Tom Delay: Political hack, or nutjob? You decide.

[Ghoulish Delight]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7500988/

Asked whether he favors impeachment for any of the judges in the Schiavo case, he did not answer directly.

Instead, he referred reporters to an earlier request he made to the House Judiciary Committee to look into “judicial activism” and Schiavo’s case in particular.

What? WHAT?! Judicial activism? He's actually stupid enough to bring up judicial activism and Schiavo in the same breath? Wow. Just, wow. The Schiavo case is as clear cut a case of legislative activism as there ever was, and he's trying to turn it around into a judicial activism point. Yikes.

[Claire]

He's been quoted as saying that many many times in the last month or so. Judicial activism. I'm sure he wouldn't be saying that if the judges had acted in the "righteous" way that DeLay saw fit.

I honestly think the guy is slightly nuts. I've read some bios on him lately that make me cringe. He's said and seems to believe some pretty out there things.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yes, becaue it's only judicial activism if you don't agree with the ruling.

Honestly, the courts practiced the exact opposite of judicial activism in this case.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Yes, becaue it's only judicial activism if you don't agree with the ruling.

Indeed, I don't recall any of the republicans crying "judicial activism" during the 2000 elections when the Supreme Court ruled in their favor.

Not surprising that he didn't answer on the subject of impeachment. I keep hearing the right saying that these judged should be impeached. I say "Go for it". But they never will because they know the judges haven't done anything impeachable. Just a bunch of hot air because they didn't get their way.

I'm glad that a lot of republicans are finally distancing themselves from DeLay. It must have been an interesting wake up call when they all dove head-first into the Shaivo issue only to find that they didn't have the public's support at all.

[Prudence]

One of the phrases absolutely guaranteed to raise my hackles is "judicial activism." Inevitably this is code for "didn't get the decision I wanted." Coming from Joe or Jane Average, I'm slightly more sympathetic; most people really don't understand how judges make decisions and what the limits are. I sure as heck didn't. But frankly, I would have expected Delay to know better.

In fact, I've already had the opportunity to read numerous cases where judges put in little footnotes that basically say "hello? bonehead legistlatures? we're being forced to apply your stupid law. you don't like it? change the damn law!" Only they say it in a more learned fashion.

[mousepod]

Ladies and gentlemen, Christianity offers the only viable, reasonable, definitive answer to the questions of 'Where did I come from?' 'Why am I here?' 'Where am I going?' 'Does life have any meaningful purpose?' " DeLay said. "Only Christianity offers a way to understand that physical and moral border. Only Christianity offers a comprehensive worldview that covers all areas of life and thought, every aspect of creation. Only Christianity offers a way to live in response to the realities that we find in this world -- only Christianity.

Nothing is more important in the face of a war than cutting taxes.

Emotional appeals about working families trying to get by on $4.25 an hour are hard to resist. Fortunately, such families do not exist.

nutjob.

[Nephythys]

I just love it when we can call someone who believes Christianity is the only way as a nut.

I wish Leo was here- I would like to hear his opinion, whatever it is.

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I just love it when we can call someone who believes Christianity is the only way as a nut.

I wish Leo was here- I would like to hear his opinion, whatever it is.

DeLay isn't a nutjob because he believes Christianity is the only way. Everyone in America is entitled to believe that their religion (or lack thereof) is the only way. It's just that in a representative government, our leaders are expected to hold up the Constitution, not the Bible. A moral leader is a good thing. I just don't want my leaders to impose their morals on me.

And I hope that Leo recovers fast enough to get in on this thread, too.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I just love it when we can call someone who believes Christianity is the only way as a nut.

I wish Leo was here- I would like to hear his opinion, whatever it is.

Now, now. I don't think that believing that Christianity is the best way for someone to operate is bad. I am a Christian (a cafeteria Catholic) and I believe it is the best way for me to operate. Nobody's calling me a nutjob. Well, maybe they are, but probably not regarding that.

I have trouble with anybody declaring that their religious practices are the only way. "Definitive," I believe he said. Religion, by definition, is based on a faith. No definitive answer can come from it, only ideas and things one *believes.*

There are very valid life questions answered by all kinds of religions. Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism... those are a small portion, but I have known friends who practice all of those who've garnered strength and 'answers' (which, really, are just things you figure out for yourself with the guidance of the people and influences around you) from their respective choice of religion. Imagine if you were born into a different culture than your own. You'd likely feel the same sense of loyalty to the set of traditions into which you were born. Knowing that, how can anyone say that one is better than the other?

I'd even go as far as to say that one can garner strength and get answers without religion. One of the kindest, most integretive people I know lives his life with empathy for the people, animals-- planet-- around him. He acts with more 'Christian' behavior than, frankly, I do. And he doesn't believe in a higher power. That's what works for him. I don't begrudge him a system that works for him simply because my own system is different. I'm just glad that he's the man he is.

Believing in Christianity? That's one thing. Believing it's a definitive answer? That's negating its very nature as a religion. Why else do you think there are so many songs and psalms and verses about *faith*?

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I just love it when we can call someone who believes Christianity is the only way as a nut.

I wish Leo was here- I would like to hear his opinion, whatever it is.

Food for thought:

Ladies and gentlemen, Judisim offers the only viable, reasonable, definitive answer to the questions of 'Where did I come from?' 'Why am I here?' 'Where am I going?' 'Does life have any meaningful purpose?' " DeLay said. "Only Judisim offers a way to understand that physical and moral border. Only Judisim offers a comprehensive worldview that covers all areas of life and thought, every aspect of creation. Only Judisim offers a way to live in response to the realities that we find in this world -- only Judisim.

OR

Ladies and gentlemen, Islam offers the only viable, reasonable, definitive answer to the questions of 'Where did I come from?' 'Why am I here?' 'Where am I going?' 'Does life have any meaningful purpose?' " DeLay said. "Only Islam offers a way to understand that physical and moral border. Only Islam offers a comprehensive worldview that covers all areas of life and thought, every aspect of creation. Only Islam offers a way to live in response to the realities that we find in this world -- only Islam.

As you can see I replaced "Christaniaty" with 2 other religions. Now would he be a nutjob or entitled to his views?

Imagine for a moment that our President and the Congressional majority were Orthodox Jews. They kept Kosher. Now imagine them outlawing the consumption of pork, shell fish and other non-Kosher food based upon their religion. Sure, he has the choice to just not partake in the consumption of said food but instead they decide that the rest of the country should not be allowed to parktake in the consumption of pork and other non-Kosher food because it's against the religion of the people in charge of the country.

What would you do? I highly doubt people would sit by quietly and let this happen. Would they be anti-Semetic? Would they be anti-Judisim? Or would they just be citizens who think the government stepped over the line.