# Judge John Roberts: Partisan Hack **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 20, 2005, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265 "2005-07-20T08:37:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/41 "2005-07-20T14:47:40Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I hope that all these Bushies wake up one morning and realize that they are not martyrs or victims–even when their jobs are outsourced and their air is unbreathable and when the US does not lead the world in technology and research anymore… That’s not important to them. I think those in charge could care less about the general welfare of the people, or such things as leadership in technology and research. Consider all the poor Southern and Modwestern whites who voted against their economic interests, valuing the President’s religion, and his promotion of it more than his policies. “Kicking ass” and Bible thumping seem to matter more now, but it’s easy to understand why; such qualities register better with the base instinct of the voters. Nope … the general economy, general health, leadership in technology … not an issue. Instead it’s faith, “family values,” and laissez-faire capitalism that even Adam Smith would think goes too far. They care more about principles and their political philosophy than outcomes or quality of life; even if the outcome is bad for society as a whole, they don’t care because there is no conflict with their principles. Who cares if people don’t have jobs and adequate health care, as long as they’re going to church , not diddling others of the same sex, and keeping the satanic engine oiled, no matter how poorly it’s running. Who cares if the US is not a leader in technology or education, as long as the Dow and GDP are up. I’m feeling helpless as well. I may be threadjacking, so I’ll cut it short. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/42 "2005-07-20T14:48:33Z")
Republicans have a terrrible record with their SCOTUS appointees turning left after they are on the bench. Since his confirmation is a certainty, I say give us time, we’ll turn him to the dark side. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/43 "2005-07-20T14:54:08Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Well, from what I’ve seen from what little reading I’ve done on him so far, he appears to be an extremely intelligent person, which already puts him ahead of Thomas. He is very pro-life, but from what I’ve seen it appears to at least be intellectually honest, and not of the blind rabid variety. I didn’t expect any olive branch nominations from Bush because he’s an asshole that thinks he has a mandate and that’s the way he acts. But he could have done much worse. > > My opinion could change as I learn more. What you said. So far, I am… okay with this choice. Judge Roberts has already indicated that he has no desire to change any established precedents. Of course, I trust Bush about as far as I can drop kick him, so I’m sure there’s something horrible that we don’t know yet about Judge Roberts. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/44 "2005-07-20T14:54:35Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Pro-pollution? “I’d like to go on record as stating that I am against clean air and water. These things are a detriment to Truth, Justice, and the American Way. I promise that if nominated and confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, I will do everything in my power to end these threats to our Liberty and bring order to the galaxy.” > > 😕 Come now. There are a lot of business lobbyists who have consistently advocated positions that will arguably make pollution worse. They are in effect pro-pollution, though I’m sure not one othem would be so foolish as to come right out and say so. [Homer Simpson]We can’t conserve energy, Lisa, because whenever we conserve energy, the environmentalists win!"[/Homer Simpson] ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/45 "2005-07-20T14:55:59Z")
**Metacom** -partisan hack? [sarcasm] Now, there’s a unique and stinging characterization.[/sarcasm] Do you extract such blighting phrases from other works, or do you rely on inspiration? **absolute** -giving it a rest was the point of my post. The whole no rage left for my umb bit. I’ll wait until you put it together. On preview: **elmwood** I think you are correct. There is no substance to their “platform”, but a whole lot of “style”. Appearances matter much more than actualities. How like a bad movie we’ve become. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/46 "2005-07-20T14:56:38Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > So? Bush nominated him. That proves that he’s going to forbid birth control, rule that evolution can’t be taught in public schools, find no constitutional problem with making the Southern Baptist Convention the official state religion, and dissent (along with Scalia) from the majority opinion in the infamous ruling that held the “Divergent Opinion Peace And Reunification Using Corporal Activities Act” (DOPARUCAA, aka the “All Liberals May Be Beaten With a Sand-Filled Hose Until They Either Die or See the Light Act”) of 2012. > > Q.E.D. Odd that particular denomination isn’t even Bush’s faith, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/47 "2005-07-20T15:01:23Z")
Yeah, one of the radio commentators this a.m. was remarking how much Sandra Day O’Connor changed during her tenure on the court, from right to left (tho unpredictable). Being on the court doubtless changes people, and not many justices end up knee-jerkers. At least one thing everyone has said about Roberts is that he’s “intelligent”; while this means different things to different people, it does seem to be a good sign… ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/48 "2005-07-20T15:04:55Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Republicans have a terrrible record with their SCOTUS appointees turning left after they are on the bench. Since his confirmation is a certainty, I say give us time, we’ll turn him to the dark side. I don’t think it’s that the judges turn left. I think it’s more that the right keeps going farther right and leaves the judges behind. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/49 "2005-07-20T15:23:18Z")
Well, Ann Coulter already objects to him, so I’m already a bit encouraged. 😃 [Jeffrey Rosen](https://ssl.tnr.com/p/docsub.mhtml?i=20041129&s=rosen112904) says: > [@](#): > > Top of his class at Harvard Law School and a former law clerk for Rehnquist, Roberts is one of the most impressive appellate lawyers around today. Liberal groups object to the fact that, in 1990, as a deputy solicitor general, Roberts signed a brief in a case involving abortion-financing that called, in a footnote, for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. But it would be absurd to Bork him for this: Overturning Roe was the Bush administration’s position at the time, and Roberts, as an advocate, also represented liberal positions, arguing in favor of affirmative action, against broad protections for property rights, and on behalf of prisoners’ rights. In little more than a year on the bench, he has won the respect of his liberal and conservative colleagues but has not had enough cases to develop a clear record on questions involving the Constitution in Exile. Rosen argues that the “important distinction is between principled conservatives (who believe in deference to legislatures through judicial restraint) and conservative activists (who are determined to use the courts to strike at the heart of the regulatory state). The activists want to resurrect what they call the ‘Constitution in Exile,’ enforcing limits on federal power, that have been dormant since the New Deal, in part through narrow interpretation of the interstate commerce clause.” We had to expect a conservative from W, but at least Roberts sounds smart, principled, and consistent. We could’ve done a lot worse. I think with the Rove/Plame business heating up, W wanted to choose someone who wouldn’t stir things up too much–picking a well-qualified, articulate candidate is going to make better press at this point. Things might turn pear-shaped with Roberts after all, but you’ll see no hand-wringing from this leftie quite yet. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/50 "2005-07-20T15:26:38Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Odd that particular denomination isn’t even Bush’s faith, isn’t it? He’s gonna convert in a couple weeks; it’ll divert attention from the Karl Rove scandal. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/51 "2005-07-20T15:31:42Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > That’s not important to them. I think those in charge could care less about the general welfare of the people, or such things as leadership in technology and research. Consider all the poor Southern and Modwestern whites who voted against their economic interests, valuing the President’s religion, and his promotion of it more than his policies. “Kicking ass” and Bible thumping seem to matter more now, but it’s easy to understand why; such qualities register better with the base instinct of the voters. You’re right. I’ll never understand why all those people voted for Jimmy Carter. Makes no sense. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/52 "2005-07-20T15:31:43Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > I don’t think it’s that the judges turn left. I think it’s more that the right keeps going farther right and leaves the judges behind. Could it be that the interests of justice and the interests of conservatism are much more often at oods than the interests of justice and the interests of progressivism, thus the justices simply respond to the demands of their role once they are freed from the poltiical hegemony of the right? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/53 "2005-07-20T15:33:22Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Well, Ann Coulter already objects to him, so I’m already a bit encouraged. 😃 Now I’m convinced he’s the right man for the job. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/54 "2005-07-20T15:35:04Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > **absolute** -giving it a rest was the point of my post. The whole no rage left for my umb bit. I’ll wait until you put it together. No, it seems to me like the point of your post was to wallow in exaggerated misery, and perhaps score some sympathy from someone else who enjoys chronic, mindless pessimism. If you wanted to give it a rest, you wouldn’t have posted that whiny bit of drivel at all. And what the hell is an umb? You’re too “depressed” to get the word right on your second try, too? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/55 "2005-07-20T15:35:38Z")
**Archive guy** --well thought out post. I think you may be right. In any event, we all shall see. Isn’t Bush a Methodist? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/56 "2005-07-20T15:36:52Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > He’s gonna convert in a couple weeks; it’ll divert attention from the Karl Rove scandal. Actually, while you’re just having a bit of a joke, Reuters and a couple of other news sources last night pointed out that this faster-than-expected nomination might serve to do exactly that. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/57 "2005-07-20T15:40:09Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > Come now. There are a lot of business lobbyists who have consistently advocated positions that will arguably make pollution worse. They are in effect pro-pollution, though I’m sure not one othem would be so foolish as to come right out and say so. So calling someone pro-pollution is just another way of saying pro-business with an added negative spin, similar to calling a pro-lifer anti-choice? ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/58 "2005-07-20T15:40:37Z")
I’m cautiously optimistic. I’m absolutely a Democratic liberal, but it appears that this guy’s smart. And he’s pro-life, but what Bush appointee wouldn’t be? That much was a given. I’m encouraged by his statement about Roe being well-established and he’d uphold it. Not that there won’t be continual attempts to erode it from the pro-life side (there always well be), but those attempts aren’t Roberts’s fault - he only decides what’s brought before him. The fact that he worked with the team of lawyers who fought over the 2000 election does give me pause. Not so happy about that. But it’s not like that’s out of character for Bush, either. At least he seems to be lauded as quite capable and very bright. And, as pointed out before, at least he’s got some experience as a judge. There’s potential here. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/59 "2005-07-20T15:44:16Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I’m too depressed to bitch. > > I believe it’s called learned helplessness. > > There goes the environment, there goes choice, there goes-fill in the blank. The destruction of all I value seems if not imminent, then distinctly possible. > I hope that all these Bushies wake up one morning and realize that they are not martyrs or victims–even when their jobs are outsourced and their air is unbreathable and when the US does not lead the world in technology and research anymore… > yeah-sucky argument. Just a last bleat. I have no rage left for my umb. You know, Bush could have nominated either the Risen Christ or a one-legged leper for the SC position and you libs would bitch about his choice. It doesn’t matter one bit what the candidate’s judicial philosophy is, you’ll bitch simply because \*Bush \* made the nomination. Jumpin’ Jesus on a pogo stick, get a grip, will you? All we’ve heard since 2000 is how fucking miserable your lives are since Bush took office. And it’s getting MORE than a little tiresome and annoying. You sound like a bunch of three year old brats squalling and throwing a temper tantrum because you didn’t get your way about something. Stuff a sock in it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265/60 "2005-07-20T15:45:59Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Well, Ann Coulter already objects to him, so I’m already a bit encouraged. 😃 Anne of Green Goebbels doesn’t like him? That’s up ten points for me, right there! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-john-roberts-partisan-hack/313265.md?page=4)