A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...10-06-05..."Experts hopelessly stuck in Harriet Quag-Miers"

JohnHuang2;dutchess | johnhuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Experts hopelessly stuck in Harriet Quag-Miers
by JohnHuang2

"I'm disappointed . . . I'm depressed . . . I'm demoralized," the Weekly Standard's William Kristol wrote. My goodness. Get back on your meds, bud. Kristol says he's depressed because he "expected President Bush to nominate someone with a visible and distinguished constitutionalist track record . . . " Someone President John McCain would pick. Or President Colin Powell.

Bush chose White House Counsel Harriet Ellan Miers. Had a hunch it wasn't gonna be Alan Dershowitz. She was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She was educated at Southern Methodist University. Bush betrayed Harvard! Yale law school! Bastions of conservative legal thinking.

It's a missed opportunity to pick someone from the cloistered, insular world of the judiciary. Now we're stuck with someone with real-world experience and Texas values. How unhealthy. 'This is the best qualified person for the job.' Yeah, sure (har-dee-har-har). Oops -- that was Bush's dad nominating Clarence Thomas.

She's White House Counsel, Bush's chief adviser on judicial nominations; was Bush's Deputy Chief of Staff, top domestic policy adviser; she headed up the process which gave us John Roberts. She supports restrictions on federal funding on embryonic stem cell research, is a patron of a Texas pro-life group, attends a pro-life evangelical church, opposes gay marriage . . . gee, wonder if she leans right or left -- any idea?

As head of the Texas bar, she fought the ABA's pro-abortion stance, urging the ABA's policy-making committee to put the abortion issue to a vote. Which means Miers wants voters deciding the issue of abortion. The N.O.W. gang will love her. "Surely this is a pick from weakness," says Kristol. Bush's "weak" because of Katrina, Michael Brown, and charges of "cronyism." So he picks a "crony" in "capitulation." Makes perfect sense now.

Sen. Patrick Leahy blasted Miers for her notorious reputation of "being loyal to this president," pointing to her mile-long rap sheet of "serving as a close (Bush) adviser and in working to advance his objectives," rather than working to advance Leahy's objectives.

Bush chose Miers the same way he chose Cheney. I wonder how that turned out.

The case against Miers per the Kristol camp: She's a Bush loyalist. She gave Al Gore's '88 campaign $1,000 for inventing the Internet. So she's not a Bush loyalist. Too old and inexperienced. Safe pick. We know nothing about her. Other than a long and distinguished career, no track record. Dangerous pick. She's a stealth candidate. We know everything about her. That's how we know she's no conservative. OK, she may be conservative, but only 'cuz she's surrounded by conservatives. No telling what'll happen once she sits on the bench next to Roberts, Thomas and Scalia. Bush says she's conservative. But what does he know? He didn't consult with William Kristol. 'Sides, you never gamble on someone you've known for only over 10 years. You go with Kristol's solid advice. He doesn't know her.

Anyway, Bush didn't need a "stealth candidate." Not with Senate Republicans in charge -- Republicans like John Warner, Arlen Specter, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Chuck Hagel, George Voinovich, Mike Dewine, Lincoln Chafee, John McCain. Real fighters! You can always count on that crowd.

~~~~~~~~~~

But some Democrats are happy about this pick -- a sure sign Miers is really a liberal.

Sen. Joe Lieberman said he thinks this "is a credible nominee, and not one that, as far as we know now, has a record that in any sense could be described as extremist."

Sen. Mark Pryor said his "sense is, so far, so good."

According to a report in the Omaha World-Herald, Sen. Ben Nelson "said he will wait to decide how he'll vote until after the Senate's confirmation hearings," but "he sees nothing now that would derail" the nomination.

Sen. Harry Reid praised the nominee, telling reporters that "the President has chosen someone with suitable legal credentials."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein was ebullient, telling CNN that, from what she's heard, she's convinced the nominee is "qualified, yes. I don't think (the nominee is) an extremist."

Sen. Barack Obama was effusive, noting that the candidate "clearly has the legal background and intellect to serve."

Sen. Jon Corzine was effusive, too: "I think the White House did its homework. They found an individual that is brilliant, clearly capable as a jurist."

Sen. Dick Durban heaped praise on the nominee as someone "legally skilled, a very bright" individual who "has no questions related to . . . honesty or ethics that I'm aware of. And a good temperament."

Oh, wait -- all 8 quotes above were about John Roberts. Back in July, before the hearings. Sorry.

~~~~~~~~~~

The New York Post's John Podhoretz writes that "it is highly unlikely that (Miers) will be a good Supreme Court justice, because there is no indication in her 35 years in professional life that she has intellectual interests, that she has committed herself to the study of Constitutional theory and practice or even that she can write a decent English sentence. And it beggars reason to think that a person at the age of 60 can suddenly emerge as an intellectual powerhouse."

I see. It takes an "intellectual powerhouse" to look at the Constitution and find that gay marriage isn't in there. Sorry, Charlie. To paraphrase William Buckley, I'd rather be governed by the first hundred names in the Texas phone book than 100 Harvard "intellectual powerhouses."

If you think Miers is a David Souter, here's what you have to believe. Miers knew George W. Bush would run for President someday, so she fought the ABA on abortion, faked her evangelical Christian conversion, pretended to be a conservative, tithed from her income, gave to pro-life causes, taught Sunday school for 10 years, got active in GOP causes, attended church regularly, secretly contacted Souter for tips -- all of this to infiltrate the Bush inner circle and keep Bush from moving the Court to the right. Years and years of laboring as a mole -- then voila! Bush names her for SCOTUS. The plan worked. Abortion's now safe! Podhoretz says Miers probably can't "write a decent English sentence," but boy is she a Machiavellian genius!

Here's the genius of the Bush Team: Before the nominee was announced, the White House floated lots of trial balloons of possible nominees -- names garanteed to scare the bejesus out of libbies. This goes on for weeks. Libbies create a run on antidepressants. Then -- just when liberals expect Bush to name Michael Luttig or Pope Benedict XVI to the bench -- Bush introduces this soft-spoken, genial and reassuring individual. His name is John Roberts. Libbies seem relieved. We won! It wasn't the Pope! Some conservatives worry he's another Souter. Why pick a stealth candidate? Bush has a record of appointing excellent conservatives to the bench, so why trust him now? Then out come the John Roberts White House memos. Conservatives are relieved. Democrats are split.

Let's see now, before the Miers announcement, lots of trial balloons were floated of possible nominees. Democrats create another run on antidepressants. Then -- just when libbies expect Bush to name William Bennett to the bench -- Bush introduces this soft-spoken, genial and reassuring individual, Harriet Miers. Liberals seem relieved. We won! It wasn't William Bennett! Conservatives worry she's a Souter with boobs. Why a stealth candidate? Stay tuned. Libbies are about to blow their gaskets.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-03-05 Military Monday 10-04-05 Welcome ~ and Another Fascinating Question 10-05-05 MOVING Stories from Freepers

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

Hi, guys - I read your good news about Ink, and then later your note that you can't get her to swallow a pill, even wrapped in lunch meat. Did you ever get it down her?

[MEG33]

I am so glad you welcomed home those wonderful Marines!..

I have lost trees before with no high winds..they just fell. They make a mess..One crushed my mailbox on the curb..but no real damage.

Glad this one missed you!

[LadyX]

Appreciate your comment, MEG.
Isn't it great to be Venerable Ones and have a different huge overview of All Events?!!

Why are persons so gleefully ugly in their misguided Rush to Harsh Judgment
before they know everything about Miss Miers?!

Conservatives, of all persons, should know GWB never chooses anyone without total examination and thought, consulting with many others before deciding.

If they do not like her worth, or lack of it AFTER
she is given a chance to represent herself, fine - -
their conclusions might then be respecteed.

[MEG33]

Exactly..

[NicknamedBob]

Poetry day in the U.K.

Aw, Geez ...


Poetry Day, U.K. Style


A poem in those Blessed Isles,
Is tough on me. Do they use miles?
Or something else, a sure defeater,
In making rhymes they kill a meter.

Our language changed. There's been a rift,
Now we say elevator, and they say lift.
It's likely too late to make amends,
When left-handed roadkills meet their ends,

Our road-crews then spring into action,
With paving and painting til satisfaction,
Assures us that an invading troll,
Will move no more except to roll.

RKBA means something here,
That over there ain't quite so dear.
The way you deal with who is who,
Depends on what you're subject to.

We level eyes and stand our ground,
While they bend knee when the King's around.
The best I can do to straighten out,
The mess they have made since they let us out,

Is suggest that they learn to speak like us,
And treat the King like a regular cuss,
We've got New England over here,
(It's really pretty this time of year!)

So I would guess there's room for another,
And our Northeast coast would gain a brother.
We'll put more stars up on the flag,
And let them think they've a right to brag,

That we've finally come round and begun to see,
That the Colonies ain't a bad place to be.
They'll magnanimously give us a second chance ...

Nah, never mind. Let 'em just take France.

NicknamedBob . . . . . October 6, 2005

[Temple Owl]

Ink has perked up. I want to thank you especially for the advice you gave. As Dubya and his choice. I think I am as conservative as any other person including Rush, Anne Coulter, Laura Ingraham and Billy Crystal (SP). I keep telling these people don't play poker with George Bush and expect to win.
He is a great president.

[Temple Owl]

Hi Billie. Ink is being Ink again. She's a darling pain in the you know what. We celebrated Tribune 7's birthday today--actually it was yesterday-- and she had no trouble swallowing filet migon.
We feel so much better today than we did on Tuesday when we thought we lost her.

[NicknamedBob]

Trying out a new tagline.

[Tribune7]

Yes. We used ice cream.

[JustAmy]

LOL

I knew you would come through for us. Thanks.

[Pippin]

#60

Did I detect a couple of Cadbury biscuits in that lineup?

[DollyCali]

Happy Birthday Tribune7!!!!!

well, I have been busy posting on the wrong thread! and not even yesterdays! the day before! Hope you had a nice day & I am sure the best gift you could have had was your "baby" doing better

When I ate meat, Filet m was my beef of choice. I think it was I was lazy & didn't want to mess w/bones/fat!

[JustAmy]

LOL

Love you see that you are still our humble NnB.

BTW .... great tag line. :)

[dutchess]

Happy Birthday Tribune!!!!

Gosh I missed something temple about the big procedure and Ink stands a lasting chance! Prayers answered. What did they do and was she misdiagnosed???? Anyway continued prayers and enjoy the B-day celebration! YIPPEE!!!!

[DollyCali]

Okay FReeper FRiends.. a few minutes for "catch up" from the Dolly Cali household .. and sistah's a FReepmail later to catch you up with "sistah stuff" (if I don't get distracted).

Several have asked about the support groups. I think they are doing pretty well. They are free & on Wednesdays. Alternate weeks Grief & weight loss. Last night was weight loss & several of the members were radiant.. they had in 2 weeks lost inches & pounds! But me .. I was eating anything not nailed down & haven't gotten on scale! I have done quite a bit of this type of group facilitation over the years and really find it rewarding.

They are both from a Christian prospective.. NOT a Bible study but using spiritual truths & love as a support not just society's expectations as the standard.

Welcoming home the marines has been a mixed bag. I was so glad to see their smiling faces but was just a mess of tears thinking about the LARGE number that were killed/injured from that unit since they arrived in Iraq in Jan. I brought my flag & joined MANY others lining the route from the airport to the rec center where they would "be dismissed" & then join their families for a party. I had done some counseling of families after the 12 were killed many week ago. I donut do well on the "remember the falling hero" posts or the pet abuse/tragedy threads.. I often just don't go there. WIMP personified. So even though I had an invite to the party, I didn't go.

I did finish the part of the lawn I intended to get done. It was a lovely day here weather wise. Another long dog river walk. The LARGE down tree is not a priority. As it didn't fall on anything no rush & will prolly just let folks at church know that free firewood is available at their leisure.

I am sick of the attacks on our president, Delay, condi & anyone else who happens to carry a "r" after thier name. So nice to be here where it is relatively gentle & looking forward to the Dose tonight = compliments of Ms. Snugs.

Going to a surprise birthday tomorrow night for the wife of the headmistress of a local Prep school (Western Reserve Academy for those who might know).It is a fairly expensive & prestige's school in Hudson Ohio. She is my vintage & this is a hard birthday for her also. She & her hubby have been with the school for decades and are originally from Connecticut's. So will miss one of the band shows/football games but the weather is supposed to be lousy so it is a good option.

Just a little catch up & now I have to scramble down some food!

[NicknamedBob]

"... still our humble NnB ..."

Yep. I have a lot to be humble about, I'm oh-so-very proud to say!

On Monday, I had a shovel in my hand.
On Tuesday it was a hammer.
Wednesday brought the wrenches out.
Today I had to mop the floor ...

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but the Toilet Plunger in the corner of the bathroom is getting a really wierd look -- nigh onto being possessed, if you ask me!

By the weekend, I'll either be in a hole, or on a rooftop.

Life has its ups and downs. (And humble suits me just fine.)

[fatima]

:)Thank's for the ping LadyX.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great article as usual, John, thanks.

Happy German-American Day!

Here is a nice song "Danke Shoen" which is German for "Thank you."

click on it

[JustAmy]

LOL

"Today I had to mop the floor".

Hmmm ..... If you can use a mop, my kithen could sure use your services. :)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Pretty cool. Thanks Jack, neat poem.