Originalism, Catholicism and a job as his clerk: Amy Coney Barrett is Antonin Scalia’s heir, intellectually and spiritually
Posted on 09/26/2020 2:36:24 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Although Amy Coney Barrett is the president's choice to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she is more aptly described as heir to another departed Supreme Court justice: conservative hero Antonin Scalia.
Like Scalia, for whom she once clerked, she is a committed Roman Catholic as well as a firm devotee of his favored interpretation of the Constitution known as originalism. Those qualifications delight many on the right but dismay liberals and others who fear her votes could result in the chipping away of some laws, especially the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
President Donald Trump announced his choice of the 48-year-old Indiana judge on Saturday afternoon at the White House, setting Barrett on the path to help conservatives hold sway over the court for decades to come.
Her selection is as sure to energize the president’s political base as it is to galvanize his foes with only weeks left to Election Day. Republican leaders in the Senate have already said they have the votes to confirm her nomination this year, likely before the election.
But beyond the 2020 election, the Barrett elevation could bring a national reckoning over abortion, an issue that has divided many Americans bitterly for almost half a century. The idea of overturning or gutting Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision, has been an animating political issue exploited by both sides.
Her legal writings and speeches show a commitment to originalism, a concept that involves justices endeavoring to decipher original meanings of texts in assessing whether someone’s rights have been violated. Many liberals say that approach is too rigid and doesn’t allow the Constitution's consequences to adjust to vastly changing times.
On abortion, questions have arisen about Barrett's involvement in organizations that vigorously oppose it.
(Excerpt) Read more at khou.com ...
ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE:
Barrett has been a federal judge since 2017, when Trump nominated her to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But as a longtime University of Notre Dame law professor, she had already established herself as a reliable conservative in the mold of Justice Antonin Scalia.
She gained a reputation as a Scalia clerk in the late 1990s as bright and adept at picking apart poorly reasoned arguments. Ara Lovitt, who clerked with her at the time, recalls that at her investiture ceremony for the 7th Circuit, Scalia had high praise for her.
Opening Salvo from the AssPress.
It’s going to be all about abortion and Roe.
Works for me!
Today was the first time I heard Amy speak. I did not listen to her hearing in 2017 so really did not know who she is til now..I really liked what I saw, she is smart, down to earth, has a beautiful family, loves America and our Constitution..great pick and welcome aboard!
Good call from the President.
On abortion, questions have arisen about Barrett’s involvement in organizations that vigorously oppose it. that remark is like saying the witch needs to be burned at the stake. I am hoping that she will give them a life time of ulcers, bleeding ulcers
Most likely the matter of abortion will return to the states and not be federally protected.
Losing Justice Scalia was like losing my father. If she’s half the jurist that Justice Scalia was I’m happy. God Bless the USA.
Let us hope, when she is confirmed, she maintains her constitutional originalism.
For the next 30 years is my hope.
Most excellent.
What is the problem here? Far left states like New York and California will still have abortion anyways. As will some purple and red states. It's just not the Supreme Court’s business to create laws legalizing abortion for the whole country, even for states that don't want it.
It's up to congress to change the laws not the courts. Someone should have told Robert's that.
She wrote a dissenting opinion in the case of Kanter v. Barr and basically sent out smoke signals that she is 100% pro-2Amendment. As a gun-guy, I am very happy today. She gives the 2A supporters a strong 5th supporter on the SCOTUS. Roberts can’t be trusted. Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Barrett will make this the most pro-2nd Amendment SCOTUS ever. Yes!
One thing I don’t like is she seems to be against capital punishment.
Since my kids are still locked in their rooms all alone on Zoom, and shut out of public schools (and even private schools) here in the tyranny of California—I think that if education can be left in the hand of the states, then abortion can too.
Surely education is of higher importance, and yet it isn’t federally protected either, clearly.
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