Thought Crimes Bill Advances

The inability of lawmakers to understand the constitution, equal treatment before the law, double jeopardy, and individual liberty is stunning. In some ways it prevents me from believing that American as currently constituted can endure.

clipped from www.realclearpolitics.com The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed in a 249-175 vote (17 Republicans joined with 231 Democrats). These Democrats should have been tested on their knowledge of the First Amendment, equal protection of the laws (14th Amendment), and the prohibition of double jeopardy (no American can be prosecuted twice for the same crime or offense). If they had been, they would have known that this proposal, now headed for a Senate vote, violates all these constitutional provisions. Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, think hard about what Corry adds: “A government powerful enough to pick and choose which thoughts to prosecute is a government too powerful.” Remember, however, as Kathleen Gilbert notes (LifeSiteNews.com) that “free speech advocates have pointed out that under current U.S. law, any action that ‘abets, counsels, commands (or) induces a perceived ‘hate crime’ shares in the guilt of that crime and is therefore punishable.”

Joe Biden is a Major Player, says Joe Biden

So does it comfort you to know that a kook of this major dimension is one heartbeat away from the Presidency – or would it be comforting to know that this clown could only improve on who is in there now?

clipped from www.powerlineblog.com Yesterday’s Washington Post served up this headline: “Obama Enlists Biden’s Expertise About High Court.” The sole source cited by the Post for the proposition that Biden has a major say in selecting the next Supreme Court nominee is Biden himself. The only other source in the portion of the story that deals with Biden’s role in policy matters is Ron Klain, Talkin’ Joe’s chief of staff. Klain touted Biden’s foreign travels and asserted that “having a vice president who can do that sort of work has been a huge asset to the president.” It’s not difficult to discern what happened here. Biden made a fool out of himself once more with his statement that he “wouldn’t go anywhere in confined spaces right now.” So he and his staff sought to plant a puff piece about his role in grown-up policy stuff. And the Washington Post duly obliged. Obama should put Biden to use when it comes time to prep the eventually nominee for his or her Senate hearing in order to make sure the nominee can suffer fools.