'Activist' Judges

[journalist3072]

We've heard a lot recently from the right about so-called 'activist' judges. So I thought I'd through the question to my fellow DUers: What would YOU define as an 'activist' judge?

What do you think is an activist judge, vs. what the Repugs think is an activist judge?

[punpirate]

1. Let us back up and...

... define terms. "Activist judges" is a term used by the right wing in this country, not the rest of the population. Therefore, we have to limit ourselves to their definition: "any judge who doesn't agree with us."

It's that simple. The "activist judge" is a creation of the right, not the left.

[journalist3072]

2. Yea, I agree with you

However, I have my own personal definition of an activist judge.

And my own definition of activist judge is one who rules based on his/her personal opinion, not on the facts and the law. That's activism to me.

But I think you're dead on target that for the Repugs--activist judges are those who don't agree with them.

[punpirate]

4. However, to put it most reductively,...

... the right coined the term. Therefore, you must ask for their definition, not the left's. You're freely entitled to interpret their definition as you wish, but it's not up to the left to supply the information for you.

That must come from the right themselves. In that way, one can judge for one's self if their view and definition is authentic, compared with reality.

I would maintain that it is not. :)

[never_get_over_it]

3. The Extreme Court 2000

that stopped the vote count in FL - so ironic that these freaks are screaming about active judges when the freak in chief wouldn't even be in the White House without them

You know its an activist opinion when they say right in the opinion that the decision pertains to this case only and can not be a precident - excuse me I thought that's what the Suprem Court did set precident

[journalist3072]

5. You are so on target!

And hit the nail right on the head! Bush v Gore was judicial activism---no question about it. They basically said this was a one time deal. What? So I guess if a similar case ever comes up again, lawyers aren't supposed to say to the SC "This is what you did in Bush v Gore?"

[Tux]

6. Don't foget

Evangelicals favorite Jewish document is up in the SUpreme Court to determine if it should be in courthouses. If they keep it up, they'll either vote it down or leave it to the states.

[Selteri]

7. What an Activist Judge is

A judge who follows political orders while ignoring established laws and legal precident in order to kiss up to some other politician.

For instance - If the Appeals court had ruled for Terri Schaivo's parents on the reasoning, "Congress said so."

[journalist3072]

8. Ding Ding! I think we've got a winner!

You said it so eloquently!!

[seabeyond]

9. there are good judges and bad judges, tis life

in all parts of life

right version, gods law rules and if a judge differs from that they are activist judges

[ComerPerro]

10. My definition of an "activist judge"

is someone who will agressively seek to overturn Roe v. Wade, will force ultra-Christian (and severely skewed) beliefs on the nation, and who will make it his business to push Republican legislation at any cost.

You know, the types of people Bush is trying to appoint.