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…

The metaphor of a level playing field is hard to apply to discourse about political issues & when one side shouts, lies and demeans the other, there’s no “field,” much less a level one. The far right & maga want power. They call progressives names, but cannot reply to arguments. 1/9

I won’t waste time on people steeped in red maga ink or who think IN’s Lt Gov didn’t make up “the Lord” taking credit for Jan 6. [FN1] The Lt Gov didn’t believe his own lies or he’d have demanded…

IN’s Lt Gov [FN1] says ““America absolutely was founded on Christian values” & “writings of our Framers & founding documents are very clear on that.” [FN1] What are 1) “values” uniquely “Christian” and 2) “writings of our Framers & founding documents.” [FN2] 1/12

1) Beckwith says only Christians can be moral. [FN3] “Morals are societal norms about right and wrong. [] Values are personal beliefs & principles.” [FN4] Relevant documents & writings are “very clear,” so…

After 236 years, our Republic might die. If you think we cannot survive such extreme differences, you should read our history. Hamilton said all communities are divided between the many (who make bad decisions) & the few (rich and well born) [FN1] who should run things 1/10

because they cannot receive any advantage. [FN2] He did not foresee “the few” so craving greater power & wealth that they are blind to the country’s best interests. Finally, in 1787, hanging over the heads…

SCOTUS C.J. John Roberts is bummed out & “warned a group of graduating laws students that the rule of law is ‘endangered.’” [FN1] As C.J., Johnny Bob’s duty is to know the gen’l state of our legal system. [FN2] The rule of law is a principle of our judicial system. [FN3] 1/14

Roberts has an intimate familiarity w/events that placed the rule of law in peril. For 20 years, he has overseen right-wing efforts to pack SCOTUS & return us to a time when rights of white males [FN4]…

Our republic could soon die. Changes in where & how we access information, plus efforts to gut public ed, made us vulnerable. People laughed at absurdities on front pages of tabloids & wondered who made those up. [FN1] Newspapers & TV had journalistic standards. 1/15

Cable news, then the internet, changed how we perceive “reality.” Tricia McLaughlin, on CNN Saturday, [FN2] insisted Newark Mayor Baraka was arrested for "storming" a DHS facility. Host Victor Blackwell…

They meant the ICE agents who carried out raids without warrants. Or name tags. Or badges. "They don't need warrants." My reply: 1/3

"Oh, right! There's an asterisk next to 'warrant' each time it appears in the Constitution. At the bottom of the page and next to each asterisk is this statement: 'Not applicable when a foreign dictator calls the shots so that his punk bitch can be a dictator, too.' And fuck you!" 2/3

I apologize 1) The language I…

Oddly, those who scream loudest “You violate our rights!” seem blind & deaf when they are accused of like transgressions. Pilgrims & Puritans came to New England in the early 1600s to escape religious persecution in England, but did not tolerate other religious views. [FN1] 1/7

Today’s evangelicals are hypersensitive when exercise of their religious beliefs is not as free as they believe is required. Whether ignorance of the establishment clause or their hostility toward others’…

ICE “bust” today in Massachusetts: “arresting” people in olive drab flak jackets, faces covered & helmets pulled low. Several people asked to see warrants. An “arresting” person said they needed no warrants & gestured people away w/the muzzle of an automatic weapon. 1/6

The Magna Carte is a pivotal document of our legal system. Signed by King John in the meadow called Runnymede on June 15, 1215, established that the king and his subjects are bound by the same laws. You know,…

In April, 1970, Pres Nixon “fortified his nerves with viewings of the motion picture ‘Patton’ and cocktail cruises on the WH yacht Sequoia” w/his family, best friend Bebe Rebozo, and aides. [FN1] On 4/25, after dinner w/Rebozo & Henry Kissinger, they watched Patton, which 1/8

Nixon had seen 5 times. Kissinger later said “pressed to the wall, [Nixon's] romantic streak surfaced” & he saw himself as a beleaguered military commander in the tradition of Patton.” Next evening, Nixon…

4/25: IN Lt Gov Micah Beckwith lied [FN1] about history, the Constitution & slavery. IU History Prof Alex Lichtenstein deemed “frankly, laughable” Beckwith’s argument, that the 3/5 Compromise was passed w/ intent to destroy or undermine slavery. [FN2] Beckwith? 1/14

Claims to be an authority on The Constitution, [FN3] teaches its “history” & admonishes ppl to stay away fr higher education & [its] “secular progressive bias.” [FN4] Beckwith’s bias for ignorance is revealed…

Most people who are aware of the three fifths clause of The Constitution [FN1] are offended by a cold determination that a slave was only 3/5 of a person. It “was ‘a purely mechanical and amoral calculation designed to produce harmony among conflicting interests.’" [FN2] 1/13

Scholars note the Framers of the Constitution “believed that concessions on slavery were” necessary for “support of southern delegates” and if the Constitution restricted the slave trade, S. Carolina & GA…

Stench from racist vitriol lingers. IN Lt Gov Micah Beckwith brags: superintendents & principals “in today’s culture [do] not want someone like me coming in and teaching on true history [] and what it means to be an American.’” [FN1] Beckwith doesn’t know “true.” [FN2] 1/15

Free expression, protected by Fed & State constitutions, might disappear w/the far right’s hostile takeover of the GOP. [FN3] Apr 1945, Gen Eisenhower:

1) “was unprepared” for brutality of the Nazi…

Unless the game show host wears a white hooded robe, you won’t hear a racist say, “U.S. history for $100.” The Constitution was written in 1787, by 55 delegates at convention in Philadelphia. [FN1] Slavery’s significance to our history is something racists have tried to erase. 1/14

IN’s heavily gerrymandered legislature enacts laws that harm/sometimes kill ppl in other States. [FN2] IN’s power-hungry Lt Gov Micah Beckwith can harm ppl outside IN. [FN3] Beckwith tried to ban books…