Dennis B Murphy >>>>>>>>>>

Blog: Thoughts and Commentary

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March 2006

3-25-2006: Here's a thought.. and rebuttal, perhaps, to limited govt conservatives.

Limited government conservatives posit that the nation has strayed from the original meaning of the Constitution and the nation is deteriorating because of "liberal" interpretations of the constitution. Example- the constitution doesn't provide for health care, education, or even pollution control. We need to get back to the constitution's "original" meaning. From the very beginning of the nation, various branches of government, various public officials (legislative, judicial and executive) have sought to stretch their authority under the Constitution. But other than a literal reading of the words, ANY view of the Constitution is "interpreting" regardless of whether the Scalia's or Thomas' want to admit it. And if one need only look at the actual words.. why even have a court?

Think about this... instead of leading to ruin, what if the interpretive approach to the Constitution has actually ensured the survival (even growth) of our nation? A literal interpretation could have actually spelled the end of the USA as a political entity, perhaps as far back as 1864. Maybe literal, small govt advocates actually have it backwards.

3-24-2006: went to hear a speaker regarding Iraq and the war. The speaker has 12 years experience in special forces and counter-insurgency. I opposed the war in Iraq as based on lies and hubris by power-hungry neo-conservatives. Nothing since March 2003 has changed that opinion. I was conflicted for quite some time, though as to whether we should leave quickly or phase out. I am now convinced that we need to get the troops out now. I think we should target Thanksgiving 2006! The Iraqis can govern themselves. If we stay- we WILL be there for decades. The Bush administration already has four permanent bases implemented in Iraq. Our defense budget is $469 billion! Our nearest competitor (China) spends $70 billion. So we need to implement a Reagan concept of "starve the beast." We need to make determined cuts in our defense budget and then begin paring down the force structure and weapons systems to just what we need.. not what the military-industrial complex wants us to have. If we have too much (as we apparently have now) there will temptation to use it (as we have now seen in Iraq) leading to endless wars of choice (presented as war on terror, war on axis of evil, war on ______ (fill in the blank)). Check out this site: www.bringthemhomenow.org

3-23-2006: a good acquantance received Civil Libertarian of the Year from the Michigan ACLU... it reminded me to renew my membership.. you should join also.. Join the ACLU at www.aclu.org

3-22-2006: ten days until my new mountain bike appears. I rode my 2001 Trek Fuel into the ground. It still is a solid vehicle for really inclement weather, but it creaks and scrapes- too much adjustment needed and too many new components need to be replaced to make it worthwhile to use for regular riding and racing. I cannot wait 'til riding season- and the bike. I have not ridden now because the Fuel is up on the trainer with a smooth trainer tire and between the defects of the bike and replacing the tire... it's been too much hassle. Also- I don't want to get my hopes up- to see good weather and then know that it will soon turn nasty for a couple weeks and force me inside again. I need to get out of Michigan- My timetable is to move to a nicer, year-round-biking climate by 2009.