McCarthy's Missed the Mark

I am writing in response to Andrew McCarthy’s articles, “Rand Paul, Libertarian Extremist” and “The Real Rules of Detention.” Unfortunately, I was not able to read Mr. Paul’s reply that elicited the second article. However, I have read Mr. McCarthy’s articles and enough of the legislation in question to conclude that he has completely missed the mark with regards to Rand Paul’s warning about section 1031 of the Senate Defense Bill, S. 1867.

Yes, it’s true as Mr. McCarthy says:

The United States Constitution is a compact between the American people and the government they created. It endows Americans with protections against U.S.-government overreach. It does not extend to the rest of the world. The central government was created, in large measure, to protect Americans from hostile foreign actors. The Constitution does not grant aliens outside the United States — especially alien combatants who levy war against the American people — the protections American citizens enjoy against U.S.-government infringement on their lives, liberties, and property.

In fact, I wouldn’t have an issue with the first article were it not for the fact that Rand Paul did not take the position of which he was accused by Mr. McCarthy. I have listened to Mr. Paul’s speeches and did not perceive him speaking from some kooky Libertarian philosophy ever. He quotes the founders and the Constitution. Though, I confess myself horrified if Conservatives find something wrong with that as it seems Mr. McCarthy was implying in his rant against Mr. Paul.

"Shame" letter to Idaho Senators for supporting S. 1867

Dear Senator,

Normally, I am pleased with the Constitutional and responsible ways you have executed your office in support and service of the citizens of Idaho and the United States of America. However, I am writing to express my disappointment for your approving vote on the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012,” Senate bill 1867.

Title V, Subtitle E, Section 551, Paragraph (d) repeals Article 125 of the Uniform Military Code of Justice which prohibits sodomy and bestiality. It does not bother to rewrite the code clarifying the legality of sodomy between consenting adults but simply repeals it.

I understand that the Left wing of American politics as well as many Libertarians want to make sodomy legal so that homosexuals can have “intimate relations” without reprisal, but in their haste, they have now made it legal for US military personnel to have “intimate relations” with animals as well. Isn’t that disgusting!

Email to Representative Mike Simpson RE S. 1867

Mr. Simpson,

Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

I am sure that you are likely more aware of the rumors surrounding the Senate's "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012" than am I. However, I am deeply concerned about three items buried in the Senate version of the bill (S. 1867).

Rights Targeted in Defense Bill

In this year of Presidential politics, the citizens of the United States of America are once again exposed to the menace of campaigning candidates and all that it entails. Such times seem good for America because they cause the mass populace to consider issues that have presumably lain dormant since the last Presidential election.

However, with everyone’s attention on the field of luke-warm GOP candidates, the United States Senate has once again surprised us all by passing legislation in the middle of the night that puts your Liberty and mine squarely in the cross-hairs of an unscrupulous executive office. The legislation to which I refer is S. 1867, “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.”

At first blush, one would recognize this as a defense appropriations bill and would be correct. One might also assume that one appropriations bill is the same as the next. However, that is an erroneous assumption.

While S. 1867 does appropriate funding for the military and defense, it also includes (or does not include) several important elements.