Here Comes the Judge!
In the 1960s there was a popular comedy show, 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In’. The phrase “Here Comes the Judge!” became one of comedy's first memes when Sammy Davis Jr. made it a catchphrase on the TV show. Davis would move across the stage repeating it, a kind of “Paul Revere” call to action.
One can imagine that same skit playing out in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings this week as Federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett made her appearance before the Senators to face their scrutiny of her qualifications. Early on, it became abundantly clear that the Democrat Senators were conducting an agenda driven inquisition, as every one of them object to her nomination as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Before the proceedings even began, the media drumbeat was less than fair. Barrett continued to face examination of, and criticism over her Catholic faith and large family. A group of women dressed as characters from the dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale, in red capes and nun coifs, were seen protesting outside the Supreme Court building. For some reason they thought a religious organization that she belonged to was similar to this fictional tale. When Justice Sonia Sotomayor had her confirmation hearings, why didn't anyone ask her about her Catholic faith? Anyone remember costumed protesters at her hearing? Answer: no, because none were there.
During her Seventh Circuit confirmation hearing, Ranking Committee Member Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D-CA), when referring to Barrett’s religious beliefs stated that "the dogma lives loudly within you," which was "of concern”. That was never an issue for Justice Sotomayor. The Democrats have delicately danced around her faith during these hearings, but there remains an abundance of insincerity.
So far, besides her faith, there has been an inordinate amount of time spent on the premise that President Trump’s nominee would “eliminate” American’s health care, through repeal of the ACA (Affordable Care Act, i.e. Obamacare). This is particularly true as the questioners from the minority side continue to hammer home the effects and outcome of the pandemic if folks didn’t have health care. The arguments presented border on hysteria and fear mongering. There is no limit to the depth of this lunacy.
Then, a non-stop cacophony that with Barrett on the bench it would lead to the overturning of Roe v Wade, the 1974 Supreme Court decision that forced the states to allow abortion on demand. Its settled law as most legal scholars have opined, but the old canard is resurrected once again, designed to spin up a false narrative.
The First Amendment has been discussed. Americans have the right to religious liberty and a strict constructionist like Judge Barret is needed to protect that right. In New York, Hasidic Jews continue to gather in large groups to worship defying orders not to, despite the pandemic. In response Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) said, “If you're not willing to live with these rules, then I'm going to close the synagogues.”, a clear violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Of course, no hearing would be complete if the Second Amendment were not questioned. The right to keep and bear arms is controversial to say the least. Endless arguments regardless of nominee will ensue. The Democrats won’t be satisfied until they find a justice who will ban all guns. Unrealistic at the least.
It looks like Republicans questioners believe the Supreme Court exists to defend the Constitution. When listening to the Democrats, one could conclude, that they believe the Supreme Court exists to push their policy agenda.
The initial hearings are quite a contrast between the questioners and the nominee. Judge Barret is answering questions without any written props, while the hostile Senators are using charts, binders and pictures in an abysmal attempt to beat her down or trick her into offering opinions on settled cases. It’s all so disingenuous.
One wonders how different these hearings would be if they weren’t televised. The showboating Senatorial hams with their oversized maniacal egos would wither away without this golden opportunity to strut their oratorial skill before a battery of cameras, prefaced by “Here comes the Judge!”