CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE SELECTED FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT BENCH

The Christain Observer

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Pensacola Circuit Judge Kenneth Bell as aFlorida Supreme Court justice 30 Dec., saying Bell would enhance the court's geographic diversity. Judge Bell is also widely identified as a conservative Christian.

As a trial judge, Bell sentenced a Panhandle physician after the nation's first manslaughter conviction of a doctor in an OxyContin case. The physician was sentenced to 63 years in prison for the deaths of four patients who overdosed on the painkiller.

Bell obtained his law degree from Florida State University after earning a bachelor's degree from Davidson College. Judge Bell is a Presbyterian.

[anniegetyourgun]

Odd how the faith tradition of a judge is only important if he/she is a Christian....or at least it will be the first thing in any mainstream media story written about him. I guess that's because everyone is supposed to be fearful of Christians in the public arena....

[Inspectorette]

Odd how the faith tradition of a judge is only important if he/she is a Christian....

Good point. Wonder if it would've been mentioned if the judge were a Wiccan.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Odd how the faith tradition of a judge is only important if he/she is a Christian.

That does seem to be true, but this is a Christian source.

Did you hear Jeb's inaugeral address? Picture a Clinton saying this:

my parents have shown me that when we accept personal responsibility for ourselves and those we love, we don't have to invent government programs that apply complex rules to matters better addressed by profound human caring.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, that's why I mentioned that it is likely to be s source of problem to the 'mainstream media' for this judge....

I did hear part of his speech on radio - great stuff.

[votelife]

let's see W do the same thing!

Dear President Bush, With the Surpeme Court session getting ready to close, it may well be time for perhaps the most important domestic decision of your presidency: the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice(s). The main reason why I supported you in 2000 and why I wanted Daschle out of power in 02 (and 04) has to do with the courts. I want America courts to interpret law, not write law. During your presidential campaign you said Thomas and Scalia were your two model justices. Those are excellent models. The High Court needs more like them. Clarence Thomas recently said to students that the tough cases were when what he wanted to do was different from what the law said. And he goes by the law. This should be a model philosophy for our justices. Your father, President Bush lost his reelection campaign for 3 main reasosn, as far as I can see. 1. he broke the no new taxes pledge 2. David Souter 3. Clinton convinced people we were in a Bush recession (which we had already come out of by the time Clinton was getting sworn in)

I urge you to learn from all three of these: 1. on taxes, you're doing great. Awesome job on the tax cut. 2. good job so far on judicial appointments. I want to see more of a fight for Estrada, Owen, and Pickering, but I commend you on your nominations. 3. by staying engaged in the economic debate you'll serve yourself well

I have been thoroughly impressed with your handling of al Queida, Iraq, and terrorism. You have inspired confidence and have shown great leadership.

But I want to remind you that your Supreme Court pick(s) will be with us LONG after you have departed office. I urge you to avoid the tempation to find a "compromise" pick. Go for a Scalia or Thomas. Don't go for an O'Connor or Kennedy. To be specific, get someone who is pro-life. Roe v Wade is one of the worst court decisions I know of, and it's the perfect example of unrestrained judicial power.

I know the temptation will be tremendous on you to nominate a moderate. But remember who your true supporters are. I am not a important leader or politician. I am "simply" a citizen who has been an enthusiatic supporter of you. I am willing to accept compromise in many areas of government but I will watch your Court nomiantions extremely closely. What the Senate Dems are doing right now is disgusting, but as the President you have the bully pulpit to stop it. Democrats will back down if you turn up serious heat on them.

Moreover, I think public opinion is shifting towards the pro-life position. Dems will want you to nominate a moderate, but almost all will vote against you anyways. Pro-choice Repubs will likely still vote for you if you nominate a Scalia, after all, you campaigned on it. So Mr. President, I urge you to stick with your campaign statements and nominate justices who believe in judicial restraint, like Scalia and Thomas.

Happy Memorial Day and may God bless you and your family.