It Sure Isn't The Archangel Gabriel Over The Obama White House

M2RB:   The Doors

(Yeah, girls, me, too!  Yum!)

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown

Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
There's a killer on the road

"Many past Presidents have criticized the Supreme Court to achieve political goals or highlight beliefs. Reagan did so repeatedly. But under Reagan, no member of the court decided to lash out at Reagan, and both this country and Court were better for it. Supreme Court justices are not running for election and ultimately cannot further the Court’s objectives by taking sides specific political debates."

- bayam, 27 June 2012

This country is never "better for it" when a President calls out the Supreme Court in a SOTU or threatens/attacks it before a major ruling…not even FDR did that with his court-packing scheme, which happened AFTER the Court struck down major New Deal laws.

This country is never"better for it" when a President decides to make recess appointments when the Senate is not and, pursuant to Article I, Section 9, cannot be in recess.

This country is never "better for it" when a President refers to citizens as "bitter clingers" and "enemies."

This country is never  "better for it" when a President puts lawbreakers ahead of law-abiding citizens.

This country is never"better for it" when a President decides to pick and choose which laws he will enforce. 

[Snark font on] I’m sure that you will be content in the future should a Republican president refuse to enforce civil rights laws or laws guaranteeing access to abortion clinics. [Snark font off]  And, if you say, “Well, we’ll just do this and that and you’ll see what the Court tells him to do, blah, blah, blah,” as the founder of your party once said:

“(Chief Justice) John Marshall has made his decision; let him enforce it now…if he can.”

In other words, Justice Marshall and the Court had no military to enforce its ruling in Worcester v. Georgia that Native Americans had a right to federal protection against enforcement of unconstitutional state laws.  On the other hand, as Commander-in-Chief, that sick POS, President Andrew Jackson did.

I don’t think that you would like such lawlessness in a Republican POTUS.  Would you?

I don’t like lawlessness in any politician and, if he has to be scolded for failing to uphold the oath to which s/he swore from the highest bench in the land to be told that he is out of control, then so be it and more power to the man or woman, who lays into him or her.

As an aside, the photo that I chose reminds me of an old John Huston movie from the 1930s on which, allegedly, FDR acted as an "unofficial adviser and screenwriter," Gabriel Over The White House.  It tells the story about a basically corrupt man, who becomes President and, then, after being critically injured in an automobile accident, wakes up and becomes a "benevolent dictator."  He fires his entire Cabinet, employs armies of "brown-shirted storm troopers," strong arms countries that owe the US money, imposes a Socialist/National Socialist/Fascist system, and assassinates political rivals.   All of this eventually leads to impeachment proceedings during which, President Judson Hammond enters into the House chambers, assumes the dais, and formally dissolves Congress.    The country is, thankfully, saved when President Hammond dies and, hopefully, is escorted to Hell by the Archangel Gabriel, in whose name he wielded his tyrannical fist.

Unsurprisingly, Progressives loved the film...and still do.  For them, by revoking the Constitution, etc., President Hammond does not become a villain, but a hero who "solves all of the nation's problems," "bringing peace to the country and the world," and is universally acclaimed “one of the greatest presidents who ever lived.” The Library of Congress comments:

 "The good news: he reduces unemployment, lifts the country out of the Depression, battles gangsters and Congress, and brings about world peace. The bad news: he's Mussolini."

“I want to send you this line to tell you how pleased I am with the changes you made in ‘Gabriel Over the White House.’ I think it is an intensely interesting picture and should do much to help.”

- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, per Jonathan Alter

"If a million unemployed marched on Washington... I'd do what the President does in the picture!"

- First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Empty Without You:  The Intimate Letters Of Eleanor Roosevelt And Lorena Hickok

"That the Rooseveltian hero of the popular film was a dictator must have seemed an advantage to the real-life president. It would help pave the way for precipitous action, if the role required it."

- Jonathan Alter,  FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Gabriel over the White House enjoyed a brief renaissance in the Fall of 2008 and after Barack Obama's election amongst certain Progressives, elites, and intellectuals.  Following the election of Obama, People magazine film critic Leah Rozen included Gabriel over the White House as one of "five films you should absolutely see before inauguration day." Asked "Why is this a film we have to see before Obama comes into the White House?" Rozen said:

  

 "It couldn't be more timely... it's at a time of economic panic, huge financial disaster... You kind of go, 'Gee, did they just write this now?'"

Riders On The Storm - The Doors

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown

Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
There's a killer on the road

His brain is squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If ya give this man a ride

Sweet memory will die
Killer on the road, yeah
Girl ya gotta love your man
Girl ya gotta love your man

Take him by the hand
Make him understand
The world on you depends
Our life will never end

Gotta love your man, yeah
Wow!
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm

Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm