Friday, July 01, 2005
Nancy Pelosi: American Genius
Sometimes you really have to wonder how our elected officials can be so incredibly ignorant.. Here are Pelosi's comments regarding Congressional efforts to at least curtail the after-shocks of the Kelo decision.
First of all, Pelosi doesn't seem able to comprehend the difference from withholding funds to the Supreme Court and forbidding money from being spent on un-constitutional ventures. It is truly astonishing that she could be so dim.
Second, let me repeat this line:
Oh . . . wait.
Q Later this morning, many Members of the House Republican leadership, along with John Cornyn from the Senate, are holding a news conference on eminent domain, the decision of the Supreme Court the other day, and they are going to offer legislation that would restrict it, prohibiting federal funds from being used in such a manner.Mind boggling.
Two questions: What was your reaction to the Supreme Court decision on this topic, and what do you think about legislation to, in the minds of opponents at least, remedy or changing it?
Ms. Pelosi. As a Member of Congress, and actually all of us and anyone who holds a public office in our country, we take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Very central to that in that Constitution is the separation of powers. I believe that whatever you think about a particular decision of the Supreme Court, and I certainly have been in disagreement with them on many occasions, it is not appropriate for the Congress to say we're going to withhold funds for the Court because we don't like a decision.
Q Not on the Court, withhold funds from the eminent domain purchases that wouldn't involve public use. I apologize if I framed the question poorly. It wouldn't be withholding federal funds from the Court, but withhold Federal funds from eminent domain type purchases that are not just involved in public good.
Ms. Pelosi. Again, without focusing on the actual decision, just to say that when you withhold funds from enforcing a decision of the Supreme Court you are, in fact, nullifying a decision of the Supreme Court. This is in violation of the respect for separation of church -- powers in our Constitution, church and state as well. Sometimes the Republicans have a problem with that as well. But forgive my digression.
So the answer to your question is, I would oppose any legislation that says we would withhold funds for the enforcement of any decision of the Supreme Court no matter how opposed I am to that decision. And I'm not saying that I'm opposed to this decision, I'm just saying in general.
Q Could you talk about this decision? What you think of it?
Ms. Pelosi. It is a decision of the Supreme Court. If Congress wants to change it, it will require legislation of a level of a constitutional amendment. So this is almost as if God has spoken. It's an elementary discussion now. They have made the decision.
First of all, Pelosi doesn't seem able to comprehend the difference from withholding funds to the Supreme Court and forbidding money from being spent on un-constitutional ventures. It is truly astonishing that she could be so dim.
Second, let me repeat this line:
So this is almost as if God has spokenOn the bright side, at least Ms. Pelosi isn't in an important leadership post.
Oh . . . wait.