Wednesday, July 20, 2005

So who is John G. Roberts?

Forget the Roe v. Wade litmus test. We know he is anti-choice and I expected no less from any nominee Bush would tender. He had to keep his religious extremists happy and he's hoping like hell that the left will get into a panic about this and forget about Karl "The Plaminouter" Rove.

But lets look at the bigger picture and see what else informs Roberts ideology. In his short judicial career, he upheld the arrest of a 12 year old child for eating a single french fry in the DC metro station. He's against the separation of church and state, he's sneered at Fourth Amendment rights, he apparently finds habeas corpus protections quaint and unnecessary and he doesn't think POWs really need due process.

In his life as a corporate attorney he's argued against environmental protections and he has no discernible concern for voter's rights, apparently preferring judicial selection over election to seat a president.

What does it all mean? Not a bloody thing. As was so amply demonstrated in the recent Kelo and Raich decisions, you can judge the nominees by their history but in practical terms, you may as well be using tarot cards to figure out how they're going to rule once they sit on the bench.

Kos and Jeralyn take a level-headed approach. I'm with them. It's way too early in the process to get worked about it. Me, I'm waiting until Roberts answers Pennywit's very important questions before I go into a tizzy about this thinly disguised ploy to roust Rove from above the fold.

[Links via The Moderate Voice]

[Hat tip to Jamie Sonneberger for the inspiration on Karl's new nickname.]
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2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nicely done. I prefer to think of Rove by some other names, most recently Propaganda Prince. Linked you on this.

2:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who is Roberts? That’s a good question. Although we have heard some faint rumblings, this topic is sure to heat up in the days to come.

If you lean left this is a real opportunity to gain some power, even if Roberts is confirmed. Highlight Roberts’ “pro-gay” actions when you find yourself in Focus on the Family circles. Highlight Roberts’ “anti-choice” image when you find yourself in pro-choice circles. If nothing else, the fireworks finale should be spectacular.

1:05:00 PM  

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