73% High School Grads No Knowledge 1st Ammendment

Source: http://www.positiveliberty.com/2006/04/hentoff-on-civics-classes.html

Date:

In a national study last year, Future of the First Amendment, funded by the Knight Foundation, more than 100,000 high school students were interviewed on what they know of the First Amendment. Seventy-three percent either had no opinion or took the First Amendment for granted, whatever that may mean. More than a third believed that the First Amendment goes too far in its guarantees.

Thirty-six percent of these high school students say that newspapers must obtain government approval before publishing!

And this year, the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum poll of 1,000 adults revealed that only one of them could name the five freedoms in the First Amendment. Can you name all five freedoms?…

“Why, did we have a civics curriculum in 1950 and no longer have one now? Is someone making a clear, concerted policy decision, or is it just falling through the cracks?”

We require that those who want to become American citizens pass a test before doing so, yet we allow those who were born citizens to remain blissfully unaware of their own history and system of government. And the test we require new citizens to take is astonishingly easy

Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every Day:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers

New Super Citizen Justice Sonia Sotomayor an Easy Confirmation

Source: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090714/D99EAUHG0.html

Date: July 14, 2009

MY WAY NEWS

By DAVID ESPO and MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) - Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor stoutly denied racial bias Tuesday at her Senate confirmation hearing and said an oft-criticized remark about her Hispanic heritage affecting judicial decisions was a rhetorical device gone awry.

An attempted play on words "fell flat" in a speech in 2001, Sotomayor told Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., referring to remarks in which she suggested that a "wise Latina woman" would usually reach a better conclusion than a white male.

"It was bad because it left an impression that I believed that life experiences commanded a result in a case, but that's clearly not what I do as a judge," Sotomayor said.

Sessions, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee, sounded unconvinced.

"As a judge who has taken this oath, I am very troubled that you would repeatedly over a decade or more make statements" like the one in 2001, he said.

Republicans questioned Sotomayor closely, sometimes challenging her answers, on the second day of hearings. However, Democrats command a strong majority in the Senate as well as on the committee, and there appeared little or no doubt about her eventual confirmation as the first Hispanic to sit on the high court.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the committee chairman, told reporters Sotomayor would be confirmed and added, "I'm convinced it will not be a party-line vote."

During the questioning, Sotomayor leaned into the table in front of her and spoke deliberately. She used her hands to reinforce her words, raising and lowering them to the table with palms flat and fingers extended. She scribbled notes to herself as senators spoke and bobbed her head to underscore her statements in reply.

On an issue faced by all high court nominees, Sotomayor said the Constitution contains a right to privacy, a forerunner of the right to abortion that the high court first outlined in its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

Questioned by Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., she said the right to abortion is "the Supreme Court's settled interpretation of what the core holding is," as affirmed in a separate 1992 ruling.

The issue of abortion rights has been central to Supreme Court confirmation fights for two decades or more, and with her statement Sotomayor came close to saying the issue was settled law but stopped short of that flat declaration.

Moments later, in response to a question by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, she said, "All precedents of the Supreme Court I consider settled law subject to" a great deal of deference but not absolute.

Sotomayor found common ground with Republicans on one issue.

When Hatch condemned the liberal group People for The American Way for its criticism of a New Haven, Conn., firefighter who figures in a key court case, Sotomayor said such action was "reprehensible" and nothing she would tolerate.

The committee schedule called for Sotomayor to field questions for hours as senators took 30-minute turns. Democrats were protective, occasionally offering her opportunities to counter her critics.

Kohl noted, for example, that in 17 years as a trial and appeals court judge, Sotomayor had rarely been overturned by the Supreme Court.

And he asked her sympathetically about an appeals court ruling that she joined that was recently reversed by the high court, in a case involving white firefighters in New Haven, Conn. He noted it was a 5-4 decision, and said, "Do you agree it was a close case and could have been decided one way or the other."

She replied, "To the extent that reasonable minds can differ on any case, that's true."

Leahy was the first to ask about the "wise Latina" comment that has sparked so much controversy.

"I want to state upfront, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any racial, ethnic or gender group has an advantage in sound judging," Sotomayor said. "I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge, regardless of their background or life experiences."

Leahy also raised the recent case about New Haven firefighters, in which the Supreme Court said white firefighters were wronged when the city threw out the results of a promotion exam because too few minorities did well.

She said the appeals court reached its decision because of precedent at the Supreme Court and at least one circuit court of appeals. But she said the ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court on the basis of a different standard.

She said she would "absolutely" have reached a different result in light of the Supreme Court's reversal.

President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter, who retired last month.

While Souter was appointed by a Republican, President George H.W. Bush, he frequently sided with the court's liberal bloc on controversial issues such as abortion and affirmative action.

As a result, if confirmed, Sotomayor appears unlikely to alter the court's balance of power on those issues.

---

Associated Press writers Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Larry Margasak, Ann Sanner and Nancy Benac contributed to this story.


Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers

Get Stoked google docs: we see from listening to her responses that in fact she probably did need help both getting into law school but getting out as well. Her grasp of law and constitutional law seems weak as she says over again "well I havn't read that recently enough to comment?"

Can we trust our current congress ability to protect our interests in preserving the constitution?

Congress Not Reading Bills [Tyranny]

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ce119723-4350-4d9a-9878-6ac173b85363

Are We Sliding From Liberty to Serfdom?

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.f098d02d-0fd8-4b28-a157-b51c97e1e8a9&hl=en

Are We Holding Our Current Leaders Accountable to Their Oath?

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.944bf9ab-c480-4fb5-a02a-8e4b980b80a9&hl=en

Bill of Rights not a Suicide Pact

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.2a6348af-1434-42f0-bbc0-af8ae726c390&hl=en

Let Them Eat Cake: Eating Obama’s Cake Socialism Unmasked

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.0ce2a212-3a3b-4a62-b297-99fa04725564&hl=en

Tyrany: New Congress Not Reading Bills or Writing Them!!

Source: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ce119723-4350-4d9a-9878-6ac173b85363

Date: July 10, 2009

New Elected Congress Not Writing the Bills They Submit
Problem: Emergence of New Generation of Congressional Aids doing their work in ways that defy their constitutional work as being charged with generating laws.

This is Tyranny Elected Representatives Not Following Constitutional Mandate Defining Their Sacred Work

Q: Can we impeach congress for failure to do their job?

A: The Patriot Act, after 9-11 weighed in at 340 pages.
A: the Global Warming bill is 1200 pages.
A: the Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Bill about 1,200 pages long.
A: “No LEGISLATION without representation,” they state on their campaign website. “We hold this truth to be self-evident, that those in Congress who vote on legislation they have not read, have not represented their constituents. They have misrepresented them.”
A: we must make-Congress-read-the-bills-they-pass.
A: At the start of each new Congress, the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are sworn into office. This oath-taking dates to 1789, the first Congress; however, the current oath was fashioned in the 1860s, by Civil War-era members of Congress.
A: Congressional oath they swore to follow after election day requires they represent us in the legislative process by protecting each bill as preserving our constitution. In Congress, all members take the same oath of office when they begin a new term. The Vice President usually administers the oath to senators, and the Speaker of the House administers the oath to representatives:

I, [member's name], do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion ; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

Congress Not Reading Bills Tyranny

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ce119723-4350-4d9a-9878-6ac173b85363

Joe Biden update: No 'private meetings,' just meetings closed to the press...

Possibly a very important policy change quietly emerged in the daily schedule of Vice President Joe Biden today.

Loyal Ticket readers know that, as a patriotic duty, we monitor the longtime senator's schedule with a close eye for detail because, after all, this man is only a heartbeat away from having to give a toast at a G-8 summit. We've especially noted Biden's innumerable "private meetings" that are closed to the press because, well, they're private.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/07/joe-biden-update-1.html

Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers

Get Stoked About American Exceptionalism

source: http://www.rightpundits.com/

Date: July 4, 2009

By Cathryn Friar

What is American Exceptionalism? It’s the belief that America and her people, through the birthright given to us by our founding fathers, are uniquely qualified to lead the world to peace and prosperity. Read more below, see photos, and a video.

The concept of American Exceptionalism is based in the founding of the United States upon an idea, rather than upon the great and noble ambitions of men. It’s a unique concept of individual liberty and equal justice before the law, with freedoms ranging from speech to worship, and rights from gun ownership to free association.

This differs from other nations, in that it’s representative of a group of people who came together from many lands and cultures throughout the world but who share a common bond in standing strong for certain self-evident truths, like freedom, inalienable natural and human rights, democracy, republicanism, the rule of law, civil liberty, civic virtue, the common good, fair play, private property, and Constitutional government.

John and Abigail Adams

Source: http://blatheringsblog.com/

Date: July 4, 2009

John Adams: ‘independence forever!’ is the toast that john adams, our second president, gave on the 50th anniversary of the declaration of independence. coincidentally and maybe fittingly, that was also the day he died at the age of 91.

i love john and abigail adams. the letters they exchanged during the days of the revolutionary war, while he was part of the continental congress and she at home outside of boston raising their children, are historic treasures and are recommended readings.

john frequently asked abigail about many things and their letters are filled with smart, engaging discussions on government and politics. besides being personal love letters, they serve us as amazing and invaluable eyewitness accounts of the revolutionary war home front as well as terrific sources of political commentary. here is the book i have, and i’ve parked out in that thing at least 3 times and it is a wonderful read.

did you know it was john adams who inspired the passage of the declaration of independence? it was his stirring speech that convinced the more reticent members of the continental congress to declare our independence from england.

after the passage of the declaration of independence, john wrote back to abigail and at the time, thought it would be july 2nd that would be forever celebrated:

“The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America,” he wrote. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

and though he was overjoyed, john adams completely understood that independence, freedom, and liberty could not come without a price. he wrote this to abigail:

“You will think me transported with enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means.”

and his prediction that freedom would not come easily has proved true. many of you know what happened to those early patriots:

“Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war,” the author wrote. “Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned.”

two hundred and thirty three years ago, both john and abigail adams (and our other founders) understood that the very strength of this young nation was its citizens’ resolve to be free and stay free from tyranny. they had the courage and the strength of character to dream the dream of a free america and independence forever.

so remember your roots people! happy 4th of july!

Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers

Get Stoked Documents Getting Back to Truth:

Bill of Rights not a Suicide Pact:

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.2a6348af-1434-42f0-bbc0-af8ae726c390&hl=en

Truth Justice & the American Way? Does it Still Exist?

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ba0ce396-ca6b-484f-875e-0e93b7e56602&hl=en

Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.7505039f-1bb8-410b-b928-a798e4aa4ecb&hl=en

Are We Sliding From Liberty to Serfdom?

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.f098d02d-0fd8-4b28-a157-b51c97e1e8a9&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.6881eb64-1c11-43a0-b773-e85073a75d4c&hl=en

Heritage to us: Ring Those Bells, America!!

Source: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/07/02/ring-those-bells-america/
Date: July 4, 2009

Amid the political noise out of Washington, June’s opinion polls picked up a growing public disquiet over ever-greater government spending and intrusion. These expressions of concern reflect the resiliency of the spirit of 1776, which we celebrate on Independence Day.
The just powers of government, the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on July 4, 1776, flow from the consent of the governed. Government’s purpose, the Founders agreed, is to secure the fundamental rights and sovereignty of the people.
Heritage constitutional scholar Matthew Spalding writes:
“The Declaration of Independence announced to the world the unanimous decision of the American colonies to declare themselves free and independent states, absolved from any allegiance to Great Britain. But its greater meaning—then as well as now—is as a statement of the conditions of legitimate political authority and the proper ends of government, and its proclamation of a new ground of political rule in the sovereignty of the people.”
Spalding notes that Thomas Jefferson, principal author of America’s founding document, intended the Declaration to be “an expression of the American mind.” Fitting, then, that Americans’ essential understanding of the need to limit government continues to be reflected in today’s polls.

The danger is that President Obama and today’s other powerful adherents of the progressive movement will succeed in clouding that understanding.

Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers

North Korea ups tension with short-range missiles

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5612OE20090702
Date: Thu Jul 2, 2009 10:59am EDT

By Jack Kim and Miyoung Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles on Thursday, further stoking tension in the region that was already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test and threats to boost its nuclear arsenal in response to UN sanctions.

The North, which often fires short-range missiles as part of military drills and usually times the launches for periods of diplomatic friction, was hit with UN sanctions following its May 25 nuclear test.

The salvo began with two surface-to-ship missiles fired off North Korea's east coast between 5:20 p.m and 6 p.m. (0820-0900 GMT) that flew about 100 km (60 miles) and splashed into the sea, a South Korean defense official said.

A third short-range missile was fired around two hours later, the defense ministry said, and South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing officials in Seoul, later said a fourth had been fired.

North Korea last month warned shipping to keep away from a maritime zone extending 110 km off its east coast between June 25 and July 10, saying it was conducting a military drill.

"This activity is not unexpected," said U.S. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman.

"North Korea continues to develop and pursue missile technologies and the United States continues to remain concerned about not only their missile activities but their proliferation activities and their nuclear program."

A South Korean daily said that the secretive North may also test fire mid-range missiles, viewed by the South, the United States and others as a more serious act, in a matter of days.

Japan, a party to currently suspended six-nation talks aimed at coaxing the isolated North to give up its nuclear program in return for aid and greater diplomatic recognition, was quick to condemn Pyongyang's latest action.

"We have often warned that such a provocative act is not beneficial for North Korea's national interest," Kyodo News Agency quoted Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso as telling reporters.

The short-range missile launches came after regional markets had closed for the day, but East Asian investors have grown used to North Korea's saber-rattling and tend not to be fazed.

Analysts say they would likely panic only if there was military conflict on a peninsula, where 2 million troops face each other across one of the world's most heavily armed borders.

TIGHTENING SANCTIONS

Washington said this week it had tightened its crackdown on firms linked to the North's lucrative proliferation of missiles, a major source of cash for the destitute state, and has sent the U.S. point man for sanctions to Asia for discussions.

Enforcement of the sanctions, aimed at halting its trade in arms, would depend heavily on China, the North's biggest benefactor and trade partner, analysts said.

Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers

Price You Pay for Telling Obama the Truth!!!

Source: http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=4186
Date: June 30, 2009
Auth: Cathryn Friar

Vanity Fair has long been a must-read magazine for liberal elites so it’s no real surprise that they spent a lot of ink on a recently published hit piece on Sarah Palin. Read more about it below, see photos and a video.

When you title your article “It came from Wasilla” it’s pretty much a given that you’re trying to insult - so it seems Palin Derangement Syndrome is alive and well at Vanity Fair! In a just published 10,000-word article on Sarah Palin, author Todd Purdum mocks, smirks, and seemingly lusts after her, all the while reporting numerous “anonymous” friends and campaign workers for Senator John McCain who trash the Governor of Alaska - even calling her “A Little Shop of Horrors.”
Ok, I read the manifesto article so you wouldn’t have to! And yes. It is a fairly stunning piece of work that, regardless if you have disagreements on policy points with Sarah Palin, you cannot help but see the blatant sexism, the snippy elitisms and snobbery, and the contempt and condescension felt for not just Palin but for average, everday Americans.

Here’s just one example of many of the ridiculous sexism in the article:

“As Palin makes her way slowly across the crowded ballroom—dressed all in black; no red Naughty Monkey Double Dare pumps tonight—she is stopped every few inches by adoring fans.”

What?? Can smart political women not wear high heels? Does she need wear uber-liberal Birkenstocks to be taken seriously? Maybe you do need to read it for yourself!

Look. Sarah Palin is strong. Remarkably so. She has been living in a Fishbowl since last August when she became John McCain’s running mate. She, along with her family, is still one of the few political figures who must endure both the scrutiny of international political media including the rabid left in this country and the celebrity/entertainment venues such as Entertainment Tonite and People Magazine. She has millions of devoted fans and incredibly angry enemies. This Vanity Fair article on Sarah Palin is the most recent example of that fact.


Take the Pledge Read a Federalist Paper Every day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Federalist_Papers