Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has a knack for saying just the right thing. She famously educated Chris Matthews on the merits of guilt by association saying “…usually we associate with people who have similar ideas to us, and it seems that it calls into questions what Barack Obama’s true beliefs, and values, and thoughts are…I am very concerned that he [Barack Obama] may have anti-American views.” Now, Bachman is inviting conservative commentator Sean Hannity and Christian evangelical author David Barton to teach lawmakers the nuances of Constitutional law. Bachmann originally considered Supreme Court Justices Scalia or Clarence Thomas but neither could match Hannity’s honorary degree (he dropped out of two colleges) from the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, or Barton’s religious education BA degree from Oral Roberts Univerity.
Neither Hannity nor Barton are lawyers, of course, but they do subscribe to the “myth” of Church-State separation and the need to place the likeness of Rush Limbaugh on Mount Rushmore (just kidding on the last part – I think). According to Bachmann deputy chief of staff, Brook Bialke, “Topics ranging from the commerce clause to the intersection of constitutional principles with daily concerns such as Medicare will be covered.”
Should be educational — in an Orwellian kind of way.
Source: Think Progress
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
eniobob
but they still have obama to blame for anything and everything they don’t accomplish.
Blouise —
Thanks for bringing Edith Sitwell into the conversation.
She’s also responsible for, “The public will believe anything, so long as it is not founded on truth.” Words to campaign by.
The one thought that continues to terrify me is that 47 million people voted for Sarah Palin for VP. TERRIFIES me.
eniobob,
Interesting article. Barabak could have just as easily been talking about the Marie Antoinette and the French aristocracy. Those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
Republicans’ hard line since winning House could backfire
Republicans’ prescriptions for the sluggish economy excite the party’s conservative base, but many voters are more interested in jobs than the ideological battles with Democrats.
By Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times
November 11, 2010|4:59 p.m.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-volatility-republicans-20101112,0,208166.story
Buddha Is Laughing
1, November 14, 2010 at 11:54 am
mespo727272 1, November 14, 2010 at 11:47 am
Pete Moran:
“Where are the critical thinking classes in schools USofA?”
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You’re participating in one right now.
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Several live to be of service.
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Help!
Seriously … although it is tempting to dismiss these women (Bachmann, Palin, etc)as kooks, rafflaw is right, “Michele Bachmann is very dangerous and very stupid.”
Stupidity coupled with power is extremely dangerous.
I particularly like Edith Sitwell’s words: “I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it.”
This is now moot since Ms. Bachmann’s planned revolt, which was to be a precursor to reeducating the present GOP leadership, has been temporarily squashed.
From a further link in that article:
[This summer, Bachmann hinted at a bid to overthrow the supposedly-moderate GOP leadership and replace them with true “constitutional conservatives.” Apparently acting on that plan, Bachmann announced this week that she wants to start a “Constitutional Conservative Caucus” to “stop any bill from passing” that she deems unconstitutional, such as “a stimulus or a government takeover of health care.” Bachmann touted the plan yesterday on the radio show of Fox News host Glenn Beck, who naturally loved it and told his listeners to “beg” their new members of Congress to join the caucus.]
I have hope yet of seeing the GOP leadership reeducated, but not at Ms. Bachmanns hands.
Maybe we could get her to set up a surreptitious “Constitutional Conservative Caucus”, lock the door, and throw away the key.
When I was in high school I took a course in number theory that included set analysis thru the National Science Foundation.
mespo727272 1, November 14, 2010 at 11:47 am
Pete Moran:
“Where are the critical thinking classes in schools USofA?”
************
You’re participating in one right now.
_______
Several live to be of service.
Pete Moran:
“Where are the critical thinking classes in schools USofA?”
************
You’re participating in one right now.
Pete Moran,
“Where are the critical thinking classes in schools USofA?”
Few and far between and practically non-existent below the post-secondary level. With one exception (related to a program I was in and not available to all students), every course in logic I’ve ever taken was at university, although they ran a wide gamut from symbolic logic to rhetoric to game theory.
I’ve only voted Republican once and I am 56 but personally I think Congress during the Obama administration greatly neglected Constitutional rights even though the majority is lawyers. Because of their legal education and good luck, they lived a life of privilege in which they were not subject to unlawful incarceration or other due process violations.
The constitution belongs to everyone and everyone should be able to discuss it whether they went to law school or not.
Michele Bachmann is very dangerous and very stupid. This Barton creep should make a great Con Law professor for this willing audience of Teapublicans who are only concerned how the Constitution allowed a Black man into the Presidency!
Pete Moran:
“It’s truly frightening. Where is this heading?”
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I completely agree about the lack of critical thinking, but moving on…
As to where we’re headed? Well… given my very uncomfortable seat on the bus, it looks like we might be goin’ off a cliff at some point. I’m hoping that it’s not “a done deal”…
In the meantime, all I can do is submit FOIA requests, network, and pray that what’s going on domestically will be exposed and brought to a screeching halt. Having said this, many are complacent and compliant — they’re just what these superfreaks want the average person on the street to be, which is uninformed and eager to do whatever is asked of them by “the state”…
Where are the critical thinking classes in schools USofA?
You’ve got yourself a 2-3 generation problem going on here. These people (Bachmann, Palin, Hannity etc) can get away with everything they do (for their intended audience) because the people soaking this garbage up don’t have the skills to ask questions.
It’s truly frightening. Where is this heading?
From here on out, you’ll be Ampleforth to me!
(Point of clarification: The spelling issue was an aside. 🙂 )
Where we appear to be headed — these Stepford-like “people” — are beyond Orwellian.
Regarding Ampleforth, for those who have forgotten or don’t recall:
http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/1984/19/
anon nurse:
““Should be educational – in a Orwellian kind of way.” -mespo
mespo, typo. “a” SB “an”, of course.
Very Orwellian.”
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Just call me “Ampleforth.”
“Should be educational – in a Orwellian kind of way.” -mespo
mespo, typo. “a” SB “an”, of course.
Very Orwellian.
Nal:
When is doubt Barton just makes ’em up.
Phony James Madison Quotations Popularized by David Barton