GOP DYSFUNCTION ON DISPLAY: Old aisle-hopping RINOS, John McCain and his BFF Lindsay Graham attempt to marginalize Rand Paul
Once again, the aisle-hopping liberal wing-nuts of the GOP, Senators John McCain and his best friend forever, Lindsay Graham, attempted to marginalize Rand Paul as he stood up and filibustered for the Constitution and the protection of our freedoms. Something these aging aisle hoppers would not understand. It is hard to forget that McCain was a democrat ass-kisser who has caused major damage to the party and the nation with his faulty campaign finance law (McCain-Feingold), his suggestions for amnesty (McCain-Kennedy) and global warming (McCain-Lieberman).
Do you, as an American citizen, want to know if the government believes it has the power to violate your Constitutional rights – to kill you without a formal accusation or a court appearance?
Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham were more wordy in their attempt to undo questions Paul raised about U.S. foreign policy. They argued that Paul’s filibuster “cheapens” the “serious discussion about US policy to the realm of the ridiculous.”
“If Mr. Paul wants to be taken seriously, he needs to do more than pull political stunts that fire up impressionable libertarian kids in their college dorms,” McCain, R-Ariz., said borrowing quotes from a Wall Street Journal editorial this morning that similarly blasted the Kentucky Republican’s filibuster.
Senator Paul is pressing the administration to answer if the White House has the authority to use a drone against a suspected American terrorist on US soil. McCain and Graham’s message to their colleagues today was, “calm down, Senator.”
“Mr. Holder is right,” McCain said, “even if he doesn’t explain the law very well, the US government cannot randomly target American citizens on US soil or anywhere else. I repeat that, the US government cannot randomly target American citizens on US soil or anywhere else.” Sen. Graham said the question Paul is asking is so “ridiculous” it doesn’t even deserve an answer.
“This president is not going to use a drone against a noncombatant sitting in a cafe anywhere in the United States, nor will future presidents, because if they do, they will have committed an act of murder,” Graham, R-SC., said, “noncombatants under the law of war are protected, not subject to being killed randomly. So to suggest that the president won’t answer that question somehow legitimizes that the drone program is going to result in being used against anybody in this room having a cup of coffee, to me, cheapens the debate.” <Source>
But, he did not stop at attempting to marginalize Rand Paul …
Then came a lecture for the other Republicans, like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who joined Senator Paul on the floor in his filibuster last night.
“I saw colleagues who know better come to the floor and voice some of this same concern, which is totally unfounded,” McCain said.
“I saw colleagues of mine who know better come to the floor and voice the same concern,” Senator Graham said, “To my Republican colleagues, I don’t remember any of you coming down here suggesting that President Bush was going to kill anybody with a drone.” <Source>
There you have it, right out of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals – marginalize the opposition by holding them up to ridicule. Is this another example of McCain collaborating with the communists enemy and then sealing the official debriefing interviews of returning Viet Nam era soldiers; and halting private and government discovery efforts to locate MIAs who might still be alive.
We know that the Obama Administration, despite protestations to the contrary, is neither open nor transparent when it comes to the power grabs being associated with the Executive Branch. And, we have seen that Congress acts like a whipped puppy when it comes to holding Obama and his fellow travelers accountable for usurpations of Congressional lawmaking powers. Holder lied to Congress (and was held in contempt) and Barack Obama covered that up by exerting a non-existent “Executive Privilege.”
Rand Paul …
Paul fires back: Sens. McCain, Graham think 'whole world is a battlefield'
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) blasted fellow GOP Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Thursday, saying the two “think the whole world is a battlefield.” Paul criticized the hawkish senators for thinking the laws of war should take precedence over the Bill of Rights. The two had criticized Paul’s statements about drone policy during the Kentucky Republican’s nearly 13-hour filibuster on Thursday.
“They think the whole world is a battlefield, including America, and that the laws of war should apply,” Paul said in an interview on Fox News about McCain and Graham, who had described Paul’s comments about drones as “ridiculous.”
“The laws of war don't involve due process, so when they ask you for an attorney you tell them to shut up. That's not my understanding of the way America works,” Paul told Fox. “I don't think the laws of war apply to America, I think the Bill of Rights do and I think it's a disservice to our soldiers that our senators up there arguing that the Bill of Rights aren't important."
Paul said whether drones can be used against U.S. citizens on U.S. soil is a “very serious question” and was at the root of Wednesday’s filibuster, which delayed a final confirmation vote on John Brennan, President Obama’s nominee to lead the CIA.
Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday responded to Paul in a letter that said the U.S. does not have the authority to conduct a drone attack against a U.S. citizen on American soil.
“Hooray, for 13 hours yesterday we asked them that question. And so there is a result and a victory,” Paul said after the letter was read to him during the Fox interview. “Under duress and under public humiliation the White House will respond and do the right thing.” <Source: Source: Paul fires back: Sens. McCain, Graham think 'whole world is a battlefield' - The Hill's Video>
It was so damn simple to say this in the first place …
Dear Senator Paul:
It has come to my attention that you have now asked an additional question: "Does the President have the authority to use a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on American soil?" The answer to that question is no.
Sincerely,
Eric Holder
Bottom line …
I am not a big fan of Rand or Ron Paul, believing both to be small-time grifters who managed to accrete political power by “talking conservative” in an era where the extreme polarization of the electorate makes it possible for marginal and wildly unqualified candidates to run for the Presidency of the United States.
But, I would much rather have Rand Paul stand up in the glare of the spotlight and argue for the Constitution than allow aging RINOs like John McCain and Lindsay Graham trade our freedoms away in dead-of-the-night backroom deals with socialist democrats.
Mealy-mouthed John McCain didn’t have the guts to fight for the Presidency by pointing out that the opposition was deeply flawed and corrupt. Perhaps he was afraid that they would investigate his background and reveal undesirable truths?
In any event, the GOP has to present a strong, principled and conservative option to the American people. And corrupt politicians like John McCain and Lindsey Graham need to be consigned to the dustbin of history.
-- steve
“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS