Republican Teaparty Conspiracy: Republicans Read the Constitution Today: "Abide by the Amendments I Like!!"

On the floor of Congress, the Republican members of Congress took to the podium and read the Constitution today and asked the American People to abide by the Amendments they Like and told them to disregard the Amendments they don't like!

Newly sworn Republicans read aloud the country's founding document today, reading all the amendments they agreed with, however, they DID NOT recite every verse and article of the document because these Republicans decided that the obsolete parts AND the parts they don't LIKE can be skipped. For instance, lawmakers did not read the 18th Amendment, which imposed prohibition on liquor in 1919. However, they did read the 21st Amendment, which repealed prohibition in 1933 and is still in force.

Republicans also left out the part of the Constitution about counting slaves and Native Americans as three-fifths of a person. However, according to the RULES, portions of the U.S. Constitution are never deleted. They can ONLY be amended!!

Two Republicans did NOT even show up! Instead they went to a PARTY! When reporters asked them about it, they said they were "OK" because they swore in on TV!!Does that work? If you watched the ceremony on TV, are YOU now a Congressman?

And get this, a Republican BIRTHER interrupted them through the reading! LOL!

And I did NOT even mention the 14th Amendment! They read the Constitution on the floor DEMANDING everyone ABIDE by the Constitution -- This while racist/extremist Rep Steve King proposes to Change the 14th Amendment - Birthright Citizenship!

What is it with these wackos???
They read the portions of the Constitution they LIKE!
They didn't read the portions they didn't like!
They are attempting to change these portions, YET they say ABIDE BY IT!!
Republicans! They truly are a disgrace to America and to our Founding Fathers!!

First Day of sb1070 hearing Disastrous for Brewer (La Bruja) and Cohorts

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV - One day after the first SB1070 court hearing there are new questions about how police will actually enforce the law. Nine On Your Side's Steve Nunez poured over his notes from the hearing and found testimony from the governor's own attorney that could deal a blow to the law's future. Judge Susan Bolton admitted the provision to "stop, detain, and arrest" is the most contentious part of Arizona's immigration law.

At issue: how long can an officer detain a person before determining immigration status?
Governor Brewer's Attorney John Bouma could not give an answer. He did say SB1070 still gives officers the option to call ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) when reasonable.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada says if that's the case he can then continue to do what he's been doing for years: turn illegal's over to Border Patrol. Nunez asked Estrada: "What's the difference between stopping someone for a civil violation, writing a ticket and letting them go and stopping someone for a civil violation, writing a ticket but then questioning them for immigration status?"

Estrada answered, "With a civil violation you can't hold anybody and they can refuse to sign, for example, a traffic ticket. On a criminal violation they don't have an option if they don't sign it they get arrested."

Under SB1070, that means a person, including a legal resident alien or U.S. Citizen who fails to provide immigration papers or a valid driver's license, could be indefinitely detained until they can prove their legal status. Judge Bolton also raised the question: would undetermined detention time violate constitutional laws that restrict unreasonable detentions?

Immigration Attorney John Messing said the fact Governor Brewer's legal team could not answer this question blows a big hole in their defense case. "Because the constitution says you can't hold people without making an initial appearance within 24 hours that's the way Arizona structured its criminal code. If Governor Brewer's attorney's lose this initial salvo I think certain momentum will be built into the case that at the district court level could be disastrous for their side," said Messing. Messing now believes SB1070 will be challenged all the way to the Supreme Court.

Arrogant Arpaio Deputies Violate Constitution/Attorney-Client Privilege in this Blatant Abuse of Power IN COURT!

The ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE is an evidentiary rule that protects both attorneys and their clients from being compelled to disclose confidential communications between them made for the purpose of furnishing or obtaining legal advice or assistance. The American colonies adopted this approach to the attorney-client privilege, and Delaware codified the privilege in its first constitution in 1776.

In this video, you will see Joe Arpaio and his goons spit on the Constitution as one of Maricopa County's deputies blatantly VIOLATE Attorney Client Privilege in Open Court proceedings as the Trial is underway!

Last week, during the hearing, deputies casually walk over to defense attorney Joanne Cuccia's table as she's addressing the judge, and pick up some of her paperwork. One MCSO guard waltzes out of the room with the docs, and reportedly makes copies, bringing them back as if it was just another day at work. Cuccia flips out, as well she should under the circumstances. And the judge halts the hearing until the matter can be sorted out at a later date.

On Friday, at the deputy's hearing before Judge Gary Donahoe, the deputy, Adam Stoddard, admitted taking the papers saying the security officers were screening defense documents in the case. Judge Donahoe reviewed the paperwork in question on Friday and determined that the documents were subject to attorney-client privilege. Judge Donahoe continued the hearing to next Thursday where he will make his ruling.
References:
Attorney Client Privilege
MCSO Deputies Swipe Defense Attorney's Docs, MCSO Says Deputies "Acted Appropriately"
"Court officer: Paperwork taken for screenings"

Judge Sotomayor and my Lesson from Eighth Grade

When I was in Junior High School I had an experience I do not like to dwell upon. I am reminded of that experience today, through the Sotomayor hearings. Some Republicans and Right wing Shock Jocks have attempted to label Judge Sotomayor a reverse racist. In reality, she is not. Instead, she is a strict advocate of the law. Her enemies, for various political reasons, are mischaracterizing her actions.
Additionally, some right wingers seem to suggest racism against minorities does not exist in our country and all things are equal. These right wingers are wrong.

My Junior High School experience helped me learn a very important lesson in life. As many of my long time readers know, I grew up in Michigan. Since my Dad worked in an auto factory, we were one of the very few Latino families that lived in Michigan all year long. Growing up, most of my friends were white. There were very few Latinos or Blacks living in Lansing at the time. In eighth grade, my friend Allie and I walked home from school. We often took short cuts because we lived miles away from school.

When Allie and I walked home, we cut across some railroad tracks. On one particular day, we saw a purse on the tracks. Allie picked it up. She looked inside and saw a wallet. It had the name of a student with our school ID in it. We both decided she would take it to the principal's office the next day so the owner could pick it up.

The next afternoon, just before the end of the school day, I was called into the vice principal's office. She started badgering me with numerous questions. "Did you take it?" "Why did you take it?" I was startled by her attack. I explained that Allie and I found the purse and we both agreed she would bring it into the office. The Vice Principal kept badgering me. Being only 12 years old, I finally started crying. The Vice Principal said my tears proved I was lying and I may as well admit I stole it. I said no. I did not. I asked her to bring Allie in the room. She said No. She was not going to do that to her. She told me to go home and think about it and come back with a confession the next day.

Since it was after the school day ended, I walked home alone, crying the whole way. My mom and dad were waiting for me when I arrived. I was late. They saw me crying. They wanted to know what was wrong.

I explained what happened.

Mom and Dad were both quiet. They both sat beside me and let me cry. I said, "Why would they think that? Why? I have always been a good student. Why would they think that?"

They hugged me. Then Dad said, "This is your first experience with true racism. This is not the last time this will happen. Expect it to happen many more times. In situations like this, some people will just assume you are guilty simply because you are Mexican."

"But why Dad? Why? I am a good girl."
He nodded. "Yes mija. I know you are a good girl. But we Mexicans are always suspect in some people's eyes. We have to know the rules and abide by them. We have to work twice as hard just to be considered equal. You will see others bend the rules or break them, but you can never do so. And the crimes of one Mexican are layed on the shoulders of all of us."

I blinked back my tears and listened to every word he was saying. "But Dad. Is that fair?"

"It doesn't matter if it is fair or not. It is just the way it is."
I started to cry again. "Dad. I don't want to go back to school if that is how it is going to be."

"No mijita. No. You must go back to school. If you do not go back to school you will do exactly what they want you to do. They want you to give up. You cannot do that. You are an American. This is our country too. You were born here. I was born here. My Dad was born here. This is our country just as much as it is their country. We are ALL Americans. You must go back. You must complete your education. You must achieve your dreams."

I stopped crying and I nodded.

He added, "Tomorrow, I want you to go back to your friend and ask her what she told the principal. If she is your friend and she is honest, she will tell you the truth. Then the both of you can go back to the principal and tell the truth."

I nodded. My parents both hugged me.

Though I didn't want to go back the next day, I did as my father suggested. I went back to Allie and asked her what she said to the principal. She told me she went to the Vice Principal, turned in the purse and told her we found it. I told her what the Vice Principal said. It was Allie's turn to become angry. We both went back to the Vice Principal's office. Allie repeated the truth about what happened and asked the Vice Principal why she made accusations against me. The VP became quiet and shrugged. She said "Fine" and guided us to leave her office. Though she looked embarrassed, she never apologized to me, but at least she left me alone.

I thought about my eighth grade experience as I heard Republican Senators rehash over and over again Judge Sotomayor's out of context comments or their misinterpretation of the Ricci case. I admire Judge Sotomayor's civility and poise throughout the hearing and as she proved her diligence to the Constitution and the Rule of Law her entire career. She believed in hard work and Education in order to achieve the American Dream, just like my Dad coached me.

1964 Comic Book Foresaw America Growing Up, Finally Embracing the Constitution and Electing Barack Obama!

As many of my long time readers know, I attended a Catholic Elementary School. They were strict disciplinarians and taught me the need for a strong education and good behavior-citizenship.
They encouraged me to read and study, even through playtimes. Our reading lists included "The Weekly Reader" and "Treasure Chest" comic books. They encouraged me to expand my mind and think about our Constitution, Civil Rights and respect the concept of "All Men Are Created Equal!"
Today, during my daily research, I came across an interesting article about one of the "Treasure Chest" series written in 1964 entitled "the Pettigrew story." While this series was written in 1964, it was set 12 years in the future, during the presidential primaries of 1976. The Pettigrew story is both a civics lesson and Nancy Drew mystery. Cliffhangers end the first five parts of the six-part series. Pettigrew runs a close second in the New Hampshire primary, survives an assassination attempt and goes on to win the nomination with the energetic assistance of Joey and Angie Blatt, children of campaign press secretary Bart Blatt and his wife, Jane.Throughout the series, Pettigrew is always in the shadows, viewed from a distance, or hidden behind pillars and poles through the first five parts of the series. It is only at the conclusion, as the candidate takes center stage to accept his party’s nomination, that readers discover that the candidate is a “Negro,” a black man.
This is a fascinating series. (short video of the series) What is amazing is Pettigrew looks very much like Barack Obama.