Here Come Da Judge


There goes the court

Showing His Colors Already
John Roberts is already showing his stripes; the ones we knew he had. As an Oregon resident, I am keenly watching how the Supreme Court handles the "assisted suicide/right to die" case, which is a showdown between the state of Oregon and, not necessarily the Federal government, but the Bush administration, since this case was pressed by Attorney Genitals John Ashwipe and Alberto Gonzales. The newer John--Roberts--seems, from his reported questioning, to be set against the right of this state to allow terminally ill, suffering citizens to end their own lives just a little sooner, and with a little more dignity, than nature would have it.

Keep this in mind. Though it is being spun as a Fed vs. State issue, it is really the Federal government vs. the people... the voters. The death with dignity law was voted in by the citizens of this state, not once but twice. Expect another Supreme Court decision for fascism. (I know I've been using that word a lot lately; let's then call it centralized, unbridled power overriding popular representation.) Would can brown (shirts) do for you?

Harriet Who?
We have a double thread running here; judicial decisions and extremism. We'll pick up on the judge thought for the moment, and then double back in the next section. Maybe George Bush made a good appointment (only kidding). Usually if both sides are displeased by an opinion or judicial verdict, a judge will see it as just. In this case, what are we to make about everyone being displeased, surprised, disappointed, aghast or incredulous about Bush's second nomination to the Supreme Court? No judicial experience. No clear philosophy. No backers (except the President)--another mediocre politician/technocrat crony. George Bush apparently has a very small circle of friends and acquaintances. We would all do better if he got out more and met some new people. It has been pointed out that other presidents have appointed cronies to the Supreme Court, and even non-justices. But they have all been distinguished in some way. (Here is interesting reading from the Huffington Post.)

We geocentric Americans like to believe that we are the greatest country on earth. And, of course, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land--these are supposed to be the twelve brightest judicial minds in the world, if you follow that logic. And once again, our President has lowered the bar (double entendre intended here) and shown the world just how frivolous and mediocre we can be.

Just remember, George; your comfort zone is very small... the loyalty of about a handful of friends. (I once had a boss like that and we were convinced he was a paranoid.) The next confirmed Supreme Court justice will be on the court long after you are out of office. She has no reason to remain loyal to you once your time limit is up. So you really should have researched her views and history a little more than I'm sure you did. Don't count on blind faith--justice may be blind but you don't have to poke it in the eyes.

So I have a late-breaking action item: I propose we all put together a petition to beg Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to change her mind about her resignation. That is her feminine prerogative. Just for a few years, Justice O'Connor--you can ride off into the sunset in January '09. You're a smart and compassionate person, Madame Justice; I'm sure you have a very good idea of what any judicial nominee from the Bush White House will do to the balance of reason.

A Little Insecure, Mister Prez?
My previous blog entry waxed prosaic (nothing to do with prozac) about the President's eagerness to give the military unprecedented power in domestic matters. He either loves men and women in uniform (though why he wore his own so infrequently, I don't know), or he's really scared of everything because this week, he is proposing that the military become a first line of defense against the flu. Hey, just get some cough drops and stay in the White House and you won't catch anything. Oh, and don't kiss any birds. Maybe not a bad idea to stay away from raw KFC, too.

You Kids Get Off My Planet
Well, I don't know about Global Warming; it's been a pretty darned cold autumn here so far. However, it seems like Alaska might be a good place to buy some property since the snowpack is melting at an unprecedented clip. Just for those who like to pay attention, Yahoo has an entire section on climate change stories. Wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on them, as the government goes about dismantling the few ecological and environmental restrictions we have in place. They should keep the endangered species act, though, so we can add our own name to the list.

And Tom Delay
Imagine someone playing politics to indict Tom Delay? Why would they want to do that, Tom? You're such a fair, cooperative person. Money laundering? What a clean way to say dirty. How many top Republicans are being investigated today? Well, let's see, we have Rove, Delay, Frist. The scary thing is that I'm beginning to find John Warner balanced, progressive and refreshing!

Posted: Wed - October 5, 2005 at 03:15 PM          

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