Justice WEPT When He Thought Of BUSH v. GORE

[kpete]

Supreme Court author: Justice Souter wept when he thought of Bush v. Gore Mike Aivaz and Muriel Kane
Published: Friday September 21, 2007

............

Toobin had to admit he wasn't aware of any secrets of that kind, but did confide that "Justice Souter was so upset about the result in Bush v. Gore that not only did he almost resign the Court because he was so upset, but there were times when he thought about the case and he wept."

....................

"But they weren't making the decision based on wanting Bush. They were making the decision based upon the clear law," suggested Colbert.

"Well, that's that they said," replied Toobin.

"Are you calling them liars?" asked Colbert.

"Not liars, but I think sometimes political motivations do play a part," Toobin conceded.

more at:
http://rawstory.com//news/2007/Supreme_Court_author_Justice_Souter_wept_0921.html

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. Supreme Court justices ARE impeachable

Poor Justice Souter - he seems like just a decent, brilliant man.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/3125487

[jobycom]

5. More than impeachable, they serve only on "Good behavior"

That's never been fully explored, but the Constitution does not say they serve for life, but only on good behavior. How good behavior is determined is not laid out, but at the very least, they are impeachable, and not just under the presidential criteria of treason, bribery, etc. Good behavior to me means they can be impeached for making a clearly political, non-judicial decision, thus violating any standard of judicial integrity.

[book_worm]

2. "the Bush presidency hasn't worked out as they hoped" well, there's an understatement

one-vote from the US Supreme Court made this guy president. History will record Bush as among the worst and most destructive presidents in history and the court will come in for a bashing for their role in making it happen. Though I don't think Fat Tony and Uncle Tom Clarence Thomas really care.

[jobycom]

3. All of us, millions of Iraqis, the ghosts of our Founders, and the spirit of Freedom and Democracy

all weep, as well.

Bugliosi nailed that one. The Five, or at least four of the Five, knew exactly what they were doing. They were subverting the law, they were making a purely political, non-judicial decision. They wanted a Republican, and they twisted the law to get him. They even declared that the decision should not be used for precedent--kind of like burying the body so no one could find it.

There have been several SCOTUS decisions that had worse consequences--Dred Scott, Civil Rights Cases of 1883, Plessy v Ferguson--but none were as blatantly criminal, and as blatantly anti-democratic. They rule unanimously that there were votes in Florida that had been legally cast, but not counted. They then ruled 5-4 that Florida could decide the election without counting the votes. If a Democrat had suggested that you withhold counting certain votes so a Democrat could win, both parties would rightfully excoriate the suggestion. Proves how much integrity Republicans lack that they accepted the same ruling by their SCOTUS.

[CrispyQ]

10. I wish I could nominate this post.

Well said.

[ljm2002]

11. Yes, the "this is not a precedent" thing was a real giveaway...

...as was the basis for stopping the vote count in Florida, namely, that it could cause harm to Bush's bid for the Presidency. Yet nowhere did they mention potential harm to Gore's bid... ???

One of the most blatantly political decisions ever put forth by the USSC, and that is saying something!

[jobycom]

13. "Harm to Bush's..." That's the part that steamed me about SCOTUS and the Republicans

Elections are not about the candidates, they are about the people. Why does a candidate think he has the right to sue on his behalf? Gore's priorities were clear--people's votes were not being counted or respected, the votes needed to be counted. Bush's points were all about how the election was depriving him.

SCOTUS ignored We The People in their decision. They cared (or the Felonious Five, anyway) about Bush, and about their own goals, but not about the will and choice of the people. THAT is their greatest shame.

[ljm2002]

15. Of course Gore did make a huge blunder...

...in only asking for a partial recount. When the final tally was in, and all the votes were counted, Gore won Florida. But, had they only recounted the counties Gore asked for, he would not have won. So he blundered in two ways: he lost the rhetorical war -- which would have been to insist on a total recount, and could have been used as an appeal to the American public's sense of fair play -- and he picked the wrong group of counties anyway.

Sigh.

[C_U_L8R]

4. Quietly weeping does no one any good

Souter needs to stop feeling sorry for himself
and speak out and take action.

He's a Supreme Court Justice dammit.
Act like one.

[CrispyQ]

9. Damn straight!

:thumbsup:

[cascadiance]

14. I wish he'd ACTED and got "the four" on the court to vote to hear Sibel Edmonds' case!

At least one of them didn't, and that's why we still don't know what she knows yet, and why congress is still allowed to dance around on the "impeachment is off the table" meme! All it takes is four to vote for hearing a case before SCOTUS!

THAT he should be asked about if he's asking himself what he could have done to repair what's been done!

My sig line stands here!

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Poor guy and we have all wept right along with him. After that ruling, the SCOTUS lost every ounce

of respect I ever had for it. Now, we KNOW, for a FACT, the repuke nominees ARE "partisan" hacks and they can never deny it because of that vote. Also, Sandra Day O'Connor can kiss my ass! She resigned to give the psycho his chance to nominate another Federalist Judge. She should be ashamed of herself. I don't buy her story of needing to take care of her husband. It's a lie. They all lie. If their mouth is open, they're LYING.

I'm just hoping all the Liberal Justices survive until at least the '08 election.

[mod mom]

7. Jeffrey Toobin interview on NPR's Fresh Air is not to be missed:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14505105

[Echo In Light]

8. Had the so-called "liberal" media done its job...

...regarding the 2000 and 04 elections, a lot of tears wouldn't have/needn't be shed.

[Selatius]

12. Did Sandra Day O'Connor cry???

I want to see her cry over Bush v. Gore, but that would necessitate the assumption that she's human.

[RestoreGore]

16. And yet many of them still sit on that court today

For all our crying. Speaks volumes to me.