Kill All the Lawyers!
My latest take on the right wing attack on Harriet Miers . . .
I recall, oh four or five years ago, a John Adams Society debate with a topic, "Resolved: Kill All the Lawyers." Some clever non-lawyer JAS member waited to give his speech until after the first half-dozen speeches were given, all by lawyers I should add although I probably don't need to add that.
His speech in the negative basically went like this . . . only lawyers with all their self-importance could possibly give speeches in support of this resolution or against the resolution. Lawyers simply are not that important; therefore they should not be killed.
At the time and upon further reflection, I agree with the gentleman's speech. Lawyers aren't that important and they should not be killed.
It strikes me that the same can be said of the Supreme Court and the negative reaction of the right wing to the Miers' nomination. Those on the right wing who are complaining are generally law school graduates (many federal appellate clerks) who are not practicing law but are preaching "Kill All the Lawyer" self-importance. Look, yes, the Supreme Court is important -- but, properly understood, not that important. If Miers just understood that and she does, it's enough for me and the majority of Americans -- as the polls show through actual support or actual indifference (not a bad thing).
I think the right should unify behind Miers because our President, rightly or wrongly, nominated her. We can't win. The Supreme Court and lawyers for that matter aren't that important.
I recall, oh four or five years ago, a John Adams Society debate with a topic, "Resolved: Kill All the Lawyers." Some clever non-lawyer JAS member waited to give his speech until after the first half-dozen speeches were given, all by lawyers I should add although I probably don't need to add that.
His speech in the negative basically went like this . . . only lawyers with all their self-importance could possibly give speeches in support of this resolution or against the resolution. Lawyers simply are not that important; therefore they should not be killed.
At the time and upon further reflection, I agree with the gentleman's speech. Lawyers aren't that important and they should not be killed.
It strikes me that the same can be said of the Supreme Court and the negative reaction of the right wing to the Miers' nomination. Those on the right wing who are complaining are generally law school graduates (many federal appellate clerks) who are not practicing law but are preaching "Kill All the Lawyer" self-importance. Look, yes, the Supreme Court is important -- but, properly understood, not that important. If Miers just understood that and she does, it's enough for me and the majority of Americans -- as the polls show through actual support or actual indifference (not a bad thing).
I think the right should unify behind Miers because our President, rightly or wrongly, nominated her. We can't win. The Supreme Court and lawyers for that matter aren't that important.
posted by ssc | 10/17/2005 11:13:00 AM
SSC,
I agree that the Supreme Court should not be that important. It is unfortunate that through their own elitist power grabs, it is. If I had reason to believe that Miers agreed that the Supreme Court should not be that important, I would support her. I have no reason to believe this, even though she's a surprisingly good bowler for her size.
... which is likely the reason that the President picked her. I hear that the SCOTUS bowling team, having been whomped regularly by most government agency teams (even the EPA, by God!), have now begun discussions to realign the lanes at the next match by application of eminent domain. Her addition to the court, and therefore the team, might help to avoid this constitutional crisis.
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