O'Donnell Boinks Coons... and the Government Media Complex goes Into Overdrive to Spin

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA


The progressive government media complex once again proves their slavish devotion to progressive political candidates as well as their apparent ignorance of the Constitution. Or perhaps it's not ignorance but rather desperation as they see their chosen facing possible defeat on November 2, 2010.

Of course I am referring in this instance to the the O'Donnell - Coons debate in which O'Donnell proved her superior knowledge and understanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Coons, while trying to sound the intellectual heavyweight actually embarrassed himself with his lack of  knowledge of the First Amendment. Let his words speak for themselves.

VIDEO:

h/t: Left Coast Rebel

Can any reasonable person blame Christine O'Donnell for the look of puzzlement on her face in reaction to Coons obvious lack of knowledge. The thought of an individual with Coons lack of knowledge, and his obvious belief judges should interpret the wording of the Constitution to fit a particular agenda should frankly scare the hell out of a person. I know it does me.

Below are the actual words of the First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Clearly the amendment makes no reference as to "the separation of church and state" as Coons and the progressive media believe it does. Rather it it provides that Congress be prohibited from enacting any law that would establish a state religion (remember the Church of England?), or prohibit the rights of the people to freely exercise their religious expression of choice.

Thomas Jefferson is the individual responsible for the expression "separation of church and state." However, as seen above that wording appears nowhere in the First Amendment. Indeed it doe not appear anywhere in the entirety of the Constitution. For reference, and to shed further light for those who share Coons misunderstanding (the liberal government media complex) the document in which Jefferson coined the phrase is found in his "Wall of Separation Letter" written to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802.

The Text:

Mr. President 

To messers Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen 

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing. 

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. [Congress thus inhibited from acts respecting religion, and the Executive authorised only to execute their acts, I have refrained from prescribing even those occasional performances of devotion, practiced indeed by the Executive of another nation as the legal head of its church, but subject here, as religious exercises only to the voluntary regulations and discipline of each respective sect.] Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. 

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association assurances of my high respect & esteem. 

(signed) Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

 The final draft of Jefferson's letter is stored online at The Library of Congress.

Further to this, when pressed by O'Donnell  Coons could not identify the other guarantees incorporated in the First Amendment which are that no laws shall be made abridging 2: the freedom of speech, 3: the press, 4: the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and 5: the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

O'Donnell pressed the issue with Coons not because she was lacking in knowledge or understanding, but rather to point up Coons deficiencies. Which she succeeded in doing quite well. His deficiencies, given he is running to become the United States Senator from Delaware is astounding. Is it any wonder why Christine had the look of puzzlement on her face. It isn't to me and likely most reasonable people.

However for the progressive government media complex her expressions was used in their perverse spin on this issue to make her seem somehow unintelligent and ill-informed. Here is the spin by CBS:

Poised for Gains, GOP Tries to Contain Gaffes

Just 13 days remain until voters go to the polls in what could be a power-shifting election. Republicans are poised to make big gains, but some GOP candidates have been giving their party a new batch of worries with bizarre and controversial comments, reports CBS News congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes.

Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell actually drew gasps from her audience with a recent remark - asking "Where in the Constitution is the separation of church and state?"

O'Donnell and her opponent Chris Coons were debating the teaching of creationism in schools when O'Donnell, who calls herself a strict constitutionalist, appeared unaware of one of the constitution's most basic tenets.

"You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the first amendment?" she asked.

"'Government shall make no establishment of religion,'" Coons quoted.

O'Donnell's reply: "That's in the first amendment?" 

The attempt backfired. Similar attempts will continue right up to election day. These attempts will backfire as well. The American public has saw through the progressive agenda. They have rejected it. November 2 is looking very very good for those who wish to defend liberty, our republic, and self sufficiency.

O'Donnell won the contest, hands down.

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