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Says here that Utah's Sen. Mike Lee has written a book explaining how many powerful people in Washington don't understand the Constitution of the United States.

" 'Far too many' members of Congress don't understand the Constitution, some Supreme Court justices refuse to acknowledge its limits on power, and presidents pay lip service to America's founding document, Sen. Mike Lee charges in a new book to be released in April.

"In 'Our Lost Constitution,' the Utah Republican lays bare his belief that the 'very people who have solemnly promised' to protect the Constitution are 'subverting' it. ..."

Actually, anybody who is for, or against, almost anything can probably come up with a semi-plausible reading of the Constitution, or the Bible, or the Quran, or Freud, or Einstein, to back up their claim. And liberals ought to give Lee more credit for his opposition to the Patriot Act.

Meanwhile, though, Lee's good friend and partner in shutdowns, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, has formally announced his candidacy for president.

" ... One of several Republican hopefuls to rise from the tea party movement, Cruz spoke at Liberty University, the college founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, hours after a wee-hours tweet announcing his White House bid. The choice of the college founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell was meant as marker against potential rivals who are also counting on Christian conservatives to fuel their candidacies. ..."

He did so on the campus of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell's place, where science is routinely denied.

How Liberty University Creates Creationists — Carl W. Giberson | The Daily Beast

" ... Programs like those at Liberty—and a handful of other colleges and universities with similar commitments to creationism—do an excellent job of creating committed creationists because they train them to see the world in a certain way that makes their creationism—despite its profound incompatibility with science—almost immune to criticism. ..."

Ted Cruz Goes Full Orwell — Phil Plait | Slate

"In case you haven't heard, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is not a fan of reality.

"The reality of science, that is. He has a history of saying global warming–denying talking points and used some of his political power just this past week to pressure NASA into downplaying its role in measuring the effects of global warming on the planet.

"Earlier this week, Cruz went on Late Night With Seth Meyers, and they discussed the issue. What Cruz said, in its entirety, is what comes out of the south end of a north-facing bull. ..."

" ... 'That man betokens such a level of ignorance and a direct falsification of the existing scientific data. It's shocking and I think that man has rendered himself absolutely unfit to be running for office,' Brown said after host Chuck Todd had played him a clip of a Cruz interview. ..."

Republican frostiness toward modern science gathers pace — Nick O'Malley | Sydney Morning Herald

"Claims that climate science is a hoax, that human action is not a factor: these are not just positions in a normal debate. They are ways of saying — saying to the press — hey, the evidence doesn't matter."

Meanwhile, back in the Reality-Based Community:

" ... Obama said the fair is one of the most fun events held annually at the White House. 'Every year I walk out smarter than when I walked in,' Obama said. ..."