Andrew Sullivan, a conservative columnist, has this post on his Daily Dish regarding the recent “compromise” (ohhh does that word have multiple meanings) on the issue of torture. Let me quote a good chunk of it, with my own emphasis:
The truly disturbing part is that the only criterion for detaining anyone without charges – citizen or non-citizen, at home or anywhere in the world – is the president’s discretion. If Rumsfeld decides you’re an enemy combatant, you can be whisked away into a black hole, tortured, or have to prove your innocence in a military commission while he insists on your guilt. The “battlefield” is everywhere; and the war is endless. This is not, to put it mildly, what the founding fathers had in mind. It is one of the darkest hours for Western liberty in a very long time. And most conservatives are cheering. Watching habeas corpus go down the plughole is not something I ever thought I would have to contemplate. Well done, Osama. You won this one big time.
No wonder people around the world are more afraid of the U.S. than they are of Osama and see us as the bigger threat. I used to have a lot of respect for John McCain. Apparently now he’s sold his soul to the Base. He praises Bush at every opportunity, speaks at Jerry Falwell’s university and now … this “compromise” … this horrible denial of basic humanity in a supposedly open & democratic society. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO COMPROMISE.
Speaking of selling out to “the base”, it’s funny that the media picked that term to refer to the extremes of both Right & Left. Democrats and Republicans are “appealing to the Base” when they take stands that pander to the extremes of their parties. Do you know the translation of Al Qaeda? It’s “the Base.” The parallels are frighteningly strong.
16 responses so far ↓
1
A Concerned Citizen
// Oct 1, 2006 at 1:37 am
I don’t understand what your problem is. Maybe someone should explain to you what treason is.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) – Cite This Source
trea‧son  /ˈtrizÉ™n/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[tree-zuhn] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
2. a violation of allegiance to one’s sovereign or to one’s state.
3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.
See definition 2, Knight. Lay off of Bush.
2
knightindragonland
// Oct 1, 2006 at 1:53 am
Wow … I jokingly refer to George Bush as “King George IV”, the fourth sovereign of that name to rule as absolute monarch over the Americas, but I wasn’t aware that our country had actually BECOME a monarchy!
We live in a DEMOCRACY, and dissent is the backbone of democracy. It is our DUTY as citizens to speak up when we feel that those elected TO REPRESENT US are failing in their responsibilities.
I’ve got something better than the dictionary for you to read … it’s called the Constitution. Be sure to include that addendum called the “Bill of Rights” … I guess you missed that one.
3
A Concerned Citizen
// Oct 1, 2006 at 2:39 am
Wow. What a fine line you seem to have drawn between the Bill of Rights and treason. Tell me something, doctor, who decides which is which? The President maybe? The very man you slander? The very man who gave you and those of your ilk considerable tax cuts during his terms. I bet you don’t oppose him when you get those big fat checks, do you? Are you even an American?
4
knightindragonland
// Oct 1, 2006 at 3:22 am
You see, that’s why you need to read the Constitution. The CONGRESS makes the laws and the JUDICIARY interprets them … not the President. You – and George – seem a bit confused on that issue.
I didn’t ask for Bush’s tax cuts. My great grandchildren will probably still be paying for his fiscal irresponsibility.
Am I an American? Ohhh, there are so many different ways to respond to that. For one, I’m apparently much more of an American than you. An American citizen is OBLIGATED to stand up and speak out when they feel the policies of the government are hurting our country and trashing the ideals upon which our country was founded. Your philosophy would be better served in North Korea. Do not question Our Fearless Leader! Feh! Do you do a good goose step?
I’m thinking that your question really is “are you an immigrant”? Well, yes, I am … as is every American whether they just swore the oath of citizenship or if their ancestors crossed the ice bridge over the Bering Strait 12,000 years ago. Not that it matters one bit, but my ancestors came to this country 4 generations ago and have lived in Illinois ever since.
Let me ask you a question, Concerned Citizen of the Fatherland … did you ever question or criticize Bill Clinton when he was President? If so, you’re quite the hypocrite.
5
Concerned Citizen
// Oct 1, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Hmm… and I assume your ansestors came from where?
No, I absolutely never critized Bill Clinton. I do not question the Commander in Chief. I have the right to vote, but once they are in office it’s for me to SUPPORT them and not abhor them. Obviously you have never served your country, and can sit in your cushy Dunlap home and insult the ones who risk their lives to protect you. I’m starting to wonder if B.H. was right.
6
knightindragonland
// Oct 1, 2006 at 5:18 pm
“and I assume your ansestors (sic) came from where?”?
First – its ancestors, not “ansestors.”? More importantly, why the hell does it matter where my ancestors came from??? Are you a racist as well as a proponent of dictatorship?
“Obviously you have never served your country”
I serve my country in the best way that I can – by doing my best to see to the health & safety of its children. Not all contributions involve carrying a gun, and that doesn’t make them any less valuable to society.
I “insult the ones who risk their lives to protect” me?
I don’t recall criticizing our men & women in uniform. They’re doing their job to the best of their ability, and I fully support them. I’m not spitting on returning vets and calling them baby-killers like some did during Vietnam, or protesting soldier’s funerals with placards saying “God Hates America” like the nuts at Westboro Baptist Church. I deplore that behavior. BECAUSE I support the troops, I feel the need to speak out when their Commander in Chief is sending them into harms way without just cause or adequate support. I am REQUIRED to speak out when the mission he imposes on them actually serves to further ENDANGER America. I’m entitled to my opinion and my voice as a citizen of the United States just as much as you.
I’m sitting in a “cushy Dunlap home”?
My cushy Dunlap home … hmmm … (looking around) … I seem to be in Pekin, not Dunlap. Thus the title of the blog is “A Knight in Dragonland,” indicating that I grew up in Peoria, attended Richwoods High School and now am living & working in Pekin. The fleur-de-lis theme is a tribute to the 15 years I spent in St. Louis. My home here in Pekin is wonderful, although I would hardly call it “cushy.”? It’s about 30 years old and has a rather odd ’70s style layout, but it has enough room for my family, a good sized yard and was well maintained by its previous owners. I worked hard for this house, including over 8 years of higher education and 3 years of 60-80 hour workweeks interspersed with call months when I would work 30 hours straight every 4 days. During that time I was paid less per hour than most sales associates at Walmart. I’d suggest you be careful with your assumptions.
7
knightindragonland
// Oct 1, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Concerned, I really don’t care if you believe me or not. I am who I say I am, and I have the right to say whatever I want about our elected officials because they’re supposed to be there to serve OUR best interests. If you believe that George Bush is serving our best interests, you are entitled to that opinion and are entitled to challenge mine. If you’re just going to deny my existence and threaten me, stay off my blog.
My suggestion that you be careful with your assumptions was directed at your mouth … or your hands, since you’re typing this. You assumed that I live in Dunlap because of my profession, and that is incorrect. I don’t make threats on my blog. A blog is a place for a discussion and argument. You know, freedom of speech? Ohhh yeah … you don’t know about that. If I wanted I could simply delete your vile drivel, but I choose to let it remain on my blog as a testament to your idiocy.
My Fatherland comment was hardly racist. You’re the one spouting ideas that would be better suited for some Orwellian dictatorship. Quit talking like a Nazi and I’ll quit naming you one.
I’m not going to shut up and “sieg heil” the leader, because he’s not a sovereign. He’s an elected official in a democracy, and accepting criticism is part of his job. The Constitution and laws of the United States are sovereign here, not the elected officials of the government. That’s why they call it “rule of law.â€? I’m not breaking any laws, and I’m certainly not violating the spirit of the Constitution like you are by suggesting that my freedom of speech should be restricted.
Are you related to the folks at the now defunct Pekin Dragons Calling blog? Your style of “discussion” is quite similar.
8
A Concerned Citizen
// Oct 1, 2006 at 8:02 pm
“Hmm… and I assume your ansestors (sic) came from where?”
First – its ancestors, not “ansestors.”?
Typos are human… I assume you know that, since the title of this post is “I Could’t Possibly Say It Any Better.”
“More importantly, why the hell does it matter where my ancestors came from??? Are you a racist as well as a proponent of dictatorship?”
OK. I’m really are starting to believe that you are a teenager. My comments about ancestors was directed towards YOUR racist comment about me being from the “Fatherland”, and if you half a brain, you would know that.
“I serve my country in the best way that I can – by doing my best to see to the health & safety of its children. Not all contributions involve carrying a gun, and that doesn’t make them any less valuable to society.”
Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot that doctors were banned from joining the military. Or is it just the soulless money-hungry ones? I forget..
“I don’t recall criticizing our men & women in uniform. They’re doing their job to the best of their ability, and I fully support them. I’m not spitting on returning vets and calling them baby-killers like some did during Vietnam, or protesting soldier’s funerals with placards saying “God Hates America” like the nuts at Westboro Baptist Church. I deplore that behavior. BECAUSE I support the troops, I feel the need to speak out when their Commander in Chief is sending them into harms way without just cause or adequate support. I am REQUIRED to speak out when the mission he imposes on them actually serves to further ENDANGER America. I’m entitled to my opinion and my voice as a citizen of the United States just as much as you.”
You are required to support your country, which you obviously don’t. OK doctor… let’s check the loyalty to your country, shall we? Say you are meeting George W. Bush… or more probably are there to protest him. You look over and notice someone pulling a gun and you have a split second to decide if you jump and taken a bullet for your president, or if you stand down because you may not like the man personally. Which would you do?
“My cushy Dunlap home … hmmm … (looking around) … I seem to be in Pekin, not Dunlap. Thus the title of the blog is “A Knight in Dragonland,” indicating that I grew up in Peoria, attended Richwoods High School and now am living & working in Pekin.”
OK Richwoods. THAT explains it. Enough said.
“The fleur-de-lis? theme is a tribute to the 15 years I spent in St. Louis. My home here in Pekin is wonderful, although I would hardly call it “cushy.”? It’s about 30 years old and has a rather odd ’70s style layout, but it has enough room for my family, a good sized yard and was well maintained by its previous owners. I worked hard for this house, including over 8 years of higher education and 3 years of 60-80 hour workweeks interspersed with call months when I would work 30 hours straight every 4 days. During that time I was paid less per hour than most sales associates at Walmart.”
Should I be playing my violin? Thanks for the description of your house (or should I say more likely your parents). I don’t care. And I agree with B.H. I don’t think for a second that you are a married man with children, much less a physician.
“I’d suggest you be careful with your assumptions.”
Is that a threat? Put your money where your mouth is, doctor. Care to meet? Care for me to meet your “wife and kids”? What happened… did they suddenly disappear? yeah, that’s happens when you’re delusional.
9
knightindragonland
// Oct 3, 2006 at 1:23 am
(SIGH) I’m getting tired of your demands, Troll. I’ve said absolutely nothing racist. I don’t care whether you’re white, black, red, yellow, blue, green or pink-with-purple-polka-dots. You insult and castigate me for expressing my Constitutional right to free speech. You don’t challenge and argue the content of my speech … you challenge my right to say it at all! You are a dictator.
I refuse to answer your question because it is ridiculous and infantile. This in no way restricts your freedom of speech.
Now, unless you have something constructive to say – some real argument to make – you are no longer welcome here. Do you actually have anything to say about the original post I made???? All you’ve done is call me a liar and a traitor, and I’ve let you insult and threaten me longer than most people would. All subsequent flame will be extinguished.
10
A Concerned Citizen
// Oct 2, 2006 at 11:41 pm
“You’re the one spouting ideas that would be better suited for some Orwellian dictatorship. Quit talking like a Nazi and I’ll quit naming you one. I’m not going to shut up and “sieg heil” the leader, because he’s not a sovereign.”
OK. WHO is the racist?
“I’m not breaking any laws, and I’m certainly not violating the spirit of the Constitution like you are by suggesting that my freedom of speech should be restricted.”
You are most definitely trying to restrict my freedom of speech and have flat out refused to answer my questions. Are you a politician then? Because you sure talk a lot for not saying anything. Would you take a bullet for your president, Doctor Fake?
11
black helicopter
// Oct 3, 2006 at 6:36 am
still waiting for you to come work a knight with me………….
12
knightindragonland
// Oct 3, 2006 at 6:44 am
Wow, look at that. Concerned Citizen and black helicopter have the same IP address. Surprise, surprise. Trolls of many colors. Pathetic.
13
Vonster
// Oct 6, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Sullivan is a conservative?
14
knightindragonland
// Oct 6, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Why not? Because he’s gay and critical of the Bush administration? No broad political movement is a monolith, Vonster.
15
Rick Wade
// Jan 29, 2007 at 5:41 pm
And I thought you tore ME a new one! Ouch!
16
Vonster
// Feb 27, 2007 at 11:20 am
Read your own spew. You can’t possibly be conservative and gay.
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