Jersey judge up for circuit court post (Unbelievable; Noel Hillman covered for Hillary and Berger)

new jersey star ledger ^ | 1-9-07 | Cohen

[doug from upland]

Jersey judge up for circuit court post Hillman is expected to be Bush's nominee Tuesday, January 09, 2007 BY ROBERT COHEN STAR-LEDGER WASHINGTON BUREAU WASHINGTON -- President Bush is expected to nominate Noel Hillman, a longtime prosecutor and a newly appointed federal judge in New Jersey, to an opening on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Reliable political sources said Hillman is currently undergoing a background investigation needed before he can be formally nominated to fill the federal appeals court seat vacated a year ago by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. "It's pretty close. It's what the White House wants to do," said one knowledgeable source who asked not to be identified.

[nathanbedford]

and a good job on the War on Terror

I take it you are referring to the following:

The way he has rallied the world to our side in the war on terrorism.

The way he has protected our ports against infiltration of deadly weapons of mass destruction like atomic bonds.

The way he has protected the homeland by closing off our southern and northern borders against unchecked illegal immigrants.

The way he has intimidated the North Koreans from getting the bomb.

The way he has intimidated the Iranians from getting of the bomb.

The way he kept sufficient troops in Afghanistan and augmented them at Tora Bora and caught Osama bin Laden.

The way he sealed off the borders of Iraq against Syrian and Iranian infiltrators.

The way he dismantled the Iraqi army in the name of debathification.

The way he dismantled the administrative bureaucracy of Iraq in the name of debathification.

The way he inserted enough troops in Iraq to prevent widespread looting, and seizure of weapons and ammunition.

The way he foresaw that there really were no weapons of mass distraction in Iraq.

The way that he has explained to the American people why the war in Iraq is essential in the war against terrorism.

The way that he has imposed rules of engagement on our troops which were not too restrictive.

The way that he is successfully built up the Iraqi army so that they can take over for our boys.

The way that he has rid the Iraqi police forces of corruption.

The way that all of his stratagems have outflanked Iran, made them a week here in a stronger, and Iran less likely to get the bomb.

The way that the entire Bush strategy in the last four years has destroyed the Bush doctrine and and ended the age of Pax Americana.

The way that...

Now it shall we discuss

and a marvelous rebuilding of the military

[mcshot]

Nor do I!
86 million in military aid to the Palestinians and now this.

[Liz]

Un-be-lieveable. Thanks for the ping.

[Kakaze]

I just don't understand anything anymore.

I know what you mean, this is just baffling.

[Cicero]

Disgusting. A clintonoid cover-up operator.

[Rodney King]

By the way, I re-watched all of last season's "Rome" in preparation for the new season, and you are quit an unlikable character, imho.

[Bahbah]

Let's check on Tuesday and, if Kyl, Cornyn and Sessions are still on judiciary, at least make the effort to contact them. Here is a guy whose puny penalty against Burglar so shocked the judge in the case that she insisted they increase it. He is AWFUL, and he's dishonest. My God, what does it take! (I am quite upset about this.)

[hosepipe]

[ You don't want to miss this. ]

Anybody checked Hilmans freezer for walking around money YET?...

[doug from upland]

I just finished a Noel Hillman song that will be posted soon. This guy cannot get the Alito seat. He is indeed a coverup artist. Why would the NY senators like a Bush judge nomination? Duh.

[doug from upland]

Noel Hillman song --- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767242/posts

[Cicero]

Et tu, Rodney?

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping. Disturbing.

[Lancey Howard]

Do you find the timing of this nomination peculiar? I mean, we have just had about two weeks worth of eye-popping new Berger news (from the release of the report) and the story has been very much front and center. Then, voila!, the Hillman nomination is announced....

The only way I can make sense of all of this is to wonder if maybe Bush/Rove deliberately orchestrated the timing of the release of the report as well as the Hillman nomination. These coincidental events are guaranteed to incite a fierce grilling of Hillman by the Senate Judiciary.

Could this be exactly what Bush wants? And if so, why. Why now?

It will be very interesting to see who stands up for the Republicans AGAINST Hillman (and therefore against Bush), and which Democrats will swallow hard and DEFEND the evil George W. Bush's nomination (presuming they WANT Hillman confirmed because, after all, he is one of them). I am guessing the Senate Judiciary is as confused - - make that thoroughly baffled - - as we are.

In any event, it should be a fun show. Very entertaining.

[Joe Boucher]

I too voted twice for President Bush. I want smaller less intrusive govt.
Why does he think making nice with the dems will get them to make nice? The dems still can't get over the 2000 election loss and will never forgive him or work with him.
Berger belong in jail. Why would this president have any confidence in this judge in this case?
Oft times the presidents judgement seems clouded.

[Joe Boucher]

You mean when he started playing politics with the war instead of winning the damn thing?

[Joe Boucher]

You know the president isn't the one screening these turds. Who is and what is their agenda? Some of his advisers need flushing.

[napscoordinator]

Starting? I am really not looking forward to these two years as the President assists the dems in passing their agenda and making it to the White House.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"Why does he think making nice with the dems will get them to make nice?"

In all fairness, all wartime presidents including FDR had to compromise and horse-trade to get what they needed to prosecute their war. Bush entered office in 2001 with no mandate and only half of Congress in his party's control thanks to Jumpin' Jim Jeffords. So he compromised and horse-traded and kissed Teddy Kennedy's ample arse. Understandable, if distasteful. He wasn't a Reagan because he hadn't Reagan's commanding mandate.

The real disappointment came in 2005, when he did have a mandate, and both houses of Congress. He did a whole lot of nothing with the political capital he'd been handed. Same goes for the rest of the GOP.

The fundamental problem isn't Bush, though, except as a symptom: the GOP never grasped how to be a majority party, and its Reagan/Goldwaterite limited-government philosophies and traditions were discarded like yesterday's unstylish frock. That has got to change or 2008 will make 2006 look like a warm-up.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Interesting perspective, thanks. I hope you're right. But, "These coincidental events are guaranteed to incite a fierce grilling of Hillman by the Senate Judiciary..." ...dunno. Whatever 'Rat wields the gavel can try to just wave him through, and the GOP has shown it lacks any testicular matter whatsoever when it comes to Berger. You are correct, it is an interesting coincidence, but I have learned to keep my expectations in check when it comes to muscular responses from the GOP's current leadership. And for some reason they don't want to lay a glove on Berger. Depressing.

[Joe Boucher]

Agreed all around.