Is conservatism

(a) Agreeing with anything President Bush says, or

(b) Upholding eternal verities and practices that have proven their worth over time?

Too many these days seem to think the answer is (a). It ain’t. And if the answer is (b), then the ACLU is not out of bounds to call itself in a recent ad “the most conservative organization in America” for opposing the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

That act, so eagerly sought by the Bush administration, weakens the constitutional guarantee of habeas corpus—a right whose recognition in common law goes back to before the Magna Carta of 1215. The ease with which some Republicans have been willing to cast aside almost eight centuries of legal tradition can be called many things, but it cannot be called “conservative.”

You are right. It was emotion speaking rather than reasoned discussion. Some issues, such as misuse of imminent domain and messing with habeas corpus for the sake of an illusional saftey provoke that kind of reaction in people. If it doesn’t, it should!

Mr. Hinkle, I know I don’t see that little word hickey down there! I may never get to contribute to this blog again. Those things defeat me.

That’s a lot of fiery and empty rhetoric Margie.

(c) Dead.

Were he alive today, Barry Goldwater would find the modern conservative movement and Republican party completely unrecognizable.

The most dangerous act ever approved by an unthinking Congress and signed by the most power-mad and dangerous President we’ve ever had. To use an old-fashioned expression, we will rue this day, and sooner rather than later. What has made the president so distrustful of the Judicial branch? So unwilling to allot to them their proper role in checks and balances?

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