United Liberty

Perhaps those on the right who talk about the Founders so much should consider this quote from the great pamphleteer for independence and liberty, Thomas Paine:

An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

Or, to put it more bluntly, the end does not justify the means.

H/T: Glenn Greenwald

Conflict in the Middle East has been part of mankind’s history for many millenia now, and it’s hard to imagine that peace will ever prevail in this tumultuous part of the world.  The land occupied by the modern states of Israel and Palestine is arguably the most fought over piece of real estate on earth, with many groups claiming historical and religious precedence to its soil.

The current conflict between Israel’s government and Palestine’s Hamas has sparked the usual war of words between the spin-doctors of the warring countries, with political pundits across the globe chiming in with their take on the matter.  Each group has a convincing argument, and most citizens of the world are decidedly on one side or the other.

While most American’s may wonder which side to take, advice from Founding Father Thomas Jefferson begs the question “Should we take any side at all?”

Fairly non-authorative liberal (who calls himself libertarian, but I won’t) Bill Maher interviews David Walker who frankly discusses the shape and direction of the nation from a pragmatist point of view. Its good to see David reaching out to a progressive audience that is not hostile to his message of the need for fiscal sanity.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey on the topic of the United States Supreme Court reveals some interesting statistics. It shows a majority of Americans believe decisions should be aligned with the written document as opposed to the primary other methodology of decisions, i.e. fairness & equality. While I am glad that a majority of Americans do agree in theory with libertarians & conservatives on this issue it is unfortunate that the percentage is not higher. With many polls showing “liberals” making up less than 15% of the electorate, one has to ask the question - where do the remaining 15% of the 30% of voters who think the nation’s top court should make decisions based upon fairness and equity come from?