Texas is a unique place. When we came into the Union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that.
We got a great Union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it, but if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what may come out of that.
It wasn’t quite the firing on Fort Sumter that launched the Civil War. But on April 1, your Georgia Senate did threaten by a vote of 43-1 to secede from and even disband the United States.
It was not an April Fool’s joke.
In fact, Senate Resolution 632 did a lot more than merely threaten to end this country. It stated that under the Constitution, the only crimes the federal government could prosecute were treason, piracy and slavery.
“Therefore, all acts of Congress which assume to create, define or punish [other] crimes … are altogether void, and of no force,” the Georgia Senate declared.
In other words, in the infinite, almost unanimous wisdom of the Georgia Senate, Michael Vick is being imprisoned illegally, Bernie Madoff should serve no time for stealing $60 billion and the Unabomber must go free. In fact, the federal penitentiary in Atlanta should be emptied of its inmates.
But wait, there’s more.
"I think that the decision to raise taxes by 50 percent in Illinois is political suicide," Kirk said of Quinn’s proposal to raise the tax rate to 4.5 percent from 3 percent, coupled with an increase in the personal deduction. "I think the people of Illinois are ready to shoot anyone who is going to raise taxes by that degree."
"I have a dream today. I have a dream that we can stop playing not just the blame the messenger game; I have a dream that we can stop playing the game of blame the messenger who's specifically saying the opposite message."
The Department of Justice will today release certain memos issued by the Office of Legal Counsel between 2002 and 2005 as part of an ongoing court case. These memos speak to techniques that were used in the interrogation of terrorism suspects during that period, and their release is required by the rule of law. . . .
While I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, I also believe that in a dangerous world, the United States must sometimes carry out intelligence operations and protect information that is classified for purposes of national security. I have already fought for that principle in court and will do so again in the future. However, after consulting with the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and others, I believe that exceptional circumstances surround these memos and require their release.
First, the interrogation techniques described in these memos have already been widely reported. Second, the previous Administration publicly acknowledged portions of the program – and some of the practices – associated with these memos. Third, I have already ended the techniques described in the memos through an Executive Order. Therefore, withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time. This could contribute to an inaccurate accounting of the past, and fuel erroneous and inflammatory assumptions about actions taken by the United States.
In releasing these memos, it is our intention to assure those who carried out their duties relying in good faith upon legal advice from the Department of Justice that they will not be subject to prosecution. The men and women of our intelligence community serve courageously on the front lines of a dangerous world. Their accomplishments are unsung and their names unknown, but because of their sacrifices, every single American is safer. We must protect their identities as vigilantly as they protect our security, and we must provide them with the confidence that they can do their jobs.
This is a time for reflection, not retribution. I respect the strong views and emotions that these issues evoke. We have been through a dark and painful chapter in our history. But at a time of great challenges and disturbing disunity, nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past. Our national greatness is embedded in America’s ability to right its course in concert with our core values, and to move forward with confidence. That is why we must resist the forces that divide us, and instead come together on behalf of our common future.
The United States is a nation of laws. My Administration will always act in accordance with those laws, and with an unshakeable commitment to our ideals. That is why we have released these memos, and that is why we have taken steps to ensure that the actions described within them never take place again.
Quote by TriSec:
Morning folks. Just time for a quick in and out.
Heading up to Nothern Essex Community College for and education opportunity that the state will probably pay for.
Out of my field, though. TriSec is looking at getting a CDL. (don't laugh, one of our friends got laid off years ago, got retrained, and now makes more than he did at his old job.)
Quote by wickedpam:
don't know what a CDL is but if it helps you grab the opportunity :)
Quote by Scoopster:
President Obama's official statement on the declassification of the torture memos:The Department of Justice will today release certain memos issued by the Office of Legal Counsel between 2002 and 2005 as part of an ongoing court case. These memos speak to techniques that were used in the interrogation of terrorism suspects during that period, and their release is required by the rule of law. . . .
While I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, I also believe that in a dangerous world, the United States must sometimes carry out intelligence operations and protect information that is classified for purposes of national security. I have already fought for that principle in court and will do so again in the future. However, after consulting with the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and others, I believe that exceptional circumstances surround these memos and require their release.
First, the interrogation techniques described in these memos have already been widely reported. Second, the previous Administration publicly acknowledged portions of the program – and some of the practices – associated with these memos. Third, I have already ended the techniques described in the memos through an Executive Order. Therefore, withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time. This could contribute to an inaccurate accounting of the past, and fuel erroneous and inflammatory assumptions about actions taken by the United States.
In releasing these memos, it is our intention to assure those who carried out their duties relying in good faith upon legal advice from the Department of Justice that they will not be subject to prosecution. The men and women of our intelligence community serve courageously on the front lines of a dangerous world. Their accomplishments are unsung and their names unknown, but because of their sacrifices, every single American is safer. We must protect their identities as vigilantly as they protect our security, and we must provide them with the confidence that they can do their jobs.
This is a time for reflection, not retribution. I respect the strong views and emotions that these issues evoke. We have been through a dark and painful chapter in our history. But at a time of great challenges and disturbing disunity, nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past. Our national greatness is embedded in America’s ability to right its course in concert with our core values, and to move forward with confidence. That is why we must resist the forces that divide us, and instead come together on behalf of our common future.
The United States is a nation of laws. My Administration will always act in accordance with those laws, and with an unshakeable commitment to our ideals. That is why we have released these memos, and that is why we have taken steps to ensure that the actions described within them never take place again.
I'm really torn on this because there are people who are going to get away with serious crimes committed in our name.. but there is something to keep in mind. If Obama & Holder were to seek prosecutions on this, these memos would most likely HAVE to be kept classified as part of the grand jury investigation & indictment. That's the weight of the choice - prosecute and keep the secret going, or come clean on it knowing that you won't be able to prosecute with these memos as evidence.
That's one tough decision to have to make, and either way is a loss of some kind. I suppose then it's a matter of which decision gains you the most respect or understanding of wisdom, and on that I'd say Obama succeeded.
"The president has stated that it is not his administration's intention to prosecute those who acted reasonably and relied in good faith upon legal advice from the Department of Justice. As I understand it, his decision does not mean that anyone who engaged in activities that the Department had not approved, those who gave improper legal advice or those who authorized the program could not be prosecuted. The details made public in these memos paint a horrifying picture and reveal how the Bush administration's lawyers and top officials were complicit in torture. The so-called enhanced interrogation program was a violation of our core principles as a nation and those responsible should be held accountable."
Quote by AuntAzalea:
Thanks Bob R for great blog- just wanted to share personal experience how razzing up this hatred can effect regular people. My parents (mother white, father black in their early eighties) were walking home from a restaurant in Harlem with an elderly friend of theirs who happened to be wearing a Yammukah when two twenty-something Nazis came running up behind them and starting shouting things I won't repeat ending with Heil Hitler- now they were in Harlem- these cowardly people felt emboldened enough to come up to Harlem. It was about two weeks ago- the same week Columbia University professors received packages with Swastikas.
I worry about them now - I think the journalists don't make that link in their stories about Teabagging, etc. to how the racism is becoming more and more violent within American communities.
Quote by AuntAzalea:
Thanks Bob R for great blog- just wanted to share personal experience how razzing up this hatred can effect regular people. My parents (mother white, father black in their early eighties) were walking home from a restaurant in Harlem with an elderly friend of theirs who happened to be wearing a Yammukah when two twenty-something Nazis came running up behind them and starting shouting things I won't repeat ending with Heil Hitler- now they were in Harlem- these cowardly people felt emboldened enough to come up to Harlem. It was about two weeks ago- the same week Columbia University professors received packages with Swastikas.
I worry about them now - I think the journalists don't make that link in their stories about Teabagging, etc. to how the racism is becoming more and more violent within American communities.
Quote by wickedpam:
that was the best bad movie :)
Quote by Random:Quote by wickedpam:
that was the best bad movie :)
snakes on a plane or minority report?
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Random:Quote by wickedpam:
that was the best bad movie :)
snakes on a plane or minority report?
Hey now, Minority Report was actually decent.. a bit whimsical, but decent.
Quote by BobR:
I posted the Snakes on a Plane story on FaceCrack several days ago...
Quote by Random:
America should torture...because they tortured us...because they're nuts. and it's the only way to win...because...because we are America, and we need to be badass, fuck everyone else, we're the best, America is the Master Race, Heil Bush!
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by AuntAzalea:
Thanks Bob R for great blog- just wanted to share personal experience how razzing up this hatred can effect regular people. My parents (mother white, father black in their early eighties) were walking home from a restaurant in Harlem with an elderly friend of theirs who happened to be wearing a Yammukah when two twenty-something Nazis came running up behind them and starting shouting things I won't repeat ending with Heil Hitler- now they were in Harlem- these cowardly people felt emboldened enough to come up to Harlem. It was about two weeks ago- the same week Columbia University professors received packages with Swastikas.
I worry about them now - I think the journalists don't make that link in their stories about Teabagging, etc. to how the racism is becoming more and more violent within American communities.
Holy Crap! You'd think NYC would one of the last places this could happen. :hug:'s for you fam and friends AA
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Random:Quote by wickedpam:
that was the best bad movie :)
snakes on a plane or minority report?
Hey now, Minority Report was actually decent.. a bit whimsical, but decent.
Quote by Scoopster:
:lol:
Quote by Scoopster:
ok damnit who let her out of the asylum again..
Quote by livingonli:
Sure got quiet here.
Quote by BobR:Quote by livingonli:
Sure got quiet here.
Went to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival this afternoon. Lots of art. LOTS of art...
:thud:![]()
Quote by Mondobubba:
Former FL House Speaker Indicted. Yes he is a Republican. Need you ask?
Quote by Mondobubba:
Former FL House Speaker Indicted. Yes he is a Republican. Need you ask?
Quote by Raine:
I have Art overload.
I think we walked for at least 3 miles of Art booths. A lot of it was very very bad.
Quote by Raine:
What a Moran....
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
What a Moran....
Aren't these the people that want private schools?