October 03, 2005

• Hmm. A stealth nominee. Another 'church lady', too. A dim bulb Bush crony. With Bush, hubris is the downfall; I can smell it here, I'm hoping I'm right.
• You know what, both Roberts and Miers are lame ass weak picks for the Neocon agenda, at least at first analysis. I'm wondering why not Gonzales.. that Plame investigation sure is weighing on poor Chimpy's undersized brain right now, I'm thinking. Anyone even tainted with a wiff of it is out of the running. Although I wouldn't rule out Miers being a smokescreen for another pick.
• this atlantic monthly article makes some interesting points on the make up of the scotus:

  Now that Sandra Day O'Connor has announced her retirement, how many remaining justices have ever held elected office? How many have previously served at the highest levels of the executive branch of government? How many have argued big-time commercial lawsuits within the past thirty-five years? How many have ever been either criminal defense lawyers or trial prosecutors? How many have presided over even a single criminal or civil trial? The answers are zero, zero, zero, one, and one, respectively. (David Souter was a New Hampshire prosecutor once upon a time, and later served as a trial judge.) ... Five of the nine justices who decided Brown v. Board of Education, in 1954, had once worked as trial prosecutors, and several had substantial hands-on experience in commercial litigation. More famously, that Court included a former governor, three former senators, two former attorneys general, two former solicitors general, and a former SEC chairman.

• scartol, I think that the history of the SCOTUS is as roryk alludes--many, many SCJs have never been judges. My concern with Miers is that in previous and corrupt administrations, the White House Counsel has been deep in the, uh, excrement. But I guess that would implicate Gonzales, as also pointed out above. Just looks like the dumbing down of the SC, but it would be hard to be more of a cipher than Clarence "Stumpy" Thomas.
• it smells like a feint
• When Bush was running for President, he but Dick Cheney in charge of a committee that was supposed to pick for him who his Vice President should be. The Dick Cheney-led committee chose Dick Cheney. CNN mentions that Harriet Miers was placed in charge of the White House's efforts to choose a new Supreme Court Justice. The Harriet Miers-led group chose Harriet Miers.
• Being unmarried, and with such an unfortunate haircut, any guesses as to how long it'll be before the rumours start that she's teh ghey? Not that I'm starting that rumour here, or that being teh ghey would have the slightest revelance to implementing Chimpy's dicta on SCOTUS. I'm just saying that that's a really bad haircut. Not to rely on old stereotypes or anything.
• And no, I don't like to judge people by their haircuts, but when we don't have something like, oh, idunno, a judicial track record to rely on when appointing someone to the highest court in the land, what else are we to go on?
• Capt. Renault Launches Memetic First Strike, Thread at 11.
• I'm in a flamey sort of mood this morning -- so why not?
• That's quite close to being a mullet.
• She is so teh gay!
• Anyone who's followed ANZUS would know that SCOTUS promises a free flow of Irn-Bru, whisky, and football for everyone.
• Miers chaired the Texas Lottery Commission (1995-2000) Real bad sign. Texas Lottery is known for being one of the most corrupt in country. Even before the recent jackpot inflation scandals.
• Former head of Texas Lottery Commission? Hmm... Soon, going before the Supreme Court will be an exercise in the triumph of hope over experience.
• So what do we know about her? Two things, really -- she's not a judge, and she's a Bush crony. Offhand, the fact that she's not a judge is not in itself a deterrent. It's not the norm, but it's not unknown, either. Sopinka, for example, was appointed to the Canadian Supreme Court never having been a judge, and was one of their better justices (as much as I disagreed with his politics), bringing much-needed trial experience. As roryk pointed out earlier, SCOTUS is lacking trial experience from either side of the bench, and Mier wouldn't be helping that situation any. And we know she's a Bush crony. So it's the same old game -- promote your friends, despite a total lack of experience necessary to the job. Chimpy is going on and on about how he's learned the lessons of 9/11 and Katrina and such, but for this to come so soon after the FEMA-Brown disaster just shows that it's business as usual. And for someone to have been a Busy crony as long as she has, we know that her political allegiances are thoroughly tested, and there's little doubt as to how she'll decide cases. To summarize, lacking any trial experience, SCOTUS needs trial experience, Bush crony, Brown-like disaster awaits. Which leaves only the superficial open for discussion -- her hair. What's with the hair?
• psst- Capt. . . the meme? ne c'est pas?
• Earl Warren, arguably the best Justice of the 20th Century (though Oliver Wendell Holmes is also in the running for that spot) had never been a judge before he was appointed directly to Chief Justice. A lack of trial or bench experience doesn't necessarily make for a bad Justice. Also, even someone like Bush doesn't really know how Miers will end up. The elder President Bush picked Souter and Thomas. Once on the court, people have a tendency to kind of go their own way, without regard to the President who seated them.
• Geez, I know we need women on the court, but not that much! Judicial experience or no, she's really quite alarmingly ensconced in Bush's ass. Formerly Bush's personal lawyer in Texas That should be reason enough to freak anyone out.
• Well, I like her haircut! Very sleek. That alone qualifies her to make crucial decisions that would impact generations to come.
• It's a boneheaded choice by Bush of course. She's a follower, and apparently not all that bright. Nothing in this is particularly unique in a supreme court justice, but Bush's lot are probably counting on her to be loyal above all else (natch). What some fail to consider, I think, is that once Bush disappears, the woman is gonna glom on to some other leader, philosophy or political current, which may not be that bad for the US in the long term. She does not seem likely to take strong conservative religious stances, which is probably the most important consideration in this case. It is interesting to me she donated to Gore. Then again, once ensconsed on the supreme court, a person gets a sort of empowerment to make their own decisions that can be got nowhere else. I've gone on record saying that I think Roberts won't work for the Neocons quite the way they think he will, for this reason. But Miers is not like Roberts; she's an intellectual lightweight. Bush's choices have been heavily influenced by his need to cover his ass from indictment and/or other actions against him in the future. He's very worried about Fitzgerald's inquiry, you can take that to the bank.
• What's with all the closeted pooves in the Bush admin, anyway?
• Anyway, as someone elsewhere pointed out, it will be fun to watch the ultra-conservatives attack each other over this. Maybe someone should check on Coulter, her head might explode.
• In the last couple hours, it seems that the rapidly emerging consensus on Miers is that, intellectually, she's a lightweight. Roberts had exactly the opposite reputation flying around. This is sounding more and more like a crony appointment, and more and more that Roberts' nomination was a fluke, and not the clear result of finding the brightest and most highly qualified individual (who happens to not have a long list of decisions and treatises to his name).
• "This is sounding more and more like a crony appointment.." No shit, sherlock? Most people were thinking that six seconds after the announcement. hehe, sorry for the snark. Oh my ghod *tries to catch breath* - the wingnuts are already head-assploding! Goddam, I may have to credit Chimpy on this one, just for the comedy value alone.
• Oh, this is so fucking choice. This could put Bush below 39%. Oh man. *glee*
• her hair (and more generally her head) puts me in mind of the cockpit of a cylon raider in the new battlestar series.
• Former head of Texas Lottery Commission You want justice? Get in line, buy a ticket, take a chance.
• This isn't about the Constitution and filling the SCOTUS vacancy and all that jazz. It's more about Dubya trying to play match-maker. He wants to set Miers up with Souter. They're both unmarried. They'd look cute together. Dubya knows this.
• She's even more of a pig in a poke than Roberts was. Selecting a person whose most noteworthy characteristic is 10 years of working with Bush is unwise given the current focus on cronyism, like the recent Time article that found "that at top positions in some vital government agencies, the Bush Administration is putting connections before experience." Also, her extensive experience in the Executive Branch is a separation of powers concern.
• So.. whadda we reckon? Seems like the Dumbocrats probably will accept her (closest they'll get to a success in this), but maybe the conservatives will fillibuster? Specter looks like he'll make a fuss. This is very interesting turn of events.
• it smells like a feint... quite possible, but what is he setting us up for... his brother? Best friend from highschool? His dad?
• We need another Taft.
• Even if Bush's approval ratings drop below 39%, who are the Dems going to put up to give US citizens someone to vote for? Right now there don't seem to be any good picks for the next President, and Bush's support is, I assume, dwindling, so where does a country turn? I mean surely there'll be no more Bushes after this. Who will vote for Jeb? *nominates self* And although I wasn't going to say it, Miers looks like an older version of Trump's sidekick in The Apprentice.
• Hillary C. Dean. Kerry may run again.
• I still like Wes Clark as a main party candidate.
• If the Democrats had bothered to nominate Wes Clark, Bush wouldn't be in the White House now pooping on America.
• Well, I honestly never thought we'd see a real life troll sitting on the bench. This is exciting for both the normals and the fairy tale world...
• A political site pointed out that she might well be a feint. The Dems get all up in arms and put up a huge fight over Miers lack of qualifications, and when her nomination is defeated a hard core conservative is nominated, no one has the strength for another sustained battle. Particularly in the opinion polls. I'd agree that it's not worth Bush opponents getting too worked up over this one. Sure, point out her deficiencies, but don't bother yelling or working up a sweat. Miers nomination will live or die based on Republican sentiments. Let them savage each other in an internal fight over Miers (already well under way), while offering only quiet encouragement. Save energy for the next battle.
• Three words: Smoking. Hot. Babe.
• Heh, you said "SCOTUS."
• My SCOTUS totally itches.
• Overheard Re: Miers - "that's one weak bush"
• OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M THE NOMINEE!!! This is BIGGEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!! EVER!!!! OMG OMG OMG
• 
• Let them savage each other in an internal fight over Miers (already well under way), Ok, so at least someone noticed. This is a huge admission of weakness on Bush's part.
• TPM makes a good point- she's been involved in everything this administration has done, deeply involved in some. Besides the usual views on abortion, etc, there are lots of interesting things Dems can her about while they've got her under oath. The best part is, they can focus on stuff like this instead of trying to wring social views out of her, because the republicans are doing that for them.
• "Not only did CronyJobs set me up with a faboo White House staff position, now I'm getting a life-long appointment to try out this 'Judge' stuff. I can hardly wait to meet that sexpot Ruth Bader Ginsberg!"
• "You are the best governor ever - deserving of great respect," Harriet E. Miers wrote to George W. Bush days after his 51st birthday in July 1997. She also found him "cool," said he and his wife, Laura, were "the greatest!" and told him: "Keep up the great work. Texas is blessed." Holy shit, this is real.
• dammit!
• I also find him "cool", and strangely attractive!
• who, H-dogg?
• "You are the best governor ever - deserving of great respect," Harriet E. Miers wrote to George W. Bush days after his 51st birthday in July 1997. A little asskissing. Pretty standard really. She also found him "cool," said he and his wife, Laura, were "the greatest!" Wait a minute...did I just see tongue? and told him: "Keep up the great work. Texas is blessed." And there's the reach-around. *shudder*
• I also find him "cool", and strangely attractive! who, H-dogg? Damn right.
• No more public scatology? What were those wacky kids gtting up to.....
• Maybe he was referring to Harriet's tendency to di da du bi bol di-bi-la daou in public.
• What th' poop shittin' fuckcrap?
• . . . Miers shouldn't have even made it as far as she did and that the selection process "was so botched and riddled with conflicts of interest that it demands at a minimum an internal White House investigation to ensure it won't happen again … Salon daypass req.
• She's gonna drop like a fly to a window sill.
• So who's the backup nominee that we should really be worrying about?
• Alberto Gonzales
• si.
• Alberto Gonzales? What - the little mouse that can run really fast? You are obviously an IDIOT. Sylvester - sure, could happen. But here's what I think: Porky Pig. He's the juridical world's "Mr Big".
• Bush campaign pays Miers 1994 Governor's race: $7,000 1998 Governor's race: $163,000 "I'm baffled," said Randall B. Wood, a partner in the Austin firm of Ray, Wood and Bonilla, and former director of Common Cause of Texas. "I've never seen that kind of money spent on a campaign lawyer. It's unprecedented." In 2000, the Bush presidential campaign spent about $365,000 on legal services, the records show. *twilight zone music*
• I just heard on NPR's "Day to Day" that according to her financial disclosure, she's only worth about $35,000... and her retirement accounts have dwindled from between .5-1 million to $200k. Seems she's not makin'/saving too much money.
• hookers & coke, man, that lifestyle'll get ya.
• theories abound in the blue regarding the unusually large sum of money.
• Bush campaign pays Miers 1994 Governor's race: $7,000 1998 Governor's race: $163,000 "I'm baffled," said Randall B. Wood, a partner in the Austin firm of Ray, Wood and Bonilla, and former director of Common Cause of Texas. "I've never seen that kind of money spent on a campaign lawyer. It's unprecedented." In 2000, the Bush presidential campaign spent about $365,000 on legal services, the records show. Obviously she's got some pictures from GW's "Lost Year." And I sure she didn't dry-clean the dress either.
• Like this one?
• Hah! He wishes he was packin' like that! Also, from Daily Kos; BTW: the Senate Judiciary Committee has yet to recieve its updated questionnaire from nominee Harriet Miers. We're told it'll get to them around 11 p.m. ET. Said NY Sen. Chuck Schumer in a statement at 8:45 pm: "This is another in a series of disappointments. The Miers nomination is suffering from a serious bout of delay, distraction, and disorganization and needs a dramatic turnaround." Wasn't Miers supposed to be diligent and organized and all that jazz? Man, where's Rove when you need him? Oh yeah...
• Miers withdraws.
• I think I called it... *looks at the fly on its back, legs a-twitching*
• Oh, I'm loving it. Bush hates this shit. I think people have been totally wrong on his reasons for picking Miers; he wants to load the supreme court with ringers to cover his ass in case of future indictment/impeachment problems. Take that, Chimpy, you fucking war criminal.
• Bush hates this shit. Eggs-actly. He likes to exist in a little fantasy world where no one questions him and everyone agrees with him. This kind of behavior was evident even while he was gubnor of Texas. He still has the personality of a spoiled little rich boy. Well, I hope the poor guy can keep his marbles together, because I expect the rest of his term to get a bit rockier. Ha ha.
• /slaps knee daaaaaaamn straight. I'll drink to that. And so will he, no doubt.
• HA HA! /nelson.
• I hope you liberational terrapins are happy now that you've made an old woman lose her job. I suppose now you'll try and get the AYATOLLAH appointed in her place, eh? You traitors disgust me.
• What you FAIL TO UNDERSTAND is that Harriet will now be forced to go down to the Welfare Office in the morning - and thus begins a slow, lonely slide toward drug dependency and unwed motherhood. When her children grow up to be "carjacking homies" or whatever, you should blame yourselves that you took away their only possible positive male role model: Judge Scalia. I fucking hate you all with ice-hot purple laser beams of hate.
• She's not even a real woman! We need a human in the SCOTUS, not a bizarre racoon-human hybrid!!
• Typical libroiler. This poor innocent girl - who could not be a day over 17 years old - becomes a naked pawn-slut in your game of political twister. I guess you'll be spinning "hand on red square" you communist pimple-fuckers.
• I'll think of a snappy comeback soon enough, mark my words!!
• I WILL mark your words! I give most of them a "C+", and quite a few are worthy of a "B". However, I'm afraid that I have to give your sentence as a whole a failing grade, because you've left out certain "A+" words, such as "quidnunc you are like sooo great and stuff" and "quidnunc will you be my friend? I love you." You freakish leftational flap-doodle.
• MonkeyFilter: ice-hot purple laser beams of hate *stands back, admires*
• I don't know, I kinda like: Monkeyfilter: You freakish leftational flap-doodle.
• *stands back and admires Petebest's job with the bold tags. A-1 job, Pete OK tagline, Darshon, but you forgot the bold--C+
• Oh, whatevuuur, Ms NitPicky!
• Thank you GramMa! *sticks tongue out at Darshon*
• *Moons petebest*
• Ha! a fatal mistake! You'll never be confirmed now!
• Bush nominates federal appeals court judge Samuel Alito. (short profile)
• So, it looks like only one noxious decision has come to light thus far: Planned Parenthood v. Casey (he disagreed with the majority decision that it was unconstitutional to require a woman to notify her husband before she got an abortion). On the other hand, he apparently struck down a New Jersey law banning "partial birth" abortions. His other decisions seem to be fairly even handed, at least from what I've seen.
• I win!
• Yeah, he'll get in. /shrug
• petebest does win *sigh* (not because you win, but because it's sad to see this happening)
• Agreed. I'm unconvinced as yet that Scalito is de debbil, but if it proves to be the case, there is the option of bustering the fil.
•