We interrupt “History of the Constitution” to offer “Short history of U.S. involvement in Iran.”

1953: Mossadegh, elected by people of Iran to head gov't, but U.S. joined other countries in Mossadegh's overthrow because Mossadegh nationalized Iran's oil. [FN1] 1/12

We replaced Mossadegh w/the Shah [FN2], who nationalized Iran’s oil industry [FN3] & was a leader in OPEC. [FN4] [FN5] The Shah used coupons the U.S. gives to our dictators to form & train his secret police,…

The Articles of Confederation governed the 13 States [FN1] w/o “Jesus” or “Christ.” “Religion” is not specific, [FN2] & “great Governor of the World” is a deist term. [FN3] The Treaty of Paris ended the war, [FN4] but does not say the U.S. is a Christian nation. [FN5] 1/12

The treaty’s date is “In the Year of our Lord,” [FN6] & it does not mean the U.S. is Christian. [FN7] “God” enters, but for: “Prince George the third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, Defender of…

Last weekend was like footage from the 1960s: assassinations, protests & troops in the streets. A difference: a dictator in office whose shtick includes deference to a white, male, pissed-off “god” created by the far right. Sen Barry Goldwater [FN1] warned us: When these preachers 1/9

“get control of the [GOP], it's going to be a terrible damn problem” they believe they act “in the name of God,” so they won't compromise. "Today's ‘conservatives’ don't even know what the word…

This just in, from Newsweek: “ the current guidance of having two or fewer drinks a day is going

to be overhauled” by the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”), headed by RFK, Jr. Newsweek might be first on getting a quick healing, but we have more details. 1/9

In an effort to restore the country to the clear-headed sanity of the Framers who produced The Constitution, eligible voters will be encouraged to drink 5 gallons of “hard liquor” [FN1] per year. The Sec’y, to…

At the checkout in the Broad Ripple Kroger, among the tabloid front-page stories of Big Foot, odd creatures in UFOs and Elvis, the face of “Bat Boy,” in black & white, w/pointed ears & fangs, was sure to catch my attention. I wondered how anyone could believe such a tale. 1/11

A far right tool, at nat’l & State levels, is god; [FN1] a white, male, pissed-off deity the far right owns. Sen Barry Goldwater warned: “if & when these preachers get control of the [GOP], it's…

Tomorrow’s schedule of events, & history, illustrate why we should be afraid when 1) a politician 2) lies & says our country 3) was founded as a Christian nation 4) believes that means for the benefit of Christians 5) who are the only people capable of being moral. 1/9

Europe’s monarchs ruled under the divine right of kings: “The political theory that the sovereign is a direct representative of God and has the right to rule absolutely by virtue of royal birth.” [FN1] The…

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Many “No Kings” marches, nationwide, take place Saturday. Links for resources are available on line. Training videos address several topics, including what to do in regard to violence. [FN1] Go to the website & watch the videos. A couple of reasons... 1/9

1) “When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game.” John Lennon said this. I know, maga idiots have talked up “2A solutions” [FN2] for a long time & have a ton of…

Our republic has survived hits. [FN1] Religion is a frequent element in history’s wars. Crosses, on armor & shields, were commonplace in the Crusades. [FN2] The Framers knew this history. IN’s Lt Gov lies about religion in our Nation’s founding & the lies must be addressed: 1/10

1) Dictatorships force a false reality on people & depend on their compliance. [FN3]

This was sd after U.S. Sen Padilla (D-CA) was physically removed fr/press conf by DHS head Kristi “I Love…

A reporter (MSNBC News, 1:23 pm CST) quoted a person w/DHS: so many arrests & detentions are necessary because the “officers” are working under impossibly high quotas. In 2012, IN Libertarian Party nominee for Lt Gov, Rupert Boneham, had a copy of the contract 1/3

GEO, a privately owned corporation that runs correctional facilities for profit, had w/the State of Indiana. The contract provided that the State of Indiana would pay a penalty if the State failed to provide inmates…

New Jersey uses day/year; ratification “this 18th day of December in the year of our Lord 1787" and since independence “the twelfth.” [FN1]

Connecticut twice uses “A.D.”; ratification: “January Ninth Anno Domini, 1788.” [FN2] 1/12

Massachusetts uses the deist “Supreme Ruler of the universe” [FN3] [FN4] & notes ratification the “7th day of February Anno Domini 1788.” [FN5]

Georgia’s dates are unadorned by reference to deity, but ratification: 1/2/1788 “in the year of our…

On 9/17/1787, the Constitution was sent to the 13 States to consider and vote yes or no. There is no statement that the States are to ratify in a deity’s name. IN’s Lt Gov, Micah Beckwith, says that it is “very clear” that we were founded “on Christian values.” [FN1] 1/10

The phrase “in the year of our Lord” is “not part of the official legal Constitution.” [FN2] The phrase has no legal significance and the “first time any one argued that it had religious significance was a preacher…

Good morning. Anyone who wants to read this blog is welcome. We could be in the last days of our republic. If you are a Christian and you a) voted for trump in 2024 and regret that vote b) are registered to vote but did not in 2024 or c) are not registered to vote, please consider: 1/5

1) IN Lt Gov Beckwith claims “God” spoke w/Beckwith on 1/7/21 & said: “I sent those riots to Washington. What you saw yesterday [01/06/21] was my hand at work.” [FN1]

2) Then, in a June 2024…

Some ppl believe that the judges should interpret the Constitution in accordance w/the Framers’ understanding [FN1] which “are not always easy to identify.” [FN2] Since May 30, I’ve tried to focus on erroneous claims, by IN’s Lt Gov, that the USA was founded as Christian. 1/5

Two years ago, Beckwith doctored a quote from John Jay, who wrote five Federalists, but wasn’t at Philly. Moreover, the letter was written 10/12/1816, long after the convention. was held. Today, though, I found…

Ratification of the Constitution was to be determined by State conventions specially called for that purpose [FN1] and minutes were kept of some State proceedings.[FN2] We should examine those records that “are very clear” [FN3] that our country was founded as a “Christian” nation. 1/9

The title pages of “Elliot’s Debates” do not bear any declaration or legend. Historically, Christians have not been shy about making such declarations: “Thus the eternal God, our Lord, gives victory to…

Mutual recriminations flew yesterday between trump and Musk. [FN1] It might seem easier to watch this drama play out on a smart phone as you keep a brisk pace on your treadmill, but there has to be a re-boot to restore our national and State governments to pre-2016. 1/9

1) No one in 1776 suggested 15% of the vote should win an election. The Virginia Declaration of Rights [FN2] describes majority rule as “an indubitable, unalienable and indefeasible right.” The maga effort to steal…

Burdens of proof and rejoinder guide a judge [FN1] or audience in determining who wins a debate. The affirmative team stands for a resolution & has the burden of proof. Once the affirmative meets its burden, [FN2], the negative team has the burden of rejoinder. On specific points, 1/14

“S/he who asserts must prove.” In a “tie,” the negative team wins. In policy debates, the negative team defends the status quo. [FN3] Proper wording of a resolution to debate the Christofascists:…

Alumni gather for reunions this weekend at DePauw University, my alma mater, a phrase that means “soul mother.” I remember looking from Bishop Roberts Hall (“BR”) across the Dells and feeling like I had found my home. During first year, we made quite a few 1/9

debate tournaments. A frequent opponent was DePauw’s arch rival, Wabash College, a males-only school. The “oldest rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains” is best known for The Monon Bell game. The rivalry plays out in other…

The Constitution only protects the rights of people in historically marginalized groups if listed.

The Constitution mentions neither “Jesus Christ” nor “the Bible” but “God” is everywhere.

Stated differently, neither “dyke” nor “queer” is in the text. Get the message? 1/10

IN’s Lt Gov says “separation of church and State” isn’t in the text of the Constitution [FN1] so 1st Amendment’s establishment clause [FN2] can be tossed. His deity is absent in founding docs, so IN’s Lt Gov…

“America was absolutely founded on Christian values. You have to be ignorant to think otherwise. The writings of our Framers and the founding documents are very clear on that.” [FN1]

1) Blatant ambiguity (“Christian values” undercuts a conclusion that

2) is not supported by the facts. 1/11

IN’s Lt Gov says only Christians can be moral.[FN2] He & “maga” demean those of us who embrace “wokeness.” Neither Beckwith nor his maga buddies can claim our “woke” values as…