Now we’re having fun

Dan beat me to it, but I thought I would highlight the brouhaha going on right now between Wheeler and Lee.

Wheeler spilled a goodly amount of virtual ink responding to two of Lee’s posts (here and here).  Lee responded (here, here, and here) and proffered an apt, although not terribly funny, joke here.

Now that all that is straightened out I’ll brazenly and unnecessarily interject myself into the battle.

Lee – your view of state’s rights is too expansive.  States can basically do whatever they want to as long as they don’t violate the Constitution.  You’re a smart guy, you know that.  Why, then, do you get sooo bent out of shape when some citizens, who happen to be professors, think they see the U.S. Constitution being violated and take the matter to court?  If they are wrong then you have nothing to worry about and if they are right then you should be thankful that they are securing everyone’s constitutional rights.

Don’t use terms like “judicial fiat.”  Like it or not our Constitution is a living document, open to interpretations that change with time.  The classic example is slavery.  Strict originalists either have to cherry pick what they think should apply now or swallow the bitter pill of codified approval of slavery.  The words and intentions of the Founding Fathers should not be forgotten, but they should be evaluated within the context of what has happened since that time.  People, typically conservatives, use the term “judicial fiat” to bemoan the fact that the definition of constitutional isn’t based on the views of the majority.

As an aside, my wife took Dr. Flynt’s History of the South class at Auburn.  From what she says the man has both a very deep understanding and appreciation of southern history and culture.  He’s not some deranged liberal trying to undermine our sacred tax code.

Wheeler – Lee rightly called you to task for throwing out numerous ad hominem attacks.  Attack the claims, not the character.  If I were grading your rebuttal I would simply hand it back to you and ask for a revised copy sans the specious attacks.

Both of you – on the debated topic of Columbus arriving in America, I suggest reading Guns, Germs, and Steel.  It is a very good anthropological summary of the rise and spread of cultures throughout the world, including the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.  It is actually a very readable book.