An Unethical "Supreme" Court stabs democracy in the back
And a Happy Fourth of July to you too, Justices
Before I begin, a quick note: the lily in the photo is meant to cheer you a little if you're feeling as awful as I do about what's going on in the country. It's blooming right now in our garden and makes us smile. It's about six inches across and is a great example of Mother Nature showing off (in a good way of course).
While much of the country reeled from the debate debacle, the court, whose morals have been in question for some time now, especially since the Trump-appointed ones joined the group, decided to fry the brains we have left with this horrendous opinion.
You know all about it by now, surely, including the fact that justices Alito and Thomas should have recused themselves given not only Thomas's failure (again) to report "gifts" given him by right wing millionaires and Alito's flying upside-down American flags that proclaim his right wing allegiance, and the obvious devotion of them both to the politics of Trump and Magas.
For me anyway, this stinks much more than Trump "winning" the debate in which he spewed almost nothing but lies throughout. I used to admire the Supreme Court, and I do still admire its three liberal and ethical judges: Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson. If you've never watched the classic film "The Talk of the Town" (with Ronald Coleman, Cary Grant, and Jean Arthur) do try to watch it now, and you'll see my cherished example of a Supreme Court Justice as portrayed by Colman. He’s the exact opposite of what we've been seeing in the right wing judges. He’s obsessively and nonpartisanly devoted to the law, ethics, and justice, and aware of the immense honor of being asked to serve. (It’s also just a wonderful movie.)
What I see now makes me sick. I am furious, disillusioned, depressed, and terrified of what this court may do next, but even more terrified about what Trump has proclaimed he will do if elected. The court has now assured that much of what we thought would be criminal behavior on Trump's part will be just fine and he can go ahead and do the dirty work he plans (See details at https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-is-project-2025-and-why-is-it-alarming/ )
Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petrie wrote an acid-drenched satire about what the justices have done, in which she openly called Trump the "president-king," and sadly, that's what we're headed for if the voters don't recognize the danger and ensure that Trump stays miles from the White House, no matter who runs on the Dem ticket. Do try to read her article, "The Supreme Court rules to restore the monarchy" at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/07/01/supreme-court-trump-immunity-ruling-monarchy-satire/
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is calling for impeachment of the justices. I assume she's not including the dissenting judges on this opinion. I support her wholeheartedly in impeachment of the others. I don't see any other way out of this dictator-making opinon.
Meanwhile Biden keeps on doing things to help people. Today he announced an effort to protect outdoor workers all over the country from heat-related illness and death which is increasing as climate change continues to ravage the world. Death Valley, California is expected to reach 130 degress this week, which CNN climate reporter Bill Weir said is the temperature of a medium-rare steak.
Whether Biden stays in the race or helps someone else to step in, this court decision has made it crystal clear that Trump must not win. Right-leaning politics seem to be increasing worldwide, but in my opinion will never end up protecting people's basic and hard-won rights as well as a true democracy can, even with all its faults. A Trump presidency, like the Putin presidency, would be a false version of the office, a lie, and would of necessity continue to run on lies and removal of rights. I don't care how great the country was before; if it goes far right, misery won't be far behind.