Block Bush Nominees for Federal Judgeships

2003 November 12, Wednesday

On the occasion of the Republicans initiating round-the-clock efforts in the Senate – literally a session that won’t end for at least 30 hours – in order to get four reactionary judges confirmed (Democrats have folded and confirmed almost all others), this on-line petition (at Democrats.org/courts/moveon.html) was sent out again.  It is put on together by the Democratic National Committee and MoveOn.org.

Dear Democratic Leaders:

The United States Supreme Court is the backbone that upholds American values.

These cherished American values are at risk if one or more Supreme Court Justices retire this summer. Civil rights, a woman's right to choose, environmental protections, public education, workers' rights, and much more are threatened by a right-wing court.

President Bush has already built a record of nominating extremist, ultra-conservative judges to the federal bench.

I stand with and support Democratic leaders in the fight to oppose ultra-conservative nominees to the nation's highest court.

My comment:

In fact, every member of Congress has a moral and civic obligation to oppose all nominations by Bush to any court. Bush was made president by an already corrupted Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision. In addition to that decision, there are many signs that Bush's brand of Republicans do not intend to respect the institutions of a democratic republic: the disenfranchisement of blacks from the voter rolls in Florida by misclassifying thousands as felons, the redistricting of Texas, and even the vast money going into the California recall and the sudden federal aid Bush now finds it in his heart to give to that state. All of this and more means that working within the system for much needed reforms of our society may become impossible; an independent judiciary may be the only safeguard. Oppose every judge appointed by George W. Bush.