Roberts Insists He'll Respect Precedent

[sabra]

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5185567,00.html

Roberts Insists He'll Respect Precedent
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - John Roberts pledged Tuesday to respect established rulings if confirmed to the Supreme Court, saying judges must recognize that their role is ``not to solve society's problems.''

The questionnaire, numbering nearly 100 pages and released by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, provides Roberts' responses to a broad array of questions, including his work history, political ties and views on judicial activism.

``Precedent plays an important role in promoting the stability of the legal system,'' Roberts wrote. ``A sound judicial philosophy should reflect recognition of the fact that the judge operates within a system of rules developed over the years by other judges equally striving to live up to the judicial oath.''

At the same time, the former Republican attorney said that ``judges must be constantly aware that their role, while important, is limited.''

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[flvegan]

1. Yeah, Precedent Bush.

[lateo]

2. Ashcroft made similar promises...

Color me skeptical.

[LSparkle]

3. ... until he sets new precedent, that is.

Pinocchio, your nose is growing ...

[stepnw1f]

4. He Already Lied...

He lied about not belonging to the Federalist Society. And now he wants us to trust him? More vague statements by the Right Wing: "Precedent".

Whatever the hell that is supposed to mean.

[napi21]

5. But when was this questionaire completed?

Was it done for his nomination to the circuit court? If so, that's not news. He said a similar thing when he testified before Congress.

The excuse I've heard about that is that as a Circuit court judge, he would have to follow established law. It's different as a SC judge.

[RoyGBiv]

6. I wonder ...

Does this include the precedent set in such things as Scott v Sanford, Plessy v Ferguson?

Obviously the statement has no meaning. Lawyers and judges pick and choose which precedent they find more compelling, in support of their point of view or that of their client, all the time, and with numerous contradictory precedents on the books, he can say such a thing with a perfectly straight face and not have to work at it. There's also the word "respect." One can respect precedent and still not agree with it quite easily.

[Art_from_Ark]

12. How about the precedent of bu$h vs. Gore?

Oh, wait, Cheney's duck hunting partner said that was a one-time-only decision.

Never mind :silly:

[wli]

7. Federalist Society; do everything possible to keep him off the bench

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Vichy Dems

will use this "assurance" as the reason they vote for him.

[Inland]

9. Like Bush respects our men and women in uniform.

A couple of nice words as it is buried.

[samsingh]

10. sorry - i don't believe repugs anymore

many in power have lied and abused their power.

they are vile, filthy creatures that are a blight on democracy.

yes, i am namecalling because they call us names, and then are too afraid to be confronted.

[HockeyMom]

11. Roberts and Operation Resure

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/webzine/newspoliticsactivism/fean-050801-bray-roberts.xml

[journalist3072]

13. My response to Mr. Roberts....

You say the role of judges is "not to solve society's problems." I wonder where we would be as a society today, if the Supreme Court that overturned Plessy V. Ferguson decided not to solve society's problems. I wonder where we would be today, if that Supreme Court had not ruled that separate but equal was inherently 'unequal."

I would argue that judges are called to solve some of society's problems sometimes, especially when justice has not been done.

[tyedyeto]

14. Precedent when it comes down to Roe v. Wade?

I doubt if precedent will have anything to do with his ruling in that case.

[robertarctor]

15. Roberts "respecting precedent" has as much veracity as ...

1) The check is in the mail.

2) I won't cum in your mouth.

3) It's only a cold sore.

And, per upthread, Roberts already lied. "Federalist Society? Um, what's that?"