The Constitution is NOT an Ala Carte Menu

This isn't a pick and choose, people. It's not the Bible.

Why does it seem that Democrats love the first amendment, but hate the second?

The Republicans are trying to get rid of the 14th, love the second and the tenth, but are treating the first and fifth as optional.

It's a package deal. All or nothing, gang. It's only a buck oh' five.

Mad

Cartoon Network’s upcoming Mad Magazine “animated sketch-comedy series,” announced in tandem with the Looney Tunes reboot, gets its first official promo. Guess we'll just casually forget the sketch show that was on Fox for 10 years?

The new show, which will feature animated renditions of MAD’s classic (this means just cut'n'pasted from back issues of the magazine) pop-culture spoofs, premieres September 6th @ 8:30PM EST.

[epicponyz.]

WTC Mosque Debate

In 2000, the Republicans passed a law that gave special protection to religious land uses. This is the law that now makes it illegal to block the 'ground zero' mosque. (propublica.org)

Golly. You didn't think that one through, did you, dumbasses?

Relevant [funny] section:

DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION-

(1) EQUAL TERMS- No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that treats a religious assembly or institution on less than equal terms with a nonreligious assembly or institution.

(2) NONDISCRIMINATION- No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation that discriminates against any assembly or institution on the basis of religion or religious denomination.

(3) EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITS- No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation that--

(A) totally excludes religious assemblies from a jurisdiction; or

(B) unreasonably limits religious assemblies, institutions, or structures within a jurisdiction. (citation)

Of course, there's another document that settles this - and that's the First Amendment to the Constitution.

However, there is still a question of good taste - and it's obvious that the folks building this 'prayer center' are obvious trolls, obviously trolling... and men crying about their right to be trolls isn't exactly winning hearts and minds in the Muslim world.

Meanwhile, maybe if anyone gave this much energy to the 1,500 people dying in Pakistan and another 2 million people displaced with no food, water and in danger of getting waterborne diseases - Right now - we'd all be able to stop and listen to one another and care about helping and leaving each other alone, respectfully? Ah, but there's religion involved. All logic and common decency are now thrown out, which is one of the big reasons there's a crater in lower Manhattan and the Cordoba people building the center is estimated to cost about $100 million... (my citation)

Here's a thought, maybe even a solution: How about the Americans try to care more about building something in that crater instead of what's going in a couple blocks away, and the folks picking a fight with a $100 million to toss around instead spend their money on helping their fellow Muslims - 'scuse me - HUMANS - on food, medicine and clean water in Pakistan?

Nah, that'd be just nuts!

One of Twenty Four

The final act of Rod Blagojevich has yet to be performed. The ousted former governor of Illinois Over By Dere was convicted of only ONE count against him. Shocker.

He was convicted of making false statements to federal agents, but the jury in the corruption case against him also reported that it was hopelessly deadlocked on 23 other counts against him... which means after millions of dollars - the show left a dry hungover feeling that you typically get on AMC's Mad Men. Not the limp cliffhanger we expect on Illinois Over By Dere.

Now, to say that the show ended badly, let's remember that Rod Blagojevich still faces up to 5 years in prison. The former governor pursed his lips and shook his head slightly when the verdict was read.

The moment when Patti rested her head on the chair in front of her and shook her head no several times was classic - something we never got to see Carmela on Soprano's have to deal with. And when Rod looked at her with an annoyed look on his face - you could almost see Emmy gold in his hand. Classic Illinois Over By Dere moment.

As jurors filed out, Patti collapsed into her seat and the former governor's attorney, Sam Adam Jr. moved next to Blagojevich and put his arm around him, rubbing his back. That was a little creepy.

The verdict was announced after 14 days, and episodes of deliberation.

"I intend to declare a mistrial" on the other 23 counts, Special Guest Star U.S. District Judge James Zagel said. He gave the prosecution until Aug. 26 to decide whether to retry Blagojevich and his brother. [NOTE: This is also when we will find out if the network has decided to greenlight another season of the show.]

My favorite parts of the episode were from the beginning,

As he entered the courtroom on the 25th floor, he said: "How are ya' doin'? Say a prayer for us."

I was thinking, "you don't have a prayer, buddy!"

Robert Blagojevich arrived with his wife and son, waiving to people and reporters gathered in the lobby.

U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald and Robert Grant, head of the FBI in Chicago, were also in the courtroom for the announcement.

My other favorite part had to be when the prosecutors said they didn't need that long to decide. "It is absolutely our intent to retry this," said Assistant U.S. Atty. Reid Schar. "We could be here tomorrow."

After the judge left to the call of "all rise," Patti didn't stand up and looked angry with her head down, staring at her lap.

In the lobby, Robert Blagojevich said jurors saw him as "an innocent target of the federal government." That was funny.

"God bless you, God bless you, I didn't let you down," Blago said as he shook hands with admirers. He also high-fived spectators.

Patti laughed as Blagojevich kissed her on the cheek.

Fade out.

That Sums It Up

Typo or perfect summation of the news of the day?