The following letter to the editor was published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin today written by yours truly. It's entitled, "A Telling Zinger." You can see it at www.dailybulletin.com/letters.
We are lucky enough here in the United States to live under a democratic rule of law; “Government by the people – for the people” and “equal protection under the law.”
Recently at the Republican National Convention, Governor Sarah Palin spoke to the Republican Party delegates and the viewing public on television, in a speech accepting the party’s nomination for the position of Vice President of the United States.
During her speech, Governor Palin made the following statement; “Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America. He’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights.” This statement was intended as a criticism of Senator Barak Obama, trying to show that he is soft on terrorism and soft on national security.
That statement by Governor Palin drew applause from the Republican delegates in attendance at the convention and later praise from her running mate Senator John McCain who greeted her on stage after her speech with open arms. Quite a zinger!!
But when you hold that statement under more direct scrutiny, you find that it really shows the lack of fundamental knowledge and respect for the basic concepts of law held by the two Republican candidates.
Everyone knows that when a suspect is arrested he is advised of his constitution rights, commonly known as your Miranda rights. You only have to watch a couple episodes of “Cops” to know that. Miranda vs. Arizona is a Supreme Court decision guaranteeing protection against self incrimination under the 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
We are a country of laws. The law is the basis for our freedom as a democratic society. I don’t see Sarah Palin’s zinger as a criticism of Barak Obama, but as a testament of his respect for the most basic tenants of the law. Barak Obama and Joe Biden both graduated from law school. Both Obama and Biden teach or have taught constitutional law in a university setting. They have, as most attorneys, developed a respect, even a love, for the law of this country.
So when you go to the polls in November remember this telling statement from the Republicans and ask yourself, who do you want defending your rights in this country? Who will do more to promote the democratic process in this country? And who will return this great nation of ours to prominence in the world opinion? Two law school graduates with a respect and love for the law of our country, or a fighter pilot and hockey mom who poke fun at one who stands up for what he believes in?
Recently at the Republican National Convention, Governor Sarah Palin spoke to the Republican Party delegates and the viewing public on television, in a speech accepting the party’s nomination for the position of Vice President of the United States.
During her speech, Governor Palin made the following statement; “Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America. He’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights.” This statement was intended as a criticism of Senator Barak Obama, trying to show that he is soft on terrorism and soft on national security.
That statement by Governor Palin drew applause from the Republican delegates in attendance at the convention and later praise from her running mate Senator John McCain who greeted her on stage after her speech with open arms. Quite a zinger!!
But when you hold that statement under more direct scrutiny, you find that it really shows the lack of fundamental knowledge and respect for the basic concepts of law held by the two Republican candidates.
Everyone knows that when a suspect is arrested he is advised of his constitution rights, commonly known as your Miranda rights. You only have to watch a couple episodes of “Cops” to know that. Miranda vs. Arizona is a Supreme Court decision guaranteeing protection against self incrimination under the 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
We are a country of laws. The law is the basis for our freedom as a democratic society. I don’t see Sarah Palin’s zinger as a criticism of Barak Obama, but as a testament of his respect for the most basic tenants of the law. Barak Obama and Joe Biden both graduated from law school. Both Obama and Biden teach or have taught constitutional law in a university setting. They have, as most attorneys, developed a respect, even a love, for the law of this country.
So when you go to the polls in November remember this telling statement from the Republicans and ask yourself, who do you want defending your rights in this country? Who will do more to promote the democratic process in this country? And who will return this great nation of ours to prominence in the world opinion? Two law school graduates with a respect and love for the law of our country, or a fighter pilot and hockey mom who poke fun at one who stands up for what he believes in?
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