March 28, 2008

Don't Get Caught Off Guard

Most of us conservatives have found ourselves at a party or at work when we're assailed by an ultra lefty , telling us why the government should take care of us from the cradle to the grave. Or that we're "addicted to oil" or killing the planet. Sometimes we're caught off guard and left speechless. Well I'm here to tell you that you don't need to go into battle unarmed!

Visit the Heritage Foundation and order your free pocket Constitution!

Keep it in your pocket or your purse and when you're assailed pull it out and ask your assailant where in the Constitution does it say that we're all entitled to free health insurance. Where does it say that you can't display the Ten Commandments? Where does it say that it's the President's job to "fix" our country? Our country is a republic, not a pure democracy.

It probably won't help you with the Iraq argument. Just remember, facts are stubborn things. It is a fact that the Clinton Administration's policy toward Iraq was regime change. It's a fact that Sadam Hussein used WMD's to slaughter thousands of Kurds. It's a fact that Sadam Hussein violated numerous UN resolutions. It's a fact that the Congress approved the use of force to invade Iraq based on the same intelligence available to the Bush Administration. Regardless of how you feel about why we went into Iraq, it's a fact that we are there now and so are the terrorists. We have a moral obligation to finish what we started.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What parties do you go to? Sound hostile. Still, I take issue with your Constitutional defenses.

::where in the Constitution does it say that we're all entitled to free health insurance.::

There are many things that are not in the Constitution that affect our lives. Where in the Constitution does it say that we're *not* supposed to have universal healthcare? What clause or amendment in the Constitution prohibits universal healthcare?

:: Where does it say that you can't display the Ten Commandments? ::

Pretty easy. The First Amendment prohibits the establishment of state-sponsored religion. Case closed. Over and over again, conservative and liberal Supreme Courts have upheld this fact. When a federal, state, or local institution goes about promoting a particular religion, it does so in violation of the First Amendment. Plus, there are these private institutions -- oh, what are they called? oh yes, CHURCHES -- where you can hang up as many copies of the Ten Commandments as you want, pray out loud and drink pretend blood every day of the week. I see no reason why those of you on the right seem to think we need that stuff in every public school and government building.

:: Where does it say that it's the President's job to "fix" our country? ::

Where does it say that the president *should not* attempt to fix the country? The president is given the power of a chief executive, and over the course of our nation's history, this executive has come to be the person who sets the policy and general direction of the nation's affairs. Should the president simply hide in a room for 4-8 years?

:: Just remember, facts are stubborn things. ::

Indeed. And, folks on your side are usually pretty stubborn about which "facts" you will listen to.

:: It is a fact that the Clinton Administration's policy toward Iraq was regime change. ::

So? I opposed Clinton's airstrikes and sanctions against Iraq as I oppose this war.

:: It's a fact that Sadam Hussein used WMD's to slaughter thousands of Kurds. ::

Hundreds of dictators slaughter thousands of people each year. Why aren't you clamoring for the U.S. to overthrow the Islamist government of Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of Darfuri continue to be slaughtered? And, by the way, where did Saddam get those chemical weapons? Oh yes, it was from the U.S. government, because back then Saddam was our "buffer" against those crazy Shiites in Iran.

:: It's a fact that Sadam Hussein violated numerous UN resolutions. ::

So has Israel in relation to the Palestinians. Why aren't you clamoring for an invasion of Israel?

:: It's a fact that the Congress approved the use of force to invade Iraq based on the same intelligence available to the Bush Administration. ::

Yeah, not exactly. The Bush Admin chose the most damning evidence from the available intelligence and suppressed or outright deleted the intelligence that hurt their case. Then, they bullied the weak-willed Dems and forced those on the Intelligence Committees in the House and Senate to meet in closed session with the understanding that they could not say anything about what was discussed in public.

Colin Powell's speech at the UN? Nonsense. The "yellowcake" claim? Bogus, and the U.S. intelligence community knew it before Bush made it. So, to say that "all" the same intelligence was available to everyone is nonsense.

:: Regardless of how you feel about why we went into Iraq, it's a fact that we are there now and so are the terrorists. ::

It's also true that prior to our invasion, the terrorists only seemed welcome in Kurdistan, where Saddam had no control. Yes, the terrorists are there now, because they want to recruit new jihadis and kill Americans and destroy American things. We sucked them into a country that had NO suicide bombings prior to 2003.

:: We have a moral obligation to finish what we started. ::

I almost agree with this statement, except for one thing: what have we started and how does it become finished? If I could hear one war supporter's clear and articulate message as to what it is we are doing in Iraq now that Saddam is dead and when we might reasonable expect *that thing* to be done, then I might be willing to grant this notion.

But, I see no goal. I see no mission. What is it? It seems to me that if we leave now or in 5 years or 50 years, the result is likely to be the same: the Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds will get about to killing each other and partitioning the country, or they won't. Those are the two outcomes I see. The only difference is whether or not American blood and treasure are spent and destroyed over there or not. Please tell me what difference the American presence makes and how our leaving will make it worse or stave off the inevitable?

Anyway....

The Lonely Conservative said...

To Tafka PB-You're the type that reads the Constitution for what you wish it said. "Where in the Constitution does it say that we're 'not' supposed to have universal healthcare?"

Amendment X "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The Amendment I states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free expression thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech...." Posting the Ten Commandments is not the establishment of religion.

Why don't you just move to France or better yet, Cuba?

The Lonely Conservative said...

And about your numerous comments on the situation in the middle east, do you believe that Israel has no right to defend itself against Palestinian terrorists? Why do you think Iran is the way it is today. Pull out your history books and you'll find that the great peace loving Jimmy Carter caused that. As far as when we get out of Iraq-we'll do it when the Iraqi's can defend themselves against the terrorists. I'm sure you're not at all interested in any of the progress we've made over there. Just keep whining, and remember how many people have died to protect you're rights.

Anonymous said...

To The Lonely Conservative...

You are so cool!

Anonymous said...

I fail to see how the Tenth Amendment prohibits universal healthcare. Does it prohibit federal funding of public libraries? Medicare? Medicaid?

When are those things going to face a consitutional challenge by one of your right wing think tanks?

And, you can reprint the First Amendment all you want, but the fact is -- as I stated and you ignored -- the Supreme Court has ruled in accordance with my interpretation of the establishment clause time and time again, when the court was controlled by Republicans (or others on the right) and when it has been controlled by Democrats (or others on the left).

I love the "move to France" line. How original. You seem to be doing nothing but bellyaching about the state of the country, why don't you move?

Progress in Iraq? What progress? Even you admit that if the US pulls out it will be a bloodbath. Where's all this amazing progress you speak of? With all this progress, why will the Iraqis start killing each other if we leave?

And, I'd invite you to read your history books, son. Google the term "1953 Iranian Coup" in which the CIA and MI5 overthrew a democratically elected government to install their despotic stooge. (Sound similar to Iraq?) The reason the ayatollahs took over in Iran is because the people were tired of living under the thumb of a U.S. controlled tyrant.

I suppose you think Carter should have invaded Iran in 1979 to stop the revolution, huh?

Fortunately for the Iranians, the U.S. didn't start selling arms and chemicals to both the Iraqis and the Iranians until the 1980s. Otherwise, I'm sure the U.S. backed shah would have gassed many of his own people with American goods, just like Saddam Hussein did.

Finally, this could have been a good conversation, but it appears you're not going actually refute my arguments and instead simply regurgitate your tired neocon sound bites.

As far as not loving America or not caring about the people who died to protect my rights, you can sell that crap to the tourists. I greatly respect the military. My brother did his time in the service and my sister is currently on active duty. So shove it.

AND, as much as I support the troops, there ain't nothing happening in Iraq that has a rat's ass to do with my rights or your rights.

Tell me again how Saddam Hussein threatened the Constitution or the American homeland.

Why don't you move to Israel? I hear they have the 10 Commandments up there everywhere.

The Lonely Conservative said...

Tafka-The reason I did not address each and every one of your numerous points is because I have a job. When I have time I'll address some of your points in a new post, but only for the benefit of my readers. I'm kicking myself for wasting any of my lunch break replying to you now.

Further, telling a lady to "shove it" is not very gentlemanly.

The Lonely Conservative said...

To Anonymous (stuck in between the other comments)-

Thanks:o)