Last night Ann Coulter played law professor and asked, if the government can compel people to buy health insurance, may they also be compelled to buy a Bible or a gun? (Video at end of post.)

I liked that so much that I hoped that someone would actually introduce a bill compelling just that, to prove the point. It's not federal, which would prove the point a little better as it's more directly analogous, but a legislator in South Dakota has decided to employ the Socratic Method in proposed legislation.

This is a classic sort of argument, and it's classic for a reason; take your opponents' claim of general principle and begin applying it generally to see what they think of it. If the principle seems ridiculous in most contexts, chances are, it's just as ridiculous in the context they initially proposed it.

Now: On to the Federal Affordable Bible and Soul Protection Act of 2011. I'm pretty certain we can find some study out there demonstrating that Bible-owners are generally healthier than non-Bible-Owners. If there's any correlation between Bible ownership and better health outcomes, I say I will not rest until I ensure that every American is as healthy as I can compel him to be.

Actually... I wrote about this as if it's just a funny way to argue the point. It's more than that; if the Supreme Court blesses this new federal power to order people to buy whatever the current administration deems proper, they should be on notice as to what other wonderful things we'll use this power for.

Not Such a Good Demonstration: Gabriel doubts the utility of this investigation, noting:

1. A state often has greater powers over its citizens than the federal government does (the federal government not having the police power that states do, for one). So this law probably is constitutional as a state law, which sort of makes it less than perfect for purposes of illustrating this complaint.

2. With guns, the federal government actually could mandate that all able bodied citizens own a gun, as is the case in Switzerland. The Constitution has a Militia Cause granting such power; the 1792 Militia Act effected similar compulsions and no one seemed to think that was unconstitutional.

Yeah, he's right... The basic idea is good but the good demonstration model must involve the federal government and must involve an area where the Constitution doesn't even hint of special power.

Posted by: Ace at 08:20 AM | Comments (281)
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Why?

Because he doesn't fit The Narrative. He's black, a fan of Jeremiah Wright, and a poll watcher. (I think we can safely infer from the latter that he watches polls on behalf of the Democratic Party.)

He was just arrested for a two year record of sending threatening letters laced with chemical poison to government employees.

And you never heard of him. You weren't intended to.

The writer there uses the acronym "MBM" for "Make Believe Media." I think I'll adopt that instead of MFM.

Posted by: Ace at 07:53 AM | Comments (58)
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When the people are no longer afraid of an authoritarian government, that government is not long for the world.

A massive and highly expectant crowd of pro-democracy demonstrators converged on this capital city's central plaza Tuesday, energized by the belief that their week-old movement is on the verge of ousting President Hosni Mubarak.

By late afternoon, hundreds of thousands of cheering people packed every inch of Tahrir Square, with supporters still streaming in from every direction and filling the surrounding broad avenues of downtown. Similar protests were underway in cities across Egypt.

Mubarak has announced that he wants to open negotiations with the opposition about reforms but it seems like they are really only interested in accepting his surrender. The only question is likely whether he is going to be arrested or shipped out of the country with his family and some stolen money. I hear Jeddah is lovely this time of year.

But demonstrators on Tuesday were already looking past Mubarak, saying they would not accept any of his inner circle - including Suleiman - as their new leader. They are instead calling for the creation of a transitional government, followed soon after by elections.

Such a scenario would have been virtually inconceivable before last Tuesday, when the demonstrations began, but is now seen by protesters as inevitable.

"Even if I have to die tomorrow, I have lived today as a free man," said Khalid el-Hosary, 39, who said he hails from the same home town as the president. "Mubarak's not gone yet, but we're the ones who are directing events, not him. These people all around us are the ones who are going to determine the future of the Middle East."

Let's hope Mr. el-Hosary's freedom survives the aftermath of this revolution. Remember, it isn't always the ones who topple the government who wind up in control after the original government is gone. There's usually a pretty nasty group waiting in the wings to knock off the happy talking reformers and re-institute tyranny, just with another name.

As for what comes next...Egypt is a stew of beliefs and attitudes that seems to defy efforts to get a handle on it. That's really not to surprising considering the nature of the government and how it choked off any opposition groups for generations. When people can't express their views or have them tested in the market place of ideas, they can be warped and contradictory. It's simply going to take time for Egyptians to sort out what kind of politics and society they want.

Added: US pushes Mubarak a little further under the bus.

US Ambassador in Cairo Margaret Scobey spoke on the phone today with Mohamed ElBaradei

Meanwhile...King Abdullah of Jordan can smell what's cooking in Cairo all the way back in Amman.

Jordan's King Abdullah II fired his government Tuesday in the wake of street protests and asked an ex-prime minister to form a new Cabinet, ordering him to launch immediate political reforms.

The dismissal follows several large protests across Jordan— inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt — calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who is blamed for a rise in fuel and food prices and slowed political reforms.

...The king also stressed that economic reform was a "necessity to provide a better life for our people, but we won't be able to attain that without real political reforms, which must increase popular participation in the decision-making."

He asked al-Bakhit for a "comprehensive assessment ... to correct the mistakes of the past." He did not elaborate. The statement said Abdullah also demanded an "immediate revision" of laws governing politics and public freedoms.

Jordan isn't Egypt but clearly people want more. Abdullah's moves though may be too late, too late to hold back the tide sweeping the Mideast. Remember, about 1/3 of Jordan's population is Palestinian and there has been, unpleasantness there before.

Want more? Some Syrian opposition groups are calling for protests this weekend. I hope this isn't some sort of false flag operation by the Syrian security forces to smoke out would-be opponents because Syria doesn't play when it comes to this stuff.

Interesting times, to say the least.

Posted by: DrewM at 06:53 AM | Comments (175)
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The most serious charge that can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 02:49 AM | Comments (395)
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