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The Court and Blame Game

By: Gregory J. Ballan, Fri Dec 9th, 2005 08:09:04 PM

The Court and the Blame game

I had the distinct displeasure to listen to some of the confirmation hearings for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court yesterday. I must confess that I’ve become disillusioned with the entire political process and those great brain trusts that pretend to have our best interests at heart. For my first order of business, a public apology from me on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; I sincerely apologize to the rest of the country for forcing them to endure the ravings of our bloated and often inebriated Senior Senator, Ted Kennedy. I don’t know why he keeps getting elected. I have several theories but choose not to elaborate on these ideas just yet.

These hearings are more of an opportunity for Senators to primp and pose for the cameras and their constituents while asking politically loaded questions that often have nothing to do with a Supreme Court Justice. The biggest Liberal concern levied at Judge Roberts? Abortion; will he attack Roe Vs. Wade? Clearly his answer seemed to placate the panting liberal fascists whom call themselves Senators. (I threw the “Fascist” adjective to tweak my liberal pal Kelli). The most intelligent question was asked, of course, by a republican and concerned the growing trend for some of the liberal Justices to seek legal opinions from decisions made in other countries and using other countries laws to make legal decisions in this country. The names of some of these countries; Iran, Zimbabwe, France, England, Canada, China and several other tiny non democratic nations. Excuse me for being concerned when the liberal justices of the highest court in our country start importing case precedence from laws that are not a part of our Constitution. This fact should have everybody on either side of the political aisle in an uproar. Roberts answered the question smoothly and flawlessly stating that he was not in favor of utilizing outside element to interpret out Constitution. Teddy Kennedy’s biggest concern was that Roberts not “Narrowly interpret” the constitution, but rather make America a more friendly place. WTF it means? I have no idea; this is Ted Kennedy we’re talking about.

Here’s the bottom line about the Roberts nomination; he’s a shoe in. This is al la well orchestrated ballet for the real battle that will be up and coming. The next nomination to replace the departing liberal Justice will be a blood bath. Roberts was a one for one Conservative swap. The next appointment will shift the balance of power in the Supreme Court in favor of the Conservatives. This fact has the libs wetting their pants and popping valiums like tic-tacs. This is just a brief formality, a minor gnashing of political teeth before the real clawing and political flesh rendering begin. Will George Bush appoint a moderate to appease the liberals or will he show that he has a pair and go with another capital ‘C’ conservative and assure a non liberal court for the next 15 to 20 years? This, my friends, is the major league game coming up. Right now we’re watching a farm game and a powder puff publicity stunt. The next hearing will be for all the marbles, and the future direction of our country is at stake.

Liberals believe that the Supreme Court should not only interpret law but that Justices should have the power to over turn laws voted on by the populace and make law from the bench. Conservatives believe that this is not the role of the courts. The Conservatives are correct. The Supreme Court exists to interpret the Constitution as it applies to legal decisions, not to make new laws or throw out passed laws by the electorate. This was not the intention of the Judicial Body. That function exists within the other two branches of our established Constitutional Republic. For you liberals reading this, we do NOT live in a Democracy. We live in a Constitutional Republic. I challenge ANYONE to argue that point with me. The next appointment to the Supreme Court will go through hell during the nomination process. Let’s hope Bush makes a good choice. I’ll be waiting with baited breath and will have plenty of Kleenex for my liberal friends if Bush grows a pair and nominates another conservative.

Next Issue: New Orleans

I’m amazed at how quickly the media and the victims of Hurricane Katrina slammed George Bush and the Federal Government. Hey! Newsflash, blame your Mayor and your Governor before you point the finger higher up the ladder. I’ve heard the liberals whine about the slow Federal response, but we never hear anything about the failure of the State and Local authorities. This is where the responsibility lies, not within the Federal Government. I’ve heard the media whine because Bush visited the disaster site, claiming that Air Force one obstructed the delivery of necessary supplies and that Bush was more of a deterrent than a help. This was the same media that was lambasting Bush for NOT going there and not addressing the issue. One cannot have it both ways. States need to ask for assistance and then have their state declared a disaster area. That didn’t happen over night. Nobody, not the meteorologists, the National Weather Bureau predicted that Katrina would be as severe as it was. Still, people were warned for 72 hours prior to Katrina’s arrival to evacuate; they chose not to. Also, the roads and infrastructure were flooded. There was no way to drop supplies or truck supplies into the flooded areas. Helicopters can only rescue so many people at one time.

As for the feds reducing funding on levy reinforcement, that’s a crock. The democratic cronies that infest the levy commission (similar to the MWRA here in Massachusetts; Mass Water and Resources Authority) ignored the problems that the levy had were derelict in their duties. This commission was stacked with political flacks who did nothing to allocate their funds effectively to reinforce the structure before the flooding occurred. Blaming Bush after the fact is sophomoric and reflects a lack of intellectual honesty. Look, there’s more than enough blame to go around, let’s worry about that after we’ve helped these poor souls who’ve lost everything.

Politicians and the media would rather blame and point fingers rather than solving problems. We seem to be lacking in real leaders in this country on both sides of the aisle. There’s always enough blame to spread around. Let’s stop blaming and start doing something productive. There’s a lot of work that needs to get done in this country, and words of political blowhards need to be dwarfed by the actions of real men and women willing to roll up their sleeves and actually do something. Talk is cheap; blame is cheaper. Action is all that’s required.

Nuff said -Esper

About the author: Science Fiction novelist and columnist

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