5031

Geezus, when was the last time a President got three SCOTUS picks in a single 4 year term?

RIP RBG

5032

Well now youā€™re just being optimistic.

5033

True, but also energizes the Democrats. Overall, I think it is more of motivator for the Republican but I think it is close.

5034

Iā€™m not feeling too energized at the thought of Trump picking another SCOTUS justice.

5035

The worst fucking human on the planet gets 3 Supreme Court nominees. Unbelievable.

5036

Ok Americans it just became even more important that you donā€™t screw up the next couple of months. Keep fighting, keep pushing, rise up. The world is counting on you.

5037

So Iā€™m a lawyer, and relatively left (left of much of this forum), but if you had told me during the Bush administration that Republicans were going to confirm a large number of appellate and district court judges, I would be unhappy, but not afraid for democracy.

I worked for a judge appointed by a Republican President, and found him to be scrupulously fair. Enough that I could be proud of the work I did for him. We did not always agree, but I know he thought about the issues and was making decisions based on a reasoned interpretation of the law, and not to favor whatever right-wing cause might have been in front of the court.

In prior administrations, judges (in particular appellate judges) were appointed based on merit. Partisan lean was certainly a factor, but you got judges who were either successful and competent district court judges, significant figures in the DOJ, law professors, or successful appellate advocates. District Court judges were generally people who were successful practicing attorneys with substantial experience. Under the Trump administration, we have seen the Republicans appoint people who are hacks, some only a few years out of law school with no meaningful trial experience. People that the ABA, which is not a partisan body, identified as unqualified, which used to be the kiss of death.

These Trump appointees are terrifying, because they appear to be chosen based solely on support for Republican policies, without regard for merit at all. This is a pretty scary time. I think we are looking at the end of any credibility for the judiciary.

The only upside is that, if Trump destroys the credibility of the judiciary first, we can pack with relative impunity. The downside is that the judiciary plays an important role in Constitutional government, and if we keep down the ultrapartisan road we are going to wind up like Hungary.

5038
5039

Regardless of whether another appointment is made by Trump, thereā€™s a non-zero possibility that the supreme court will be indirectly deciding this election with all the lawsuits already going on about ballots.

This is horrifying. Couldnā€™t they have found some modern McCarthy/Silverman duo to keep up the illusion of life for for a few more months?

5040

Guy is saying he called the sky blue and wants to bask in adoration for it? Iā€™m confused

5041

He fought with Bernie people who refused to vote for Clinton a lot. Before that he fought with people on midterm voting.

5042

Well, this is something I guess. There are more senators in tough races.

5043

Lame Duck is ā€œafter the electionā€.

5044

OK, right now, PUT THE DOOM AND GLOOM ON HOLD AN GET READY TO FIGHT!

All you forum people, THIS is the crisis that may well decide the future of the country. Yes, the GOP has all the levers, etc., but I do not in any way accept that this is a done deal. It will take 4 Senators defying Trump and McConnell to stop this and that may be impossible, but we do NOT know that for sure right, and even if it is impossible, the fight itself is worth having.

We need to organize, donate and protest. Right fucking now and with an intensity that makes the intensity of this election cycle look weak and sad.

Again, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE GOP RAMS THIS THROUGH WE MUST STILL FIGHT IT.

Iā€™m not a marching guy but Iā€™ll march for this. Iā€™m not a political donating guy but Iā€™ll donate for this. Iā€™m not a political organizing guy but Iā€™ll organize for this.

Every single Dem and Liberal organization needs to get on this right now, focusing on swing state Senators and ā€œgettableā€ Senators to try to stop this, or at least to delay it until after the election.

And if the effort proves in vain, we still need to make a clear message: McConnell is a cheater, Trump is an exploiter, the GOP is corrupt and doesnā€™t play fair.

There is a specific message that can be used which is ā€œlet the people decideā€. We are in national election mode right now so I think this has more than a snowballā€™s chance. Not much more mind you, but the fight is worthwhile.

So put the despair on hold. There will be plenty of time for despair later. Right now we need to get ready to fight.

5045

They will do whatever Trump/Mitch tell them to do.

5046

Theyā€™ll hold off for the election to make the election about the nomination.

Then if they lose, theyā€™ll vote in another Kavanaugh anyway.

5047

Sharpe, you have my axe. And my wallet. Letā€™s go to work.

5048

Lol, this is the crisis. The crisis was 4 years ago and we failed. THAT was the most important election of our lives, and itā€™s all downhill from there.

5049

Ok so he did what every smart left leaning person did. Anyways, itā€™s always good to have another person to fight for smart decisions, but he really is coming off as a jackass.

5050

Am I prepared to get tear gassed marching in solidarity against a confirmation hearing (remember, Portland)?

Yes, yes I am.