Clueless People
Protests by an anti-gay group at military funerals are prompting lawmakers in Indiana and Illinois to consider legislative action.
An Indiana Senate committee today endorsed a bill that would make disorderly conduct a felony offense if it occurs within 500 feet of a funeral or memorial service. [...]
The move comes the same day that an anti-gay group protested the funeral of an Evansville soldier killed in Iraq. [...]
Meanwhile, Illinois’ lieutenant governor says he’ll push for a law that would ban such demonstrations outright. (source)
Just a couple of thoughts....
1) I’m no fan of Fred Phelps and his clan of nit wits. For years they have protested at the funerals of countless gay men, including Matthew Shepard. Where was the concern of these lawmakers then? Yes I know, it’s a dumb question because the answer is
...so it was not an issue for them, but I thought it was important to point that out.
2) “...Illinois’ lieutenant governor says he’ll push for a law that would ban such demonstrations outright.”
How do you become a lieutenant governor without realizing that banning these demonstrations in state law is a violation of the U.S. Constitution?
3 Comments
Leave a comment
On the "clueless electorate", Tocquevuille is always a fun read...
UNLIMITED POWER OF THE MAJORITY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/1_ch15.htm
My favorite excerpt from this chapter...
"Jefferson also said: 'The executive power in our government is not the only, perhaps not even the principal, object of my solicitude. The tyranny of the legislature is really the danger most to be feared, and will continue to be so for many years to come. The tyranny of the executive power will come in its turn, but at a more distant period.'"
That "distant period" is here!
And, where are we heading...
"If ever the free institutions of America are destroyed, that event may be attributed to the omnipotence of the majority, which may at some future time urge the minorities to desperation and oblige them to have recourse to physical force. Anarchy will then be the result, but it will have been brought about by despotism."
How? The same way you become President of the U.S. without realizing that domestic wiretapping and spying without a warrant issued by a competent court is also a violation of the Constitution. Can we say "clueless electorate"?
because you know that enacting the law will win you political points; and then when it gets overturned as unconstitutioinal, you can blame "acitivist judges" for not protecting our servicemembers memories!