NYT: The Judges Made Them Do It

The New York Times > Opinion > Editorial: The Judges Made Them Do It:
What in the hell is going on in this country? When will RepubliChristians (thanks for the term Kevin) stand up and SHOUT: "THIS IS CRAZY!!" ? Just when I thought the ruling party . . . the party of "LIFE" could sink no lower, I read this:

It was appalling when the House majority leader threatened political retribution against judges who did not toe his extremist political line. But when a second important Republican stands up and excuses murderous violence against judges as an understandable reaction to their decisions, then it is time to get really scared.

It happened on Monday, in a moment that was horrifying even by the rock-bottom standards of the campaign that Republican zealots are conducting against the nation's judiciary. Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, rose in the chamber and dared to argue that recent courthouse violence might be explained by distress about judges who "are making political decisions yet are unaccountable to the public." The frustration "builds up and builds up to the point where some people engage in" violence, said Mr. Cornyn, a former member of the Texas Supreme Court who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which supposedly protects the Constitution and its guarantee of an independent judiciary.

Listeners could only cringe at the events behind Mr. Cornyn's fulminating: an Atlanta judge was murdered in his courtroom by a career criminal who wanted only to shoot his way out of a trial, and a Chicago judge's mother and husband were executed by a deranged man who was furious that she had dismissed a wild lawsuit. It was sickening that an elected official would publicly offer these sociopaths as examples of any democratic value, let alone as holders of legitimate concerns about the judiciary.

The need to shield judges from outside threats - including those from elected officials like Senator Cornyn - is a priceless principle of our democracy. Senator Cornyn offered a smarmy proclamation of "great distress" at courthouse thuggery. Then he rationalized it with broadside accusations that judges "make raw political or ideological decisions." He thumbed his nose at the separation of powers, suggesting that the Supreme Court be "an enforcer of political decisions made by elected representatives of the people." Avoiding that nightmare is precisely why the founders made federal judgeships lifetime jobs and created a nomination process that requires presidents to seek bipartisan support.

Echoes of the political hijacking of the Terri Schiavo case hung in the air as Mr. Cornyn spoke, just days after the House majority leader, Tom DeLay, vengefully vowed that "the time will come" to make the judges who resisted the Congressional Republicans' gruesome deathbed intrusion "answer for their behavior." Trying to intimidate judges used to be a crime, not a bombastic cudgel for cynical politicians.

The public's hope must be that Senator Cornyn's shameful outburst gives further pause to Senate moderates about the threats of the majority leader, Senator Bill Frist, to scrap the filibuster to ensure the confirmation of President Bush's most extremist judicial nominees. Dr. Frist tried to distance himself yesterday from Mr. DeLay's attack on the judiciary. But Dr. Frist must carry the militants' baggage if he is ever to run for president, and he complained yesterday of "a real fire lighted by Democrats around judges over the last few days."

By Democrats? The senator should listen to what's being said on his side of the aisle, if he can bear it.

I bought a Honda

WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Grand Rapids news and weather - Gas prices across the country continue to set new highs

So tonight, I bought a Honda. It's a beauty . . . 1995 civic lx - gets about 35-40 mpg average! The reason I'm so excited is because my other vehicle is a '95 F250 Diesel - not so good on the mpg or the air. I have been looking for a more economical car for everyday use for a while now. My commute is about 30 miles (round trip) and is going to go higher next year, so the diesel was getting expensive.

I have had mixed feelings about driving such a fuel hog (the truck)since I bought it a year ago. The reasons for purchasing the truck are worthy though. I'm NOT one of those guys who measures their penis with horsepower. I bought it because we have a farm, a horse and I do a lot of volunteer horse and hay delivery for a therapeutic riding center in town (they have no truck). So I want to keep it for these purposes, but not for everyday driving.

I'm geeked that I will be driving a car that is not such a resource hog. I figured I'll save about $140+ in fuel costs a month, not to mention I'll feel better about not contributing to the wasting of our valuable natural resources.

As gas prices continue to climb - I hope more and more people will seriously consider ways of conserving. It's time to take an inventory of our energy usage. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, turn out the lights, get an economical car, etc. - - the shit is about to hit the fan in the coming months and years. The time to act is now.

Hogs In Ministry

Pastor Mark's Whole Story

This morning pastor Mark Daly from Hogs In Ministry came to speak at our service. His story is very compelling (see link). He gave his testimony about his ministry to bikers and the like. One thing that really struck me was when he spoke of seeing and hearing people getting "saved" at the biker rally Sunday service, then coming back months later to see these same people living exactly the same life as before. (drugs, alcohol, sex, crime, etc.) He used to do the same thing, professing with his mouth - and that's it. Use his "faith" to get what he wanted - (early release, money, sympathy) but then go right back to the old ways. It was not until he gave his life completely, until he was broken did he come to see the truth. God wants us to completely trust and serve in Him. Not to say - - Yeah, but I first need to move up in my career. . . or chase after this earthly goal. This is where I struggle. I want the security of pensions, a stable career, newer reliable vehicles, etc. when following Him doesn't require any of these things. I find myself saying things like: I'll "serve" more when the kids are older or when a particular project is finished - basically, when it fits into MY schedule.

Lately, I have been restless in my spirit. It's hard to describe how I feel. On one hand I feel the need to DO SOMETHING . . . but what? I have so many "causes" that I feel strongly about: the environment, peace, poverty, justice, along with finding my way as a "Christian" in an area where being a Christian typically means you're a conservative Republican (West Michigan) which I am not.

The other hand likes to have a quiet, predictable life. I have a wonderful family and a great career (teacher). The responsible side says keep going the way you are - don't rock the boat. But, my spirit is restless. I feel like I'm not pulling my fair share between God and I. What to do? What to do?