"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." So says the First Amendment of W.'s doormat, er, I mean the United States Constitution. We've recently had fun with the Second Amendment here in South Carolina. So, why not the First Amendment? What's next? Forced quartering of soldiers to see if we can find a way to mess with the Third Amendment too!Whoever thunk up the idea of an independent judiciary branch deserves a prize. It was someone from that very branch that appears to have "saved" (ahem, sorry, couldn't resist) us Carolinians from having "I Believe" license plates available to drivers who really, really believe in driving. It's just a temporary injunction so stay tuned: we may get to believe while we drive after all.
Another Publius deserves a shout-out for the ideas he outlines in Federalist No. 10. That document seems to resonate more and more today as we battle over who has the right to do what. What does Madison say about factions?
The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State.I'm so, so, so tempted to pepper that quote with all kinds of snarky links (especially the words "improper or wicked project"). But it's almost too easy. Proverbial fish in a barrel. Perhaps a discussion for another day.
By the way, if I were to have music accompanying this blog post (which will never, ever happen), what would the song be? "Satan is my Motor" by Cake seems the most logical choice!
