MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
US Supreme Court battle expected to have a deep impact on presidential campaign
An epic Washington political battle took shape on Sunday after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia as Senate Republicans dug in and said they would refuse to act on any Supreme Court nomination by President Obama. But the White House vowed to select a nominee within weeks. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesSo a president who has still to finish almost 25% of a term should wait?
Feb 15th, 2016 - 09:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0Should that become the norm? Should a legitimately elected president be prevented from carrying out his constituonal duties?
Scalia was one of the old school, appointed by Reagan, so you can see where the Republicans are coming from, he's one of theirs.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 10:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0AND, he was a bible basher par excellence often coming out in public about “you never see the 'Devil' anymore, but he's still with us and I know what he's up to: he's getting wilier!” Nearly wet myself when I read that for the first time.
Better still, have a video treat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PEA5QXbfX0
What is it with these 'clever' people, even the Dope of an Argie Pope doesn't believe in the Devil anymore.
ChrisR
Feb 15th, 2016 - 11:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0I've never fully understood bible bashers. While I can understand faith and even have a bit of envy for people who gain solace from a religion, I can't reconcile its sheer backwardness.
The US is peculiar in its religious fevor. Definitely the odd one out, though Russia has devolved towards this recently as well.
People are free to practise their religion. But I despise them when they think that their interpretation of morals and ethics and living 'normally' is imposed on others.
There has been a rise in Aussie politicians who use religion openly and let it influence their voting. This is at odds with the increasing irreligosity of the population. But usually they don't preach it openly befor they get elected. Even they see the writing on the wall. No one cares for that crap. But in the US it will always be a battle ground simply because idiots like this can get power like that.
Well I guess Scalia is in hell now. As I don't believe in hell I guess I won't be bumping into him when I'm due to expire.
The right has religion the left has politically correct word police.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 01:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There's no difference.
I'd rather not have gov't telling me to be quiet about either.
If the Senate doesn't hold the Odumbo appointee there will be civil unrest.
I guarantee it.
And this time it will be white people rioting.
@ 3 Skip
Feb 15th, 2016 - 01:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Some American University friends visiting Britain whilst Bush Jnr was the prez made us all laugh when they said that a movement had been started to have Texas renamed Dumbfuckingstan and declared secular! :o
Apparently the numbers of American atheists who have declared themselves so in polls has risen from 39% to 49%. So it's over a half now if you include the ones who are apprehensive to do so.
I have to say that this past year is the best, by far, political theater that I've seen in 57 years.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 02:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/05/7-facts-about-atheists/
The Pew Religious Landscape survey reported that as of 2014, 22.8% of the U.S. population is religiously unaffiliated, atheists made up 3.1% and agnostics made up 4% of the U.S. population. The 2014 General Social Survey reported that 21% of American had no religion with 3% being atheist and 5% being agnostic.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 02:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Why lie Chris?
We have been expecting Prof Dawkins, but he didnt come? W is on the list though.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 03:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What I find most interesting (and well known) is just how close Scalia and Ginsberg were as friends. Talk about Polar opposites.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 03:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Its only been recently that there's been animosity between people of opposite political affiliation.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 04:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Progressives have driven a wedge in the USA society to advance their cause.
Just like Alinsky ordered.
It must be healed.
I don't see it that way. I see the wedge started in the 90s with Newt.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 04:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don' think Gingrich was nearly as bad as Pelosi and Reid.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 04:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They're horrible people
Even Odumbo isn't as bad as those two.
The National Media also protects the Dems, under reports their misdeeds and justifies their terrible behaviour. As it is all “for the cause” whether its illegal or not.
And the divisiveness has only gotten worse with Social Media.
Well, you are a conservative and biased in that partition. It stands to reason why you would see it that way. I see it more pervasive then one party.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 04:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I will say this is the there is a group of politicians who refuse to negotiate and make compromise and that is what politics use to be. But “this” group” sees that as weakness and the only thing it damages is the country itself.
What we will see is a test of the American tolerance if the GOP controlled Senate fails to perform it duties and continues with obstructionist tactics. Both parties fail to understand that a Democratic executive is going to have democratic policies and vise versa.
I am not going to play prognosticator but I will say this, these next 7 months are going to be pivotal for both parties. More so, until these to inept parties put forth real, viable and competent candidates, the USA will continue in it's demise.
Some numbers:
11,000,000/ 4 years / 52 weeks a year. That would mean finding, arresting and trying 52,885 illegal immigrants a week and then deporting them. How does this happen? The logistics let alone hiring the force needed to hunt, find and arrest them.
Are they arrested and deported without a trial? The government does have the burden of proof. 8 billion for the wall, how much for the undetailed deportation plan?
A recent poll released by the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California has identified a key question that determines whether a voter is likely to support Republican frontrunner Donald J. Trump.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 05:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That question is whether the voter agrees with the statement: “People like me don’t have any say about what the government does.”
The analysts explain:
Among people likely to vote in the Republican primary, people are 86.5 percent more likely to prefer Donald Trump as the first-choice nominee relative to all the others if they “somewhat” or “strongly agree” that “people like me don’t have any say about what the government does.” Using statistical techniques, we can conclude that this increased preference for Trump is over and beyond any preferences based on respondent gender, age, race/ethnicity, employment status, educational attainment, household income, attitudes towards Muslims, attitudes towards illegal immigrants, or attitudes towards Hispanics.
Yes in 7 months we'll see how this all comes out.
I do have hope the USA citizenry will do what is right for the country.
Time will tell. But I still really want to understand how the deportations will happen. Due they get tried? I havae a homeland ID, military ID, multiple expired passports and visas, state drivers licences, but I would show them shit if I were asked to prove I am a legal citizen.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 05:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@ 6 Captain Poppy
Feb 15th, 2016 - 07:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The PEW outfit! Have you ever read the topics covered by their “Experts” count the number who state 'religion' and then decide if they are neutral!
@ 7 yankeeboy
Well you claim not to lie. I KNOW I have not lied, I know the figure was part of a review in a non-religious publication about 6-9 months ago and I have to admit to being surprised by it.
But PEW “research”, come on guys - wise up for once.
Why do you feel so threatened by me being an atheist? You know that I was brought up in a deeply Christian family and I rose to being 'Head Altar Boy' in the High Church of the Church of England. And then I woke up, science and advanced science woke me up.
The bible is a collection fairy tales written before the time of printing and relied on the word of mouth for hundreds of years before some standardisation could take place. What makes me question American beliefs is the sheer number of mentally defectives who actually take EVERY word as being strictly true.
I can understand Captain Poppy being close to God, he's been close to death a number of times I would imagine and the thought of everlasting life may be comforting at that time.
But yankeeboy, what's in it for you? You claim to be descendant from American old families, very wealthy and reasonably educated other than in science BUT, you know I don't lie, don't you? Why does a Christian demean himself by lying?
Anyway, I wish I was wrong and there was some other existence, but I can't see it being a 'god'.
@ 15 Captain Poppy
“but I would show them shit if I were asked to prove I am a legal citizen.”
Then you would be expelled it seems. How does that make someone who has fought for America at Commissioned level feel?
Despite many Americans claiming their country is 'strong' whatever that means, there seems to be an awful lot of Americans who are frightened to the core.
Perhaps they should try atheism and give up on the feelings raised by so called beliefs.
Just a thought.
Unlikely, no one will be deported without due process. A suspected illegal immigrant does not share the same legalities as a suspected terrorist. I will go out on a limb here, but I don't see Trumps plans going forward. But everyone has the right to their opinions even with religion. Atheism seems to work well in China and the old USSR.
Feb 15th, 2016 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Perhaps Trump is going to get all the illegal Mexicans to build the wall? Could be just like Berlin. Some of the Southern States were Mexican anyway? One is even named after it.
Feb 16th, 2016 - 11:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0From what I have seen the US would collapse without Mexicans. Who would stand around in museums all day, who would do the gardening, clean the pools, sweep the streets, who would build decks, who would staff Chipotle (is the Chipotle cris over yet)? Trump should think this out properly, he has his Tacos in a twist!
Because Mexicans are all into deeply religious Popery America will become even more Godless. Atheism is alive and well in America and becoming more popular. Lennon was correct.
Some southern states were Mexican and lost in the war......and then paid via a treaty. Just like Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, Phillipines, Your point on those states?
Feb 16th, 2016 - 02:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Everytime you post I am hoping to hear a popping sound, yet I don't.
I believe you are correct Capt, Trump is promising things that he has little hope of delivering. As for the Southern States I was merely pointing out that at some point Mexico was disputing ownership. Remember the Alamo!
Feb 16th, 2016 - 02:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As for the candidates, from the outside the GOP is unbelieveable. How is it not possible to do better than them, its making America a laughing stock?
Ahhh, yes, they do dispute that......just like PR. The funny thing is that we do not want PR.
Feb 16th, 2016 - 05:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0From the inside, they are a laughing stock as well. Viable and realistic candidate do not make it anywhere. They do not have that....WOW or GOTCHA factor. That thing that attracts the classic, American moron. As an American I am sorry to say, but it is true. A poll of recent High School Grads showed that 10% of them thought that Judge Judy was part of SCOTUS. And it goes down hill from there.
@ 21 Captain Poppy
Feb 16th, 2016 - 07:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“ A poll of recent High School Grads showed that 10% of them thought that Judge Judy was part of SCOTUS.”
Well, there IS an opening, you never know?
lol. If I stay in the USA this is what I have to take care of me.
Feb 16th, 2016 - 09:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In all seriousness, if the GOP does not play the cards correctly and fuck up to SCOTUS selection, then lose the November election, the Democrats will be choosing someone less moderate than we'll see in the coming weeks. Mark my words, if the Democrats win the election, Taft will not be the only former president to serve SCOTUS.
Mitch McConnell may find that he does not have the numbers he needs in order to block confirmation.
Feb 18th, 2016 - 11:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Turn about is fair play.
Feb 20th, 2016 - 05:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I can't imagine anyone would make it out of committee.
The energy is with the Republicans this election.
Hillary will proabably be indicted
Sanders is a nut.
There's still some weirdos that think Biden or Gore will jump in and save the day.
Not likely.
The Dope of an argie Pope has stated that Trump is not a Christian, but there again after his edict on not aborting Zika damaged foetuses, neither is he.
Feb 20th, 2016 - 07:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I should imagine Trump laughed his hair off when he was told.
Anytime someone talks bad about Trump he goes up in the polls.
Feb 21st, 2016 - 12:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He wins the media game every time.
Now that there are only 3 serious candidates on the Republican side it will be interesting to see if Trump can maintain his lead.
He's been a very surprising candidate so far.
His SC polling demographics are fascinating and scary to the establishment and the Democrats.
In NV the Dems had 30% less turn out than in 2008 while in SC the Republicans had record turn out.
Hillary is out of $, she never expected nor planned for a long campaign.
Large donors are tapped out and she has no small donors
Just like 2008
Watch the momentum.
Ok.....we're all watching right up to November. T Paine (bshahaha). Love the name.
Feb 21st, 2016 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think you'll see a break out well before November.
Feb 21st, 2016 - 07:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Especially if its Sanders on the Dem side.
There's no energy on the Dem side.
None at all.
I see Hilary beat Sanders by a turn of the cards in a small town in Nevada. She got the ace of clubs and he got the eight of hearts!
Feb 22nd, 2016 - 11:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0BUT, and this is the really incomprehensible bit; there were only 30 people voting for the entire area, which of course had SIX casinos within the 'city' limits!
How is this possible?
Between High Card and Coin Tosses she won 7 times and let her eke out a win in 2 states.
Feb 22nd, 2016 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Indict her and Bill and get it over with.
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