Mickelson's Podcast

The Cedar Rapids Gazette published this think piece by the three ousted Iowa Supreme Court Justices. Listeners asked me to evaluate their collective opinion on the retention of Judge Wiggins. So I will...line by line. The bold fonts are direct quotes from the Gazette or Varnum.

"Justices’ decision based on rule of law" By Marsha Ternus, Michael Streit and David Baker

Nope, their decision explicitly rejected the rule of law. They made themselves the representatives of new societal norms, while rejecting the time honored legal and social norms which previously defined marriage. They said so.

"As Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes poignantly said, “It is revolting to have no better reason for a rule of law than that so it was laid down in the time of Henry IV. It is still more revolting if the grounds upon which it was laid down have vanished long since, and the rule simply persists from blind imitation of the past.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Justice, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, The Path of the Law, address dedicating new hall at Boston University School of Law (January 8, 1897), in 10 Harv. L. Rev. 457, 469 (1897).

In quoting Holmes in this fashion they, like most gay rights activists,  blast the past along with the wisdom of centuries implying that limiting the institution of marriage to people of opposite genders is "revolting" to enlightened contemporary thought, and is guided only by "blind imitation of the past".  Justice Holmes was an atheist-Darwinist. He rejected both tradition and natural law, along with the founding assumptions of the Constitution's framers who in our "national creed" asserted that our rights are God-given and the duty of government to "secure" them.

"Truth", Holmes once said, "is the majority vote of that nation that could lick all others." He declared that "when it comes to the development of a corpus juris (body of law) the ultimate question is what do the dominant forces of the community want and do they want it hard enough to disregard whatever inhibitions may stand in the way."

Holmes, "I see no reason for attributing to man a significance different in kind from that which belongs to a baboon or grain of sand."   Varnum embodies the Holmes worldview to perfection.

Iowa justices are required to take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the state of Iowa. Yet, once again, a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court is being targeted for doing just that.

Nope. He is being targeted because like yourselves you misapplied the law and legislated from the bench. How? By explicitly rejecting the traditional definitions of marriage along with  the assumptions behind the qualifications for the institution itself.

America’s system of justice is based on the rule of law, a process of governing by laws that are applied fairly and uniformly to all people. The rule of law protects the civil, political, economic and social rights of all citizens — not just the rights of the most vocal, the most popular, or the most powerful. Applying the rule of law is the duty of the courts.

Yes it is. This is begging the question. It assumes that same gender attraction constitutes a "status",  equivalent to other "groups" or protected classes such as race, gender, or religion. In short it accepts and equates a status, which DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) and the majority of Iowans reject. Upon those false assumptions, the faulty Varnum opinion was built.

Our Founding Fathers considered judicial independence an indispensable part of the rule of law. “Judicial independence” means a judiciary that is committed to the rule of law, independent of — free of — outside influence, whether that influence is from a political party or politician, a private interest or popular opinion.

Alexander Hamilton stated in the Federalist Papers that “[t]he complete independence of the courts of justice [was] essential.” He recognized it was the duty of courts “to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void.” “Without this,” he said, “all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing.”

The Iowa Constitution expressly adopted this view: “This constitution shall be the supreme law of the land,” and “any law inconsistent therewith, shall be void.”

Constitutional provisions are given meaning when the courts resolve disputes between citizens and their government, including claims by citizens that the government has violated their constitutional rights. Regardless of whether a particular result will be popular, courts must protect the supremacy of the constitution by declaring an unconstitutional statute void. That is what the Iowa Constitution requires and that is what justices promise to do in their oath of office.

As a former middle and high school teacher I recognize "filler" when I see it. Nobody is arguing the contrary. The court IS independent, but from what? History, precedent, tradition, common sense? "Independent", like "love", "hate" ," tolerance" are meaningless without modifiers. The gratuitous civics lesson aside, the court was simply wrong when it said, "The Iowa Constitution is the cornerstone of governing in Iowa. Like the United States Constitution, the Iowa Constitution creates a remarkable blueprint for government. It establishes three separate, but equal, branches of government and delineates the limited roles and powers of each branch."

 Neither the Supreme Court of the United States nor the Iowa Supreme Court were ever contemplated to be "equal" to the other branches of government. Both the US Congress and and the Iowa legislature can limit the appellate jurisdiction of the courts whenever they wish. Both constitutions say so explicitly. More than that, Congress has the power to either create or eliminate whole levels of courts whenever or for whatever they wish. Our founders found the whole subject of "judicial supremacy" to be a non-Constitutional conceit. None thought the courts were co-equal. Jefferson called the judiciary "the weakest branch".  They were right.

In Varnum v. Brien, a group of Iowans claimed a provision of Iowa’s marriage statute was inconsistent with the Iowa Constitution. Iowa’s marriage statute states: “Marriage is a civil contract,” but “[o]nly a marriage between a male and a female is valid.” Relying on this provision, the Polk County recorder refused to issue marriage licenses to six same-sex couples. They sued the recorder, claiming this statutory prohibition violated the equality clause in the Iowa Constitution, which states: “[T]he general assembly shall not grant to any citizen or class of citizens, privileges or immunities, which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens.”

Harvard trained Professor Herb Titus observed in his analysis of Varnum, "The Iowa Constitution doesn't have an equal protection clause. It has an privileges and immunities clause...a much older common law provision." It has been attached to this decision as if it were indeed equivalent to the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.
And even if it were an equal protection clause, it wouldn't make the argument since it is assumes the equality of unequal things. This is another example of "begging the question", assuming what they were trying to prove. Comparing sex between married people to the same gender behavior of people who want be identified as "gay" is simply absurd. Two people of the same gender don't have sex. They can't have sex. That's basic biology. Plus, to create a "class" based upon the inclinations to pretend, is not only a logical error, but is fundamentally "unjust". That the court went along with the gay agenda, using their logic, their equivocation, their jargon, and their conclusions, confirms that this was an activist court, legislating from the bench.

More than 200 benefits and privileges are given to married couples under Iowa law. The court considered the constitutionality of the Legislature’s restriction of these benefits and privileges to a limited class of citizens, using the same analysis the court had applied in many prior cases. The court unanimously concluded in 2009 that the statutory restriction violated the Iowa Constitution’s equality clause. Because the Iowa Constitution expressly states that any law inconsistent with the constitution is void, i.e., not valid or legally binding, the Supreme Court declared the offending statute unenforceable and required the recorder to issue the licenses.

Exactly. This is what is is all about. These are  the legal, financial and social aspirations of sexual identity politics being advanced by a court which should have upheld Iowa law instead of substituting its political judgment for that of the majority will as expressed by DOMA. Again, this is begging the question by assuming minority status for a behavior-based identity politics movement.

It is important to understand what the court decided. The law at issue in the Varnum case governed a civil contract, not the religious institution of marriage. The court pointed this out, stating that “religious doctrine and views contrary to this [holding] are unaffected,” and “[a] religious denomination can still define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.”

Total malarkey. This both creates a false dichotomy, then removes it. Cheeky. "Marriage" doesn't have, nor does it require a modifier. It is the oldest and first human institution. It does now and forever has meant "two becoming one"; and that commitment has been acknowledged by both civil and ecclesiastical jurisdictions. That acknowledgement has always been for the legal benefit of the partners and children based upon the transcendent nature of that covenant. That definition can't "evolve" into something else. It can only be destroyed by people who are "revolted" by "blind imitation of the past". (BTW two people of the same gender can't "become one" no matter how hard they try.)

The justices did not decide the Varnum case as politicians, turning to public opinion polls and party platforms for direction.

Although the Democrat Party platform calls exactly for what they did, the justices acting out their personal worldviews from the bench didn't require commitment to either party or polls. They were simply acting out their pre-existing worldview commitments.

Nor did the justices decide the case as theologians, looking to the Bible for guidance.

Of course not, that would be "revolting".

As noted in our decision, justices are civil judges who are not permitted to resolve religious debates or base rulings on religious doctrines. Our decision was based on the rule of law, nothing more and nothing less.

Wonderfully circular reasoning. They quoted a non-existent equal protection clause to equate unequal things.  By rejecting the transcendent source of law they are oath bound to honor, they undermine everyone's rights.  

The Iowa Supreme Court took away no one’s liberties or freedoms when it held the statute unconstitutional. To the contrary, the rights of same-sex couples to the benefits that flow from the civil contract of marriage were upheld.

They most certainly did. They took away from the people of Iowa the right to define basic institutions by the institution most representative of the people. In ordering DOMA to be struck from Iowa law, they legislated from the bench; and in ordering the "remaining statutory language must be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage" they intruded upon the executive branch's turf, as it artificially bifurcated "civil" v."religious" marriage.

The views of individuals and religious institutions were unaffected by this decision and their religious freedom to define the religious institution of marriage as only between one man and one woman was expressly preserved.

Their pocket books are not "unaffected" as the economic benefits of marriage will be extended to relationships previously not eligible for them. In a country already broke, this makes our welfare safety net even more unsustainable.

Nor did the court exceed its proper role by declaring the law void and unenforceable, as that is what the constitution requires.

There is no constitutional basis to declare same gendered, self-selected identity movements equal to real marriage. Again, this is begging the question and equating unequal things. Activism.

In the end, the question facing Iowans is simple: Do residents want judges who issue rulings based upon public opinion polls, campaign contributions and political intimidation, or judges who issue impartial rulings based upon the rule of law?

False choice. Rulings should be based upon definitions which are time honored. If those definitions are going to re-negotiated, then the branch most suited for that is the representative branch which is subject to the will of the majority, exactly where the Iowa Constitution places it, "...all political power is inherent in the people". If rights "previously unimagined" are going to be "imagined", then by what right does the court's imagination usurp everyone else's ?

The Varnum case was correctly decided under the rule of law and provides no basis for a “no” vote in the retention election. Justice David Wiggins is an intelligent, hardworking and fair jurist and deserves to be retained on the Iowa Supreme Court.

The Varnum opinion set aside rule of law, substituting the ruminations of judges who were "revolted" by adherence to centuries of western law and tradition. As Chesterton once wrote, "Before you tear down a wall, it's best to find out why it was erected in the first place." The three fired justices continue to manifest the arrogance which got them fired in the first place. Justice Wiggins should join them off the bench.

Marsha Ternus, Michael Streit and David Baker are former Iowa Supreme Court justices removed by voters in the 2010 general election retention vote. Comments: baker.david52@gmail.com  , aequalitas7@gmail.com  or mternus100@aol.com 

  

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The argument usually starts the same way.   Somebody in the blogo-sphere expresses dismay at the moral decline of the United States and wonders why ‘in a Christian nation’ are there  such things as   ___________________  (fill in the blank yourself)…  abortion, same gender marriage,  dirty movies, Planned Parenthood… the secularization of our institutions, and how  could be happening with such intensity?”

 Then, somebody will blog a response like,  “Dude, America was never a Christian country and the law expressly denies it.”

 Then, the other guy will write, “Oh yeah, what law?”

 “The 1790 Treaty with Tripoli says, ‘...the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion’…and you Christian nut balls are ignorant of history.”

 The Christian nut ball either gets brain freeze or he tries to reason with the other guy using history.   This is usually a big waste of time as once the conversation gets this far everyone stops listening and the name calling begins.

 Everyone shuts down their computer, smugly thinking their one-liner or abusive language has won the day.

 Usually, these exchanges are a huge waste of time.

 However, since this canard is served up with some frequency,   I’ll make a few observations.   

 From my Facebook page, here’s an example of what I’m talking about from a recent conversation between a couple of guys were having a go at each other.   Writes the first guy:

 ”We aren't and never were a Christian nation. Those among us that we're the Jersey with the cross on it, want us to be. Our founders tried to avoid this by using ambiguous words like "creator". And "nature's god", when they could have just said god of Abraham or Jesus' dad. They didn't. So now, we still have millions of uneducated boobs running around believing the opposite of what the founders really wanted. Read the Treaty of Tripoli, article 11. "as the US is in NO WAY founded on Christianity". Ratified in 1790 by the very founders you claim wanted us to be a Christian nation. It's honestly moronic…You have personal quotes, I have a ratified treaty, which is LAW, you tard. You started this post by claiming we are a Christian nation, the treaty I submit says exactly the opposite of your claims written and ratified by the very men that founded this great nation.”

 This view is wrong headed and anti-historical on two levels.    First,  is the  mistaken notion of what jurisdiction treaties actually have.   And the second is the removal of the treaty from its historical context.  

 Contemporary liberals lust after making treaties because they erroneously think they can bypass the limits of the Constitution with treaty powers.   In the past, treaties have been proposed which could even limit the Bill of Rights, the 2^nd Amendment being a frequent target.   While treaties indeed become the Law of the Land under the Constitution they cannot be used to amend the Constitution itself.   Alexander Hamilton’s view was that treaties are instruments of agreement between nations and not international pacts designed to impact individuals.  “Treaties…are not rules prescribed by the sovereign to the subject, but agreements between sovereign and sovereign…the only constitutional exceptions to the power of making treaties is, that it shall not change the Constitution…”   Jefferson himself wrote, “…if the treaty making power is boundless, then we have no Constitution.”

 In 1956,  the Supreme Court in Reid v Covert,  “…SCOTUS regularly and uniformly recognizes the supremacy of the Constitution over a treaty…no agreement with a foreign nation can confer power on the Congress or any other branch of government which is free from the constraints of the Constitution.”

 Therefore, any random or explicit language contained in a treaty has zero weight upon American culture if it fails to conform to our form of government. 

 Here’s the actual treaty language in question:

 “As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion as it has in itself no character of enmity [hatred] against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] and as the said States [America] have never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”

 The 1797 Treaty of Tripoli was designed to end hostilities of a war in which  Muslims felt it perfectly honorable to enslave and murder American merchant sailors while stealing their cargoes.   That why we called them pirates.   They felt justified in behaving this way since they were Muslims and Americans were not.   This attitude exists today contained in dhimmi  laws in many Islamic countries.    While the statement was mostly public relations to end the jihad,  in a legal sense it was true.    It  was also true  in a Constitutional sense.

 The Constitution expressly avoided establishing a Christian national state religion based upon any denominational affiliation.   If there had been any hint that the founders wanted to establish a national religion there would have been wholesale rebellion.   In fact the 1^st Amendment properly removes any national religions jurisdiction of any kind from the federal government.   “Congress shall make no law respecting (regarding) the free exercise of religion”.   Plus,  there is an explicit prohibition of any religious test for any Constitutional office.  

 However, when asked about the state of religion following the writing of the Constitution, Jefferson reported, “We have left religion where we found it,” meaning that  religion was a State’s issue and  that the newly formed national government had nothing at all to say about it.  Why?  Because  the national government had no Constitutional  jurisdiction.    This is the true meaning of the 1^st Amendment and Jefferson’s ‘Wall of Separation’.”  

 This is also the meaning of that phrase in the Tripolitan Treaty.    The US indeed was not a Christian country in an ecclesiastical sense.    What the Treaty didn’t say was that at the time,  all of the original colonies had some kind of relationship with the Christian religion and 9 of the 13 had established state churches.

 Moreover, when the treaty was re-newed by Jefferson in 1805,   the phrase, “...is not, in any sense founded on the Christian religion…”  was dropped by Jefferson.

 It’s interesting that some consider Jefferson to be an infidel or at least a deist.   They should read his 1805 “National Prayer”

 “Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will…endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home and through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of earth.  In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we as through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen”. 

 Just in case somebody is a little stubborn and insists that treaty language or court opinions bind our country to the philosophical notions of the authors,  I say,  “Cool,  if that’s what you really want”.

 “In 1783, at the close of the war with Great Britain, a peace treaty was ratified that began with these words:  ‘In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, it having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent Prince George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain’.      That treaty was signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay.    Keep in mind that it was Adams who signed the 1797 treaty of Tripoli, even though he was not a Trinitarian.”  1

 “In 1822, the United States, along with Great Britain and Ireland, ratified a ‘Convention for Indemnity Under Award of Emperor of Russian as to the True Construction of the First Article of the treaty of December 24, 1814.  It begins with the same words found in the Preamble to the 1783 treaty:  “In the name of the Most Holy and Indivisible Trinity.’  Only Christianity teaches a Trinitarian view of God.  The 1848 Treaty with Mexico begins with “In the name of Almighty God, the author of peace…”  If one line in the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli turns America into a secular State (which it does not), then how do the critics deal with the treaties of 1783, 1822, 1805, and 1848?  They don’t.” 

1. DeMar’s   “America’s 200 Year War with Terror”.

 More than just treaties, there are hundreds of proclamations, court decisions and the Pre-amble of the Declaration of Independence (part of the organic law of the United States) ,  which assert the Christian nature of our civilization.

 Here’s just a few.

 July 4, 1821 John Quincy Adams...   “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this:  it connected, in one insoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity….from the day of the Declaration…they (American people) were bounds by the laws of God, which they all and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all acknowledged as the rules of there conduct.”

 DeTocqueville’s  “Democracy in America”  …in the United States the sovereign authority is religious…there is no country in the world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence of the souls of men that in America.”

 March 27, 1853 Committee on the Judiciary, US House of Representatives reported:  “Down to the Revolution, every colony did sustain religion in some form.  It was deemed peculiarly proper that the religion of liberty should be upheld by a free people. Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle.  At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the Amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged-not any one sect.  Any attempt to level or discard all religion would have been viewed with universal indignation.  The object was not substitution Judaism or Mohammedanism, or infidelity, but to prevent rivalry among the sects to the exclusion of others.”

 SCOTUS…1799  Runkel v Winemiller   “…by our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion.”

 SCOTUS…1931  in review of an 1892 decision reiterates that “Americans are a Christian people”.

 Then of course,  there are the preambles of every state Constitution in the country.

 This is just a quick start.   I don’t want to write a book.   There are dozens already which make the point much better.

 The historical record of the Christian character of our institutions, laws, and beginnings is overwhelming.  Revisionists depend upon the historical illiteracy and laziness of the public to say otherwise.   This little blog barely scratches the surface of our heritage.   Feel free to scratch deeper.

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The sounds of the week...plus Alaska politician Joe Miller is from "Restoring Liberty"...an amazing background.  Al Riggenberg is running for Iowa Senate in the Gronstal district.

First day of the Iowa State Fair and the Iowa Concrete Association reps, Steve Malecoate and Jerry Woods talk about concrete tradecraft.   Iowans think about training the next generation of craftsman.  Then,  Jim Hawkins from Professional Educators in Iowa and  Jim Garnett talk about teacher's professionalism and "Smart Dscipline".

Stanley Kurtz says Obama is Robbing the Suburbs to Pay for the Cities:  Spreading the Wealth.  Judge Jim Gray is VP candidate for the Libertarian Party.  Issues.  Vigorous.  Then Romney and Obama are splitting the wind energy vote.  Iowan's debate.

Letting no good deed go un-punished,  the ACLU warns the Lutheran Church of Hope that no religious notions should leak into the little minds of the kids who are borrowing their classrooms... or else.   Governor Branstad understands the real problem with bullying...the professionals don't.   Did Congressman Steve King embarrass Iowa with his diversity skepticism?

Iowa Republican Party Chairman A.J. Spiker talks about recent party statements about the next judicial non-retention vote.  Sylvie Hache says she used to be a lesbian.  She tells why and how she is no longer.  Then,  more Iowa agribusiness greed.

Matt Stutzman is an Iowa treasure.  He is also an Olympics bound athlete.  He's an archer with no arms.  Be prepared to be inspired.  Adam Christing is a filmmaker who wonders about "A Mormon President".   Plus,  hairy-legged women shouldn't go to Canada.

Jeremy Horpedahl is skeptical about Iowa's Tax Holiday this weekend.  Iowans are ready for a tax law change.  Then,  a former Planned Parenthood employee, Sue Thayer,  blows the whistle on her former employee for fraud.  A big lawsuit.  Mike Norton, Senior Counsel the Alliance Defending Freedom.  Jennifer Bowen from Iowa Right to Life, Kim Lehman, John Paul II Stem Cell Research Institute with the rest of the story.  Then, could there be local media bias in reporting Chick-Fil-A Day?    Dang right.   Some of it down-right funny.

Senator Harkin says making Catholics pay for stuff they don't like under Obama-care is just like making Quakers pay taxes for the military.  Really?  (sort of admits this is a tax).  Joel Gilbert says the mainstream media is starting to take notice of "Dreams of My Real Father"...best selling documentary.  Chick-Fil-A Day.   Gary Kreep from The  US Justice Foundation says bullying Chick-Fil-A won't work.  

NYC Mayor Bloomberg wants moms to breast feed...tells hospitals to play keep-away with  baby formula.  Michael Reagan has a new email domain for conservatives.   Then Iowans are pondering on-line sales tax collection laws.

First,  the sociology of wax paper.  Then, another talk about our national debt...great info on the problem. Gretchen Hamel.   Then,  the Gay Taliban doubles down on Chick-Fil-A.  

The dudes from Dunkerton with an update on the culture war.  The Junkyard Prophets.   Congressman Tom Latham pushes wind energy.  The Concrete Professionals push the hard stuff.  And  Iowa mountain lions are eating Iowa horses.  

Iowans wonder about the cost effects of the drought on groceries so we ponder ways to save money on anticipated food price hikes.   Iowan's are great at this.

Chris Chmeilenski says the Obama administration is great at playing the system to provide amnesty to illegals.   They are one step ahead of decency.  We might not be able to catch up. Con Steve King is gonna sue.   Then,  new citizens are required to take an oath agreeing to national service.   When did that happen?   Plus, Grant Petersen says,  "Just Ride"... says  lots of what we think about biking is just plain wrong.  

The Family Leader is having a big conference in August... Bob Vander Platts tells what's happening.   Joel Rosenberg is coming, and talks about "Implosion".   William Norman Grigg says our "Comforter-In-Chief" is a child-killer.  Not what you think.   Then,  Ice-T lectures the left on the 2nd Amendment.  Who knew?

Dr. Ivan Sascha Sheehan tells what to do about Iran.   Then, the NCAA pulls part of the plug on Penn State.  Iowans assess the penalties.  Justice?

Iowans respond to the Aurora, Colorado theater murders.  Intense. 

"Rich Habits"...Tom Corley says he knows what they are and is willing to share.   Ben Lange is running for Congress.  Then, Mike Vasquez and Dr. Brad Archer from Harbor View Medical talk about pain management.   Then another example of the US refugee program being abused by agri-business to provide cheap labor.  Boom!

"The Party of 'NO'"!   Then a word that should be on the air...oops.   Then Dick Morris continues to scare people about a treaty and erasing the 2nd Amendment.  The real history.   Then 100 reasons Romney is like Obama. Then real shovel-ready jobs...and how to avoid heat-related health issues.

Steve Hoffman wants to become Jasper County Sherrif...issues.   Then,  Iowans respond to Obama's "...you didn't build that"  comment on businesses.  BOOM!

Robert Zubrin tells the history of "The Merchants of Despair"...a great history of how radical anti-humanist environmentalist have almost destroyed human worth.   Then Michael Ware and Pete Brownell talk about a huge Iowa hobby and sport.  Gun building.  Jeff Burkett from Iowa Firearms Coalition talks about Bobby Jindal coming to an Iowa event in August.  Mark Morano blows the whistle on climate change alarmists.

"Was Jesus a Muslim?"  Luther College professor of Religion, Robert Shedinger,  says, "Yes".   And explains. James Edwards explains how third world refugees end up in Iowa.   Has something to do with, "...follow the money".   Kim Lehman is enlisting Iowans to "GiveCures"...pioneering medical research.  Then,  is Iowa suitable for irrigation during a drought?

Lawyer, theologian and a fellow with a Panoramic view,  ruminates about the meaning of stuff.  John Mark Stewart.     Then,  when is life in prison without parole really "cruel and unusual" punishment?  Just ask Kagan.

Dick Morris says a treaty is about to take away our 2nd Amendment rights.  Is he right?    Can one be compelled to volunteer?  Dunno?  Then,  can an institution which embraces sodomy continue to stigmatize adultery?   Ya gotta hear this.

 Senator Mike Gravel wants the US to become a direct democracy.  Would you vote for that?  Mike Lucas worries that the farm bill is about 80% food stamps.   Joel Gilbert with an update on Dreams of my Real Father.   Wow.   Then, Bob Quinn describes how the farm bill got attached to food stamps to begin with.  

David Gelernter describes "America-Lite" how imperial academia dismantled our culture and ushered in the Obamacrats. Fierce.   Senator Chuck Grassley updates us on "Fast and Furious."  Then,  bulb envy.  Mine.

Some "missionaries" insult a bunch of Muslims at 2012 Arab Festival,  then claim outrage when they incite a riot.   Is this what free speech is all about?   Then should Iowa take a zero tolerance attitude towards drinking and BOATING?   Many Iowans will drink to that.

Steve Deace wonders where his  proposed Des Moines Register gig went.  Then,  below the radar,   'nuther tussle about security vs. freedom.  This time it's over farm electrical inspections.  Then,  an Iowa cyclist encounters a case of malicious traffic enforcement on the BIKE trails.  Huh?

 So here’s the rest of the story.   I sometimes tell Van,   “Ya know,  I was just cleaning my mouth and it went off”.     This is one of these cases.  

First some background.   I’ve known Congressman Tom Latham for years.   I have interviewed him dozens of times.   He is by temperament,  a “flaming moderate”.   I am not.    One of my favorite sports in talk radio is to get moderates to say immoderate things.   Latham never falls for it.    When he hits his exasperation wall,  his standard line is,  “Mickelson,  I’m always happy to come on your show”.    This is usually accompanied by a frozen grin along with a healthy dose of stink eye.   Translation:  “Mickelson you are an idiot and I’m not fallin’ for it”.

So,  in this case Congressman Tom Latham was on my program on the 22^nd and we covered a bunch of issues.  The interview was fast paced and cheeky.   Discussing the upcoming AG Holder contempt of  Congress vote…Obama’s abuse of executive privilege vote following his executive directive regarding non-enforcement of immigration laws…Nancy Pelosi’s claim that the motive in the Holder contempt vote is really about voter suppression efforts in Florida.   Then, the race-baiting in the Nixon-Kennedy debates (in 1960…nothing new) ,  ICE assuming jurisdiction over dinosaur bones (Latham  was actually informed about it! Who knew?)   Then, the  taxpayers are about to be paying almost 3 billion dollars for phone stamps (free phones for the poor). 

Added to the end of the list  was a story about nuns on a bus headed to Washington to lobby congress for even more welfare money.    

You can listen to the context yourself…  my comment was intentionally non-PC to harass Congressman Tom Latham after dealing with  a long litany of the absurd.    

I asked,  “Do you have any power to pull them over and pistol whip them?”    The laughter was in my voice,  not Latham’s.    I noted that they called Congressman Ryan a fake Catholic on the budget,  saying,  “Liar, Liar, Pants on fire”.

Latham’s response is to say,   “Aw Jeez,  I’m always happy to be on your show”…the frozen grin, the  stink eye…and then he plows forward into discussing  the Ryan budget even as I continue to harass him. 

He didn’t think it was funny,  he didn’t agree and  he most certainly didn’t attack the nuns.   I doubt if he even knew about them all at when  I brought them up.  And for the record,  I didn’t know much about them either except the short AP story about their attack on Ryan.    I planned to ask Iowans what they thought about them later that morning.   I did…  short segment…about 12 minutes…couple of calls.   Nobody, including me, gave it another thought.   Most of the energy that morning was Urbandale’s zero tolerance policy against bottle rockets.   A way more interesting topic, trust me.

Since this is an election year, and since the Latham-Boswell race contains two incumbents vying for the newly created congressional district, leftist bloggers cut part of that exchange out of context,  abridging it to imply this was an attack on the nuns instead of me trying to  harass Congressman Latham.  This was done with malice and cynicism. 

Just like NBC edited the 911 calls in the Treyvon Martin case to fit their template story,  leftist bloggers did the same thing in this case.    They edited out the part where Latham expresses discomfort and brushes off my nonsense.   They falsely charged that this was said because of right-wing outrage over the politics of the nuns.  Rubbish.    This was nothing more than a boneheaded intentionally non-PC  and stupid comment designed to get a rise out of a politician.   The nuns were barely on anybody’s radar screen. 

When I began to get some inquiries about this,  my reaction was,   “Oh crap,  this edited tape makes me sound like I’m advocating harm against a bunch of nuns.!”    If I read this stuff in print or heard it out of context I’d label this guy,  THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD too….I’d give this guy the complete OBERMAN.   So,   I immediately wrote a letter to the nuns with the Network explaining what had happened.  I apologized for my stupid comment and offered them an opportunity to be on my program where their cause could be heard.

So far,  my letter has not been acknowledged.  But, a couple of days later someone sent me link to a video of a left-wing talk show on which the nuns were being interviewed.   A reference to my program was  described as just another right-wing attack against poverty programs and the activists in the social justice movement.

Then, I fully understood what I had expected all along.   I had been Alinskied.       Here were the nuns basking in their imagined and asserted victim-hood.   They were imagining,  “We are victims of brutal threats,  therefore we and our cause must be righteous. Just like Jesus.”    My comment was being used to authenticate their template story.  An explanation or apology would be an inconvenience to their martyrdom and fund-raising.

By the way,  at least three activist websites, including  Move-on dot Org and the Boswell campaign are using that out of context sound-bite as a fund raiser.  Boswell’s is hilarious.

“…the radical Tea Party talk host suggested that nuns…be pulled over and pistol whipped.”  Tom Latham’s response?  “It’s always fun to be on your show.”  Fun?  There’s nothing fun about violence against women.   Contribute $3 dollars today to show Tom Latham’s casual attitude against women won’t stand.”

Three bucks.  Really?  HAH!  That’s a bunch of outrage Leonard!    Perhaps $3 is the right amount for phony contrived outrage.

Most of the response on this has come from outside Iowa from people who didn’t listen to the program.  Most of the response is contrived outrage from leftist social media.   It is so lame and transparent that I’ve ignored it.   For some listeners who are genuinely concerned,  I’ve explained to them what’s going on.  Then they become annoyed that they’ve been played by political operatives.  

Speaking of response,    and the caliber of invective coming from the left,  here is a sample from Congressman Latham’s Facebook page… about his 95 year old grandmother.

“That woman is a servant of the Devil who raised up a liar to serve Satan’s bankers.  She’s nothing but a breeder of this nation’s  enemies…it is my prayer that the True and Living God will send that demoniac old whore into the fires of Hell that she and your blasphemous family deserve.”

There is  one of the important lessons to be learned from this.   For my own part, I’ve learned,  “Don’t give your enemies a club they will use it”.    For the rest of us, we should learn that we shouldn’t  believe everything  you see and read in the media.   I’m IN the media and I am telling you that it has never been worse.  Activist bloggers are one thing,  but now mainstream newspapers and news agencies are doing the same thing.  Fair and Balanced is a myth.   Reagan was right.  “Trust, but Verify”.    

I’m a big boy…I’ve been to this rodeo before.   My listeners know what this is about.  My only concern is that my idiot comment could hurt a pretty decent,  but boring congressman.   That,  I would truly regret.

The next time I reach for something non-PC to say,   it will not involve nuns.  Trust me on that…might be baby seals…or  bald eagles …or something.

Dr. Donald Palmisano with The Coalition to Protect Patients Rights describes what to do now that Obamacare has been ruled Constitutional.   Congressman King with the same question.    Monsignor Bognanno says the the Church won't implement the parts of Obamacare which violates God's law.  Period.    Then,  purdy celtic music....coming to Iowa ...Iona.

SCOTUS drops the Obamacare decision.  Iowans evaluate. Shona Holmes a medical refugee from Canada says the USA shouldn't go the Candian route.

Ames Iowa is thinking about adding video security cameras in Campustown.   Should they?   Iowans discuss the tension between freedom and security.  Vigorous.

Some Iowa guys get busted for "noodling"...  their stash of catfish fillets confiscated....as well as their boat.  Who knew?

Dan Charleston wants to be Polk County Sheriff.  Issues.   Jim Rickards revisits "Currency Wars"...who is winning?  Then,  Governor Branstad yanks voting rights of felons.  Right Thing To Do?

(Editor's Note:  for those of you outside of Iowa who only heard a 30 second sound byte from this podcast,  feel free to listen to the entire podcast.  Baiting a politician isn't hate speech...might be clumsy sometimes,  but it isn't hate speech.  And worse,  it didn't even work... Latham didn't fall for it, darn it.) 

Congressman Tom Latham...issues.  Nuns on the Bus  say Congressman Ryan is a "liar, liar, pants on fire" Catholic.  Plus, Urbandale has a zero tolerance philosophy against bottle rockets.  

Now dinosaur parts are under the jurisdiction of Homeland Security?  Dang Muslim T-Rexes,  anyway.    Tim  Pawlenty on Romney's short list?  Good idea?   Then, a spot on the Earth even more gullible and poltically correct than Iowa.

Paul Hill tells how to have "The Panic Free Job Search"... Dan Kish says our energy future is bright,  but being clouded by politicians.   Obama-care reps are in Iowa to explain how the new system will work.  Julie Brookhart and Nancy Rios from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.     Then,  guess who is the "bully" now?

What to do with old technology?  Always Goodwill.   Kennedy-Nixon debates...just as dreary as modern ones...only the names are changed.   Then,  The Road Home...Barbara Lukavsky's story of loss, danger and life. 

"Kill or Capture"... Daniel Klaidman talks about Obama's war on terror.  Then,  Iowans give a post-convention review.

Bunch of evangelicals wish to treat illegals as ancient Israel treated "strangers"...  Ok,  then should we find some sharp stones and get to work?   (Ex 12:48)   Then,  Nancy Sebring and her "lover" want no more emails released.  Judge Hanson will decide soon.  How should he rule?  

Governor Branstad calls upon Iowa Government workers to pay for  part of their healthcare.  Reaction?   Huge.

Dreams of My Real Father answers the questions "birthers" should have been asking in the first place.  Joel Gilbert unsorts the murky history of Obama....amazing stuff.  Then,  Senator Santorum talks about his new organization,  Patriot Voices.

Stacey Cargill doesn't want Steve Scheffler re-elected to the Republican National Committee...reasons.  Vigorous.  Explanations.   Then,  unintended humor at its best.  Christie Vilsack on Iowa Press.   Delicious.

Phyllis Schlafly warns against the Law of the Sea Treaty.   Silly songs for a hot summer day.  And another "principal"  demonstrates the lack  of "principles"...  sigh.   And does a scooper make up for the pooper? 

Ted DiBiase is in Iowa for wrestling and ministry.  Yes...the Million Dollar Man.  Then,  Alan Gottlieb talks about the"Fast and Furious" gun-gate.   Plus,  "...show me your papers!"  

David Limbaugh says Obama is "The Great Destoyer"...issues.   Then the NAACP gets bullied by the gay lobby.  Explaining how the scam works.   Then,  Geoffrey Botkin is coming to Iowa to do a Family Discipleship conference at New Life Church in Pleasant Hill Saturday June 16th.  515-299-5433.   Then what role does a young person's first job have on career and life paths?  Iowans tell their stories.

Election feedback...classy?  Or class war?  Then,  the two things destroying the next generation of men.  Powerful.  Then,  Mercy to Animals says the hidden ingredient in pork is cruelty.  Min-debate.

The Life of Herbert Hoover...Glen Jeansonne with some Iowa history.   Then, some local color, plus  Anthony Swofford,  (JarHead) now writes "Hotels, Hospitals and Jails".   

Des Moines Public Schools deal with the Sebring sex scandal.  Trying to figure out what is all means.  Spirited.

A bunch of Iowans want to represent other Iowans at the legislature and National Committee.   We hear from a bunch of them.  Mayor Bloomberg wants to "force people to make conscious decisions"... definitely a bad sign.   Then,  Congressman Steve King talks about life and puppies.   Issues.

Dr. Christine Horner evaluates the effectiveness of screening makes nutritional recommendations.  Dr. Lee Hieb says our medical delivery system is broken and must get government completely out of it.  Lotsa energy.

So who stands to gain from warped rotors?   Uh, Huh...   Then,  as a follow-up,  the true history of the Pledge...don't listen unless you are prepared for an attitude adjustment.  Then the Muslim Brotherhood aspires to Iowa's jizya laws discriminating against people of faith.

The kid was just too tired to stand up and deliver his "Pledge of Allegiance"...  so sad. (listen for the caller of the month, Phil...unintended humor is always best)  Then,  John Archer campaigns for congress...issues.  Sigh.   Then,  the real reason the NAACP endorsed gay marriage...the inside story.

Senator Jerry Behn with and end-of session review...issues. A 1st Amendment right to "Flash"?  Cool.  Then, what truckers deal with when an accident results in death.   Powerful.