… the behavior of Justice Alito at last night’s State of the Union address — visibly shaking his head and mouthing the words “not true” when Obama warned of the dangers of the Court’s Citizens United ruling — was a serious and substantive breach of protocol that reflects very poorly on Alito and only further undermines the credibility of the Court. It has nothing to do with etiquette and everything to do with the Court’s ability to adhere to its intended function.

There’s a reason that Supreme Court Justices — along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff — never applaud or otherwise express any reaction at a State of the Union address. It’s vital — both as a matter of perception and reality — that those institutions remain apolitical, separate and detached from partisan wars. The Court’s pronouncements on (and resolutions of) the most inflammatory and passionate political disputes retain legitimacy only if they possess a credible claim to being objectively grounded in law and the Constitution, not political considerations. The Court’s credibility in this regard has — justifiably — declined substantially over the past decade, beginning with Bush v. Gore (where 5 conservative Justices issued a ruling ensuring the election of a Republican President), followed by countless 5-4 decisions in which conservative Justices rule in a way that promotes GOP political beliefs, while the more “liberal” Justices do to the reverse (Citizens United is but the latest example). Beyond that, the endless, deceitful sloganeering by right-wing lawyers about “judicial restraint” and “activism” — all while the judges they most revere cavalierly violate those “principles” over and over — exacerbates that problem further (the unnecessarily broad scope of Citizens United is the latest example of that, too, and John “balls and strikes” Roberts may be the greatest hypocrite ever to sit on the Supreme Court). All of that is destroying the ability of the judicial branch to be perceived — and to act — as one of the few truly apolitical and objective institutions.

Justice Alito’s flamboyantly insinuating himself into a pure political event, in a highly politicized manner, will only hasten that decline.

This country’s politics are clearly in a state of rapid, dramatic transition. A transition to exactly what is far from clear. The way I see it, we may resume our rapid descent into the abyss of fascism so ruthlessly engineered by Nixon, Reagan and the two Bushes.To be sure, that is a very likely future for America, post-Obama. However, instead, we may build upon and “professionalize” the liberal, widely popular movements that rallied behind Obama in ‘08 and restore the messy, far from perfect, but nonetheless liberal democracy that was America before the modern rightwing proceeded to wreck the country and discard our values.

Really, we don’t have a choice. Many of us have already forgotten what it was like under Bush, when an American government hellbent on establishing fascism by any means necessary was in power. But I haven’t. Murders, torture, a country left permanently undefended from perils both manmade and natural, arbitrary imprisonment, censorship, stolen elections, joblessness, thievery, greed, hypocrisy and lawlessness enshrined as moral values, increased poverty and ill health.

Here are my photos from today’s demonstration against Obama’s escalation of the war in Afghanistan.

The turnout was pathetic. I’m sure there are many reasons why. Even while Bush was still in office, there were fewer and fewer people coming to various events. But once Obama was elected, interest in the actions really evaporated, with some justification, with many saying we had to give Obama “a chance.”

Welll, he’s had his chance, and is not responding well, in my opinion, and in the opinion of many in the peace movement (which goes on, regardless of what party is in power or what individual is in office).

No one was under the illusion that Obama was a pacifist. But he did say he was against “stupid wars” and that he would work to end the occasion of war. He is not keeping that promise with this escalation.

There are probably many who would come to a protest against Bush’s wars, who won’t come near one against Obama’s. But there will continue to be a need for such public statements, and enough who will continue to consistently call for an end to American aggression, imperialism and global thuggery.

Here are some sites where the consistent message goes on, or is being newly expressed.

The Old Stalwarts
World Can’t Wait
United for Peace and Justice
Code Pink
After Downing Street
Voters for Peace
War Resisters League
Win Without War

Some new groups/alliances
EndUSWars.org
Peace of the Action

I will be joining The Peace House folks and others tomorrow at a demonstration to say No to Escalation in Afghanistan. (I think there is also something planned for Tulsa [link added 2009-12-01].)

I will also be contacting my reps to once again say, end the war and find civilian solutions: Contact Congress & White House

Oklahoma City Demonstration:
NO to ESCALATION in AFGHANISTAN
Tuesday, December 1st
4:30-5:30 pm
NW 23rd Street & Classen Blvd.
Bring signs – - We will have ours.

Peace House Statement on Afghanistan, Nov. 14th
BRING TROOPS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

• After eight (8) long years of war, we speak in unity: U.S. Military forces must be brought home.
• Military victory appears unachievable, or at the very least unsustainable.
• Our continued presence guarantees further escalation of long-standing anti-American sentiments.
• A surge in U.S. troop numbers will generate dramatic increases of casualties of our troops and Afghani civilians.
• We risk and even wider and deadlier regional conflict.
• Reconstruction and stability should be initiated and sustained by international peace-keeping entities and< non-governmental organizations.
• Urgent domestic budget priorities demand a redirection of our tax revenues from war in Afghanistan to meeting human needs at home. Thirteen million Americans are unemployed in this economic downturn.
• We petition Congress, and the Obama administration, to initiate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan before the end of the year.

Dear MoveOn member,

August is the make-or-break month for health care reform.

Can you come to an event with Senator Tom Coburn in Oklahoma City tomorrow at 12 p.m.?

Right-wing extremists have been crashing tons of events and trying to dominate the national debate. We can’t let them succeed—so MoveOn members are pushing back with Real Voices for Change, an ambitious campaign to show that the overwhelming majority of Americans support President Obama’s plans for change.

Now, we need to make sure Sen. Coburn knows that his constituents are counting on him to pass health care reform with a real public health insurance option—that’s the key to expanding coverage and helping bring down costs for all of us. Important votes on health care will come up as soon as Congress returns to Washington, so this is the critical moment to stand up for health care reform.

The event location in Oklahoma City is: Chase Bank, Lobby. Click here to RSVP:

[...]

We’re in a critical month for President Obama’s agenda. Corporate lobbyists are trying to weaken or kill both his health care and energy plans.

And recently, right-wingers have been hijacking town halls and other public events. They’re even using fraudulent tactics, like bringing in people who don’t live in the district.¹ We urgently need to make sure everyday constituents are heard in the public debate over health care—and coming to this event is a timely and easy way to do that.

Can you be there on Monday at 12 p.m.?

[...]

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Anna, Lenore, Ilya and the rest of the team

Source:

1. “Local Fox Reporter Attends Town Hall And Finds ‘Some Attendees Admit They Don’t Live In The District,’” Think Progress, August 4, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51716&id=16955-17202657-Tp1h66x&t=8

But later I got an email from the Oklahoma County Democratic Party promoting the event, so it’s on; local progressives are on it and fighting back.

Can you come to an event with Senator Tom Coburn in Oklahoma City or Del City? Join fellow Democrats in attendance at the Coburn Town Hall Meetings.

Important votes on health care will come up as soon as Congress returns to Washington, so this is the critical moment to stand up for health care reform.

Downtown Oklahoma City
Monday, August 24, 2009
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Chase Bank building lobby
100 North Broadway, NW Corner of Main and Broadway
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Del City Town Hall
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
4:00 PM -5:00 PM
First Southern Baptist Church of Del City
6400 South Sooner Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73135

Take a few minutes to read through the facts, and possible misrepresentations, before going to the meeting, we have provided a couple of links below.

Here is a web site that offers many useful tools and resources including signs you can print out at home to bring to the event (signs found down at #6, Share with Others): http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2009/08/all_hands_on_deck_we_need_your.html

Here is information offered by the White House that may also help you.

If you cannot link directly, please visit healthreform.Gov : http://www.healthreform.gov/

Why Oklahoma Needs Health Reform:

• How Health Insurance Reform Will Benefit Oklahoma
• Why Oklahoma Needs Health Care Reform: By the Numbers
• Why Middle Class Americans Need Health Reform
• Health Care in Rural America
• OK State Report: Lack of Competition in Health Insurance Market
• Health Insurance Coverage in Oklahoma Keeps Shrinking as Premiums, Family Costs Continue Climbing
• Health Reform Is Good for Doctors and Patients

Clearing Up the Myths: Debunking the Junk in the Health Reform Debate

• Reality Check: Reform will eliminate insurance discrimination against the disabled
• The return of the viral email
• Reform will stop “rationing” – not increase it

• The “euthanasia” distortion on help for families
• Vets’ health care is safe and sound
• Reform will benefit small business – not burden it
• Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform
• Fight the Smears
• Answering your questions on health reform
• Sorting facts from fiction in health care reform
• Stop Distorting the Truth about End of Life Care
• No ‘death panel’ in health care bill

 

We need to make sure Sen. Coburn knows that his constituents are counting on him to pass health care reform with a real public health insurance option—that’s the key to expanding coverage and helping bring down costs for all of us.

Thanks for all you do!

Oklahoma County Democrats

Deeds of Giving are the Foundation of the Democratic Party

So if you have quixotic courage and faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds (this IS Coburn we’re talking about), join me and others to show Oklahoma that there are sane alternatives to the tea bag fear and madness.

Note that MoveOn suggested getting there at 10 AM for the Noon event.