Armchair Pundits

SCOTUS, Bush, & Channels Of Water

It would seem that no one knows quite what to think of the President's nominee to replace Justice O'Connor. That being said, there still exists a copious amount of opinions on the efficacy of Harriet Mier's nomination to the bench.

Apparently, the sentiments break down along the following lines: the more conservative branch of the party feels that President Bush has betrayed them; while the center-right seems more inclined to give the President a pass, and trust his track record on judicial appointments.

Consider two reports from the Washington Times. First, we have the senate Republicans splitting over whether or not Ms. Miers's is qualified enough, and second, it would appear that the average Republican has adopted a wait-&-see attitude. Incidentally, this would seem to be the most prudent position.

The notable voices within the party are all over the map on this one. George Will & Charles Krauthammer seem staunchly pissed off at the idea of a Justice Miers, while Hugh Hewitt and what some may consider the Christian mainstream, in James Dobson and Jay Sekulow have endorsed. The list of influential conservative bloggers is also conspicuously split.

Perhaps I am unfairly characterizing, but it seems that a certain element has there heart set on a fight. The kind of fight that would ensue should a Michael Luttig or Janice Rogers Brown been nominated. Most certainly, a nominee of this ilk would cause the rank & file democrat to filibuster, thus ensuring that Senate Republicans would be able to change the damnable misuse of this constitutional privelege. The resulting national humilation the democrats would suffer, has been a dream of some, since the President won re-election.

The second element, says something to the effect of "Look! The president has been remarkably consistent with his judicial nominees, so we should trust him." Admittedly, this is a difficult proposition, despite Bush's clear and consistent record with appointees, because so little is known about Miers.

So, had Bush gone with a Luttig or Brown, we would have a clear record as to where these judges stand. We also would have been in for a knock-down, drag-out fight. Bush went with an unknown concerning the fact that Mier's has never authored a judicial opinion, but considering what we do know, is there really that much to dislike? The question of whether or not Miers is sufficiently conservative is a fair one; there remains much to be discovered regarding her beliefs. Will she be a strict constitutionalist? Will her extensive experience as a litigator bring a more pragmatic, or working knowledge to the court as opposed to sheer academic brilliance?

That being said, is it wise for Republicans to be turning on each other to the point that the party can be split? In my opinion, that can only hamstring efforts regarding mid-term elections. Should conservatives, and especially Christians be worried about this appointee? Is there a just cause for fear on the right?

This is all reputably reticent of last years election and smacks of the doom and gloom prophecies both sides pontificate regarding an electoral loss. While such posturing serves to rally the base, it is strangely misguided. I am again reminded of Proverbs 21:1(ESV), " The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." God's plans cannot be thwarted. Certainly, Christians should be politically involved, but we should not make the mistake of putting our faith in a party or in the collective beliefs of our judiciary. Should we care? Absolutely! But we must remember that God is in control and that all authority is God given--this is sometimes hard to remember when an authority figure is despicable, but he or she is there by God's will. Remember Romans Romans 13:1-7:

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."

Harriet Miers is certainly headed for the most intense scrutiny of her life. This process, should inform us regarding her character and the knowledge she possesses, and whether or not she deserves to be elevated to the highest court in the land. I think it prudent to know more about Ms. Miers before rushing to judgment on her suitability. While I certainly have an opinion, as to the type of justices I want on The Supreme Court, my faith isn't so much in Congress to get it right--as it is in God's plan, which (regardless of the outcome) I know is according to His will and cannot be undermined by the machinations of humanity.

posted by Grisby @ 11:23 AM