Posted on 06/01/2002 6:52:42 AM PDT by fsileeco
NOTE: This is a reprint of the original thread at http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a32d5b11183.htm, which is now locked, at least temporarly.
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SUNSET THE SUPREMES IN THE SUNSHINE STATE!!
News/Current Events Announcement Keywords: JACKPEACE,
FL-SC
Source: Jack Thompson
Published: 12-09-2000 Author: Jack Thompson
Posted on 12/09/2000 17:00:33 PST by gonzo
[From Miami Attorney Jack Thompson, 305-666-4366, 12/09/00]
The performance of the Florida Supreme Court in the past month, the low point of which was yesterday's 4-3 vote that ushered in a national constitutional crisis, underscores the need to make the seven Florida Justices accountable to the people.
Under the Florida Constitution, Supreme Court Justices are nominated by the Governor from a narrow list of prospects hand-picked by the Judicial Qualifications Commission, whose members are liberal and inordinately protective of the parochial interests of the organized Bar.
Once on the high court, the Justices can only be removed by arduous impeachment or through the yes/no retention vote system which heavily favors retention.
It is not a coincidence that three of the four Justices who voted with the majority yesterday won retention on November 7 and are thus untouchable by the electorate for six years during which memories will fade.
The judicial branch of government is to be impartial in the performance of its duties, but impartiality does not mean intransigent arrogance toward the other two branches of government. The judiciary's virtual insulation from electoral impulses breeds in it a near-monarchical mindset that the Founders feared and that Lord Acton encapsulated with his famous saying: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
For these and other reasons, Miami attorney Jack Thompson announces today the commencement of a statewide effort to amend the Florida Constitution to provide for a) the nomination of Supreme Court Justices directly by the Governor, with no interposition of a filter by the liberal Judicial Qualifications Commission, b) confirmation of such nominees by the Florida Senate, just as the United States Senate confirms nominations by the President, c) an automatic "sunset" of the current Justices' terms when they expire, and d) eligibility of these Justices for subsequent terms but only upon a renomination by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate. Public officials should have to prove their merit in a setting that allows informed scrutiny of their record. Public service is a privilege, not a right.
The above amendment to the Florida Constitution may be achieved either by voter initiative or by the Florida legislature, all as set forth presently in its amendment provisions.
The above solutions may be modified or replaced with better ones as this effort to rein in an out-of-control state Supreme Court proceeds. The problem itself is clear. There is wisdom in the counsel of many. Our numbers and thus our wisdom will grow.
Jack Thompson has today reserved on the Internet the domain name "SunsetSupremes.com" for the purpose of constructing a web site to disseminate information and garner national support for this much-needed reform in Florida and in other states plagued by judicial activism that has impeded the blessings of limited government.
The "Sunshine State" has shed light on the need to "sunset" the careers of Justices who make law rather than apply it. We intend to do just that.
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For your comments and perusal!
Jack's Back, and he's taking-on the
Florida-Supreme-Court! A worthwhile endeavour, as far as I'm concerned!
There is so much corruption here in Florida, left-over from the previous democRAT administrations. We gotta start somewhere.....FRegards
1 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:00:33 PST by gonzo (baryshery@aol.com)
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To: Jackpeace, B Ireland, B.Ireland, Bob Ireland,
Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!....FRegards
2 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:02:21 PST by gonzo (baryshery@aol.com)
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To: gonzo
Impeach the SCOFLa 4!
3 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:22:20 PST by ironman
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To: gonzo
Good luck, Jack.
4 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:24:50 PST by Oklahoma
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To: Oklahoma
thanks. what can we do to help?
5 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:29:43 PST by dalebert
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To: gonzo
Bookmarked
6 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:30:40 PST by KernFarmer [ Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | Top | Last ]
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To: gonzo
The article sounds good except that it uses the term "liberal" instead of the correct term, leftist.
7 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:35:54 PST by OK
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To: gonzo
As you know, Gonzo, figuring out how to get those 7 incompetent DemocRAT hacks off the bench is going to be my next focus!
I hope Sanders Sauls (one of the few good Democrats), will be first in line as one of the replacements.
I know I'll see you at those FReeps!! :)
8 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:46:04 PST by Matchett-PI
(Impeach the SCOFLAws)
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To: gonzo
Write your Senator, tell him or her to grow a spine and stop this theft!
Click this to find your Senator
9 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:50:00 PST by IncPen
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To: Matchett-PI
We suggest that a first step is to make sure that the SCOTUS identifies them in its decesion next week (the kangaroo final four) as having departed clearly from the statutory scheme set by the legislature.
The Dem/Marxist hacks appearing on all cable channels are clearly telegraphing that their last assault on the Constitution in the Monday SCOTUS argument will be that the Florida statutes impliedly gave the Florida Supreme Court the right to do what it did and thus it is the law from the bench of the Florida kangaroos (all 4) that is protected by the U.S. Constitution.
This big lie can be slam dunked if the Florida legislature will go ahead and resolve on Monday, during the argument but before the decision, that what the kangaroos have said is a complete departure from the statutory scheme set out by the legislature. In the face of such a resolution the Goron argument will collapse and the Constitution will be saved, albeit narrowly.
It will then be a matter of record that these political hacks took the law into their own hands in defiance of the Constitution and law which they are sworn to uphold.
10 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:50:22 PST by AmericanVictory (lawnet@mgfairfax.rr.com)
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To: gonzo
YES YES YES...GO GO GO!!
Make this a NATIONWIDE EFFORT !
BE EVER VIGILANT !
TO ARMS...TO ARMS !!!
May God Bless & Save America !!
LOCK & LOAD FOR LIBERTY !!
11 Posted on 12/09/2000 17:56:49 PST by Rushmores Weeping
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To: ironman, Oklahoma,dalebert,KernFarmer,OK, Matchett-PI
Thanks, guys, and you too, Jan, (tight-pants-and-dancing-on-the-lawn-in-silver-high-heels-in-Tallahassee-babe!)
These criminal activities in the FL-SC have to be stopped! This could be a damned good first step...
A bump, and a few more to follow.....FRegards
12 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:07:40 PST by gonzo (baryshery@aol.com)
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To: IncPen Good-on-you for the Link, IncPen, and thanks!
I'm glad you're still here, pal...FRegards
13 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:13:21 PST by gonzo (baryshery@aol.com)
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To: gonzo
What do you think are the chances for this to ever become law in Florida?
'[Suggested new bill/law:] If the state's supreme court issues an order which is subsequently vacated by the US Supreme Court, the state legislature can take a vote thereafter to begin impeachment proceedings against any or all of the state supremem court justices; or,
if the state's supreme court issues an order the state legislature believes is so reckless that such court order disregards the law of this state, the state legislature can request a vote of "confidence" or "no confidence" by the state legislature, and if "no confidence" is the result by a simple majority in the house, to begin impeachment proceedings against any or all of the state's supreme court justices.'
I am not aware of any such a law already existing...
14 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:14:15 PST by summer
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To: gonzo and the rest of the Inner Circle
Hey, man! I have me calendar marked to start working on this soonest, and to bring the subject up (maybe this thread is the best way to bring it up)--to bring this subject up along the road to the next few elections. Those Seven Dwarfs should be "Gonzo With the Wind."
TK
15 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:28:43 PST by fsileeco (Waco@Texas.shame)
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To: AmericanVictory
A-V, these FL-SC criminals are left-overs from many years of democRAT corruption, and we'll have to deal-them-out on our own!
Jacks' plan has promise, and can happen, because most of Florida IS Republican.
In fact, most of America is Republican, and we've finally decided to kick the bastards out!....FRegards
16 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:31:14 PST by gonzo
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To: gonzo
I'm tired of the Supremes. I'm taking a break and listening to the Three Tenors.
17 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:35:52 PST by lonestar
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To: summer I can't answer your questions, summer, but Jack is an Attorney, and he'll probably check in later...FRegards
18 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:36:28 PST by gonzo
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To: Matchett-PI IMPEACH THE FLORIDA FOUR.
19 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:37:27 PST by Goldi-Lox
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To: Matchett-PI IMPEACH THE FLORIDA FOUR.
20 Posted on 12/09/2000 18:37:52 PST by Goldi-Lox
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To: fsileeco "...to the next few elections..."
That's how it happens, fsileeco, and the difficulty is keeping the Republicans energized!
We have jobs and pay taxes, and we have to go to work, and our TAX-monies are used to bus Jesse-Poke-Chop and his drooling, government-supplied-idiots to the next "Stay-Out-De-Alaska" demo-rally!
Jesse Jackson has done incalcuable damage to the Black-Civil-Rights-Movement, and the People-Who-Insist-On-Being-Black oughta consider becoming AMERICAN, and kick that phoney-corksucker to the curb.
< /rant >.....FRegards
21 Posted on 12/09/2000 19:04:25 PST by gonzo
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To: lonestar
"...the three tenors..."
An excellent choice, old friend! I think I'll relax with 'THE EVERLY BROTHERS', and their excellent version of John Prines' 'Paradise'...
Stay well....FRegards
22 Posted on 12/09/2000 19:10:13 PST by gonzo
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To: Goldi-Lox Impeachment IS one of the possibilities, Goldi ! We're working on it, kid....FRegards
23 Posted on 12/09/2000 19:13:03 PST by gonzo
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To: Goldi-Lox Hear ye!
Hear ye!
24 Posted on 12/09/2000 19:17:04 PST by lonestar
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To: lonestar
Hear Ye! Yer right! Damn, this is a long road....FRegards
25 Posted on 12/09/2000 21:36:58 PST by gonzo
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To: gonzo
Good idea securing your domain. As your plan fleshes out please post ideas on what we can do to help.
26 Posted on 12/09/2000 23:03:48 PST by Libertina
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To: Libertina
My domain? I'm on an island! If you want to help, send me a book on 'How To Build a Boat!'
Just kidding, Libby...FRegards
27 Posted on 12/10/2000 00:26:45 PST by gonzo
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To: gonzo
Sunday evening bimp....FRegards
28 Posted on 12/10/2000 14:53:40 PST by gonzo
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To: gonzo Tnx
29 Posted on 12/10/2000 15:45:39 PST by B Ireland (corsair9@ao.net)
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To: gonzo Hey gonzo, it looks like the work of the Florida Freepers is really cut out for you guys. As soon as the election fiasco is put to bed you'll have to start pressuring the legislature for election reform. (Hint: A dimple is NOT a vote)
30 Posted on 12/10/2000 16:00:39 PST by McGavin999
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To: McGavin999 Yea, yer right, but a gun is SO much simpler!
"Well, you don't think we're just gonna let you walk out of here, do you?"
"Who's 'WE', suckaa?"
"Smith, and Wesson, and ME!!"
I don't think that these people will ever obey the law until it is jammed-down-their-throats with a gun-barrel! They have no respect for the law, but will probably squeal like pigs when somebody decides to expire them for violating the law!
Let's hope it doesn't get that far....FRegards
31 Posted on 12/10/2000 19:22:36 PST by gonzo
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I am a conservative, but I disagree with a sunset provision, which would not allow justices to continue beyond a certain point. Here are a couple of reasons:
1. A justice who has to find a job after being automatically removed from office is a ripe candidate for showing favoritism in his/her decisions so that his/her future monetary opportunities are enhanced substantially, setting the system up for major graft.
2. An honorable justice will make his judgments based on applicable constitutional requirements, laws, etc. The dis-honorable justice will make decisions for other reasons. Automatically sunsetting the justices will exacerbate this situation.
3. The current system whereby each justice must obtain voter approval every so often is a good compromise, which allows the public to determine whether he/she may remain a justice.
If we don't get the word out to inform the voters, then it is we who are at fault for bad justices to remain in office.
With all that said, who has the names of the Florida Supreme Court judges up for confirmation in this fall's election? And which way have they voted on constitutional issues, particularly the November 2000 election debacle? Remember, the Chief Justice and other(s) dissented from the majority opinion. For that reason, I would vote to re-confirm the Chief Justice; however, he is not up for confirmation at this time.
Information About Current Justices
LEANDER J. SHAW, JR. Appointed1983- Mandatory retirement 2003
MAJOR B. HARDING Appointed 1991- Voluntary retirement 2002
CHARLES T. WELLS Appointed1994- Merit retention vote 2002
HARRY LEE ANSTEAD Appointed1994- Merit retention vote 2002
BARBARA J. PARIENTE Appointed 1997- Merit retention vote 2006
R. FRED LEWIS Appointed 1999- Merit retention vote 2006
PEGGY A. QUINCE Appointed 1999- Merit retention vote 2006
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Time to get out the brooms and start work on Injustices Wells and Anstead NOW.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.