Thursday, February 28, 2013

This & That!

-The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the Voting Rights Act of 1965, considered by many one of the most important pieces of legislation in our history, remains constitutional.  Arguments centered around Rule 5 of the law, which requires certain districts, primarily in the south, that have historically demonstrated a penchant toward voter discrimination, to clear any changes in their voting laws with the federal government.  The five conservative justices on the bench expressed serious doubt that the VRA remains constitutional some 50 years after its enactment into law.  Chief Justice Roberts asked: “Is it the government’s submission that the citizens of the South are more racist than the citizens of the North?”  Justice Scalia, who has a history of being a bit of an ass, stated that the Voting rights Act was a “perpetuation of racial entitlement.”  Those in the chamber said Scalia’s comment brought gasps from the audience; which is exactly what the justice was looking for.  The essence of the conservative member’s comments was that the law had run its course and was no longer needed in our more inclusive society.  Apparently these justices were living in an alternate universe during the November elections.  Several states, yes, mostly in the south, manipulated voter id laws, reduced early voting hours and engaged in any number of questionable practices to restrict voter turnout and make it difficult if not impossible for certain members of our society to vote.  Their blatant disregard for the law targeted voting districts that were populated by primarily black and Hispanic voters.  Racism and discrimination are alive and well in this country.  Scalia’s racist comment is proof enough that the law should stand.
-While the Supreme Court was hearing arguments as to the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act; across the street at the Capitol a ceremony was taking place honoring one of the key personalities responsible for that very law. The president along with congressional leaders unveiled a statue of Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat on a bus ignited a movement that changed the nation.  You can’t help but appreciate the irony of these two events occurring at the same time.
-Republicans are literally laughing out loud at the message coming from Democrats that the impending sequestration cuts do serious damage to our economy.  Republicans say the 2.5% cuts on a $3.6 trillion dollar budget will have little economic consequence.  They say the Democrats Chicken Little “Sky is Falling” rhetoric is ridiculous.  We’ll see if they are still laughing when their constituents start losing jobs.  Remember, these are the same guys who rejected State department requests for $300 million for beefing up embassy security.  They said we didn’t have the money, and they were unwilling to add to the debt by borrowing the funds.  But when the Benghazi Consulate was attacked and four Americans died they were incredulous; pointing fingers of blame at everyone but themselves.  When you cut the size of government there ARE consequences.
-President Obama, Harry Reid, Speaker Boehner and other congressional leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss the sequester.  TOMORROW…the day the cuts go into effect.  To what end?  And why are they meeting tomorrow?  To what end?  Why couldn’t this meeting have taken place months ago?  This meeting is little more than a photo-op for political purposes.  Given the timing…it is an insult to our intelligence.                    
           

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