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Swearing an Oath
Author: BobR    Date: 10/12/2017 13:17:25

 
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
- Presidential Oath of Office


When pResident tRump was sworn into office earlier this year, he - like every president before him - took the Oath of Office. It's pretty simple. The central idea is that every president is bound by the Constitution. Unlike quite a few state constitutions, the U.S. Constitution - even with it's numerous amendments - isn't that big or complex. It's fairly clear that tRump has never read it, or at the very least doesn't understand it.

The very first amendment, one of the ten "Bill of Rights" amendments added just a couple years after the Constitution was ratified, contains the most important rights we consider to be a "given":

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"


These words - enshrined in our Constitution which tRump swore to "preserve, protect, and defend" are the cornerstone rights that allow all of us to criticize the government without fear of reprisal from the government. Obviously, they do not protect us from the consequences of our words and actions in the private sphere, but there can be no recourse from the government.

We've seen tRump attempt to selectively apply laws based on religion (Islam). He has recently called for the firing of NFL players for exercising their freedom of speech. He has tried to damage the reputation of any person or company in the press who criticizes him.

Within the last several days, however, he has gone beyond even that - threatening governmental action against television news organizations:




He then doubled-down on it:




That has raised a LOT of eyebrows, as well it should. Censoring the news is the stuff of dictators and tyrants. At least one Republican (Ben Sasse (R-NB)) has voiced his concern, and former Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev’s granddaughter is reminded of Stalin. That is where we are right now.

This cannot stand. He has violated his oath of office. He is going against everything this country has stood for since it's inception. Fortunately, there are remedies, if other members of our government are brave enough to use them. There is of course impeachment, which will be likely once Mueller finally completes his investigation. There is also the 25th Amendment, yet another part of the Constitution with which tRump is unfamiliar. That seems less likely, but we can always hold out hope.

In the meantime, we will all be "swearing oaths" every time he pushes us further away from the Constitution and towards a banana republic.

 
 

27 comments (Latest Comment: 10/13/2017 03:37:55 by BobR)
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Comment by wickedpam on 10/12/2017 13:26:00
Morning

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 13:27:11
Entirely alarming and really well stated.

This is not only not normal -- it is deeply abnormal. He has to go.



good morning.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 13:36:28
Comment by Scoopster on 10/12/2017 13:42:14
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 13:52:52
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

WHAT?!

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/12/2017 13:53:10
Quote by Raine:

from a link in the article:


Didn't know what it was, but Robin figured it was important and shut the hell up. And then does a hilarious riff off the cuff about it.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 13:54:00
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

WHAT?!

Oh my god. We are turning into pre world war 2 germany

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/12/2017 13:54:16
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.



http://conservationwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cite.jpg


Comment by Scoopster on 10/12/2017 13:59:51
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

http://conservationwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cite.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DL8S6WzXUAAi7ZN.jpg:large


Comment by Scoopster on 10/12/2017 14:25:44
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

WHAT?!

Oh my god. We are turning into pre world war 2 germany

I wouldn't be surprised if the real reason for this is that the S in UNESCO stands for Science.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 15:51:14
This is fascinating --- the Grapevines are saving lives.
Palmaz fought that kind of grass and brush around buildings, and lost a guesthouse. But the three-story Henry Hagen estate, built in 1876, was spared, as well as the approximately 10% of his 640 acres that are planted in vineyards.

“I’ve been out there with a shovel and a hoe and rakes for the last 38 hours — with my sister and my wife — and I can tell you these vineyards are absolutely a godsend,” Palmaz said.

“Ninety percent of the property is wildland. It all burned … except the vineyard.”



Comment by BobR on 10/12/2017 15:52:13
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

http://conservationwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cite.jpg

I saw the story bedore Scoopster posted it. Perhaps you should pay more attention to the world around you.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 17:53:58
He did it again!





Comment by wickedpam on 10/12/2017 17:56:56
Quote by Raine:
He did it again!






Cause he this just saying makes it happen. He's an idiot and unfit to be pres.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/12/2017 17:57:30
Oh and really, Bernie Sanders to headline the Women's Conference?! Fuck no.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 17:58:49
Quote by wickedpam:
Oh and really, Bernie Sanders to headline the Women's Conference?! Fuck no.

I am SO PISSED OFF about that.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/12/2017 18:02:01
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Oh and really, Bernie Sanders to headline the Women's Conference?! Fuck no.

I am SO PISSED OFF about that.



I am so far past the point of beyond pissed off at and about Sanders I can't see straight about it anymore. Him and his bros.....just..............................................

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 18:04:43
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Oh and really, Bernie Sanders to headline the Women's Conference?! Fuck no.

I am SO PISSED OFF about that.



I am so far past the point of beyond pissed off at and about Sanders I can't see straight about it anymore. Him and his bros.....just..............................................

That Bernie ACCEPTED the keynote says everything -- I am done with him.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 18:14:33
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Oh and really, Bernie Sanders to headline the Women's Conference?! Fuck no.

I am SO PISSED OFF about that.



I am so far past the point of beyond pissed off at and about Sanders I can't see straight about it anymore. Him and his bros.....just..............................................

That Bernie ACCEPTED the keynote says everything -- I am done with him.
Just to put a pin on it, the bernieBros didn;t force him to accept the invitation.

I can't blame them for this one.

They could have asked any one of our Supreme court justices, Elizabeth Warren, AND OF OUR RESISTANCE LEADERS --

Maxine Waters,
Kamala harris,
Meryl Streep
Lizz Winstead
Stephanie Miller
and yes,

Hillary.

There are so many incredible women that could have been keynote speakers.

I am so pissed about this, it is the first women's convention in decades and they pick an old white guy who believes that women's issues are identity politics -- and thinks that identity politics are divisive.

FUCK. THAT. NOISE.


Comment by wickedpam on 10/12/2017 18:16:09
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Oh and really, Bernie Sanders to headline the Women's Conference?! Fuck no.

I am SO PISSED OFF about that.



I am so far past the point of beyond pissed off at and about Sanders I can't see straight about it anymore. Him and his bros.....just..............................................

That Bernie ACCEPTED the keynote says everything -- I am done with him.
Just to put a pin on it, the bernieBros didn;t force him to accept the invitation.

I can't blame them for this one.

They could have asked any one of our Supreme court justices, Elizabeth Warren, AND OF OUR RESISTANCE LEADERS --

Maxine Waters,
Kamala harris,
Meryl Streep
Lizz Winstead
Stephanie Miller
and yes,

Hillary.

There are so many incredible women that could have been keynote speakers.

I am so pissed about this, it is the first women's convention in decades and they pick an old white guy who believes that women's issues are identity politics -- and thinks that identity politics are divisive.

FUCK. THAT. NOISE.



Here, here.

Comment by Raine on 10/12/2017 18:48:13
Mala, thanks for inspiring me.

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/12/2017 18:52:20
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

http://conservationwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cite.jpg

I saw the story bedore Scoopster posted it. Perhaps you should pay more attention to the world around you.


Perhaps you shouldn't be so condescending? I am trying to make the joke, Bobber.

Comment by wickedpam on 10/12/2017 19:23:13
Quote by Raine:
Mala, thanks for inspiring me.



You're welcome, glad to be a muse instead of sometimes amusing

Comment by velveeta jones on 10/12/2017 20:14:02
Quote by Raine:
He did it again!




Um because he's so smart he can sign it from another room?

Morning.....er.... afternoon!

Comment by BobR on 10/13/2017 03:37:55
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all!

So now we're quitting UNESCO, because of "mounting arrears" and some bullshit about anti-Israel bias.

http://conservationwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cite.jpg

I saw the story bedore Scoopster posted it. Perhaps you should pay more attention to the world around you.


Perhaps you shouldn't be so condescending? I am trying to make the joke, Bobber.

Perhaps your jokes should be funny.