Posted on 12/05/2001 3:00:31 PM PST by Howlin
Brit Hume reports that Mary Frances Berry, chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, is refusing to acknowledge the Bush White House's latest appointment to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.
Ms. Berry sent a letter to the White House Counsel, Al Gonzales, saying that if they do intend to send the nominee to the meeting tomorrow, they best send along the U.S. Marshalls to seat him, as she will not allow it.
Fox reports that the term of one of the Democrats has expired and President Bush is exercising his right to appoint a member of his choice. The Panel on Hume's show said that this has NEVER been done before; that when someone is appointed to fill a term that hasn't been expired, when the term expires, the person leaves the committe. They also report that the woman who is being removed from the commmittee plans to show up tomorrow with a civil rights attorney and claim that she should get a full six year term, not just complete somebody else's.
Ms. Berry contends that the person leaving the committee was appointed for six years, not just to fulfill the term of a member who either died or left the commission (I can't remember which!)
CAUTION: this is typed from memory. Nothing on the news site yet.
Should be "...just a few days after the end of President George W. Bush's first term."
Important distinction.
So, Chairman Berry is, as usual, dead wrong. So says the Supreme Court. But when it becomes a contest between what that arrogant Clinton holdover between her views and the views of most Americans, most politicians, most Justices of the Supreme Court, most educated people, the outcome is clear. She is right -- THEY (whoever they are) are wrong.
President Bush should play hardball with this "lady." Have the former Commisioner that Berry is backing, removed by Federal Marshals. If Berry doesn't like it, have HER removed, too. Berry is a one-woman coup d'etat. She rhinks Bush should not be President. Therefore she will not acknowledge his authority as President.
The legitimate uthority here is the President. Ms. Berry needs to get a grip on that essential fact. If she cannot learn it by being told, she must learn it by having it demonstrated to her.
Some people are VERY slow learners. But most CAN be taught. That includes Ms. Berry.
Congressman Billybob
IF so, the next question then is: Is it politically wise to can her?
And lastly--going WAY out on a limb--why do we need a U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and why can't we just abolish it by the House ceasing to fund it?
(N.B. I don't understand why the GOP Congress has not made use of this tactic: Instead of ABOLISHING something like the Dept. of Education, which it is IMPOSSIBLE politically to do, why not simply pass a budget that neglects to fund these travesties?)
Interesting.
Independent, my white Southern butt!
It's gonna be a circus...Rev Al, Jessie, Maxine
Evidently that's exact the way she's going. I will find that letter from the White House to her!
She works for KNOPF!!!!!!!!!!!
That's BIG!
What is it with 'Rat womyn all wanting to look like men, anyway? Rosa DeLauro, Mary Francis Berry, Janet Reno - the list is long.
BINGO!
March 8, 2001
Via Facsimile and U.S. Mail
The Honorable John Ellis Bush
Governor
Office of the Governor
The Florida Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor Bush:
I am writing to express my deep disappointment with your statement of priorities that was presented during the opening of the Florida legislative session, in which you did not address the most serious problems that occurred in Florida during the 2000 elections. My disappointment is based on my preliminary assessment that these problems would not be resolved even if the legislature approved your request that new technology for recording votes be acquired and put into place. Voting technology reforms are necessary and your support of them is a step in the right direction. These measures standing alone, however, are insufficient to address the significant and distressing issues and barriers that prevented qualified voters from participating in the recent Presidential election.
As you know, the Commission has undertaken a formal investigation into allegations by Floridians of voting irregularities arising out of the November 7, 2000 Presidential election. The Commission has held two fact-finding hearings in Florida to examine whether eligible voters faced avoidable barriers that undermined their ability to cast ballots and have their ballots counted in this closely contested election.
In total, over 100 witnesses testified under oath before the Commission, including approximately 65 scheduled witnesses who were selected for the two hearings due to their knowledge of and/or experience with the issues under investigation. The Commission heard testimony from top elected and appointed state officials, including your own testimony, that of the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Director of the Florida Division of Elections and other Florida state and county officials. A representative of Database Technologies, Inc. [Choicepoint], a firm involved in the controversial, state-sponsored removal of felons from the voter registration rolls also testified.
We also heard the sworn testimony of registered voters and experts on election reform issues, election laws and procedures and voting rights. Also, the Chair and Executive Director of the Select Task Force on Election Reforms that you established testified before the Commission. Testimony was also received from the supervisors of elections for several counties, county commission officials, law enforcement personnel, and a states attorney. In addition to the scheduled witnesses, the Commission extended an opportunity for concerned persons, including Members of Congress and members of the Florida State Legislature, to submit testimony under oath that was germane to the issues under investigation. Significantly, the Commission subpoenaed scores of relevant documents to assist with this investigation.
The evidence points to an array of problems. These problems cry out for solutions, for example, a process for insuring the equitable allocation of resources to insure that poor and or people of color areas are not disproportionately affected. They also include a better process for identifying felons who are ineligible to vote, insuring coordination between the DMV and election boards to make sure registrations are actually filed and on a timely basis, funds for better training of poll workers, improved and updated communication systems, funds for voter education, and clarifications in the law to permit provisional ballots to be cast, when appropriate. As you know, counties have uneven funding bases and priorities.
Because I believe the need to address these problems is serious, I have determined that the Commission should hold additional hearings in Florida after the conclusion of the legislative session to bring state and local officials before us to assess what changes have been legislated or enacted at the state and local level and to report to the public on what progress has been made.
I expect the Commission to formally endorse the new hearings at our meeting on March 9, 2001. We intend to keep a steady focus on these developments to ensure that the voting rights of all eligible persons are protected.
Respectfully,
Mary Frances Berry
Chairperson
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