(I've been doing a series of the events of the day in Holy Week all week, but since Jesus was in the grave on Saturday, I figured I could do a News Weakly ... シ)
Power Play
It feels like President Trump is testing how far he can go before the courts stop him. Now he's threatening to rescind Harvard's tax exempt status on his own without any authority to do so. I'm not happy with some of these "higher learning" school and their new political agenda, but I wish Emperor Trump would put some clothes on. It's getting embarrassing.
What is Truth?
Maryland Resident Kilmar Garcia was deported to El Salvador without due process. The Trump officials call it an "administrative error." The Supreme Court ordered the administration to "facilitate" his return. So why has Governor Newsom sued Trump over tariffs, but kept silent on Garcia? He calls the case "the distraction of the day." Democrats are split on it, some running to help and some keeping silent. Like the Pharisees who refused to answer Jesus's question about John the Baptist because either answer would be bad for them (Luke 20:1-8), this case seems to be engendering a practical response rather than a drive for the truth ... which, I would argue, is now a largely American pastime rather than a merely Democrat playground.
Born That Way
The law of the land has long been if you're born here, you're a natural citizen. Trump would like to end that rule. The Supreme Court will hear arguments. Mind you, the 14th Amendment gives those born here natural citizenship status. It was part of the whole Emancipation thing, where we decided that slaves born here were actual citizens worthy of American civil liberties. It looks bad that the president wants to end it, I suppose primarily on his strong "anti-immigration" stance. (That's shorthand for "opposed to illegal immigration," not "no immigrants ever.") The whole "anchor baby" thing encourages illegal immigration. Still, Mr. Trump, it is the law of the land. And if you'd like to delete it, what other Amendments will be in the crosshairs?
What Did You Say?
The former New York Times editorial page editor apologized to Sarah Palin at the defamation trial. In tears. Palin argued an editorial damaged her reputation (duh). James Bennet said he "blew it." "I do apologize to Governor Palin for this mistake." And all the Palin haters take a collective gasp at the admission that Palin was right.
Your Most Trusted Source for Fake News
After all this MS-13 deportation nonsense, liberals are warning that enforcing immigration law could easily lead to enforcing other laws. We can't have that. Meanwhile, American hostages in Gaza are identifying as MS-13 gang members so Democrats will fight to bring them home, too. And Trump has had a surprise change of heart, offering to bring Garcia home if El Salvador will keep Cory Booker.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Power Play
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, not too long ago, Biden was threatening schools that didn't conform to his new interpretation of Title 9. I'm not usually a Trump defender, but when he threatens things, it seems he's threatening to use the authority given to him to use the different departments to accomplish the things he can't directly do. So, while he may not directly be able to revoke their tax exempt status, he can instruct which ever department to do it. If Harvard wants tax dollars, they should abide by the same rules, or just like any organization that is either tax exempt or receiving tax funding, should lose access. Just like if the government decided a pastor was being too politically vocal they could reject their tax exempt status. Trump certainly talks like he's the one doing things, but he's not the one actually executing the work.
What Is Truth?
This has been an odd hill for some Dems to die on. They are attacking from the wrong angle. They are acting like Garcia is some poor, innocent, hardworking illegal immigrant that got caught up in Trump's deportations, when in reality he's a likely MS-13 gang member (determined by the courts in 2019) and has a written accusation of spousal abuse. Due process was not followed and should be fixed, but it's not a good look for senators to fly down to El Salvador on tax payer money to have margaritas with the man. Focus on the process failure, not the individual.
Born That Way
Is he trying to remove the amendment or reinterpret it to how it was meant to be enacted. I can't imagine the post-civil war politicians were thinking, "We want anyone that comes to visit this country should be able to become an American simply by having a baby here." I don't think anyone is arguing that foreign diplomats that have children here should be given citizenship. As you point out, it was about the citizenship of emancipated slaves. At the time, federal amendment was necessary to get the South in line, but as far as I know, we aren't dealing with that situation any more.
What Did You Say?
Am I allowed to think everyone is wrong in this case? NYT was wrong for publishing it, knowing it would be inflammatory. The author was wrong, and literally crying about it 10 later is just weird. Palin is wrong for caring enough to continue the suit after it had already been denied once and then not accepting the man's apology (I seem to remember her driving hard at her Christian beliefs while she was running for VP). This was all dumb, and I don't understand how it made national news.
Your Most Trusted Source For Fake News
That Gaza hostages bit really got me laughing, because it is so close to true. Unfortunately, Trump has not done what I wished he would about the Americans held in Gaza. But if they want Democrat support, they really do need to become some of the least desirable people. I mean, the Democrats traded a notorious gun runner that made Nicholas Cage's character look like a saint, for an America hating basketball player.
On the 14th Amendment, David, you have to understand that most of what we do has unintended consequences. No, they didn't plan to encourage people to come in illegally. But people have used it as a legal loophole.
DeleteThen wouldn't it be smart for Trump to encourage Congress to amend the amendment to make it more clear? Or, since it no longer serves the purpose it intended, remove it? I know Trump can't do it himself, and Congress is too politically split to accomplish anything meaningful, but at least someone putting forth some option besides the status quo would be nice. Or just do like the Congress has been doing for almost 100 years, let the Supreme Court decide, since they seem to be the only body of government with capability to do anything anymore and Congress has been depending on the Judiciary to do their job for them.
DeleteStan: “I wish Emperor Trump would put some clothes on.” LOL!! My first hearty laugh of the day!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Harvard thing, I have no problem with Trump withholding federal funds if Harvard refuses to abide by federal law. Harvard should be just fine.
ReplyDeleteThe 14th amendment doesn't seem quite as definitive as some would like us to believe. There is language in it about being subject to the jurisdiction of the US. I've seen compelling arguments that entering the country illegally is de facto refusing to subject oneself to the "jurisdiction of the US", at a minimum. Absolutely it should be clarified or amended, unfortunately the most likely way of doing so is litigation, which requires that Trump "violate" the amendment to provoke a court case.
I agree that the whole "emperor Trump" shtick is problematic.