Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens continues to blast the Court for the decision in Citizens United. It's no wonder Stevens is bitter. He was on the losing side on the 4 biggest decisions thus far in this century
1. Bush v. Gore (the worst decision so far in this century)
2. Citizens United (expanding First Amendment values)
3. D.C. v. Heller (Second Amendment protects an individual right)
4. McDonald v. Chicago (Second Amendment applies to states).
The latest bizarre twist is that Pres. Obama gave Stevens the "Medal of Freedom" award. In 3 of the decisions above, Stevens voted against expanding rights. Even more disgusting is that Stevens voted against the First Amendment in the landmark flag-burning cases (Texas v. Johnson, U.S. v. Eichman). Stevens has also shown some hostility to Fourth Amendment rights. This award may reflect Obama's hostility to First and Second Amendments. This award makes about as much sense as giving a Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and one to Pres.Obama. Obama did nothing significant before getting the award and ultimately became the President who took nearly 2 years to get us out of Iraq and still has us in Afghanistan The most recent U.S. President to get an award was Jimmy Carter who shepherded the end of 30 years of hot and cold war between Israel and Egypt with the Camp David Accords, and negotiated a significant arms control treaty with the Soviet Union. Obama wasn't even close to this. What a crock these awards are!
Steven's career began on a solid footing. For the record, he was a Navy man. Sadly of course, so was Jimmy Carter. All I can figure is that Steven's advancing age softened his mind to that of a mushy liberal theoretician, not a practical justice. Sorry Barry [Obama], you called it wrong again.
ReplyDelete44: Thanks for the comment. I made some changes to the post, but nothing relevant to your comment.
ReplyDeleteStevens was appointed by Gerald Ford who thought he was getting a conservative. Stevens supported gutting the 10th Amendment and expanding federal power, esp. under the commerce clause. His dissent in U.S. v. Lopez basically argued that the feds should get a carte blanche under the Commerce clause. IMHO, Stevens was more ideologue than Justice. Yes, Stevens stayed on the Court too long. He stayed until age 90. His ego apparently still needs massive amounts of feeding. No retired Supreme Court has been so critical of the Court after leaving.
Of course he has the right to express himself, but I appreciate and admire folks who, after retiring from their opportunity to serve the public, retire to a quiet life, as most presidents and SC justices are able to do. Egos certainly come into play.
ReplyDeleteThe Bill of Rights is the saving grace to the U.S. Constitution. What was Steven's thinking regarding undermining its 10th Amendment? Supreme Justices have a sworn duty to limit government power under our original principles of federalism [not redefine its meaning to fit a progressive agenda]. Stevens must stop following in Carter's footsteps and gracefully move-on with his retirement.
ReplyDeleteI am also serious confused. I really want to know the motives behind these awards. Very interesting post sir. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMotor:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. With regard to the Stevens award, it was political patronage to show support for a fellow ideologue. Both Obama and Stevens, for instance, hate Citizens United and the Second Amendment decisions. With regard to the Nobel Peace Prize for Obama is was, IMHO, an attempt by the Leftists who control the award to show support for America's sharp turn to the left in electing Obama. There was no way the award reflected accomplishments. The spin put on it was that they wanted to encourage Obama to make quick peaceful moves as Pres. As Iraq, Afghanistan and American involvement in the air strikes against Libya demonstrated, it didn't work. I put a similar version of this post on a list for Con Law Profs. Most showed knee-jerk outrage against the Citizens United and Second Amendment decisions but failed to address Stevens dissents in the flag-burning cases. Ideology has infected much that goes on in the world. Rationality, fairness, honest and integrity are the casualties. Spin is everything and Integrity is nothing for these folks.