Yesterday, the Charleston Gazette editorial page’s potpourri column offered the following observation: “Longtime legislator John Overington of Martinsburg wants to restore the death penalty in West Virginia. It’s remarkable that so many pro-life Republicans are also pro-death.”
Once again, the Gazette demonstrates how out of touch with their readership they really are.
Most West Virginians get it, but let me explain to the Gazette’s editors: Delegate Overington, a MENSA member I might add, is pro-death for murderers and child molesters, people who obviously deserve it. He supports letting the innocent live. As far as I can tell, you can’t get more innocent than a baby in his or her mother’s womb. In fact, he supports life for everyone, except for the most dangerous of criminals who have already demonstrated that they are a threat to other people’s right to live.
I would like to pose the following questions to the Charleston Gazette’s editorial board:
Why is it so acceptable to harangue pro-life supporters and Christians on a daily basis, but an example of extreme intolerance and ignorance when conservatives warn of Islamofacists who want to force women to wear veils and face death by stoning for merely walking outside (even while veiled) without a male blood relative for an escort?
If you are so ardent a defender of women’s rights, where are your editorials attacking the so-called “honor killings” occurring not only in the Middle East, but in Europe?
How exactly did Justice Blackmun twist and distort the freedom to be free from illegal search and seizure so far as to presume a “right” of abortion? How is a ban on abortion, except in the cases of rape or incest, a violation of a woman’s “right to privacy” any more than any law against illicit drugs, or even any government tax form? Is not the use of the term “penumbra” in their decision evidence that the Court was really grasping at straws to justify this gruesome procedure?
And finally, why does your editorial board only choose to endorse candidates who sanction the slaughter of thousands of innocent babies (“lifeless fetuses” as you call them) as a matter of policy? Does the right to abortion on-demand override all other issues?
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
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Supreme Court makes right call on free speech during campaign season
The United States Supreme Court took a big bite out of so-called campaign finance reform with its ruling Monday that loosened political advertising restrictions aimed at corporate- and union-funded television ads.
The court ruled that the law unreasonably limits speech and violates the groups' First Amendment rights.
Chief Justice John Roberts summed it up perfectly by writing, "Discussion of issues cannot be suppressed simply because the issues may also be pertinent in an election. Where the First
Amendment is implicated, the tie goes to the speaker, not the censor."
The decision upheld an appeals court ruling that said an anti-abortion group should have been allowed to air ads during the final two months before the 2004 elections.
Hopefully, the ruling is a sign that as more cases wind their way to the high court, a majority of justices are now on the bench who value First Amendment freedom of speech over misguided efforts to limit campaign spending -- which is the same as limiting free speech.
PIECE OF HISTORY -- Secretary of State Betty Ireland transfers the historical documents discovered in the SOS office to Fred Armstrong of the Division of Culture and History.
Pictured is a page from the 1872 Constitutional Convention minutes.
Documents filled with history found in Secretary of State hq
Secretary of State Betty Ireland announced Monday the transfer of many historic documents found in the Secretary of State’s Office dating back to the first day of statehood (June 20, 1863) to the Division of Culture and History
for proper storage and preservation. The documents had been stored in the Secretary of State’s fire safe vault.
“We discovered many of West Virginia’s birth papers,” Secretary Ireland said. “We knew there were several records of state government in the vault, but little did we realize just how meaningful they would be to the State’s Archivist, Fred Armstrong.”
The oldest document found was the Executive Journal wherein the first entry recorded Governor Arthur I. Boreman’s oath of office dated June 20, 1863. Boreman was the state’s first governor. Other documents found include: the minutes of the 1872 State Constitutional Convention, which produced the state constitution from which we now operate; the first actions of the Board of Public Works; and the original candidacy for president papers for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, signed April 9, 1936.
“It sent chills through me when we found these priceless documents,” Secretary Ireland said. “Looking at the documents gives one a sense of pride and belonging. We’ve come a long way from West Virginia’s birth during the Civil War to our state’s position in today’s global economy.”
Most of the documents found are hand written with beautiful penmanship. “To think that somebody hand wrote the actions of state government is awe-inspiring,” Secretary Ireland said. “It is a pure example of this state’s beauty and wonder. To me the documents display who we are, what we’re about, where we’ve been and where we’re going as West Virginians.”
Secretary Ireland said she was grateful the documents were found and in such good condition. “Transferring these historic prizes to those who can properly store and preserve them will ensure that many generations to come can one day get a glimpse of their past. I feel privileged to be a small part of it.”
Guest column
Innocent life different from guilty criminals
Having fun with Mojo
One office might just not be enough next year
Hey kids! Mojo here! Still lots of speculation going on about our old friend Senator Byrd! Is he feeling ok? He keeps telling me he's fine! But I have to plan ahead! What if something happens in the next few weeks or months!?! What if I haven't been reelected Governor yet? What if I get asked to be somebody's Vice Presidential candidate?
If the seat comes open sometime this year, there will be an election next year for Senate -- at the same time I'm running for Governor! Or maybe Vice President! Tough choice! So tough, I've decided not to decide! I'll just run for all three! Imagine what I could accomplish if I was the Governor, the Senator and the Vice President! Talk about cooperation! Can't wait!
