BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges

Subject: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: Don Firth
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:19 PM

Recently retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor delivered a scathing speech at Georgetown University on March 9th, decrying the Right's partisan attacks (both verbal and sometimes physical!) on judges who don't rule the way the Right-Wing wants them to. Partisan attacks, she said, on what is supposed to be an independent judiciary are the beginning acts of a dictatorship, and if we don't want to go there, we shouldn't even start.

It's interesting to note that this has received only the slightest coverage by that much-condemned American "liberal media" our conservative friends complain so much about. One would think that if the media were truly liberal, they would have been on this like a pit-bull on a pork chop.

The Guardian picked it up. CLICKY.

But the only person to report on this initially was Nina Totenberg of NPR. A few—a very few—newspapers have picked up on this, but, so far, no television news services that I know of.

You can hear Nina Totenberg's report HERE.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:25 PM

Don,

I heard the interview with Nina in which she quoted from O'Connor's speech. And it was, as ever, an excellent report. O'Connor can let loose now!

Do you remember that during the Bush/Gore Supreme Court hearings that were broadcast that people wrote to NPR and said they were surprised--because they expected all of them to sound like Nina Totenberg. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 11:34 PM

Wow! Thanks for that, Don.

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 04:19 AM

I've had a hard time figuring out just why Justice O'Conner decided to retire at this time, when it was obvious (to me) that the intent of those responsible for choosing her successor was to select someone who would place their special interests above the law.

Perhaps it was in part because it would allow her to speak out more freely? It is certainly a message that needs to be shouted, and not something that she was really free to say from the bench.

Unfortunately, there are many precedents to indicate that no one - or at least not enough ones - will listen.

I certainly hope that she will repeat this message until someone - other than a few of us here, perhaps - does begin to "get it." I do not doubt that she places herself at some risk by speaking; and I suspect that she's fully aware of that risk.

I can remember that when she was first appointed to the Supreme Court I had some reservations about how her "personal bias" might affect the Court. I have since learned to respect her judicial conduct as above and beyond reproach (even in a couple of rare opinions I didn't quite agree with).

My only disagreement with her recent statement is that I believe that we are much further along on the path to "dictatorship" than is implicit in what she's said thus far. I'll be waiting anxiously to see if this speech was just a warm-up for the rest of the story.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 08:03 AM

Let's hope John
This has been the path for some time now, though I think it's being less followed as of late, at least I'd like to think so.
This is another thing the Democrates should be running with but because they have a problem with their spines they some how can't seem to make a real effort.
Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 08:13 AM

But, Barry, both animals in the two ring circus get all their bribes from the same bunch of criminals, don;t they?

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: David C. Carter
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 11:01 AM

Did anyone see the Berlusconi tv interview.The woman journalist asked him an "awkward" question.He stood up,saying that the interview was over,that she was a communist,and getting more and more personal with his insults/he's now leaning over the table,he's about 6 inches away from her.A very nasty piece of work indeed.I thought he was about to take her out!This is the man with whom Blair and Family,spend their holidays!He has accused the independent judges of being stooges of the opposition,and of course they are also"communists".There was a long article in Thursdays Guardian.
David

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 11:03 AM

O'Connor's husband has been in poor health for a number of years.

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: DougR
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 07:53 PM

Don: I suppose Sandra Day O'Connor would be classified as a "Moderate." I knew her here in Arizona in the early '60's when I believe most folks would have tabbed her a Conservative. I do think she liberalized as she grew older.

I wonder, though, if those of you who have posted would have been as concerned had O'Connor criticized the leftwingers who also put pressure on the Supreme Court to rule their way?

I have little doubt that in the future the Court will mover toward a more Conservative position. Particularly if one of the existing sitting judges retires or dies before Bush leaves office.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 09:22 PM

I think most Supreme Court justices disappoint the Presidents who appointed them. After they are appointed, they all seem to move toward the middle. Very few seem to remain the political ideologues their appointers hoped them to be.
In the Supreme Court, the "system" seems to work pretty well.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Sandra Day O'Connor--attacks on judges
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 11:59 PM

Mature acceptance of considerable Responsibility?