GWB's Supreme Court Appointments

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Senate Democrats Pushing for Roberts's Legal Memos

Roberts, and perhaps Gonzales - what's the significance of these judicial appointments?

Are these the most important appointments of GWB's Presidency?

[August1991]

I kind of like Mark Steyn's take on this.

When other western politicians have gone nuts on naming "visible minorities", "unexpected appointments", "breakthrough nominations", "first-evers", Bush Jnr picks a guy named "John Roberts".

Compare that to our recent GG appointment.

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Dear August

I have been thinking about the Roberts nomination. It seems to me that Bush is trying to turn back the clock, that he wants to go back to the good ole days, except that perhaps they weren't such the good ole days, for some segments of society. I mean think about it. It appears that the Americans are moving in the direction of removing women's abortion rights. I'm just absolutely astounded in today's world, that this kind of issue is even being discussed. Unbelievable contrast to Canadian society, for sure.

Cheers,

[err]

It seems to me that Bush is trying to turn back the clock, that he wants to go back to the good ole days, except that perhaps they weren't such the good ole days, for some segments of society. I mean think about it. It appears that the Americans are moving in the direction of removing women's abortion rights.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did you read this month's Harpers magazine ?? This was one of the main topics. It's surprising whay you can learn.

Here are just a few of Chief justice William Renquist's (1924-2005) accomplishments since 1995:

- Thrown most affirmative-action programs into serious doubt, suggesting that public employers will rarely be able to operate such programs, and that affirmative action will be acceptable only in narrow circumstances.

-Used the First Amendment to invalidate many forms of campaign finance legislation, with Justices Scalia and Thomas suggesting that they would strike down almost all legislation limiting campaign contributions

As a result of the Court's invalidation of the Violence Against Women Act, a large number of federal laws have been thrown into constitutional doubt.  Several environmental statutes, including the Endangered Species Act are in trouble.

The court has struck down key provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Violence Against Women Act - all of which received overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.

The Rehnquist Court has used the idea of state sovereign immunity to strike down a nuimber of congressional enactments, including parts of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Rehnquist Court has ruled that Congress lacks the power to give citizens and taxpayers the right to sue to ensure enforcement of environmental laws.

I wonder if this is the right direction for the American public...???