I endeavor in this Blog to offer a progressive point of view on current issues that is guided by reason and facts.
That said, I am writing this one with a sense of outrage at the shameful display of mean spirited partisan politics by Congressional Republicans yesterday regarding the speech to a joint session of Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. I hope you will share this with as many people as possible, or write something yourself to express your own outrage.
That joint session was a disgrace to our country unlike any we have ever seen, and they should be shamed by all of us for doing so.
Never in the history of our nation has the head of a foreign state been invited by the opposition party to speak to the U.S. Congress for the sole purpose of opposing our own President, the President we the people elected twice.
It should have never happened.
Netanyahu holds no political office here in our country. More than that, his acceptance of this invitation says all we need to know about his lack of moral character. He is Israel’s version of Dick Cheney. (As a footnote, Cheney was right in the middle of this disgusting act.)
As usual, the media has missed the point again. What happened yesterday was not about U.S./Israeli relations. Nor was it about an arms treaty with Iran.
It was solely and singularly about Congressional Republicans being willing to damage the office of the president for what they perceived to be partisan political advantage.
In the last six years they have not simply opposed President Obama’s policies. They have made every effort possible to undermine the legitimacy of his presidency, no matter how much damage that would do (and has done) to our country in the process. Netanyahu’s speech was the inevitable watershed moment of that despicable campaign.
Think of the precedent they have set. Will we now see one foreign head of state after another invited by the opposition party to speak to Congress in order to embarrass and humiliate whoever is our sitting President?
A more important question is when did we decide as a people that it was acceptable to allow interference by a foriegn political leader in our nation’s business?
Every American should see what happened yesterday for what it was – an act of sedition (“the crime of saying, writing, or doing something that encourages people to disobey their government”), even treasonous (“the betrayal of a trust”).
This is the new low to which the Republican Party has sunk.
Any American who supports what they did is complicit in their betrayal of the sacred oath of office they took to uphold the Constitution.
So let’s have done with the Republican lie that they are the party of true patriots. Yesterday they showed they are as un-American and anti-American as anyone can be.
Even more, their actions since President Obama took office have proven to me that I should be far more afraid of what they are willing to do to destroy our country than any terrorist threat.
As should we all.
linnposts.com 
Thanks, Jan, I believe that what you wrote in this blog is very true. Unfortunately, those who disagree with what you wrote are also the ones who will jump all over any of us who do not hold their opinion. If we would work together many things could be ironed out and working better (like the Affordable Care Act). I am also reminded that Jesus called for all us followers to pray for our enemies. This is certainly a time in history when praying for ones enemies is never mentioned. I’m trying!
What you say, Coleen is so true, but at this point we are in such a crisis that I think more and more of us must speak up to let the extremists know we are not willing to let them destroy our political religious traditions they have co-opted without a fight. As for praying for them, I struggle with that one as you do.
Jan,
There is not much one can add to the content of this superb blog. I can, however, express my ongoing admiration of your candor, your insight, and your courage in condemning Republicans for their disgusting treatment of our president.
Bereft of ideas, unable to accomplish anything, and still determined to disgrace this black man we elected, they deserve nothing but our scorn. Once again, you “speak truth to power” like no one else I know!
Bill, you named the primary reason this stuff is going on – unadulterated racism. Yesterday was an expression of just that, total disrespect for the presidency because the person occupying it is black. How can anyone who has an ounce of moral courage not denounce what is going on?
Great article! Appalling that our own country does not speak up to the lack of dignity to the office of the president, regardless of (gender, color or creed)! Treason would be putting it mildly!!
jon stewart did a great piece on this tonight.
your last statement is right on.
I don’t have any problem praying for the people that I disagree with and I’m getting real tired of being called a racist. Is that the only reason that a person might dislike a liar. I don’t really like any type of lying even if the person is green. Get over the accusation of racism just because you people are so small to discuss anything else.
I watched a friend of mine being accused of being a racist by a customer. Little did he know his wife was as black as they come. And very proud of it I might add..
My friend just told the customer to “don’t even go there”. We’ve had many good laughs over that one and so did his wife. Yes, it makes you all look more and more like idiots and not Christian.
You may be a Christian, but you are certainly one I would never want to be like. To suggest there is no racism toward President Obama is disgraceful. Frankly, your justification for the vilification he has undergone is sickening.
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Somewhere in the scriptures … I wish I could recall exactly where … it says, “Come, let us reason together.” Because we have lost the ability to do just that is one of the reasons our country is going down the tubes. Toynbee’s “History of Civilization” says that seventeen of the twenty-one cultures throughout history have imploded … brought about their own destruction. I’m thinking we may well be number eighteen. Yep, let’s pray for those with whom we disagree … but we should probably be praying for all of us!!!
I absolutely agree with you 100%. Thanks so much for speaking out.
Obama has made his own bed. He doesn’t need anyone to point out his faults, he does a pretty good job all by himself.
So much for “Honest” talk. Jan all you seem to do is spew your hatred toward anyone that disagrees with you. I don’t think I ever said that racism does not exist. It always has and always will. To think that most people that disagree with your president is primarily based on racism is absurd.
Since you like to ignore facts, I won’t go thru who made the most gains for people of different races since you have made your mind up already. Maybe just maybe you could check your history books and learn a little….just a teensy weensy bit.
I try my hardest to be like my savior everyday. Yes, I fall way short daily, but that is who I strive to follow. I think you might have just opened up yourself to who you really are. One of those “sinners” that can’t seem to get beyond his own ego. I’d hate to be in your shoes.
Hmmm…I just had a Dr. Phil moment, How’s that workin out for ya!
Just answer the question the Blog posed: Do you support the intended insult to President Obama the Netanyahu speech represented? Do you believe Republicans served the best interests of our nation by inviting him?
I love it when people claim I ignore the facts, but never say specifically what those facts are that I ignore. Where I come from that is called BS, but I suppose saying that will make you wonder again about the fate of my soul, secure as you are about your own.
What I find incredible is that you accuse me of being close minded, yet I allow what you write to be posted on my Blog when I could just as easily block anything you write.
Perhaps the biggest puzzle of all is why you read what I write in the first place. It obviously riles you to do so.
JM,
I do not know you (praise God!), but anyone who accuses Jan Linn of “spewing hatred” at those who disagree with him must be an idiot — one who does not deal well with facts, informed opinions, and the nuances of politics and religion.
Following the example (the words and actions) of the person called Jesus is an admirable pursuit for anyone — whether or not we consider him our “savior,” but I see precious little in your words that suggests you love all others. In fact, there are telltale signs that you are a closet racist, for which I have zero tolerance!
Jan has been kind to allow you to disagree with his views — even vilify him. He is a nicer, better person than I am. If it were my blog, I’d block your sorry, self-righteous ass and be done with you.