Go figure (NJ Supreme Court Says Reading Constitution Literally Is WRONG)

Washington Times ^ | August 6, 2003 | John McCaslin

[PJ-Comix]

Thom Golab, a vice president at the nonpartisan Competitive Enterprise Institute, observes: "In defending the Democrats' unconstitutional legislative redistricting map, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a bizarre statement in their opinion: 'Literalism must be avoided because there is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally.' "

[Maceman]

there is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally

Now that this quote appears in writing, this article is arguable a document.

Therefore, it is important not to take this quote literally. I read it to mean that you have to read documents literally. That's the only logical way to understand this quote, based on the comments of this moron.

[hellinahandcart]

Remember, everything I say is a lie!

Listen carefully now. I am lying.

Didn't the android melt down trying to figure that one out?

[PJ-Comix]

I can see the NJ Supreme Court's excuse for this quote. "Hey, that is what we said but it shouldn't be interpreted literally. We didn't really mean what we said."

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Just like the Bible.

[steplock]

http://www.politicsnj.com/
Top court OK's legislative districts
The New Jersey Supreme Court today upheld the current legislative redistricting map, overturning an Appellate Court decision by 4-3 vote. The Supreme Court said that notwithstanding the language of the state Constitution, Newark and Jersey City can be divided into more than two districts each. Voting in the majority were Justices James Coleman, Virginia Long and James Zazzali, along with Appellate Court Judge Sylvia Pressler, who was filling in for recused Chief Justice Deborah Poritz. Justices Peter Verniero, Barry Albin and Jaynee LaVecchia dissented. "Literalism must be avoided because 'there is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally," Coleman wrote in the majority opinion.

Court Opinion:
http://home.aoc.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/supreme/a-73-02.pdf


.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

SCOTUS even feels the need to take into consideration findings from the EU world, probably France.

[Kevin Curry]

Please note: the NJ Supreme Court is simply following the example of the liberal majority of the SCOTUS you so much admire.

As do all tyrants, liberal supreme court justices just l-o-v-e to exercise plenary authority over all aspects of their minions' lives.

[gridlock]

The NJ Supremos have come up with some doozies over the years. My favorites have been in the field of education, where they first required that every district spend the same amount on each student, only later to decide that the poorest performing districts must spend whatever necessary to achieve the same results as the best performing district.

They're up to $15,000 per pupil in some of the urban districts now, with no end in sight...

[You Dirty Rats]

The horrible aspect of this is that these barbarians clearly believe they can get away with such nonsense.

I HATE ACTIVIST JUSTICES!

[Khepera]

Thou shall not kill
I wonder if that should be taken literally?


It should not be considered at all according to the ACLU and the Supreme Court.

[PJ-Comix]

Thanx for the link. This quote was so bizarre that one might think it was made up by some "right-winger" to discredit liberal judges. However, as we see, it was written by a NJ Supreme Court justice writing a majority opionion (excuse) for flat out ignoring the law as it is written. This quote must be given the WIDEST possible publicity.

Oh, and thanx to Justice James Coleman for slipping up and allowing the truth to slip out.

[PJ-Comix]

Thanx for the link. This quote was so bizarre that one might think it was made up by some "right-winger" to discredit liberal judges. However, as we see, it was written by a NJ Supreme Court justice writing a majority opionion (excuse) for flat out ignoring the law as it is written. This quote must be given the WIDEST possible publicity.

Oh, and thanx to Justice James Coleman for slipping up and allowing the truth to slip out.

[sergeantdave]

Law now is just like weather forecasts - unpredictable. Welcome to anarchy. So when does the shooting start?

[mabelkitty]

And the Episcopalian Church says the same thing about the Bible!!

How very Clintonian.

If anyone has any doubts that we are in the end-times, they better get a grip!

[Camachee]

there is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally

I just keep looking at this and shaking my head. It's exactly the logic that allows the Episcopal church to appoint a gay Bishop. When there are no values or universal truths and reality is defined by the reader, not the writer, then the poverty of man's least thought trumps the divinity of God's word. I guess we've sacrificed J.C. for PC.

[PJ-Comix]

I'm feeling a parody story here somewhere. Maybe works of literature as interpreted by the NJ Supreme Court.

[mabelkitty]

Hmm. Very good point.

Afterall, you have the right of equal protection under the law.

[whereasandsoforth]

Speed limit signs and the constitution are suppose to do the same thing: set a limit. But if reading either the sign or the constitution and taking their meanings literally is misreading the sign or the constitution, the only right thing to do is gleam from the written word what makes you feel best. So, a 55 mph speed limit sign can be read to mean that as long as your current speed includes 55 mph, any speed beyond that has to be lawful. But then again, going 45 mph or lower is lawful too because you have not exceeded the limit imposed in the event you do not reach the posted speed. I think I could get a job in Jersey!

[Tamzee]

'Literalism must be avoided because there is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally.

Translation - The words of the law are in our way so we will pretend it says what we would prefer.

Or am I taking that too literally?

[PJ-Comix]

Unless judicial nominees agree with the NJ Supreme Court statement, they will be filibustered by the Demmycrats in the U.S. Senate for being vile strict contructionists who believe the U.S. Constitution should be read as it is written.