Ruth Bader Ginsburg crossed a very important line

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Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,685
136
Just shows poor judgement. Which is kinda a bad thing for somebody in her position.

We really need to set a retirement age for SCOTUS, I wouldn't be surprised if she is half senile.

I'm sure she wouldn't be surprised if you were half-witted, either.
 

glenn1

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
25,383
1,013
126
It's remarkable how her words are seen as an apology to Trump.



http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-i-regret-making-donald-trump-remarks/

"I should have kept my mouth shut" isn't the same as an admission of error wrt what she said about Trump. She certainly didn't withdraw her remarks about Senate Repubs' attack on the institution of the SCOTUS, either.

Yeah we realize that she's a partisan hack and makes no apologies for it. Scalia was also. Her opening her mouth to confirm what we already knew wasn't some grand revelation. Expecting an actual apology where she expressed regret for the content of her speech rather than just getting caught ('keep my mouth shut' in your words) would represent a level of humility and civility that I don't think she possesses. However her "apology" hit the actual concern of most people on both the right and left - namely that we don't expect you not to have political opinions when you're a judge, but it's unethical to act upon them in a political fashion by trying to influence voters in an election.
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,685
136
Yeah we realize that she's a partisan hack and makes no apologies for it. Scalia was also. Her opening her mouth to confirm what we already knew wasn't some grand revelation. Expecting an actual apology where she expressed regret for the content of her speech rather than just getting caught ('keep my mouth shut' in your words) would represent a level of humility and civility that I don't think she possesses.

You mean a level of stupidity that she doesn't possess. It's clear that what she said was, indeed, all too true. Well, other than to those easily put in thrall by con men.

However her "apology" hit the actual concern of most people on both the right and left - namely that we don't expect you not to have political opinions when you're a judge, but it's unethical to act upon them in a political fashion by trying to influence voters in an election.

Context is everything. Put it all in the context mentioned earlier- Repubs putting their own political interests above the interests of the institution of the Court, the Constitutional separation of powers and the interests of the People. Garland is about as apolitical a pick as possible, obviously not who right wing zealots want at all.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Just shows poor judgement. Which is kinda a bad thing for somebody in her position.

We really need to set a retirement age for SCOTUS, I wouldn't be surprised if she is half senile.

Don't worry, I'm sure she will retire at some point during Hillary's 8 year term.
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
1,688
126
Don't worry, I'm sure she will retire at some point during Hillary's 8 year term.

I'm under no illusion that a GOP Senate will confirm or even consider a SCOTUS justice under Clinton. They will make some ridiculous claim about one of their manufactured scandals disqualifying her from nominating justices, and then let the SCOTUS dwindle to seven, then six justices. That's how bad the GOP and their constituents are right now.

If the Senate somehow flips, of course that's another story.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,748
10,052
136
IMO, the only important line Ginsburg crossed was 80 years old.
Public servants should probably automatically retire at that age.
 

werepossum

Elite Member
Jul 10, 2006
29,873
463
126
Well I like to pretend that I believe the illusion. When a justice does something like this, it makes it pretty damn hard for me to do that with any credibility.

Jesus this is depressing. We are all so damn jaded and cynical. I wish we could get a young fresh faced optimistic poster in here to brighten the place up...... and shred mercilessly.
I'm just the opposite - I want to see through the illusion so that I can see the steamroller coming toward me. Not that I can do anything about it.

Agreed about the young fresh faced optimistic poster.

Garland doesn't fit that mold at all.
True. Garland is more like the old GOP nominees like Kennedy and Souter, where they picked someone the Dems wouldn't savage and hoped for the best. The big difference is that for Obama it isn't just capitulation, but also brilliant politics.
 

werepossum

Elite Member
Jul 10, 2006
29,873
463
126
yeah, but they probably argued a lot, like any good friend.

I'm just surprised she didn't use the "I'm old and confused, leave me the fuck alone!" excuse.

It's why Target doesn't bother whenever they catch her stealing batteries.
That made me laugh out loud - which left me feeling confused and a bit guilty.

IMO, the only important line Ginsburg crossed was 80 years old.
Public servants should probably automatically retire at that age.
True. Makes no sense to be trusted with interpretation of the Constitution, but not car keys or the TV remote.
 

bshole

Diamond Member
Mar 12, 2013
8,315
1,215
126
That made me laugh out loud - which left me feeling confused and a bit guilty.

Yea I think Paratus is the most intelligent P&N poster and Zin is the wittiest. We should create a thread dedicated to Zinisms. Gawd I hope he never leaves, my life would be a little bit emptier if he did.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,857
31,346
146
G Dub actually championed a very reasonable model of SCOTUS term limits of something like 16 years, with an option to step down/retire and only become eligible again after the appointment expiration or retiring 4 years later.

There was a model for phasing out current members if such a policy were to be put in place (which, I think, was for them to just serve out their natural grandfathered term).

Once in place, the rotation of appointments would be such that every president gets about one appointment per term, with no more than 2 possible appointments for a 2-term POTUS.
 

bshole

Diamond Member
Mar 12, 2013
8,315
1,215
126
I'm under no illusion that a GOP Senate will confirm or even consider a SCOTUS justice under Clinton. They will make some ridiculous claim about one of their manufactured scandals disqualifying her from nominating justices, and then let the SCOTUS dwindle to seven, then six justices. That's how bad the GOP and their constituents are right now.

If the Senate somehow flips, of course that's another story.

Damn dude, that is world class cynicism.
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
1,688
126
You really can't see that happening?

I have a harder time imagining Mitch McConnell waking up on Wednesday November 9th and saying "gee, guess we lost, better get rolling on those SCOTUS noms..."
 

brycejones

Lifer
Oct 18, 2005
29,869
30,667
136
You really can't see that happening?

I have a harder time imagining Mitch McConnell waking up on Wednesday November 9th and saying "gee, guess we lost, better get rolling on those SCOTUS noms..."

Foghorn Leghorn will never get off the pot.
 

TeeJay1952

Golden Member
May 28, 2004
1,532
191
106
Could you try that again in English?

Sure It is a bit of a if - then logic sequence.
If you think the Senate is unconstitutionally refusing to Advise and Consent then you cannot retire and give more power to a illegal attempt to pack court . Court's first duty is to safeguard against excessive reaches of power as defined in Constitution.
So if you were a tired Judge it would be your duty to "Soldier On!"
 

PokerGuy

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
13,650
201
101
Sure It is a bit of a if - then logic sequence.
If you think the Senate is unconstitutionally refusing to Advise and Consent

Don't know where you got that crap from, but there is nothing that says the senate has to have a vote on a certain nominee in a certain amount of time. There is nothing "unconstitutional" about them not voting on a candidate right now.

then you cannot retire and give more power to a illegal attempt to pack court .

Illegal attempt to "pack the court".. by whom? The president nominates, is he packing the court? Is refusing to consent to someone "packing the court"? What idiocy. Seriously, wherever you got whatever terrible education, go ask them for your money back.
 

thraashman

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
11,112
1,587
126
Don't know where you got that crap from, but there is nothing that says the senate has to have a vote on a certain nominee in a certain amount of time. There is nothing "unconstitutional" about them not voting on a candidate right now.

It doesn't give a time limit, but the Republicans are not delaying, they're outright refusing. And that is absolutely them balking at their constitutional duty. The current crop of Republicans have spent 7 years refusing to do their jobs and skirting the line of committing sedition. And in the case of one Tom Cotton and his 46 Republican friends they almost definitely committed treason.
 

theeedude

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
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Senate doesn't have to do anything, and Ginsburg doesn't have to do anything. We'll all just have to get over it.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
It doesn't give a time limit, but the Republicans are not delaying, they're outright refusing. And that is absolutely them balking at their constitutional duty. The current crop of Republicans have spent 7 years refusing to do their jobs and skirting the line of committing sedition. And in the case of one Tom Cotton and his 46 Republican friends they almost definitely committed treason.
There is absolutely no constitutional requirement for them to confirm or deny a recommended appointment.

The biden/Schumer Rule is in effect. Your team wants to play games, now you don't like the result. Deal with it.

Just like the whole moronic sit-in rejected the rules of the House and it was just a fundraiser. Your party has rejected the rule of law.
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
87,953
55,332
136
There is absolutely no constitutional requirement for them to confirm or deny a recommended appointment.

The biden/Schumer Rule is in effect. Your team wants to play games, now you don't like the result. Deal with it.

Just like the whole moronic sit-in rejected the rules of the House and it was just a fundraiser. Your party has rejected the rule of law.

There is no such thing as a 'Biden Rule' that says the Senate will not vote on justices in a situation like this. If you believe it you've been duped yet again.

It never ceases to amaze me how easily conservatives can be convinced of anything so long as it suits their personal preferences.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
There is no such thing as a 'Biden Rule' that says the Senate will not vote on justices in a situation like this. If you believe it you've been duped yet again.

It never ceases to amaze me how easily conservatives can be convinced of anything so long as it suits their personal preferences.
It utterly amazes me that the dems don't understand the concept of blowback. The rule isn't codified in law but in practice. Deal with it.
 

thraashman

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
11,112
1,587
126
It utterly amazes me that the dems don't understand the concept of blowback. The rule isn't codified in law but in practice. Deal with it.

If something requires practice to be codified then it should be called the McConnell rule because nothing was ever practiced by a Democrat. I don't expect you to make sense though as you've proven regularly that you are just the dumbest fuck on here.

Interesting thing about the Constitution is that is says the appointment is done by the President with advice and consent. There are many legal scholars who feel that if the Senate absolutely refuses to even consider ANY appointment that they are effectively waiving their right and the President can appoint his nominee without input from the Senate. Funny thing is if the President treated the Constitution like Republicans do, then he'd probably actually do it. It's almost unfortunate that he's a better person than any Republican.