President Says What?
April 26, 2010
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Posted by Michael S. Langston
I have long been of the belief that our President is not stupid. He’s always seemed very smart, especially with respect to Constitutional law.
For instance, in 2001, he stated correctly, that the Constitution is a charter which guarantees negative liberties. For some this might seem obvious, but I doubt most of our current politicians understand what he meant and what is meant by the statement itself.
Now Mr. Obama’s policies belie the notion that he agrees the Constitution should be a defender of only negative liberties, but I think it was an instructive quote on his understanding of the fundamental principles which made America what it is.
Irregardless, over the time of his presidency, I’ve seen more clues to insecurity and lack of basic focus through the administration’s constant attempts to attack various news outlets and pundits directly, as well as the President’s comments without teleprompters.
& Last week was little exception. @ Newsweek Blogs, Mr. Obama, when being asked about the new SCOTUS nominee stated (here):
“I don’t have litmus tests around any of these issues, but I will say that I want somebody who is going to be interpreting our Constitution in a way that takes into account individual rights, and that includes women’s rights, and that is going to be something that is very important to me.”
With all due respect to the President and anyone who agrees with this statement, but logically individual rights are mutually exclusive to “women’s” rights.
By definition, an individual right would be one that can be held and exercised by any individual, whereas any collective right, such as women’s rights, is the exact opposite; a right held by that group.
Maybe this is overly pedantic, but words have meanings & regardless of what “ism” might or might not be practiced by this administration, collectivist thought is the enemy as it serves as the basis for most of the world’s failed political philosophies.
As Calvin Coolidge stated:
“Liberty is not collective, it is personal. All liberty is individual liberty.”
Categories: Political Philosophy, Politics, Quotations, SCOTUS
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Tags: Collectivism, Individual Rights, Negative Liberties, Newsweek, Nomination Process, Obama Administration, SCOTUS, US Constitution
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