" There is no religious litmus test, my friend. We are a democratic republic, not a theocracy. Are you suggesting that Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and atheists are less qualified to hold public office on the basis of religion of the absence thereof? Your thinking has more in common with theocratic states like Iran than with our democracy. "

" When Bush was president he was afforded the opportunity to appoint people to the court that he wanted. It's Obama's turn, and he gets to do the same thing. And religion should not be a factor in this choice, Jon. "

" Read all over, oh yes there is a religious litmus test today, my friend. It says you cannot be Christian, proclaim Christianity or have any connection with Christianity or the teachings of Jesus Christ or the Bible to be appointed to the Supreme Court or any Federal Court. However if you are anti Christian willing to denounce the Bible and ridicle the Bible and Christianity and it's teachings you are more likely to be nominated and being pro choice pro gay marriage then you pass the test. So don't try to say there is not a religious litmus test.

And this is quite contrary to the principles our nation was founded upon as witnessed by George Washington and John Jay. "

" Nonsense. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, specifically omits any mention of "God," and specifically prohibits any consideration of religion as a qualification for public office. You can't be clearer than that. "

" In fact, I imagine a Christian will be named to the Supreme Court, Vanatta. He or she just won't be a fundy whack job. Sorry. "

" JON VANATTA, Jefferson also said the slave girls were great breeding stock, and Washington loved the reefer.

By your logic, we should embrace whatever the founding fathers proclaimed.

420, my friend, 420. "

" Question,I have a question, haven't there been Jews on the Supreme Court or am I imagining that? Now would be a great time to diversify. I wonder if Obama can find a Buddhist woman to serve? "

" Of course Jews have long sat on the court, Susan. I'm sure Vanatta regards that as a outrage, too. "

" I think Mr. Vanatta just has a selective memory, and remembers/sees the world as he wants to see it, not as it is. "

" Or maybe Mr. Vanatta thinks that Jews are Christians, that just don't know it yet. Just as many Christtians think that those that don't believe in God really do but they just don't know it yet. "

" jon....thanks for the comedy act! now that's funny!! "

" I couldn't agree more with you Jon! We need "Christian" judges in our courts for sure! We need the ones that sat in the Salem witch trials burning people alive until they confess or, even better, those loving, caring Christian judges on the Inquisition! Oh yeah, I can see it now. I mean, heck, America's already a well known torture country so why not head our courts with well known Christian torturers :D "

" The radical right religious sect didn't vote for Obama. Obama will pick a Justic that will satisfy those who voted for him and it probably won't be Jimmy Swaggert. "

" A friend of mine has a bumper sticker that reads: "Militant agnostic. I don't know, and you don't know either." "

" julio wrote on May 11, 2009 12:50 PM:
" The radical right religious sect didn't vote for Obama. Obama will pick a Justic that will satisfy those who voted for him and it probably won't be Jimmy Swaggert. """"

LMAO!!....i forgot about whimpering jimmy. "

" There seems to be one important fact that the letter writer has overlooked, and that is the demographic makeup of the United States at that time. The vast majority of America's citizen proclaimed to be Christian in their belief.

I wonder what kind of statements might have been made if the US had in the late 1700's and early 1800's the same demographic percentages we do today? "

" The Question wrote on May 11, 2009 3:42 PM:
" A friend of mine has a bumper sticker that reads: "Militant agnostic. I don't know, and you don't know either." """""



i give that two thumbs up! "

" I wonder why Jon keeps avoiding the divorce question. Hmmmm... "

" When Washington and Jay were around, there weren't many minorities around other than those we enslaved or massacred. Almost half the population is Hispanic, so perhaps it's time for an Hispanic Justice. I suspect our friend Jon wouldn't like that either. If its not a Bible thumping good old white boy, Jon will complain, no doubt.

All groups should be represented in the makeup of the court, heck even the sexual harassers are represented with Clarence Thomas on the court. "

" And what would be wrong with a Christian Jew on the Supreme Court? Seems like a great idea to me. "

" Nothing Mr. Vanatta and nothing would be wrong with having a Hindu, or Buddhist or Atheist or Muslim or..... "

" Harry Potter wrote on May 9, 2009 8:48 AM:
" It's Obama's turn, and he gets to do the same thing. And religion should not be a factor in this choice, Jon. "

experience, competence, or a history of paying taxes will most likely not be a factor either. "

" Harry Potter wrote on May 9, 2009 8:48 AM:
" It's Obama's turn, and he gets to do the same thing. And religion should not be a factor in this choice, Jon. "

experience, competence, or a history of paying taxes will most likely not be a factor either. "


Would another know sexual harasser like Clarence Thomas please you, eddie?

Let's face it, what has you on the kook side upset is that you know Obama will not appoint another right wing zealot to the court. Your side lost. Get over it. "

" As President Bush's top lawyer, Alberto Gonzales pressed counterterror officials to use brutal interrogation techniques on terror suspect Abu Zubaydah in 2002, even when those techniques hindered Zubaydah's cooperation, a former FBI agent who was present is expected to testify Wednesday before Congress.
ABC news-

How about this guy, eddie. You know Bush talked about putting him on the court. He also tried to sneak his personal lawyer on there too. Just think a person who would advocate torturing another human being on the Supreme Court. "

" Harry Potter wrote on May 12, 2009 10:36 AM:
"How about this guy, eddie. You know Bush talked about putting him on the court. He also tried to sneak his personal lawyer on there too. Just think a person who would advocate torturing another human being on the Supreme Court. """""

extremely entertaining!....eddie the sudden libertarian is a clone of eddie the republican. he defends bush and his pack of theives and murderers at every turn.......what a joke and a laughing stock! "

" Jon Vanatta wrote on May 11, 2009 7:44 PM:
" And what would be wrong with a Christian Jew on the Supreme Court? Seems like a great idea to me. """"

how about a muslim-atheist? "

" Harry Potter wrote on May 12, 2009 10:36 AM:
" Just think a person who would advocate torturing another human being on the Supreme Court. "

Why not? We have one as Speaker of the House. "

" Why not? We have one as Speaker of the House. "

You might want to hold off on that one, ed. Even Cheney is backing off that claim. It seems that story might have been exergerated a tad. "

" from the web

"The House majority leader reluctantly agreed Tuesday that congressional hearings should investigate Speaker Nancy Pelosis assertion that she wasnt informed, more than six years ago, that harsh interrogation methods were used on an Al-Qaeda leader.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called Republican challenges to Pelosis assertion a diversion from the real question of whether the Bush administration tortured terrorist suspects. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the controversy should be resolved.

Democrats will hold a series of hearings on Justice Department memos released last month that justified rough tactics against detainees, including waterboarding simulated drowning and sleep deprivation."



when you build a gallows, you'd better be sure of who you are going to hang. "

" when you build a gallows, you'd better be sure of who you are going to hang.
---
Yes, Eddie. And when you start applauding the use of torture, you'd better stock up on morphine. You may need it. "

" Did you mean Clarence Thomas, the beloved Afro American genius that is on the court now, or did you mean to say "TED KENNEDY"

DON'T WORRY "POTTER"..I GOT YOUR BACK!! "

" Vanatta:"And this is quite contrary to the principles our nation was founded upon as witnessed by George Washington and John Jay. "

And both are contradictory to the treaty of Tripoli which the Senate passed and which Adams signed which state that "in no sense if the United
States a Christian nation" ... and so such should be no barrier to a treaty.. "

" The Question: NONSENSE
"
"
"
"
" !!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

" Vanatta: Note that George Washington
refused to participate in Communion at the Episcopal church in Alexandria -- and when attacked for not doiing so -- he simply stayed home on Communion Day.
So was he a believing Christian or not?? Not enough for you to brag about. "

" Did you mean Clarence Thomas, the beloved Afro American genius that is on the court now, or did you mean to say "TED KENNEDY"

Beloved Afro American genius? Beloved by who? Maybe those 20 percent who still admit to being Republican.

Sorry, but to the best of my knowledge Kennedy was never accused of sexual harassment like the nasty Thomas was. He was involved with a young woman in a drinking accident in which someone one tragically lost their life, but if you know about any sexual harassment situations, I'm sure you're willing to share them with us. Just who did Kennedy sexually harass? You right wingers just make things up as you go along, don't you? I'll be waiting to hear about Kennedy sexually harassing anyone like a witness under testimony swore Thomas did.

You might be thinking about Billo the Clown O'Reilly from Fox news who had to settle out of court for sexually harassing a coworker. Or even Bob Packwood, that Republican Senator who got forced out over his grubby pawing of female staff and other women who he came into contact with. Sexual harassment must be a Republican thing, don't you think? It's no wonder fewer people than ever are will to own up to being a Republican.

Speaking of that, I find it hilarious that all the Republicans on this site are now claiming Libertarian status, but for some reason they still profess their love and admiration for Bush and Dead eye Dickie the war mongering profiteer. By the way does and one know if the Dick ever gave those Halliburton dollars to charity, like he promised over 8 years ago, yet? He'll probably do that right after Hannity gets waterboarded for the troops. (day 22 since he told that lie) lol! "

" Harry Potter wrote on May 14, 2009 12:26 PM:
"By the way does and one know if the Dick ever gave those Halliburton dollars to charity"""""



yes indeed he has HP. his 8 year old granddaughter is named Charity. of course he has control and oversight of those funds. "

" Face it Potter,
You hate black people in power
you can dress it up any way you want
site all your crap , but it still shines through....
You hate black people in power "

" oldschool wrote on May 14, 2009 7:47 PM:

" Face it Potter,
You hate black people in power
you can dress it up any way you want
site all your crap , but it still shines through....
You hate black people in power "


Cheap shot, oldschool. And didn't you mean to say cite? There is a difference between site and cite. If your going to try to insult someone, you should at least use the right word.



Calling out Thomas, the accused sexual harasser, really doesn't support your claim that I hate black people in power. Once again you show everyone your inability to debate an issue, by throwing out something that is so blatantly false that anyone who posts on here regularly knows is absolutely false. Here's a challenge for you, please cite one single comment I have ever made on this site that would suggest your claim has any merit. You can't and you know it. I have been consistent in my support for Obama, I voted for him and have been consistent in my support of him and his policies. In case you haven't noticed, he's black. Can you find a more powerful position in this country or the world for that matter? Yeah, that really shows a lot of hatred for black people in power. Once again you have shot your mouth off, and as usual you can't support what you said.

I'll be waiting to see if you can support your assinine comments, and am willing to bet you can't. It's not much of a challenge making you look like the uninformed and ignorant person you are.

Considering your posting practices in the past, I realize that you can't or won't attempt to defend your ignorant claim, but I have succeeded in showing everyone one on here what a lying reprobate really you are.

By the way, I have made comments of a negative sort about Condoleezza Rice and her actions during the Bush administration, but have also said a lot of positive things about Colin Powell. How would you explain that? I support or criticise those in politics based on their actions, and not on the color of their skin. I had thought we had moved past that. Most have, I guess you haven't. "

" ya GOTTA love it!:

Jesse Ventura: You Give Me a Water Board, Dick Cheney and One Hour, and I'll Have Him Confess to the Sharon Tate Murders.

ROFLMAO! "

" "Oldschool, Oldschool...I.... I.... Im not a racist...I..I..

So let me get this straight Pottie,
When a conservative disagrees with a Black mans politics you and all your goons go crazy with the name-calling.

However, as you just stated...it's OK to look at a persons views and politics.... regardless of skin color???

If thats your view.... I stand corrected.... However remember you said it out loud pal.... Thus you can't have it both ways.. EVER You got a lot of nerve calling me out.I like that! "

" thomas is a pervert. perversion transcends race or color. i mean really....do you remember the "pubic hair on the coke can" incident?

sick is sick....... regardless. "

" .... However remember you said it out loud pal.... Thus you can't have it both ways.. EVER You got a lot of nerve calling me out.I like that! "


You have to admit calling me a racist, which is what you did, even if it was indirect, for making comments about someone who happens to be black was a bit over the top on your part. Buy the way, I have made some not so nice comments about the former attorney General, who happens to be Hispanic. would that make me not want to see Hispanics in power positions? I'll gladly drop the issue, but I think you see that I have a legitimate point. "

" You are correct sir....

we're good!!

Sorry bout the indirect hit.
However my point was made with your help..Thanks "