Greedy
Following Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation a conservative leaning Supreme Court has finally been seated. This was the direct result, of course, of President Trump’s election. It was something that decades of milquetoast Republicans failed to do. The American people, and, especially the “never Trump”ers, owe Mr. Trump an apology and a sincere thank you. Because of the self serving character of most of our leaders, however, no such gratitude and apology will, I’m afraid, be forth coming. None-the-less, Mr. Trump deserves nothing less….
The composition of the Supreme Court has been liberal or at least “balanced” for decades. But this fact should not be taken to mean that this was a consequence (through Presidential selection) of an evenly balanced electorate. A large part of the Court’s tenor was the result of “leftward” drift of conservative appointees. David Souter was a great example of such an effect. William Brennan, also comes to mind. Some people feel that Justice John Roberts is also trending that way.
Anyway, the current Supreme Court is the first reliably conservative one in 50 years. We can all breathe easier now that gender confusion, criminal rights, open door immigration and other lunatic causes will receive no support from our highest court.
Despite the momentous change that has just been achieved by conservative activism in America, we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. It’s not unseemly, ladies and gentlemen, to wish for more. As a friend of mine put it: “It’s time to be ‘greedy’” (Thanks JD).
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 years old and, unintentionally, has been making a case for age limits (to be distinguished from term limits) on the high court. The State of Israel, for example, has mandatory Supreme Court retirement at age 75. Should we? Ginsburg has, herself, been “making the case” for age limits. In fact, after learning, during a recent visit to Israel, of the mandatory retirement age there, she was moved to remark that she “pitied the Israeli justices”, thereby adding another one to her many gaffs.
Ginsburg was appointed on August 3, 1993, by Bill Clinton, and has served over 25 years on the Court, whereas the average tenure of Supreme Court Justices is 16. This, of and by itself would not be concerning, but many other things are.
First and foremost are her rulings. Here’s a brief sampling: Pro gay “marriage” (June 2015). GLBT are a constitutional protected “class” (Dec 2003). Boy Scouts REQUIRED to accept gay scoutmasters! (Jun 2000). Race based college preferences okay if individualized (Jun 2003). Anti States rights (Dec 2000). Fourth Amendment (Right to privacy) “must CHANGE”! (Sept 2009). Guantanamo detainees have recourse in US Courts (Jun 2004). No automatic deportation of aliens CONVICTED OF CRIMES (Jun 2001). These rulings, I think, speak for themselves.
But, in addition to a long history of problematic rulings, she seems to have become more “unhinged” of late. Breaking with a long tradition of Supreme Court decorum, in 2016, she issued a series of outrageous proclamations concerning Donald Trump. Using much “diplomacy and tact”, in 2016, Ginsburg declared that candidate Trump was, verbatim, “a FAKER”! How’s that for maintaining the highest court’s dignity? She later indicated that if Trump becomes President, she would “move to New Zealand”! (We’re still waiting!). In short, not what we expect from a key member of our nation’s highest court.
In fact, Ms. Ginsburg’s nickname in Washington is modeled after a rap star’s sobriquet: Notorious RBG!
And, most of us will remember the famous series of photographs of her sleeping soundly during the State of the Union Address (shown below).
As an anecdote, I personally had the improbable circumstance to have been seated directly behind Justice Ginsburg for the performance of the play “Proof” on Broadway shortly after the conclusion of Bush vs. Gore in the year 2000. Even though that was EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO, she looked quite frail even THEN! I would have NEVER guessed, at that point in time, that she would still be on the bench today.
So, with all of this in mind, I have a new slogan for the doddering adjudicator: Justice Ginsburg, it’s time to either RETIRE OR EXPIRE.