My Fifth Blogoversary, and a Rant

Continuing briefly with the today-in-history theme we've followed the last two days, I note with all the smug self-congratulation of a hardshell Republican that today - March 8th - marks my fifth "Blogoversary."

Yes, it was five years ago today that I wrote my very first blog post. You can read it in all it's initial glory here if you like; however, I like to think that the newer posts are far more interesting and worth your time.

I've had a lot of fun with this blog, and through it I've met some fascinating people, some of whom I've come to know well enough to call friends: Gilahi (although he's not blogging any more), Kathy A, John, Zandria, Mike, Buggie, Captain Picard, Andrea, and Amanda, among many others.

I've written 1,633 posts (more or less), some much better or more entertaining than others, and accrued something over 6,800 comments ... only one of which was utterly negative and insulting.

It's been fun, it's still fun, and I plan to keep going.

Starting now ...

Just when I thought that conservative Republican hubris couldn't get any worse, I found this amazing article: "In States, Parties Clash Over Voting Laws That Call for IDs, Limits on Where College Students Can Cast Ballots." Now, before I get started, let me just say that I have no problem whatsoever with proper registration of voters, and with the requirement that a voter positively identify him- (or her-) self at the polling place. My problem is with what is clearly the underlying issue, as Mr William O'Brien, Speaker of the State House in New Hampshire said just about as plainly as one can. Here's an excerpt from the article:

"They're 'foolish,' [Speaker William] O'Brien said in a recent speech to a tea party group. "Voting as a liberal. That's what kids do," he added, his comments taped by a state Democratic Party staffer and posted on YouTube. Students lack 'life experience,' and 'they just vote their feelings.' ... New Hampshire House Republicans are pushing for new laws that would prohibit many college students from voting in the state - and effectively keep some from voting at all."

Well, I've been a college student, and I would be the first to agree that some college students are foolish. So are some politicians, particularly those who seem to lack familiarity with the Constitution, particularly the 26th Amendment. To them, college students are not citizens with a constitutional right to vote, but "... people with a dearth of experience and a plethora of the easy self-confidence that only ignorance and inexperience can produce."

So...

If Republicans don't think college students of the appropriate age, who meet legal residency and other requirements, should be able to vote, how do you think they feel about the rights of minorities (the 15th Amendment), women (the 19th Amendment), or anyone else who might harbor those ghastly liberal ideas.

If you don't think this is an absolutely appalling example of dangerously unconstitutional - if not downright stupid - thought, you may need to go back and re-take your high-school civics class (except that I don't think those are being taught any more).

How can anybody with a brain listen to these ass clowns*?

I had another topic I was also going to rant about this morning, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. My spleen has been sufficiently vented for the moment.

Be very wary of those who would chip away at your rights ... those rights are what keep you from living in a paradise like Pakistan (where you can be murdered with impunity by religious bigots for the "crime" of blasphemy) or North Korea (where your primary right is the right to starve on behalf of the regime).

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo

* I threw this in, Chrissy, because I knew you'd like it.

B.