2 Responses to “Candorville: 11/11/2007- The President Protects”

1. allstar7 Says:
   November 11th, 2007 at 3:17 pm

   I’m curious — where does this “Constitution” that you’re talking about mention “seperation of church and state”? You’re right about Presidential responsibilities, but now that it’s supposedly a “living document” how does he defend it?

2. Darrin Bell Says:
   November 11th, 2007 at 11:10 pm

   Are you talking about today’s cartoon? Because today’s cartoon says nothing about church and state issues.

   That said, the separation of church and state is a legal principle derived from the First Amendment. “Establishment of religion” has always been interpreted to mean the state can’t use taxpayer money to promote or fund any particular religion. The other clause in the First Amendment has conversely been interpreted to mean the state can’t TAX churches or prohibit organized religions. Courts have taken the other writings of the Founders into account when reaching these interpretations. One of the earliest uses of the term “separation of church and state” was in the writings of James Madison, the principal crafter of the Constitution.

   The Constitution is only a “living document” because of the fact Congress can AMEND it. If Congress and the states agreed to amend the Constitution to read “the President can abrogate any of the previous articles or amendments in a time of war, to do whatever it takes to keep PEOPLE safe,” then the steps he’s been taking the past six years wouldn’t be problematic. But they haven’t amended the Constitution so some of the President’s actions, such as spying on people without warrants and denying people the right of habeas corpus, have been unconstitutional.

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