Politics... but in a good way this time.

[flyinbutrs]

"Where science determines the facts, the law can effectively govern. However, when science cannot determine the facts and decisions vary based upon religious belief, then government should not act. I do not mean to make very complex, emotional issues too simplistic. But some of these issues do not need to be as complicated as they have become if people deal with each other with respect and even reverence."

Harriet Miers said this in 1993.  While I still don't think she should be on the supreme court, I think it's one of the most reasoned, simple, and solid arguments I've heard for why, and more importantly, when religion and law should be separated. 

UPDATE : No sooner than I post this, I read on the top of DailyKos that Miers is withdrawing herself from the nomination process! I'm both happy and frightened by this. Will bush feel weaker and nominate an established centrist? Or will he cave to his base and nominate a right wing crazy like Janice Rogers Brown or Alberto Gonzales?

Comments

[desh]

Am I naive for thinking that the whole Miers fiasco has finally given the senate Democrats the balls to ask real questions and/or filibuster if necessary?

And, by the way, I am so incredibly happy that Specter is Judiciary chair. Can you imagine how bad things would be right now if that were, say, Santorum there instead?

[flyinbutrs.livejournal.com]

I'll address the second question first, and say hellz fuckin yeah. (As an aside, you actually were the one who convinced me to vote for Specter instead of knee jerk voting for the dem opposing him). He's a good, old fashioned, reasoned, principled republican. Unfortunately, there aren't many of those left. At least not in positions of power.

And frankly, I don't think the democrats had anything to do with Miers' withdrawal. Democrats were startlingly silent about Miers, and she was being clusterfucked from the right by the ultra conservatives, but ultimately, I think she was withdrawn because the senators of both parties that she met with privately all felt that she was just plain unqualified. She didn't have the grasp of constitutional law that is required to be a SCOTUS Justice.

What I'm really hoping, is that since he has so far snubbed the ultra right's desire for an openly conservative candidate, and since Bush seems (to me) to have caved to centrists on miers rather than the right, that he will turn his back on the ultra right and nominate a centrist. It's what's best for him (being a seriosuly weakened president who cannot afford to have two straight SCOTUS nominations defeated) and it's what's best for the country.

[desh]

And frankly, I don't think the democrats had anything to do with Miers' withdrawal.

Oh, yeah, I agree. But what I'm saying is, the Dems used to seem scared that any opposition of the President's nominee would be political suicide for them. Now that that's obviously not the case, and that even the Republicans themselves are saying how they feel, then maybe there's a chance they'll stand up to the next nominee, if s/he isn't any good.