Reader Comments
Issue 111 - July 9, 2008

Editor: Another excellent analysis in “Judges Ignore Real Constitution.” The judicial assault on Federalism as was initially envisioned began in earnest under Chief Justice John Marshall who imperiously declared that the Supreme Court was the final arbiter in interpreting the Constitution. The longest serving Chief Justice, he constantly eroded States’ Rights. He believed the Federal government was much wiser than the rabble in the various states and that above all, he and his black-robed colleagues knew more than anyone. It’s a pity that Congress has not, to my knowledge, ever exercised its right under Article III, Section 2 wherein they could limit or even deny Federal courts the authority for jurisdiction – something that should be done in the case of the enemy combatants held in Guantanamo. The Founders saw a Federal government that would have three equal branches. The Supremes were never intended to reign supreme and nowhere in the Constitution does it give them the authority to make law. They are simply to preside over charges of treason by high officials and settle disputes that arise under the constitution between states, citizens of different states, and citizens vs foreigners (not vice versa). In addition, they may preside where state law contravenes constitutional provisions – not Federal laws or previous opinions and certainly not foreign legal documents. That’s it. James C. McAlister, Tampa, Fla

Editor: Way to go with “Judges Ignore Real Constitution.” Cool, calm, reasoned arguments always win the day. Dan Calabria

Editor: Thanks for printing this insightful article, “Judges Ignore Real Constitution.” During the past 50 years I have seen such erosion of the authority of the Constitution that I doubt that the United States can survive another 50 years. Philip Allen (Killing The Living Constitution), Port Hueneme, CA

Editor: Why aren't the conservatives in the Congress screaming at the top of their lungs about these judges?????  I hope and pray that SOME lobby out there has the guts to go to Capital Hill and get something done about this! This is taxation WITHOUT representation and according to my copy of the Constitution that is unconstitutional! Sincerely, Connie Hester

Editor: Regarding Dennis Avery’s “Drive Coal, Not Gas,” great article. Have you done any research regarding coal gasification? I believe I remember hearing the owner of Jet Blue Airlines a few months ago and he stated that when oil reached $40.00 a barrel it became economical to produce gas from coal. How many U.S. states now have accessible coal deposits that could be used for this purpose? Thanks. Don Brunken

Editor: A lot of folks can't understand how we came to have an oil shortage here in our country. Well, there's a very simple answer. Nobody bothered to check the oil. We just didn't know we were getting low. The reason for that is purely geographical. Our OIL is located in: Alaska, California, Coastal Florida, Coastal Louisiana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. Our dipsticks are located in D.C. Any Questions? NO? Didn't think so. Ron S

Editor: I enjoyed the article: “School Nightmare” by Alan Caruba, especially since it reflected my thoughts exactly about our failing national education system.  The book on this subject by Dr. Renato Nicolai should be mandatory reading for every parent and taxpayer to be used at all the "school board meetings throughout this nation. Yes, we have been "hoodwinked by a left leaning education system."  But the average, naive taxpayer is perhaps too busy or too lazy to search out the true facts on our troubled education system. For this failure we can blame our education leaders, administrators, etc. for the deception they have conveyed on the American taxpayer. For this they should be held justly accountable. A moratorium is needed for our entire education system--just as is needed for "illegal immigration" to this nation. We don't need "diversity!  We need "Loyalty" to this Country. Thanks for your time. G. L. Mossberger

Editor: Regarding Alan Caruba’s “School Nightmare,” the REAL problem is that PUBLIC education keeps getting noticed but private and especially CHRISTIAN schools fall under the radar.  My son went to THREE private schools before I started home-schooling him. The first school, I admit I probably over reacted to the fact that less than 10% of the students were non-Arabic.  It scared me the first time a group of dads walked into to pick up their children.  This wasn't the reason for withdrawing my child.  He was withdrawn because his teacher from one of those countries that used to be part of the USSR didn't understand him referring to tomatoes as Lycopene and therefore referred him for Special Ed. evaluation. The second and third schools, neither one could get him to demonstrate what he really knew.  One, example is that at the second school his teacher was convinced that he could not count beyond ten.  He and I, one afternoon were walking out the room and he counted to 100 before we were out the door...I do not exaggerate when I say we heard his teacher collapse on the floor.  There was a voice message waiting for me when we got home to inform me there was a meeting scheduled for the following morning. Discipline issues, appeared in the third school; up to this point I had a sweet, honest, fun to be around child.  He lost this for some reason at the third school.  It is sad to think that a 3rd grader can already be so angry and upset about school. The radar is up about how many public schooled 3rd graders are already burnt out on school.  He has more days of being his former happy go lucky but he isn't that child anymore.  The therapist he saw for over a year felt that he displayed having been abused but couldn't find any abuse.  It is obvious something happened and trying to put him back together isn't, wasn't, shouldn't have been part of his education.  He instead is an 8 year-old going on 50. The WHOLE educational system needs to be looked at. The virtual school he attends at home has given him back some of his self confidence.  He knows he is bright and that is up to him what he does with it.  Yes, he is learning more his way than mine, or any of the teachers he had but he is learning and growing.  He still attempts to act like he doesn't know things but the computer is programmed to "trick" him into showing what he really knows. M. Manera, Phoenix, AZ

Editor: What a wonderful description of one of my favorite actors in Spencer Warren’s “Jimmy Stewart, American.” He personified integrity, trustworthiness, honesty--in other words: a true Boyscout. Thank you for this biography. You did a great job. Nancy M. Haglund, Anchorage, Alaska

Editor: I have a question. Is there a vendetta against Chuck Baldwin and the Constitution Party? I have not seen one word about him in the media. There seems to be a degree of censorship that is totally controlling what they are allowed to publish. Are the American people nothing but pawns in the hands of a few? Are we only allowed to be informed of news (and lies) that are being fed to us? I do not expect a reply, or for you to publish this because you are undoubtedly in their control, and would be punished if you did! Carl Markmiller, McAlpin, FL.

Editor: God Bless you for ConservativeBattleline and keep up the good work. From a retired Grandfather, Robert Peterson