Know this about Justice Roberts: He won't overturn Roe and ...

[txaslftist]

...he's going to surprise a lot of folks.

As an attorney, I can tell you that the prospect of being on the SCOTUS is a plum that every lawyer fantasizes about. It's an opportunity to be permanently enshrined in the laws of the US.

Justice Rhenquist remained a Republican hack to the very end of his life, and in this he was the exception, not the rule. Most Presidents who have the opportunity to appoint justices to the SCOTUS are disappointed at the results. The reason? Once they get up there, they realize that all that political hacking they had to do to get there is OVER. They've reached the top. Lifetime appointment, no higher place to go, no ambitions to realize, no more sucking up required, no more cowtowing to the sentiments of the Powers that Be. They usually quit being partisan hacks and start trying to impose their personal philosophy on the law.

I don't know what Roberts' personal philosophy is, but I can guarantee you that neither does Bush. We'll find out soon. I do know he won't overturn Roe, because Bush would never have appointed him if he thought he would.

The Republicans don't want Roe overturned. It is too convenient a way to keep Democrats divided.

[madmax]

1. Plus, Roe v. Wade

is a cash cow for the Republican party.

[Vincardog]

2. You know he will not revoke Corporate person hood.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

3. Agree 100 percent n/t

[neuvocat]

4. So...

in your opinion do you think Roberts might try to overturn other legislation like civil rights?

[wakeme2008]

5. Major problem with Roberts is his VERY PRO-LIFE Wife

and that will be the thing that gets Roe overturned in IMHO.

[Somawas]

11. So the only personal philosphical thing that will overrule his obligation

to follow the law is the need for poon?

[ClassWarrior]

6. In no way does this clear Judge Stepford of being a Radical RW...

...corporatist moonbat, but I agree with this: "The Republicans don't want Roe overturned. It is too convenient a way to keep Democrats divided." And it's a great way to fire up their neanderthal base, too.

NGU.

[Somawas]

7. Look for Thomas and Scalia to remain Republican hacks

until they're buried, too.

[xray s]

8. you would think the fundies would wake up

If the Republicans wanted to ban abortion, they would pass a constitutional ammendment to do so.

They have the House, the Senate and the WH. The only conclusion you can come to is they do not want to ban abortion. Just play politics with it.

[Cats Against Frist]

26. They don't have enough votes to pass an anti-choice amendment

Const'l amendments, if I'm not mistaken, take 2/3 votes in the House and Senate, and require 3/4 ratification from state governments.

[Richard Steele]

9. I really hope you are correct.

In a SANE world, just the fact that B*sh nominated him
should be reason enough to reject him.
But sanity doesn't count for much these days.

I disagree with your notion that they don't want Roe overturned.
I think they would do it just as a display of power.
And it would certainly help their corporate feudalist agenda.

[Veronicrat]

10. no record no vote no questions no confirmation

why did the white house
"lose"
the relevant records on judge roberts then???

I think he has to have more going for him than being mysterious &
looking like greg kinnear

[MarsThe Cat]

Exactly- overturning Roe would be the BEST thing ever for our side-

at the next election after- if it were to happen- we'd sweep them all out of congress.

[bliss_eternal]

29. Welcome to DU, Mars the Cat!

:hi:

Your comments just made my dh chuckle--I'm reading him this thread as we are discussing this issue. He agrees with the original poster, I'm skeptical...

But good point--hope you're right, and welcome!

[killbotfactory]

12. I don't trust him

He's another Bush stooge, he'll do what the republicans want him to do.

[flamin lib]

13. A lot of insight there txaslft. I believe that you are absolutely

correct (I'd never accuse anyone on DU of being "right"). Besides, being in a lower court gives one the freedom to make decisions that must pass the muster of the high court. If you screw up there's always somebody to correct it. I firmly believe that once confirmed to the last court of appeal, the one that nobody can over ride, the one that makes precedents that last FOREVER the seriousness of the position sinks in.

I've seen other judges who, once confirmed, surprised the heck out of everyone.

[ThoughtCriminal]

14. Where would he stand on Bush v. Gore?

Partisanship was placed over law by 5 Republican appointed justices. We had a court that was willing to make ANY justification to make sure that their party retained control of the Executive branch - even if it contradicted their earlier rulings. I fear that in future elections, the Republicans know, no matter how badly they lose, they can always make a court challenge, the SCOTUS will hear it, not matter how little merit, and rule in favor of insuring Republican rule.

[Somawas]

18. My guess would be behind Bush, whom he represented

in 2000.

[Toucano]

15. I understand your theory, but I think it's inaccurate.

Roberts is a lawyer, true. He's also a misogynistic nutjob.


The Republican party has been riding the evangelical bus to Washington and legislatures across the country for 30 years because of Roe. Every ride comes to an end, and they know it. If they don't demonstrate to the anti-choice crowd that they can produce results, they may truly face the loss of their cuckoo base.

Roberts is anti-women and anti-choice. Make no mistake.

After the Roe v. Wade Express runs it's course and is overturned, the Republicans will fire up their anti-Gays Tilt-a-wheel and get another 30 years worth of domination. Construction is already underway.

It won't really matter by then because the Democrats are running so far to the right that the Republicans are getting everything they want anyway. There won't be any elections to win or lose.

[elfin]

16. A little "inside" gossip/info

A close friend of a relative of mine knew Roberts very well at one time. The relative and the friend are very liberal - their prime issue is the environment.

This friend of my relative thinks Roberts may be a "stealth" candidate for "our" views.. I cautioned my relative that the friend is probably basing his feeling on the very early advocacy by Roberts on an environmental matter - which may have been influenced by his relationship with said friend.

That was some time ago - before Roberts went to work on behalf of Reagan.

I will not name names - but these people are wired into the liberal legal education and judiciary system.

I remain very leery of Roberts, but am not as concerned about him as the O'connor replacement.

[spindoctor]

17. I would believe Roberts will make an excellent justice...

...if it hadn't been for the simple fact that he is nominated by our beloved President.

Everything he has done during his term has been to benefit his major campaign contributors. As such he has earned my complete mistrust.

I fully anticipate Robert's alleged moderacy (yea, yea...this is as modest as we can hope for from this Administration) to be nothing but a smoke screen.

I would have believed Roberts was just a wild card in anticipation of Rehnquist's passing if it hadn't been for his instant promotion.

I agree with the Roe assessment. The President is probably just a little confused over the issue: "I don't care what Wade has to say. I always go with Roe-v's advice."

[NewJeffCT]

19. they have plenty of other issues to divide folks on

gay marriage
affirmative action
stem cell research
and more...

[hunter]

20. Oh, I'm sure "...he's going to surprise a lot of folks."

And it's not going to be a good surprise.

[Bonhomme Richard]

21. I don't think Justice Rehnquist was a hack at the end.....

and that was why, as sick as he was, that he refused to give up his seat. I think he saw this bunch for what they are and thought that maybe he could hold out until something changed.
It also wouldn't surprise me that he was given a little shove.

[crispini]

22. That's what the rumors were --

that Rehnquist absolutely hated this bunch and decided to die in office rather than retire and watch Shrub appoint his replacement. Who knows about the motiviation, but he certainly did die with his boots on.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

23. I agree, they won't overturn

Roe v Wade. They'll just chip away at it. In Casey v Planned Parenthood, SCOTUS said the states can impose 'reasonable' limitations. What the hell are reasonable limitations?

chip, chip, chip.

Middle class women can get an abortion. Poor women? too bad

[Lars39]

24. "Neither does bush"?

The administration that has done its damnedest to lock down every bit of info about Roberts?
The administration that reassured its fundy base for a year that Roberts was just what the fundies wanted?

[Baconfoot]

25. Bush doesn't know Roberts' philosophy but we can tell that Roberts won't

So...Bush doesn't know Roberts' philosophy but we can tell that Roberts won't overturn RvW because "Bush would never have appointed him if he thought he would?"

This only supports the conclusion that Bush doesn't think Roberts would overturn RvW, not the conclusion that Bush knows he wouldn't or the conclusion that he actually wouldn't.

Even if it were true that Bush doesn't think Roberts would overturn RvW, the grounds for this thought of Bush's would have to be private conversation because all the publically available evidence, what little there is of it, points IMHO the other way.

And you say Presidents are often surprised. Well the surprise according to your argument would be for Roberts TO overturn RvW. And since per assumption surprise is the norm, we should conclude that Roberts would actually rule to overturn RvW.

As for myself, I'm happier basing my opinion on the man's actions and words. The only information I have tells me that Roberts will probably not protect my right to choose.

If he would tell me otherwise then it would be a different story. But he hasn't. And he won't. Now this could very well be because he wouldn't get confirmed if he were to "admit" to believing in my right to choose. But there is no evidence of this. None.
Hopefully there WILL be some evidence once he gets confirmed. But there isn't any now.

[gumby]

27. From what I can tell, Roberts is a Hack of the Highest Order.

He was a Major player in 'stealing' the 2000 election. He used his 'brilliance' and 'love for the law' to twist, turn and corrupt 'the law' any way possible to achieve his desired result. That result was an unconstitutional power grab for 'his client'.

He vigorously worked to STEAL MY VOTE. He vigorously worked to destroy the basic principle of this Republic; the People chose their leaders.

Then, while interviewing for O'Connor's replacement on the SC, Roberts ruled from the DC court of appeals that King George (the person he personally enthroned against the will of the people) has the omnipotent right to personally label people "enemy combatants" are not protected by the Geneva Convention and subject to 'military tribunals'. Military personnel involved in these 'trials' have become whistle-blowers against the 'military tribunal' sham.

Roberts has already acted to strike against the heart of OUR democracy.

The only reason Roberts wouldn't overturn Roe is if he were told not to by the current resident. Under a Democratic administration, he would have no reason for restraint. And Roe is just the beginning.

I'm sure this rant has already been voiced, but I reiterate because Roberts has proven himself questionable as a citizen, let alone qualified as Chief Justice. He is evil.

[bliss_eternal]

31. Very well said...

I agree 100%. I hope and pray that I am wrong, and the original poster is right, but thus far, nothing has shown me as much. Going with my gut here...

I hope I'm wrong...

[A-Schwarzenegger]

28. Keep whistling past the graveyard.

"I do know he won't overturn Roe, because Bush would never have appointed him if he thought he would. The Republicans don't want Roe overturned. It is too convenient a way to keep Democrats divided."

Don't bogart that joint, my friend.

[wellstone_democrat]

30. two words: Clarence. Thomas

He's after personal vengence and is a hack

he's a two-fer

[Lars39]

32. Yeah, bush has our best interests at heart, doesn't he?

Veterinarian named AD of Women's Health at FDA

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2095621

New FDA Appointee
FDA Appoints Official from Office of Veterinary Medicine to Office of Women's Health
September 16, 2005 CONTACT:
Erin Kiernon [phone]

Washington, DC — FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford has appointed a man who has spent the majority of his career in the office of veterinary medicine to the position of acting director of the Office of Women's Health at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Norris Alderson will replace Dr. Susan Wood, a key women's health expert, who resigned on August 31 in protest of the FDA's handling of the application to make Plan B emergency contraception (EC) available over the counter.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America Interim President Karen Pearl issued these comments on the appointment:

"The appointment of Dr. Norris Alderson, a man who has spent the majority of his career in the office of veterinary medicine, to the position of acting director of the FDA's Office of Women's Health speaks volumes about the priority the Bush administration places on women's health and safety. The appointment of Dr. Alderson to replace Dr. Susan Wood further undermines the shaky credibility of an agency that has allowed politics to trump sound science, medical evidence, and women's health.

"Following the needless delays in granting women over-the-counter access to emergency contraception, this appointment is another two steps backward on the FDA's long road toward restoring its integrity with women and their health care providers like Planned Parenthood."


-MORE-

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/porta... ;jsessionid=403B52D0ECDF50A3FB80B5A53EDD567E

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How's THAT for a Friday news dump? :nuke: