In a sad twist of fate the bill to reauthorize the Patriot Act was debated on the floor of the House of Representatives the same day that terrorists struck again.

The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.

The problem for those who assert biblical authority in support of traditional definitions of marriage is that one could with equal validity assert that the lending of money or certain kinds of haircuts are forbidden by God or that slavery and the subjugation of women are authorized by the Lord.

We knew that if the photos of CIA officers conducting authorized EIT (enhanced interrogation techniques) ever got out the difference between a legal authorized necessary and safe program and the mindless actions of some MPs (military police) would be buried by the impact of the images.

If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government they plainly can do nothing to protect the people against the oppressions of the government for there are no oppressions which the government may not authorize by law.

In the rush to become all things to all people the federal government has lost sight of its core responsibilities. As a result we're stuck in this frustrating paradox where Washington actually neglects things it's clearly supposed to be doing while interfering in other areas where they are neither welcome nor authorized.

But whether the Constitution really be one thing or another this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is unfit to exist.

The Republican argument that raising the debt ceiling encourages additional future spending is logically irresponsible. The debt ceiling has to be raised to authorize spending already approved by Congress. Despite that fallacy the GOP has been able to score political points with its argument.

Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.

I'm looking for backing for an unauthorized auto-biography that I am writing. Hopefully this will sell in such huge numbers that I will be able to sue myself for an extraordinary amount of money and finance the film version in which I will play everybody.

As the most extravagant errors were received among the established articles of their faith so the most infamous vices obtained in their practice and were indulged not only with impunity but authorized by the sanction of their laws.

The balance between faith and reason is for the determination of each individual and of the people as a whole not of unauthorized government officials uttering impious humbug as they arbitrarily try to define that balance.