Thursday Constitution Blogging

This one's for you Senate Majority Leader and Madame Speaker:

Article. VI.

Clause 3:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

That, like the presidential oath, lies at the core of their duties. Whatever else the members of the House and Senate are supposed to do, and they have many critical things they are supposed to do, the preeminent responsibility is to support the Constitution of the United States of America.

I wish they’d get off their asses and start doing it.

UPDATE at 11:51 p.m.:
Jane at Firedoglake has some pertinent comments.

Well you know, the way to not "step on the message" of bipartisan unity is also for the fucking Republicans to join them in voting for the criminal contempt citations, but everyone knows that's not going to happen. Because Republicans don't do that.

Can someone explain to me how "bipartisan" ever means anything but giving the wingnuts what they want so they don't pitch a bitch in the corner?

Hell, just go read the context and try not to puke (and good luck with that).

Yes, I'm having whatever the disgust equivalent of a hissyfit is today. As a body the congressional Dems come across as a pack of tiny dogs that yap a lot but never bite, annoy the hell out of everyone, and wet themselves if you say "boo!." I feel like firing the lot of them. They need a serious "come to Jesus" talk and it's up to Us the People to give it to them.

[I know, I'm tarring them all with one brush: a sign of serious frustration.]
—the BB

Thursday Constitution blogging

Article. II.
Section. 1.
Clause 8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"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."

Let's just sit with that one for a while. This is the oath taken by every President of the United States. This is what he (or someday she) promises to do. If you will, it's the job description. Not "the decider" or "the commander guy" or the ignorant twit who keeps trying to "explain" things to us as though we were children--which is just more catapulting the propaganda. And most certainly not to shred the Constitution and trample it. No. The job is to faithfully execute the office and to PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

Have we done anything lately to remind our elected representatives that this is the President's job (and part of theirs is to see that he does it)?
--the BB

Thursday Constitution Blogging

Article. VI.
Clause 1: All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

Clause 2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Clause 3: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

This little review is here to remind us all about the supreme Law of the Land. You will note that it includes the Constitution itself, laws made in Pursuance thereof, and treaties made under the Authority of the United States. That, my friends, includes the Geneva Conventions,

Note also that members of Congress and other pesons acting in official capacity as part of our government shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution. Are your elected representatives upholding it? Are thy upholding the Bill of Rights, for instance? These are good questions to ask--to ask ourselves and ask our representatives. They are accountable to that oath.

Oh, here's a nice little item: no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. I like that. Have you heard questions about the candidates' religious beliefs in the current presidential campaign? Now just WTF does that have to do with a secular government of a pluralistic nation? Nothing! Very good. You may belong to any religious group or none, possess any religious belief or none, and be fully qualified, under our supreme law, to hold office and fulfill it with competence and integrity.

Perhaps you've heard some yahoos rattle on about non-Christian influences in our society. Do these yahoos hate our nation? Why would they raise such a non-issue unless they don't like democracy and would rather have a theocracy? Well, if they want a theocracy, perhaps they might like to join with other theocrats like Osama bin Laden; but that must makes me wonder why they hate America? And then question the loyalty of people who do love our Constitution. Hmmph. Asshats.

Well, this post has been brought to you by the Founders of the United States of America and the wonders of modern technology that allow me to look at texts online and share them with y'all.

What it's all about:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Remember--Democracy is not a spectator sport.
--the BB