference.

According to Newt Gingrich, he would, as president, "abolish whole courts to be rid of judges whose decisions he feels are out of step with the country." As historical precedent, he cites Thomas Jefferson. In 1802, Jefferson "led the abolition of three federal circuits and 16 judgeships that had been created — and filled — by his political foes before he and his party took power" (Gardner). Jefferson, the man who opposed emancipation (Loewen) and who forced Native Americans west (like so many after him). Citing a single case of historical precedent means that President Obama could cite Japanese Internment Camps during WWII and put all people of Middle Eastern background into prisons. There is a reason that things like that do not happen all the time: only the most popular presidents can get away with it — Revolutionary heroes, or leaders in wartime.

But there is another problem: what exactly does Newt Gingrich feel is "out of step with the country"? "In campaign speeches, he [Newt] likes to criticize by name a federal judge in Texas who blocked prayer in public school." So to Newt, anything slightly anti-Christian is "out of step with the country." Or is it that we need Christian education? Since he cited historical precedent to create constitutionality, should he not realize that the First Amendment gives Freedom of Religion (No, I will not be citing that for you)? No matter what he believes, promoting religion in public educational institutions is not okay. Parents can do that at home if they so wish. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I also believe there is this thing called Sunday School, for teaching about Christianity.

The ability to prosecute and fire judges for their decisions is a major problem for separation of powers, which brings me to the Star Wars reference: it would allow the President to gain control of the courts, which would create an executive that is far too powerful; even today, people complain about the government's overreach, and this would only compound that problem. Somewhat amusing, since this problem s being proposed by a Republican; small government, right? I guess not.

Of course, he can't win with all this. "Gingrich has been emboldened by his reception on the campaign trail, where conservative voters have cheered his view that judges who have ruled in favor of gay marriage or against prayer in school are 'activist' who should be thrown out." I wonder if Gingrich realizes that most of the nation is not conservative; he's just scaring everyone else. Even members of the right wing have criticized what he's saying about "activist judges." He's alienating his own would-be base!

Gardner, Amy, and Matt DeLon. "Newt Gingrich's Assault on 'activist Judges' Draws Criticism, Even
     from Right - The Washington Post. "Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & 
     Analysis. 17 Dec. 2011. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/newt-
     gingrichs-assault-on-activist-judges-draws-criticism-even-from-
     right/2011/12/17/gIQAoYa80O_story_1.html>.

James, W. Loewen. Lies My Teacher Told Me. 2nd ed. [S.l.]: New, 2005. Print.

The Mexican Problem

Funny thing: the Mexican problem is a completely American one. Specifically, a red one. Michele Bachmann said that 50 percent of Mexicans have crossed the border into America. She cited Mark Steyn, which is a step up; often times, she simply says that someone told her __________ (seriously, listen to the woman speak for 10-15 minutes sometime; it's scary). But maybe she couldn't figure out he was being sarcastic. After all, "100 percent of every bad Canadian idea" has crossed the border into America (I will rant on his hatred of government later). Michele Bachmann, with over 20 kids (including the adopted ones, of course) wants us to drag illegal immigrants "out, putting them on a bus with their children's crying." Is it just me, or is dragging 12 million people back to Mexico unrealistic? (Not gonna get a source on that one; CNN, Colbert, Stewart, even the Republicans use that number).

But that's not quite as extreme as Herman Cain. He wants to build a moat full of alligators and a wall on our border with Mexico. On top of that, he wants an electric fence to take care of anyone else who makes it over. I remember Colbert talking about this, and thinking he was joking. Turns out he wasn't. To quote Herman Cain when he got back from China: "Ever heard of the Great Wall of China? It looks pretty sturdy. And that sucker is real high. I think we can build one if we want to! We have put a man on the moon, we can build a fence! Now, my fence might be part Great Wall and part electrical technology...It will be a twenty foot wall, barbed wire, electrified on the top, and on this side of the fence, I'll have that moat President Obama talked about. And I would put those alligators in that moat!" Obama referenced the moat, joking that many Republicans wanted one. Looks like he was right.

It's not like America could update its immigration system. Yeah, Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain both know how to deal with immigration problems. Track down and get rid of 12 million people, and kill anyone who tries to come over.

Haraldsson, Hrafnkell. "Herman Cain Wants to Electrocute Mexicans Who Survive Moat and Wall."

      PoliticusUSA.com- Real Liberal Politics. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. 

     <http:// www.politicususa.com/en/herman-cain-electrocute-mexicans>.

Keating, Joshua. "Bachmann: 50 Percent of Mexico's Population Has Moved North of the Border |
     FP Passport." FP Passport | FOREIGN POLICY. 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 13 Dec. 2011.

    <http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/12/07/

    bachmann_50_percent_of_mexicos_population_has_moved_north_of_the_border>.

Gotta Catch 'Em All!

"But you can make a difference, with courage you can set things right. The gift to dream and make dreams real is yours and mine." That quote seems like a cliché motivational one.

Now, look at the next quote, from the same song:

"Life can be a challenge; life can seem impossible, but it's never easy when there's so much on the line."

Yes, I am seriously going to defend Herman Cain quoting Pokémon.

Look, I disagree with this guy on nearly everything. 9-9-9? Give me a break. And exactly what is his health care plan? Oh wait, he doesn't have one.

But let's look at the song. There's really nothing bad about it. He could quote some other motivational song, or a motivational poem, but this does the job just as well. It's not like he's quoting Slowking saying "I could use pants" (http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-december-5-2011/indecision-2012---the-sh-t-s-gettin--real)(No, I did not remember that; I was just watching The Daily Show). Taking the quote out of the context of Pokémon, and it doesn't seem immature at all. Just really cheesy, like every other motivational song.

Lion King is Gay Propoganda

To quote Michele Bachmann:

"Very effective way to do this [turn children gay] with a bunch of second graders is take a picture of 'The Lion King,' for instance, and a teacher might say, 'Do you know that the music for this movie was written by a gay man?' the message is: I'm better at what I do, because I'm gay."

Is it just me, or is that a little crazy? It's like saying that since Obama is president, one can infer that he is better at his job because he is black. Better than who? Good question.

Axis of Evil

A few days ago, Michele Bachmann was on the "Glenn Beck Program," where she said that America is facing a "'new axis of evil' comprising Iran, Syria, North Korea, China, and Russia" (Gabbay). Is it just me, or is calling our largest trading partner "evil" a bad idea? Also, Russia is apparently evil because it sent ships to Syria. Given that Russia has an alliance with Syria (Russia), that would make sense. Their only base on the Mediterranean is Syria; given that the desire for access to the Mediterranean was the major reason Russia invaded Afghanistan in 1979, that would once again make sense. Russia seeks to end the problems in Syria peacefully; they have invited leaders of opposition parties to Russia (same article). Given that that is research that I managed to get in a few minutes, I would have hoped that Michele Bachmann would have been able to do a little better. Oh well.

Gabbay, Tiffany. "Michele Bachmann Talks to Glenn Beck About Russia, Iran, Syria and China |
        'New Axis of Evil' | Video | TheBlaze.com." Breaking News and Opinion on the Blaze. 29 Nov.
       2011. Web. 06. Dec. 2011.
       <http;//www.theblze.com/stories/bachmann-to-beck-were-facing-new-axis-of-evil/>

"Russia Hopes to Resolve Syria Crisis Peacefully CCTV News - CNTV English." China Central
        Television. 28 Nov. 2011. Web. 06 Dec. 2011
       <http;//english.cntv.cn/program/newshour/20111128/108111.shtml>.