DeLay Criticizes Justice Over Comments on Impeaching Judges

[Waitone]

Delay is saying a lot of things I like to hear.


http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGALU526WIC.html

DeLay Criticizes Justice Over Comments on Impeaching Judges
By Laurie Asseo
Associated Press Writer



WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republican Whip Tom DeLay fired back Tuesday at Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg over her criticism of his proposal to impeach federal judges whose rulings he believed did not follow the law.
"I'm sure Justice Ginsburg does not believe that the judicial branch is above accountability," DeLay said in a statement released by his office. "I believe that average Americans - not just Ivy League lawyers - have both a right and an obligation to speak out when they see members of the judiciary overstepping the proper scope of the law."

Ginsburg criticized DeLay's 1997 proposal during her speech on judicial independence last week at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

"With all due respect to critics like Mr. DeLay, casual use of impeachment would disserve not only the federal judiciary but also the constitutional principles that have seen the United States through its worst crises," Ginsburg said in her speech.

DeLay "is not a lawyer but, I'm told, an exterminator by profession," the justice said. DeLay once ran an exterminating business in Texas.

In his statement Tuesday, DeLay said, "I also reject Ginsburg's assertion that I am not qualified to offer an opinion on problems within our justice system. Unlike Justice Ginsburg, I believe that every American citizen - even a former pest exterminator - has the right to be heard on this and other legal questions."

"Our founding fathers drafted the Constitution so that every American would be able to understand the proper scope of the law," DeLay said.

Federal judges are appointed for life, and the Constitution says they "shall hold their offices during good behavior."

Ginsburg could not be reached for comment.

 

[Dave R]

Kudos to Mr. Delay. His comments are right on, and the strength of his defense is admirable.

I think repubs in general are too "nice" when they are attacked. It is good to see a strong defense. I hope other repubs will follow his example.

 

[buzz_knox]

Ginsburg has a serious case of robe fever, the syndrome that afflicts all to many jurists. Symptoms are a belief that your crap doesn't stink, that the law is whatever you feel like saying it is that morning, that the lowly people exist to serve you and allow you to demonstrate your benevolence and wisdom, and that any who dare disagree with you must be crushed from on high.

As you can tell, I've been burned by a judge or two. I like Delay's idea, with certain constraints, such as the judge having a good faith belief that the law is wrong, etc.

 

[Waitone]

Buzz_Knox,

Many a time I've thought just what you expressed. Glad to hear members of the bar think like I do. I make the rash assumption that I am quite normal and that I am not paranoid but merely alert to my environment.

 

[Tshoes]

Guess since SHE is JUST a............

Supreme Court justice......she's never heard of the "Right of Redress of grievances" DUH!!!!!.........
Of course, since she so liberal I'm sure this ONLY applies to her cronies, and loonies.
When will they ever learn, the Constitution and the BOR's, is/ are STATIC document/s............
And their ONLY job is to INTERPRET it's meanings.....by legal precidence.
And "ON every question of the Constitution, we are to go BACK to the SAME Constitution", for the interpretation thereof????..............Hello???, is anybody home.....