Blocking GOP intransigence
Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Grassley have promised that President Obama will not be allowed his constitutional duty to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Politico reports that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley indicates he has no plans to start up the confirmation process on his panel. By using his power as chairman to block hearings and a vote in the committee, Grassley can box out Sen. Harry Reid or other Democrats from trying to call up a nomination on the Senate floor. McConnell can stop Obama from recess appointments by scheduling pro forma sessions of the Senate.
“This president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda,” Grassley said.
McConnell, Grassley, and the majority of the Republicans opposing Obama seem to have forgotten: The Constitution vests the president with executive power — the president is the military’s commander-in-chief. Therefore, like President Eisenhower, who issued Proclamation 3204 on Sept. 23, 1957, demanding anyone involved with the obstruction of justice in Little Rock to disperse; Obama can also issue orders.
Grassley can obstruct, but the power of the president under the protection of the U.S. Constitution holds sway. Grassley can promise not to have his committee meet, but by federalization, the National Guard can pursue each member who is obstructing justice by refusal. This or else, the U.S. Republic will face the same fate as the Weimar Republic when the Nazis took it over in 1933.
Mary Gravitt
Support ‘To Write Love on Her Arms’
I am writing to express my concern that the University of Iowa organization To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA@Iowa) has not yet been adequately recognized, supported, or publicized for its efforts made on campus to promote mental-health education, allocate for suicide prevention, and lessen negative stigmas associated with mental illnesses.
To promote the group, I encourage readers of The Daily Iowan to consider becoming members of the organization, attend its events, donate to To Write Love on Her Arms, and take action by helping others.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, approximately 1,200 college students commit suicide every year, making it the second leading cause of death for college-age young adults. This organization is making strides to address this problem by organizing events regarding mental health to involve and inform students and by providing a safe place, and a group of friends, for all students to be a part of. The main goal of the organization is to encourage, inform, and inspire those struggling with mental health issues and improve the well-being of all.
To support the group, DI readers can become members of the organization at any time. To learn about and attend events, check posts made on the “afterclass.uiowa.edu” website. Donations can be made directly to the group to assist in funding events. The simplest way to support the organization is to take action by having difficult conversations with those around us and seeking help when need be. TWLOHA@Iowa encourages readers to “Be the person you would want to have near you when you are going through a difficult time.”
I urge DI readers to email group President Shannon Friederich at [email protected] to confirm donations or become a member. For more information about the group, search “https://orgsync.com/103677/chapter” to reach its page on the OrgSync website. Please support the organization in addressing and raising awareness for mental-health problems surrounding the University of Iowa campus and community.
Samantha Roseland