(With apologies to Dr. Seuss)
Not having too much in the way of legal smarts--and, incidentally, having chosen not to spend time watching the hearings--I'm not equipped to do more than express my personal bias in the matter of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. I have to say I don't much like the guy you've nominated as our next Supreme Court judge, Bush. I don't like what I've read about his judicial history, and I don't much like what I've heard about his philosophy. And I'm frankly less than enchanted with the political strategy that seems to govern every move you make, including this nomination. I would prefer to have a man in the Oval Office whose primary concern is what's best for the American people, not what's best for the Republican party or the conservative agenda. I'd prefer to have a man who is capable of listening to the majority of his constituents--the mainstream, if you like, of American opinion--rather than the few who have managed to manipulate the rest of us to gain power. I'd prefer the nomination of a man or woman who did not bring along the baggage that Alito brings, but rather a history of tolerance and fairness. I don't consider such men as Scalia and Thomas to be the models of judicial wisdom you have publicly embraced. These thoughts, then, for what they're worth, from one who never claimed to be anything but a layman in politics and political opinion.
And from the same source, the agony of watching, on the BBC last night, the spread of famine and disease in Kenya and neighboring countries, and the threat of imminent disaster in that area of Africa. Put the relatively modest cost of helping these people at a time of need alongside the currrent, obscene total of money squandered in Iraq, (in excess, now, of $230 billion,) and the current US military budget of $400 billion (conservative, I think: it's hard to get a true figure from so many contradictory sources,) and then tell me, Bush, that we "can't afford" to help. Or read Nicholas D. Kristof writing from Sri Lanka in today's New York Times and tell me he's not right about rescuing your legacy.
About Me
- Peter Clothier
- Born and raised in the UK, lives in Los Angeles, California. A writer about art and artists, essayist, social observer, daily meditator and student of the Buddhist dharma.. and a long-time recovering academic. Happily out of a "job" since 1986--but "works" every day. Father to three great kids (why don't we have a proper word for, um, middle-aged "children"?) and grandfather to four wonderful grandchildren. Even after all these years in America, he still speaks English.
2 comments:
Peter: Watched a couple movies worth noting, recently. The March of the Penquins was one. The other, Grizzly Man, didn't capture me much, except within it, someone was reading hate mail sent to the bear lover/environmentalist. These letters were an eye opener for me about just how militantly anti liberal, and violently anti environmental some (men) are out there. One wished death and destruction for all environmentalists and Democrats, equally evil, the writer deems. The hateful, violent filled language reminded me that there must be plenty of pretty weird nuts out there who really hate at least half of the people in America and would kill them if they could.
How easy it is for some people to post their own death threats. How satisfying it must be to them to think they are instilling fear of themselves, powerless as they are.
All this polarization has become very, very tiresome.
Dennis, many years ago, I was told by someone quite wise, that I was taking poison and waiting for someone else to die. I couldn't see the middle of the road. Granted I was only 15 at the time:), but I thought I knew it all back then. Just as these people do right now. I'm a flaming liberal Dem., but I like John McCain, go figure:). I hope I've reached that middle my wise Father taught me about. If not, I'll keep trying.
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