Hittin' the Slopes

The slippery slopes.

Under the last administration, torture was justified because it was only being used on "enemy combatants," those individuals shoehorned in between the legal definitions of "criminals" who would require a trial prior to punishment and "prisoners of war" who could be held until the end of hostilities but only in humane conditions.

And folks let it slide down that slippery slope because they were mostly brown people of a supposedly scary religion who were perceived if not proven to have taken up arms against America. Even if a few of them were citizens of the US or western nations generally considered to be part of the "civilized world."

While critics argued that it would only be a matter of time before more US citizens were subjected to such punishments forbidden by Constitution and treaty, those critics were laughed at and called a bunch of negative nancies, worrying a little too much about the slippery slope we find ourselves on.

I wonder what excuse they will sell us now that we must face the Manning situation. And before you jump up and down about what is and isn't known about the case just yet, tell me just who has credibility in this situation. Then begin to understand the deeper reasons we're supposed to do things better and cleaner than the other guy.

Above reproach is about where I would like our nation to be. It is a shame so many celebrate in our not living up to that standard.

I thought even those individuals accused of treason were afforded due process in this country. I thought even those individuals facing charges which carry the death penalty remain protected from "cruel and unusual" punishment. Especially before a verdict has even been delivered.

Can someone tell me where Constitutional protections end this week? The goalposts seem to be moving.

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The War on Reality

Unsurprisingly, Christmas is "winning" the "War on Christmas" in America.

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So a nation where roughly 80%+ of the population identifies as Christian was worried that...

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No, wait. Gimmie a second.

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I'm so glad all those poor, oppressed, Christian people in America are finally strong enough to exert their demographic influence by expecting private institutions to cater to and respect their beliefs.

Because, really, this utter culture war nonsense "War on Christmas" has been so overblown by right wing douchebags successful, I'd almost forgot there was some sort of holiday coming up. You know, after this week's holiday. I have literally been wondering where all the Christmas-themes have gone from Novembers and Decembers in our culture.

But thanks to Bill O'Reilly's book revenue and the American Union of Folks Unhappy Laws Tolerate Un-Religious Dissent (AUFULTURD), our beautiful nation (sniff) can get back to the business of ramming our religion down the throats of others celebratin' the birthin' of the baby Jesus by buying a bunch of crap on credit. SOoo-ie, PIG!

AND TEH EBIL KENYAN ANTI-COLONIAL SOCIALIZMS CANT DO NOTHINGS ABOUT IT STOOPID LIBRULS 101!!01!!

And no, there wasn't any way I could respond to that news in a reasonable, mature manner.

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