The New Tyranny (Just Like the Old Tyranny)
So the NYT thought it would be a good idea to smear this pile of feces on their op-ed page today:
AS the nation teeters at the edge of fiscal chaos, observers are reaching the conclusion that the American system of government is broken. But almost no one blames the culprit: our insistence on obedience to the Constitution, with all its archaic, idiosyncratic and downright evil provisions…
Our obsession with the Constitution has saddled us with a dysfunctional political system, kept us from debating the merits of divisive issues and inflamed our public discourse.
Want to know the kicker? The author of this feces, Louis Michael Seidman, is a professor of constitutional law. At Georgetown, no less. Which is why he really ought to know better than to try and (ahem) pass along (ahem) nuggets like these:
No sooner was the Constitution in place than our leaders began ignoring it. John Adams supported the Alien and Sedition Acts, which violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech. Thomas Jefferson thought every constitution should expire after a single generation. He believed the most consequential act of his presidency — the purchase of the Louisiana Territory — exceeded his constitutional powers.
We have a Constitution precisely because imperfect men — sometimes even well-intentioned ones — will trample on the liberties of others.
Seidman’s solution is to give those imperfect men, especially the ones with bad intentions, even more discretionary power. I dare anyone to look at Washington today and tell me honestly that’s a good idea.
OK. “It’s a good idea.” Bwahahahaha!
What do I win?
How many nations on this planet have managed to keep the same government in place for over two centuries?
The real problem isn’t that the Constitution gets in the way, it’s that it doesn’t get in the way often enough. (Can you say “Obamacare”?)
Poor example, as Obamacare ought to have been ruled unconstitutional as an mandate to take affirmative action. SCOTUS has distinguished itself through it’s generally poor defense of the constitution, and occaisional outright assault.
Hmmm, wonder which party he thinks should get to ignore the Constitution when it suits them? Likely the one that already does most often.
Let’s be clear: This guy doesn’t hate our Constitution; He hates the Bill of Rights. He hates the guarantee of freedom.
Yes, he is a “Constitutional scholar”. Well, the Devil knows every word of Scripture, and He loathes every word of it. In His view, it is downright evil.
What I would really like to see, is for guys like this to offer up their alternative to our Constitution. Let’s see what they really advocate, huh? Let’s see their true colors.
There is no idea so stupid that you can’t find an “academic” to dress it up and take it to the prom.
We need another amendment that forbids inane clusters of words to come from “scholars” mouths. Bless his heart.
Let’s give up on the Constitution and rely on what? The unappreciated wisdom of Barack Obama and Harry Reid? The NY Times? The loving, caring, warmth of people like Piers Morgan and Michael Moore?
That 236 year old piece of paper is looking better and better, ain’t it?
I’m no constitutional law expert, but didn’t the founders include provisions for amending the document? It’s difficult, and it should be, but all these whiners like Seldman mainly show they’re too lazy to change the Constitution as it’s been changed 27 times before.
If you don’t like it, amend it. What this bozo and those like him want is the ability to change it at will just because they’re “super geniuses” like Wile E. Coyote. No thanks.
Good to have you back and on a roll!
Thanks. Death Flu had me knocked down for most of two weeks, including some previously-scheduled vacation days. Still don’t have my voice back, still coughing up tons of crud, but feeling much better.
How much are the parents of his students paying for their children to be taught the Constitution by a professor who has this approach to his subject?
Since we’re giving up on parts of the Constitution I nominate the income tax and the bits that prevent me from going at New York Times editorialists with an angle grinder.
Well, at least the Grey Lady is consitent.
Have to wonder what the conversation will be like when Punch meets up w/ Pinch in the Next Life. While Punch ran a distinctly liberal publication, he also devoted tremondous resources to ostensibly straight reporting, and maintained at least a fig leaf of separation between editorial positions and covering the news.
RIP Journalism Ethics.
No Constitution is worth preserving for a people who would commit treason against it without being protected by its intended defenders.
There will always be cowardly traitors.
That’s not the question.
Will there always be brave patriots is the question.
Happy New Year, Steven. I hope 2013 brings you happiness, prosperity, fulfillment and most of all…good health.
Seidman is a farm animal willingly lobbying the rest of the livestock to be less suspicious of the farmer.