Sen. Reid: Alito Fails to Diversify Court

[WanderAimlessly]

Since when is there a "quota" system on the Supreme Court?

Sen. Reid: Alito Fails to Diversify Court

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday said he has "significant concerns" about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, calling President Bush's latest choice one of the most conservative judges in the United States.

"A picture of Sam Alito is emerging that may explain why the extreme right-wing is popping champagne corks," Reid, D-Nev., said in a Senate speech, referring to a 20-year-old document in which Alito asserted "the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion."

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PF

[MommaKat]

The sharks smell blood in the water. Defeat Alito. Insist that the troops come home. And They will win in 2006. Right now I am ready to turn over all the politicians and implement term limits. Politics where not meant to be a career.

[WanderAimlessly]

Originally Posted by MommaKat

Right now I am ready to turn over all the politicians and implement term limits. Politics where not meant to be a career.

The only way you will get that is a Constitutional Convention per Article V of the US Constitution:

Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

PF

[Digitonomy]

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

Since when is there a "quota" system on the Supreme Court?PF

There has long been a quota system of one sort or another. For instance, I seem to recall comment that Stephen Breyer's slot was traditionally seen as a Jewish seat, although nobody thought Clinton nominated him for that reason, and his predecessor in that seat was not Jewish. I think most would agree that Clarence Thomas was nominated to replace Thurgood Marshall at least in part because he was black.

A better question would be whether we are in fact moving away from this unofficial quota system, which is of questionable value, or are simply seeing a blip before a return to the politics-as-usual quota system.

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

The only way you will get that is a Constitutional Convention per Article V of the US Constitution:PF

No reason to stage a Constitutional Convention when a simple amendment will do just fine.

[trustmc]

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

Since when is there a "quota" system on the Supreme Court? PF

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. I happen to think that Sen. Reid fails to diversify the Senate.

Mike

[Hildebrand]

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

The only way you will get that is a Constitutional Convention per Article V of the US Constitution

Constitutional Conventions are not a good idea. We would have the same problems as we had with Vatican II.

It'd take on a life of its own. Then after all the changes are made, you would get interest groups representing the "Spirit of the Constitutional Convention". They'd try to get the courts to go further than the Constitutional Convention. It happened in the Catholic Church and don't be surprised if it happened after a US Constitutional Convention.

[WanderAimlessly]

Originally Posted by Digitonomy

No reason to stage a Constitutional Convention when a simple amendment will do just fine.

Do you think they will actually limit their terms? There is no way they will give up their power. At some point, the state will have to take the initiative to reign in congress and the out of control judiciary.

PF

[Digitonomy]

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

Do you think they will actually limit their terms?

No, I don't. Nor do I expect to see a Constitutional Convention. But I think the former is more likely than the latter.