Belief System

Revelation
After his recent lunch with Obama, Ryan (R-Wis.) revealed that it was “the first time I’ve ever had a conversation with the president that lasted more than two minutes.” Think about that. We’ve been through debt ceilings, super committees, sequesters and fiscal cliffs, yet the president waited until his fifth year in office to actually sit down and talk with the Republican chairman of the House budget committee? That is simply beyond comprehension. (Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post, 3/18/2013)

A common theme of Republicans, but one that even Democrats have privately admitted. When the history of the Obama years are written, honest biographers will note the strange aversion that he displays toward working with other politicians. 


Subjective
The Supreme Court returns to the subject of same-sex marriage for a second day on Wednesday, when the justices hear arguments about the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act of 1996. (NYT, 3/27/2013)

--It's cover to cover at the New York Times on gay marriage  An issue that directly affects the less than 2% of the country that is gay. 

--Said to be following the issue closely are both former President Clinton who signed into law the Defense of Marriage  Act which formally defined marriage as between a man and a woman and President Obama who opposes gay marriage. Clinton and Obama are both Democrats.

UPDATE: Both Clinton and Obama have changed their minds!

--Heard this one: Gays had absolutely no interest in marriage until they realized that it was a good excuse to get dressed up and have a party! We cannot remember if we thought that one up or if it came from Ann Coulter. Probably Coulter. 


Brave New World
During Wednesday's oral arguments, Justice Antonin Scalia remarked on that contradiction, saying it was a "new world" when the attorney general could decide a law is unconstitutional but still enforce it. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, considered a potential swing vote in the case, called that a “questionable practice.” (Washington Post, 3/27/2013)

How would you like to see a head-to-head with AG Eric Holder and Justice Scalia? Our prediction? First round knockout for Scalia.