It is happening in the House of Representatives and started about 5 minutes ago on C-Span if anyone is interested. I wish Civics classes in schools were watching it.... I wonder if they are.
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SoWal Expert
People objected to showing the swearing in of the President in schools as a civic lesson. :roll:
We had to memorize the Preamble and the Bill of Rights AND obviously read the Constitution in school, so I don't see why this grandstanding should be so special.
We had to memorize the Preamble and the Bill of Rights AND obviously read the Constitution in school, so I don't see why this grandstanding should be so special.
SoWal Insider
People objected to showing the swearing in of the President in schools as a civic lesson. :roll:
We had to memorize the Preamble and the Bill of Rights AND obviously read the Constitution in school, so I don't see why this grandstanding should be so special.
Reminding everyone in Congress what their powers are is time well spent, not grandstanding. Their role in our lives is well spelled out, in very clear and simple language. An awful lot of people in that legislative body don't seem to know what their responsibilities are.
SoWal Expert
Do you really think reading the Constitution to elected representatives who have made it this far without knowing its contents will make a big difference?
I'm a fan of the Constitution and I'm a fan of every American knowing it and studying it, but this is a political ploy IMO.
I'm a fan of the Constitution and I'm a fan of every American knowing it and studying it, but this is a political ploy IMO.
SoWal Insider
Do you really think reading the Constitution to elected representatives who have made it this far without knowing its contents will make a big difference?
I'm a fan of the Constitution and I'm a fan of every American knowing it and studying it, but this is a political ploy IMO.
They're going to have to know it, because in this congress, House memebers will have to cite Constitutional authority for any legislation they propose. That rule, I think, will spure a lot of discussion.
SoWal Expert
I doubt it - one of the reasons the Constitution has lasted so long is its openness to interpretation/change and resulting flexibility.
Not to mention that historical precedents and SC rulings are factors as well.
Didn't they try this "justification" before and it just upped the BS factor? :idontno:
Though I must admit I would LOVE to see them strictly follow the letter and spirit of the Constitution when debating issues.
Ha-ha! They are ALREADY not following their own rules! Including the one about Constitutional citations. :lol: They have posted 3 of the bills they want to introduce for review and NONE have the citation.
GOP bends its own new House rules - Yahoo! News
Not to mention that historical precedents and SC rulings are factors as well.
Didn't they try this "justification" before and it just upped the BS factor? :idontno:
Though I must admit I would LOVE to see them strictly follow the letter and spirit of the Constitution when debating issues.
Ha-ha! They are ALREADY not following their own rules! Including the one about Constitutional citations. :lol: They have posted 3 of the bills they want to introduce for review and NONE have the citation.
GOP bends its own new House rules - Yahoo! News
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
Grandstanding or not, in this case, I would like to see it done at the start of every Congress (i.e. every two years). It's a document that makes our country special even with all our warts and is no less important than the 1 and 2 minutes speeches that are going on now.
Beach Fanatic
We had to memorize the Preamble and the Bill of Rights AND obviously read the Constitution in school, so I don't see why this grandstanding should be so special.
Y'all raise your hands if you're a certain age, and Schoolhouse Rock taught you how to sing the Preamble.
As far as citing a relevant part of the Constitution in each bill goes, you can make on hellava loophole you could drive the biggest pork barrel transportation project through with the phrase 'promote the general welfare'.
Beach Fanatic
Y'all raise your hands if you're a certain age, and Schoolhouse Rock taught you how to sing the Preamble.:wave:
SoWal Expert
Grandstanding or not, in this case, I would like to see it done at the start of every Congress (i.e. every two years). It's a document that makes our country special even with all our warts and is no less important than the 1 and 2 minutes speeches that are going on now.
Ditto - IMO it's at least 500x more important than politician's vanity speeches.
2 hours well spent - especially if it is being done for the right reasons and as a tradition instead of a political gesture.
And maybe the repetition will help them learn it/understand it - though it says alot about our current education system that they don't. ;-)
And maybe next time they read it, they won't be interrupted by a dumbarse "birther" heckler. :bang: And all of them will actually show up for the entire thing.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Ditto - IMO it's at least 500x more important than politician's vanity speeches.
2 hours well spent - especially if it is being done for the right reasons and as a tradition instead of a political gesture.
And maybe the repetition will help them learn it/understand it - though it says alot about our current education system that they don't. ;-)
And maybe next time they read it, they won't be interrupted by a dumbarse "birther" heckler. :bang: And all of them will actually show up for the entire thing.
I will merely add re: repetition ...as an ongoing reminder of the gravitas of their elected position.
PLUS if they can't show up and stay for the entire thing, that ought to be grounds for automatic expulsion.
SoWal Expert
I will merely add re: repetition ...as an ongoing reminder of the gravitas of their elected position.
PLUS if they can't show up and stay for the entire thing, that ought to be grounds for automatic expulsion.
Pretty lame I must say - not everyone was there and some of the people who did show up did not stay the entire time. (From both parties).
Beach Fanatic
Pretty lame I must say - not everyone was there and some of the people who did show up did not stay the entire time. (From both parties).
Wow. Sounds not just lame, but like a thumbing of their noses. Not just at America and The Constitution, but also at their own electorate who got them there in the first place. :(
Beach FanaticAuthor
Y'all raise your hands if you're a certain age, and Schoolhouse Rock taught you how to sing the Preamble.
:wave:
Banned
Two House Republicans Violate Constitution With Voting Blunder
WASHINGTON -- Two House Republicans have cast votes as members of the 112th Congress, but were not sworn in on Wednesday, a violation of the Constitution on the same day that the GOP had the document read from the podium.
The Republicans, incumbent Pete Sessions of Texas and freshman Mike Fitzpatrick, missed the swearing in, but watched it on television from the Capitol Visitors Center.
"That wasn't planned. It just worked out that way," said Fitzpatrick at the time, according to local press on hand, which noted that he "happened to be introducing Texas Congressman Pete Sessions while glad-handing his supporters in the Capitol Visitor Center that he secured for them when the House swearing in began."
There is no provision in the Constitution for a remote swearing-in by television.
On Thursday, the Rules Committee adjourned because Sessions had introduced legislation to repeal health care reform - an action that can only be taken by an official member of Congress.
WASHINGTON -- Two House Republicans have cast votes as members of the 112th Congress, but were not sworn in on Wednesday, a violation of the Constitution on the same day that the GOP had the document read from the podium.
The Republicans, incumbent Pete Sessions of Texas and freshman Mike Fitzpatrick, missed the swearing in, but watched it on television from the Capitol Visitors Center.
"That wasn't planned. It just worked out that way," said Fitzpatrick at the time, according to local press on hand, which noted that he "happened to be introducing Texas Congressman Pete Sessions while glad-handing his supporters in the Capitol Visitor Center that he secured for them when the House swearing in began."
There is no provision in the Constitution for a remote swearing-in by television.
On Thursday, the Rules Committee adjourned because Sessions had introduced legislation to repeal health care reform - an action that can only be taken by an official member of Congress.
SoWal Expert
WOW. 😱
That certainly sets the tone for the next 2 years, doesn't it? :bang:
Maybe they need to read it daily? :idontno:
That certainly sets the tone for the next 2 years, doesn't it? :bang:
Maybe they need to read it daily? :idontno:
Beach FanaticAuthor
By the way, Pete Sessions is not just another member. He is the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Way to show some little leadership Pete!
SoWal Insider
Y'all raise your hands if you're a certain age, and Schoolhouse Rock taught you how to sing the Preamble.:wave:
As far as citing a relevant part of the Constitution in each bill goes, you can make on hellava loophole you could drive the biggest pork barrel transportation project through with the phrase 'promote the general welfare'.
I'm Just a Bill is my fav....
SchoolTube - School House Rock: The Preamble
SoWal Expert
I think that in addition to having someone read it for them, they should have to take a test on their comprehension of it before taking office.
Beach Fanatic
I think that in addition to having someone read it for them, they should have to take a test on their comprehension of it before taking office.
Gad. How reasonable :clap:
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