By Sigrid Weidenweber
Yes, the confirmation circus has begun. After more than five hours of opening statements by senators, judge Amy Coney Barrett finally was allowed to speak. She opened with this profound remark. “Courts are not designed to solve every problem, or right every wrong in public life. The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches, elected by and accountable to the people.”
Well, that statement should have deflated many bloviating senators. Of course—it did not!
The entire hearings are, of course, nothing but a showcase featuring two sides already fully confirmed in their opinions and votes, as Judicial Committee Chairman, Lindsey Graham, stated in his opening remarks. Questioning of the judicial nominee concerned to a high degree the votes on the High Court that could undo legislation from only the Democratic Congress, which enacted the ACA or Obama Care Act without any Republican votes.
I could only watch a few moments here and there of the proceedings, for the grandstanding and bloviating was too much to stomach.
Senator Dianne Feinstein and other Democratic senators belabored the point: healthcare for millions of Americans is at stake. Really? As if the mother of seven would not understand this better than Feinstein, Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi.
At one point, Feinstein pushed Amy Barrett to commit giving opinions on things and a case unrelated to the hearings. Barrett was great in her rebuttal. Lecturing Feinstein, that if she were to answer this question, she would be a judicial pundit. “And we do not want judicial pundits, do we?” That stopped Feinstein in her tracks.
It seems, as the Democrats cannot use the same tactics used in the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh against Barrett, so they must hammer on the Affordable Health Care, or better named Obama Care Act. (May I remind you, that is the one we had to pass according to Nancy Pelosi, in order to find out what it contained.)
So far, Amy Barrett’s lights are shining bright. That, however, means nothing to the left—it sees only black.
Unable to block Amy Barrett’s nomination, they push on her during the confirmation hearings to recuse herself from certain upcoming cases. Therein lies the big problem. Judge Amy should not recuse herself from anything. The Democrats know the election is rigged by their minions, and challenges to the legitimacy of the election are sure to arise, therefore, Jude Amy Barrett must retain a free and open mind to make decisions.
The Democrats with their new recusal theory, are trying to save their unlawful bacon, and the hopefully new Supreme Court Judge Barrett should not be required to help the left with their rather vile, unlawful proceedings to steal this election.
Judge Scalia once wrote that personal friendship is a reason for recusal, but not where official action is at issue.
Please remember that dictum Judge Barrett and do not allow yourself to be hamstrung by false lawyering.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal
Sigrid Weidenweber grew up in communist East Berlin, escaping it using a French passport. Ms. Weidenweber holds a degree in medical technology as well as psychology and has course work in Anthropology. She is co-founder of Aid for Afghans. Weidenweber has traveled the world and lived with Pakistani Muslims, learning about the culture and religion. She is a published author and lecturer. You can find her books on Amazon.com
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
Yes, excellent analysis. The dumbocratic (oops! freudian slip) senators used most of their time to politicize and when they finally got to a question for Judge Barrett, the question had nothing to do with the matter at hand. I was especially appalled by Senator Hironi’s totally inappropriate and demeaning interrogation. She asked, with Judge Barrett’s children sitting there, if she ever committed sexual assault and other similar questions. How does such a person get elected to the senate? I was awed by Judge Barrett’s self-control and poise under these circumstances. I think with her intellect, ability and character, she will make history as a supreme court justice.
Reliable sources have told me that the joke from Hawaii asks all judicial candidates this question. Not only dim but a little weird is the joke from Hawaii.