« Washington Lawyer: Do You Blog? | Main | Crimlaw Clicks »
Arrogant and Out of Control
You know, I'm still surprised that I can be surprised by current political events, but today's Republican “leadership” just continues to amaze me. Check out what they're saying about the death of Terri Schaivo:First, you've clearly lost all perspective on how the American legal system works if you start declaring that it's “unconscionable” for judges to follow U.S. law and the requirements of the Constitution. Second, a U.S. Representative shows a grave lack of respect for both his own elected office and the judiciary by declaring that judges are “arrogant and out of control” just because they made decisions with which he disagrees. Such statements are not only reprehensible, they suggest a downright dangerous view of the principle of separation of powers. Would DeLay prefer a judiciary that simply asks “how high” every time Congress tells it to jump? Sorry, but our system is set up to give judges a healthy measure of insulation from political pressures precisely so that politicians can't tell judges how to decide controversial cases. Um, Tom? Maybe you should take a civics class or something, or maybe some pills. I'm sure there's some drug that could help with your egomania and delusions of grandeur. Finally, who is going to look into the arrogant and out of control Republican Congress that thumbs its nose at the Constitution and the American people? Sheesh.Joining DeLay in taking issue with the judiciary was Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., who said, “The actions on the part of the Florida court and the U.S. Supreme Court are unconscionable.” Also, GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina said the case “saw a state judge completely ignore a congressional committees subpoena and insult its intent” and “a federal court not only reject, but deride the very law that Congress passed.” DeLay said he would make sure that the GOP-controlled House “will look at an arrogant and out of control judiciary that thumbs its nose at Congress and the president.”
Posted April 1, 2005 09:48 AM | general politics
I have to agree with you. I was, at first, angry at the comments made by DeLay, but after some reflection, it caused me nothing but amusement. He reminds me of a child who didn't get what he wanted and now is calling everyone names. It's quite sad, really, that a Senator/Representative does something that is ultra vires and then, when the judiciary rightfully turns him away, gets defensive and indignant. I'm beginning to think he doesn't like this democracy concept.
Posted by: Three Generations at April 1, 2005 10:37 AM
Yes, except when that "child" is one of the most powerful men in congress, who can apparently flaunt his ethics violations in the face of the nation, I think that is cause for concern.
Posted by: -Dave! at April 1, 2005 11:04 AM
But he DOES like this "democracy" concept, as long as "democracy" means he gets to threaten judges and stuff. Democracy! Woo!
Posted by: Mary at April 1, 2005 12:33 PM
What a great letter from Senator Lautenberg! So who is going to bring criminal charges against DeLay for threatening judges? I'm not going to go do the research necessary to determine whether DeLay's comments would be enough to convict him (my gut feeling is: probably not), but just the filing of a suit might bring much-needed attention to how dangerous his rhetoric about this has become.
Posted by: ambimb at April 1, 2005 01:12 PM
Excellent, excellent letter. I'm glad someone in Congress stood up to this man. Ambimb, I doubt that DeLay will actually be prosecuted, but hopefully there will be some noise - in the national media and the floor of the Senate - that will bring to light these outrageous comments.
Posted by: Three Generations at April 1, 2005 03:00 PM
