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To: P_A_I

All you have are opinions: that the SC is wrong; that the Constitution really doesn't mean "good behaviour" when that is the only standard given for impeachment of judges; that the Founders did not mean to ensure an independent judiciary and that the Court should only make popular rulings or face the wrath of the mob. Nothing could be further from their intentions which are clearly explained in the Federalist which says nothing pertaining to "dishonoring their oath of office" (according to some vague standard or the other.)

Rehnquist's statement did not consider only the Chase impeachment but also that of another Federal judge who was both insane and an alcoholic. If there was ever a case for impeachment for that was it but it never happened.


176 posted on 03/03/2005 1:38:04 PM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit
Rehnquist is 'begging the question'. Judges should indeed be concerned that their judgment on Constitutional issues be questioned, as judges are not "independent" in such matters. --- They are bound by the Law of the Land, as are all officials in the USA. [see Art VI]

In 1992, the chief justice published a book, "Grand Inquests," in which he recounted the politically driven effort to remove Justice Samuel Chase from the bench two centuries ago. Though Chase was impeached by the House, the Senate's decision not to convict and remove him "represented a judgment that impeaching should not be used to remove a judge for conduct in the exercise of his judicial duties," Chief Justice Rehnquist said Friday.

A bold, and incorrect assumption. The Senate refused to convict on the evidence presented at the time, in the case at hand.

They made no binding political judgment on the power or reasons to impeach. Such a limitation could only be made by an Amendment to the Constitution.
` 127 P_A_I

All you have are opinions:

My words are backed up by the Constitution, as cited, which you ignore.

that the SC is wrong; that the Constitution really doesn't mean "good behaviour" when that is the only standard given for impeachment of judges; that the Founders did not mean to ensure an independent judiciary and that the Court should only make popular rulings or face the wrath of the mob.

You're imagining those things as being my opinions. I've never taken those positions.

Nothing could be further from their intentions which are clearly explained in the Federalist which says nothing pertaining to "dishonoring their oath of office" (according to some vague standard or the other.)

Article VI requires all officials in the USA to support the US Constitution. It is not vague.. Obviously, if an official dishonors this oath, he could be impeached on that as a 'bad behavior'.

Rehnquist's statement did not consider only the Chase impeachment but also that of another Federal judge who was both insane and an alcoholic. If there was ever a case for impeachment for that was it but it never happened.

Thats a pointless comment. It does not change the fact that the Senate refused to convict on the evidence presented at the time, in the case at hand.
The Senators made no binding political judgment on the power or reasons to impeach. Such a limitation could only be made by an Amendment to the Constitution.
-- Rehnquist is wrong on this issue, as proved by the Constitution itself.

179 posted on 03/03/2005 3:06:10 PM PST by P_A_I
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