President Versus Precedent: Bush defies Oval Office Tradition

[La_Serpiente]

President Versus Precedent: Bush defies Oval Office Tradition

In declaring his support for a constitutional amendment that would forbid same-sex marriage, President Bush is repudiating more than 200 years of American theory and practice. His proposal is radically inconsistent with the nation's traditions. Whatever it is, there is one thing that it is not: conservative.

Since its ratification in 1789, the Constitution has been amended only 27 times. Nearly every amendment falls into one of two categories. Most of them expand individual rights. The rest attempt to fix problems in the structure of the national government itself.

The first 10 amendments, ratified in 1791, make up the Bill of Rights, which guarantees liberties ranging from freedom of speech, assembly and religion to protection of private property and freedom from cruel and unusual punishments.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, three new amendments were ratified: to prohibit slavery, guarantee African Americans the right to vote, and assure everyone the "equal protection of the laws." During the 20th century, several amendments expanded the right to vote — granting that right to women (1920) and to 18-year-olds (1971), forbidding poll taxes (1964) and allowing the District of Columbia to be represented in the electoral college (1961).

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President Versus Precedent: Bush defies Oval Office Tradition

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[izzie]

1. I never seem to be able to get in to that paper.

I think Bush is going to his base and they want this. I never under stand people that say there must be a law to protect what they want and you may not do it be cause they do not like it. I do not like new amendments.Not counting the first 10 which we had to have to pass it at the start the other few have even been cut down by taking one off. Not to drink was a big thing to many at the time and I am willing to bet people do not know that that same group still had power in the 50's to stop gambling.

[indepat]

2. Is GWB's entire governance radically inconsistent with the nation's

traditions?

[starroute]

3. Go ahead, say it -- "He's un-American"

Now, isn't that sweet?