The U.S. Constitution or Federal Law -- which is more important?

Which is more important in a constitutional republic such as the U.S. government? This question is important to ask ourselves as we ignore the mistrust which citizens have for the government.

Why is it important to ask now? Well, we have all been rejoicing in Bush's decision to sack Rumsfeld. We remember Rumsfeld's infamous remark about going to war with the army we have -- not the one we want... this was his response when challenged about the readiness of our military... We remember his gross underestimate that "the war" would last 3 weeks, 6 weeks, certainly not more than 6 months... Some would call it an "underestimate" -- I believe, however, that it was just another lie.

In our eagerness to be rid of this power broker who has caused enormous harm to our nation's standing on the world stage, we are forgetting to ask the tough questions about his possible replacement: Mr. Robert Gates.

In an article about Gates, M.T. Klare (author: Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America's Growing Dependence on Imported Petroleum) reminds us that Reagan had to withdraw Gates' nomination as Director of Central Intelligence in 1987 because of his involvement in the Iran-Contra affair. After things had cooled down (4 years later -- in 1991), Reagan again nominated the criminal and he was confirmed by the senate...

Why do we let these criminals -- whose actions undermine the very foundation of our republic -- return to "public" service? It is bad enough that criminals like O.J. Simpson escape justice... but we fail to even bring thugs like Gates to trial.

The media doesn't help in this either... that's why I refer you to TomDispatch, a site which is for people, like myself, who cannot tolerate the CNN's and MSNBC's of American "mainstream media."

Fortunately, with the internet at one's fingertips, we are able to find truth and facts about our recent history. This knowledge is important for us to keep in touch with reality. The fantasy and escapades of "must-see tv" is a farce... fairy tales for adults... designed to keep the masses ignorant and enslaved by the elite.

It requires time, though. It does not come easily -- nor freely. It requires diligence.

Many of my friends and family question the value of sites such as Wikipedia... "How can you trust it?" I am asked... And the point is well-placed... obviously, we cannot put trust into those who simply wish to "spin" facts until they are so distorted that history is nothing more than a fantasy... what some wished had happened instead of what actually happened.

And the answer to this question: about trust and internet resources... is easy. It comes down to communication. Trust is required in any form of communication. Conversely, communication is required for trust to take place.

Those of us who would rather not know the truth... whose lives cannot accept the chaos that truth seems to inject into our routines... these are the ones who become lazy and enable the republic to erode and rust.

Inaction is sad. The ability for one to decide not to be involved in defending our constitution. But one thing that is sadder is for one to yield the ability to think. Because thinking is more than the ability to make an assertion... it is the ability to question.

So I ask, "Which is more important for our republic: the constitution which is the foundation? or laws which lay the framework?"