President Obama showed courage last week when he surprised many of us and took a clear position in favor of same sex marriage. This was important as it brightens the already unmistakeable line between his social positions and the GOP’s. Steven Pinkert thinks that many right wing members of the GOP are so provincial in their views as to be an embarrassment. Particularly with their views on contraception!

According to CNN, Republican Senator Rand Paul, a first term senator from Kentucky spoke at an event held by Iowa’s Faith and Freedom Coalition. He allegedly said: “The president, you know, recently weighed in on marriage. And, you know, he said his views were evolving on marriage,” the senator continued, “Call me cynical, but I wasn’t sure that his views on marriage could get any gayer.” This senator is is so misinformed that he apparently thinks that using the slur “could not get any gayer” is acceptable. This display of prejudice is unacceptable in private conversation let alone in public. This is the kind of rhetoric that fuels hate crimes. It is hard to believe that this was statement was made by a US senator.

Steven Pinkert thinks that Rand Paul should apologize and be ashamed of himself.

“I encourage the GOP to continue to support president Obama by alienating as many Americans as possible,” says Steven Pinkert.

Steven Pinkert, a lawyer in Miami, Florida, was outraged when he heard the following story:

On Monday President Obama publicly defended the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. He said, “I’m confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress. And I’d just remind conservative commentators that for years what we’ve heard is, the biggest problem on the bench was judicial activism or a lack of judicial restraint.”

Then yesterday, during an argument on another aspect of the health care law unrelated to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, Judge Jerry Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said to the Justice Department lawyer before him, “Does the Department of Justice recognize that federal courts have the authority, in appropriate circumstances, to strike federal statutes because of … constitutional infirmities?” Judge Smith went on to say: I’m referring to statements by the president in the past few days to the effect, and I’m sure you’ve heard about them, that it is somehow inappropriate for what he termed “unelected judges” to strike acts of Congress that have enjoyed — and he’s referring of course to Obamacare…”

Then Smith demanded a letter from the Justice Department lawyer of “no less than three pages, single spaced,” due on Thursday, explaining the president’s remarks and instructing the lawyer to consult with the attorney general!

This is an outrage.  First, the demand by Judge Jerry Smith had nothing to do with the issues before him.  Second, even if the issue was related, how are the President’s remarks relevant (and they are hearsay)? Third, the derisive use of the term Obamacare – this is a lack of professionalism on the part of the Court – to say the least. And by using the term Obamacare the court has signaled that it is biased against the Affordable Care Act – an issue therein which is before it. I am ashamed that one of our US Courts of Appeal (the 5th Circuit no less) has gone down this path.  These Courts are the second highest courts in our country and we expect thoughtful and circumspect jurisprudence.  I suspect the Justice Department should seek recusal from this Court and then appeal the recusal if denied to the US Supreme Court. It was as if Judge Smith was trying indirectly and without notice to hold our President in contempt.  Judge Smith exhibited an abuse of discretion and power.  I wonder if impeachment is a consideration.

Steven Pinkert believes that Judge Smith abused his power. Judge Smith – though lifetime appointed – is not above the law, the Court’s law.

President Obama is a Constitutional Scholar notes Steven Pinkert

With the United States Supreme Court considering the constitutionality of the Obamacare (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The issue is of course whether our Court will determine that the mandate which requires Americans to either have health insurance or pay a fine, is constitutional.

The irony (and don’t get me wrong – I deeply admire and support President Obama) is that he is a constitutional scholar and he may have misjudged the constitutionality of the center piece of his presidency. Should our conservative Supreme Court decide that Obamacare is unconstitutional it might be enough to tip the scales for the GOP in the next election.

Steven Pinkert is sick and tired of the GOP charging that Democrats are Un-American

Talk About Being Un-American.  Many of the GOP governors seem to think that it is just fine to disenfranchise minority voters.  There is a fundamental right to vote in the United States and it is THE right that we hold most dearly.  The current national trend to disenfranchise minority voters is a national disgrace.  By last count almost 16 states have enacted voting requirements that include such things as a drivers license or a passport.  We all know that the poorest and least advantaged are the least likely to have access to a passport or drivers license. This is simply racism disguised as an attempt to eliminate voter fraud.

Even assuming there is some voter fraud, it is estimated to be extremely small and there is no guarantee that the new identification requirements will eliminate the fraud. Further, the small percentage of voter fraud is substantially outweighed by the percent of minority voters that will be disenfranchised under the new identification laws. It is bad enough that we disenfranchise convicted felons – and for years after they have served their sentences in many cases! Why the heck should a felon not have a right to vote? Why should a felon who has served his sentence not have a right to vote? Since most of our incarcerated are members of minority groups it is my opinion that losing your right to vote because you are a felon is just another excuse to disenfranchise blacks and Latinos.

In addition to the cacophony of racism aimed toward President Obama by certain members of the GOP the latest voter registration requirements in many of our states is just further proof of the pervasive racism in the GOP.

I heard that ex-governor Blagojevich must turn himself in today.  But 14 years?

Alright, he is obnoxious and certainly given his arrogance and antics I can see how the Court could not believe he was really contrite.  But did Blago’s crimes deserve 14 years in prison?  I don’t see it.  We have numerous instances of crimes with much more injury or potential injury to the public that what Blago was found guilty of attempting to do.  Lets assume that he was trying to sell president Obama’s Senate seat.  First it was stupid, second, could he really have done it and third isn’t this really politics as usual?

Even if you disagree with my thinking do you really believe that he should spend the next 14 years of his life in prison?  If anything he should be evaluated for mental illness and given house arrest.  Governor after Governor from Illinois have been sent to prison and it doesn’t appear to be such of a deterrent does it!

I must admit that I am troubled by our long prison sentences in general.  I know that I am a bleeding heart but I think that long prison sentences in their own way minimize the value of life.  Yes their are crimes that deserve a life sentence – but 14 years is a very long time for a man who basically came up with a stupid idea and who displayed supreme arrogance along the way.

That is Steven Pinkert’s thoughts.

Steven Pinkert thinks that yesterday had to the best Tuesday President Obama has had in months!

I have never been the leader of a country, let alone a state, county or city, but I imagine it is a fairly stressful job. I mean not only do you have to be concerned with the security of 300,000,000 people and the economic woes of those 300,000,000 but you have to worry about your own political future. Must be alot on a guys plate don’t you think? I can imagine that President Obama has some really bad frustrating days. But somehow I think yesterday was the most super Tuesday he has had in years.

The fact that Romney and Santorum are going to continue their negative campaign against each other should be comforting to Mr. Obama. But the big surprise had to be Newt – he is just gonna keep on keepin on. You gotta love it Mr. President.