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[+] 102 points 3 years ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (12 children)
  • [–] 48 points 3 years ago* (8 children)

    While I respect the sentiment, Charles Sumner was once beaten within an inch of their life on the floor of Congress for delivering a scathing abolitionist speech.

    We're not quite at our lowest point yet, but it is scary how close we are coming.

    https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/The_Caning_of_Senator_Charles_Sumner.htm

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  • [–] 8 points 3 years ago (5 children)
  • [–] 22 points 3 years ago (4 children)

    His attacker resigned and was immediately reelected, as well as gifted more canes with which to beat Sumner.

    Fuck fascists. They will never change.

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  • [–] 22 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    Should have been removed years ago. What a disgrace.

    She's yet another reason why we need regular psych evals for people in office. You should be mentally fit to hold the position.

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  • [–] 7 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Unfortunately while that sounds great in theory, practically speaking any like kind of restriction can be weaponized by bad actors to disqualify opposition. Who defines "mentally fit"?

    If explicitly standardized, who sets the standard? How does the standard get ratified? Can that standard be "gamed"?

    If deferred to some official, who appoints that official? What stops them from declaring as unfit anyone who doesn't agree with their personal politics?

    Common sense ideas like this break down when you try to figure out how to actually implement then without causing even bigger problems. If political history has taught us anything, it is the foolishness inherent in expecting political officials to execute their duties in good faith.

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