Monday, July 12, 2004
The GOP's Attack on the Constitution of the United States.
The GOP's Attack on the Constitution of the United States.
Chanur Silvarian
July 10, 2004
The GOP has launched an all out attack on liberties guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States. Within the last four years they have attacked five of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights as well as the 14th amendment which is our country's protection from predjudice and bigotry.
The Texas GOP 2004 State Republican Party Platform states, "The Republican Party of Texas affirms that the United States of America is a Christian nation". This is a fundamental rejection of freedom of religion guaranteed in the 1st amendment to the constitution. The National GOP Platform states, "As we strive to forge a national consensus on the crucial issues of our time, we call on all Americans to reject the forces of hatred and bigotry. Accordingly, we denounce all who practice or promote racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic prejudice, and religious intolerance." but the national convention has not condemned the religious intolerance of the Texas GOP or the bigotry of GOP members seeking a constitutional amendment to ban gay marraige.
Bush himself has claimed to be above the law in announcing that he could hold certain prisoners without charges, trial, or right to a lawyer, which runs directly counter to the 5th and 6th amendments. This claim has, of course, been overturned by the Supreme Court but to even make the claim shows the contempt that this administration and the GOP at large has for the civil rights guaranteed in the constitution. It is still to be seen, in the trials of these prisoners, whether or not the right to hear evidence against them (5th amendment) will be upheld or whether the court will allow the evidence to remain secret from the defendant and their counsel.
This administration's desire for a means to circumvent the Geneva Conventions' ban of torturing prisoners shows not only contempt for internation laws of war but also a contempt for the 8th amendment of the U.S. Constitution which bars cruel and unusual punishments.
Bush has endorsed an amendment to the constitution to ban gay marraige which is a violation of equal protection under the law guaranteed in the 14th amendment. The anti-gay marraige amendment was written by a republican representative from Colorado and is supported by many republicans throughout the house and senate.
Going all the way back to the 2000 election season we find more contempt for the constitution. At that time the driver's license of vice-president Dick Cheney was a Texas license. The Constitution states quite clearly that the president and vice-president cannot be from the same state. In June 2002 Cheney still had a Texas license. The license in June 2002 showed a business address rather than a residence address which is illegal under Texas law. The address shown in 2002 was Halliburton's address at 500 N. Akard Street Dallas, TX.
It is quite amazing that these same people say that any who oppose them are "unpatriotic" or "hate America". If patriotic love for America means loving, respecting, and protecting the Constitution of the United States then I think that the GOP needs to take a hard long look at its own actions before making such statements about others.
Chanur Silvarian
July 10, 2004
The GOP has launched an all out attack on liberties guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States. Within the last four years they have attacked five of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights as well as the 14th amendment which is our country's protection from predjudice and bigotry.
The Texas GOP 2004 State Republican Party Platform states, "The Republican Party of Texas affirms that the United States of America is a Christian nation". This is a fundamental rejection of freedom of religion guaranteed in the 1st amendment to the constitution. The National GOP Platform states, "As we strive to forge a national consensus on the crucial issues of our time, we call on all Americans to reject the forces of hatred and bigotry. Accordingly, we denounce all who practice or promote racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic prejudice, and religious intolerance." but the national convention has not condemned the religious intolerance of the Texas GOP or the bigotry of GOP members seeking a constitutional amendment to ban gay marraige.
Bush himself has claimed to be above the law in announcing that he could hold certain prisoners without charges, trial, or right to a lawyer, which runs directly counter to the 5th and 6th amendments. This claim has, of course, been overturned by the Supreme Court but to even make the claim shows the contempt that this administration and the GOP at large has for the civil rights guaranteed in the constitution. It is still to be seen, in the trials of these prisoners, whether or not the right to hear evidence against them (5th amendment) will be upheld or whether the court will allow the evidence to remain secret from the defendant and their counsel.
This administration's desire for a means to circumvent the Geneva Conventions' ban of torturing prisoners shows not only contempt for internation laws of war but also a contempt for the 8th amendment of the U.S. Constitution which bars cruel and unusual punishments.
Bush has endorsed an amendment to the constitution to ban gay marraige which is a violation of equal protection under the law guaranteed in the 14th amendment. The anti-gay marraige amendment was written by a republican representative from Colorado and is supported by many republicans throughout the house and senate.
Going all the way back to the 2000 election season we find more contempt for the constitution. At that time the driver's license of vice-president Dick Cheney was a Texas license. The Constitution states quite clearly that the president and vice-president cannot be from the same state. In June 2002 Cheney still had a Texas license. The license in June 2002 showed a business address rather than a residence address which is illegal under Texas law. The address shown in 2002 was Halliburton's address at 500 N. Akard Street Dallas, TX.
It is quite amazing that these same people say that any who oppose them are "unpatriotic" or "hate America". If patriotic love for America means loving, respecting, and protecting the Constitution of the United States then I think that the GOP needs to take a hard long look at its own actions before making such statements about others.
All articles in this archive are used under "fair use" as they are important to the national discussion of whether or not the people of this country are being deceived by their government. These articles are used as evidence in that discussion.
