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Rehnquist: "We're Immune from Impeachment..." (paraphrased)
Herald-Tribune ^ | 01/01/2005 | Linda Greenhouse, NYT

Posted on 03/03/2005 5:34:47 AM PST by totherightofu

Chief Justice Rehnquist said in his report on Friday that it had been clear since early in the country's history that "a judge's judicial acts may not serve as a basis for impeachment."

(Excerpt) Read more at heraldtribune.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: chiefjustice; foreignlaw; immunity; impeachment; rehnquist; supremecourt
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With all of the recent discussion about possible impeachment proceedings against SCOTUS, I did a little research and came across this. Representative Feeney (R) of Florida has addressed the issue of relying on foreign/international law in the past....

Clearly we have a rogue court on our hands. Rehnquist's comments are interesting.

1 posted on 03/03/2005 5:34:48 AM PST by totherightofu
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To: totherightofu

The Congress is the sole judge of impeachment; and a judgment of impeachment CANNNOT be reversed by any court.
End of discussion.

The people decide who gets into Congress, and if they think a Congress has acted inappropriately, they can remove that Congress at the next election.

Conclusion: ultimate power in this country is supposed to reside in the hands of the people, and nobody (not even nine guys in black robes) dictates to them with impunity.


2 posted on 03/03/2005 5:38:27 AM PST by CondorFlight
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To: totherightofu

But the term of their service can be changed.


3 posted on 03/03/2005 5:39:06 AM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: totherightofu

I would love to see a real life case over this balance of power argument.

And hopefully the congress would have some backbone.


4 posted on 03/03/2005 5:40:49 AM PST by KidGlock (W-1)
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To: totherightofu

Mr. Rehnquist sounds a bit too 'supreme'.


5 posted on 03/03/2005 5:41:17 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: totherightofu
Sorry, thats what the Rehnquist, and all the others on the court, want you to believe. These people are not "GOD's". There word is not final and our founding fathers never intended it to be. Unfortunately the body of people that needs to act to correct the situation has no back bone and in fact half of the sleaze balls like it that way because they can't get their ridiculous ideas passed. I refer you to the congress and the Senate.
6 posted on 03/03/2005 5:42:12 AM PST by Russ_in_NC
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To: Jeff Head
But the term of their service can be changed.

Yes it can...and should be. What gives five unelected (elderly, sickly) people the right to completely dismiss the Legislative and Executive branches and decades upon decades of the legislative process? And what gives foreign law precedence over state law? It is a bit unnerving that the SCOTUS believes they are accountable to no one. (What Congress giveth, Congress may taketh away.)

7 posted on 03/03/2005 5:44:21 AM PST by shezza
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To: Jeff Head

What would it take to limit their terms? Would it be an ammendment to the Const (which I gather is very difficult to do)? I would be ever so interested in them having a limited term. I don't believe in an Oligarcy.
sundero


8 posted on 03/03/2005 5:44:55 AM PST by brytlea
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To: totherightofu

Well aren't we the snob nosed one...you know people, those who THINK they are high and mighty are the one's that fall off their perch FIRST and I foresee a fall coming very shortly...how about you?


9 posted on 03/03/2005 5:46:03 AM PST by HarleyLady27 (Prayers ease the heavy burdens of the living....)
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To: totherightofu

If they wanted to, Congress tomorrow could limit the Supreme Court's jurisdiction to hearing parking ticket appeals from Bergen County, New Jersey. In my opinion, it's worth a try.


10 posted on 03/03/2005 5:46:45 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: totherightofu

As a practical matter, he is correct. Impeachments of Supreme Court justices have failed in the past. Lower court judges have been impeached and removed successfully. However, I would still like to see the process go through the motions of debate. It would be a very nice rebuke from the house.


11 posted on 03/03/2005 5:48:51 AM PST by cotton1706
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To: HarleyLady27

I'm with you there, Harley Lady! heh heh

Hey, All, I didn't say I was BUYING this junk, I merely supplied the quote and the source.

Rehnquist's arrogance only makes me more determined to do something about this!!!


12 posted on 03/03/2005 5:51:09 AM PST by totherightofu
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To: Buckeye McFrog
The problem is that the House of Representatives seems to act as if it has no say in anything. The leaders of the House need to start smacking down the Senate and the Courts.
13 posted on 03/03/2005 5:52:04 AM PST by normy (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.)
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To: totherightofu

Immune from impeachment in Rehnquist's case just means that he'll die before he get's sacked. If it came to that...why is he squaring off with the congress is my question?


14 posted on 03/03/2005 5:53:01 AM PST by RGSpincich
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To: cotton1706

If they failed it was because the Congress did not have the guts to find the justice guilty. The Congress has the power to impeach any federal appointed official. There is no appeal if the House finds and the Senate finds guilty. There is no part of the federal government that is above the Constitution, unless the Court has decided that it is the supreme power in the land and has no oversight or that no one or no organization can question its dictatorial decisions. I believe in the Constitution unlike the Supreme Court who believes in the EU.


15 posted on 03/03/2005 5:55:49 AM PST by YOUGOTIT
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To: totherightofu
"Chief Justice Rehnquist said in his report on Friday that it had been clear since early in the country's history that "a judge's judicial acts may not serve as a basis for impeachment."

The soon to be ex SCOTUS wouldn't want to bet his black robe on that one.

16 posted on 03/03/2005 5:57:43 AM PST by G.Mason ("If you are broken It is because you are brittle" ... K.Hepburn, The Lion In Winter)
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To: totherightofu
They should be impeached for old age and personal arrogance in believing the sky will fall if they go away. Insufferable arrogance.
17 posted on 03/03/2005 5:57:55 AM PST by cynicom (<p)
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To: totherightofu

That is why I want the House to slap em silly, and then start on the Senate....go Danny go!!!!!


18 posted on 03/03/2005 5:59:27 AM PST by HarleyLady27 (Prayers ease the heavy burdens of the living....)
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To: totherightofu

We're ain't gonna be impeaching any justices over their rulings if we can't even manage to remove a President who screws around and then lies to the nation about it.


19 posted on 03/03/2005 5:59:30 AM PST by Crackingham
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To: totherightofu

Worst. Paraphrase. Ever.


20 posted on 03/03/2005 5:59:51 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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