Barry My Liege:
Pay no never mind to the folks complaining about your decision to use a PAC to raise campaign funds.
Ever since the Supremes changed the law so that foreign and domestic corporations can buy any election they want, it is just something you have to do.
But, My Liege, remember the old adage: If you give to my campaign before I am nominated, you might get a job in my administration, but if you give after I am nominated, you'll get good government.
You are already nominated, so you don't have to give up anything for the money.
So, My Liege, please avoid the appearance of impropriety - don't give away anything.
Your faithful servant,
Friday, February 10, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Mercy for Manning
Barry, My Liege:
It is a nagging question: Exactly what is it that you want from Bradley Manning?
He has been held for almost a year in apparent violation of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution which forbids cruel and inhumane punishment. He has not been convicted of a crime nor faced a trial in that time.
His treatment can reasonably be classified as torture. He is subjected to detention conditions likely to create long-term psychological injuries. [See Glen Greenwald at: http://www.salon.com/2010/12/15/manning_3/]
My Liege, what can he possibly give you that he has not already given?
A strong sovereign shows his strength by the quality of his mercy, My Liege. Perhaps it is time to show mercy to Bradley Manning.
His crime, if convicted, may have derived from a patriotic act of conscience. It could have been a traitorous act as well. Those qualities are not necessarily inconsistent.
Or, maybe it was an act of a confused kid who made a mistake.
Is it more merciful to keep him in inhumane conditions in violation of the Constitution than it is to convict him and hang him or release him?
Consider, My Liege, the words of Ray Charles from 'America the Beautiful':
****************************************
'Oh beautiful, for heroes proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, our country loved,
And mercy more than life,
America, America, may God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain devined.'
*****************************************
Mercy, My Liege, Mercy.
Your faithful servant,
It is a nagging question: Exactly what is it that you want from Bradley Manning?
He has been held for almost a year in apparent violation of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution which forbids cruel and inhumane punishment. He has not been convicted of a crime nor faced a trial in that time.
His treatment can reasonably be classified as torture. He is subjected to detention conditions likely to create long-term psychological injuries. [See Glen Greenwald at: http://www.salon.com/2010/12/15/manning_3/]
My Liege, what can he possibly give you that he has not already given?
A strong sovereign shows his strength by the quality of his mercy, My Liege. Perhaps it is time to show mercy to Bradley Manning.
His crime, if convicted, may have derived from a patriotic act of conscience. It could have been a traitorous act as well. Those qualities are not necessarily inconsistent.
Or, maybe it was an act of a confused kid who made a mistake.
Is it more merciful to keep him in inhumane conditions in violation of the Constitution than it is to convict him and hang him or release him?
Consider, My Liege, the words of Ray Charles from 'America the Beautiful':
****************************************
'Oh beautiful, for heroes proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, our country loved,
And mercy more than life,
America, America, may God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain devined.'
*****************************************
Mercy, My Liege, Mercy.
Your faithful servant,
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