Federal Appeals Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett, soon to be sworn-in as our newest Supreme Court justice, somehow managed to maintain her composure earlier this month while a couple of Democratic senators made fools of themselves during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings.
To me, it looked like a congressional version of that old movie, Dumb and Dumber.
Barrett, a supremely well-qualified nominee to the nations highest court, looked bemused as Sens. Maizie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island used their time to ask absurd questions or spin tall tales about far-fetched conspiracy theories. The good citizens of Hawaii and Rhode Island should be embarrassed for their senators and their states.
Hirono distinguished herself by asking Barrett, the devoutly Catholic mother of seven children, whether she had ever committed a sexual assault. Barrett kept a straight face as she replied with a definitive No, Senator! Perhaps Hirono thought she was back at last years contentious confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which turned out to be an extremely ugly exercise in character assassination.
In those hearings Democratic senators went through Kavanaughs high school yearbook to determine if he ever did or said anything that was politically incorrect. I quickly pulled out my West Seattle High School yearbook, the Kimtah, to see whether anyone had written anything offensive by todays very sensitive standards. I didnt find anything too offensive but of course Kimtah is a Native American word because we were the proud West Seattle Indians. I dont apologize.
Back to Barretts Senate hearings. Whitehouse spoke for 30 minutes without asking a single question of the nominee. Instead, he digressed into what the Wall Street Journal called Glenn Beck territory. Whitehouse devoted his time to a Glenn Beck-style tutorial on the vast right-wing conspiracy (remember that one?) that is supposedly buying the federal courts, the Journal opined. Some of you may know that Beck was too conspiratorial and weird for Fox News.
Mr. Whitehouse had the bad luck to be followed by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who related Mr. Whitehouses ties to such Democratic dark money as Demand Justice and Arabella Advisors, the Journal continued, recalling that Whitehouse had attempted to find the hidden messages in Justice Kavanaughs high school yearbook.
While senators Hirono and Whitehouse were embarrassing themselves and their constituents, Barrett passed the challenging confirmation hearings test by answering senators questions with serene dignity to the best of her ability. To the best of her ability because the conservative judge invoked the Ginsburg Rule named after her liberal predecessor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg which advises judicial nominees to avoid giving their personal views on issues that may come before the court. No hints, no forecasts, no previews, the late Ginsburg told senators during her 1993 confirmation hearings.
So while Democratic senators repeatedly pressed Barrett for her personal views on hot button issues like abortion (Roe v. Wade), Obamacare and presidential elections, she politely declined to answer by invoking the Ginsburg Rule. California senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris the Democrats vice presidential nominee who had earlier criticized Barretts Catholicism, tiptoed around that issue in their questioning of the judge.
The dogma lives loudly within you, Feinstein had said when Barrett was confirmed to the Federal Court of Appeals in 2017. How sad if modern liberalism cannot abide the hopeful center of Amy Coney Barretts life, Wall Street Journal Deputy Editorial Page Editor Daniel Henninger commented last week. The truth is that liberals cant abide a judge who interprets the Constitution as written.
Guy W. Farmer is the Appeals senior political columnist.
See original here:
Guy Farmer: Dumb and dumber in the U.S. Senate - Nevada Appeal
- Stuart Stevens on Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect - 1998 (Ray Davies / Paul Mooney) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher feat. Marilyn Manson (August 13, 1997) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with the Wack Pack(1/2) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher w/ Timothy Dalton-1999 Pt 1 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Madtv - S07E05 - Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with Camille Paglia - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect on LSD with guest Robert Anton Wilson - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Christine O'Donnell on Politically Incorrect 05-16-1997 Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Christine O'Donnell saying she was a witch - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Combat 84 - Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- David Brenner on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect #14 2/15/00 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer (1 of 4) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer (3 of 4) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Willie Barcena - Hilarious Politically Incorrect Stand Up Comedy - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect August 1998 Part 2 of 2 Eddie Izzard Christine O'Donnell - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect August 1998 Part 1 of 2 Eddie Izzard Christine O'Donnell - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect with John Waters, Stephen Dorff etc (part 1) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Bill Maher Finally Goes Head To Head With Christine O’Donnell On Real Time [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Paul Fenech’s Housos gets second series on SBS [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2012]
- Dan Morain: Promise of youth fails to produce at the polls [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Last season of 'The Office' starts Thursday [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Dan Morain: Promise of youth vote fails to produce at polling places [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Jon Stewart Hilariously Accepts 10th Consecutive Emmy for Best Variety Series [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2012]
- Active video games such as Kinect burn enough calories to qualify as exercise, study suggests [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- Can Your Pro-Life Bumper Sticker Actually Get You in Trouble? [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- Politically incorrect [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- The 54 Percent: In defense of political correctness [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- When Will It Be Politically Incorrect To Associate SEO With Scam? [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Atkins, Benn show differences in hour-long debate [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Democratic PAC uses ‘loud’ Joe Walsh in ads against Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Democratic PAC uses ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against other Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Dem PAC uses ‘loud’ Joe Walsh in 10th District ads [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Comments [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Democratic PAC using ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against other Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Democratic PAC using ‘loud’ Walsh in ads against colleagues Dold, Biggert [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Obama, Romney Halloween masks hot sellers in election year [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Cindy Lange-Kubick: A capital time, on the Capitol steps [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Sign language users drop politically incorrect signs [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Want a security pro? For starters, get politically incorrect and understand geek culture [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Wake-up: 'Politically incorrect' Browns QBs [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- SBS reveals bold 2013 line-up [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Ann Coulter Calls Obama ‘The Retard’ [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mentally Corrupted - Backstage Segment (w/ Lesbianna [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Politically Correct vs. Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect Toons 12-Superman Jungle Drums (1943) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- A Krazy Halloween - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Todd Berry "Politically Incorrect Redneck" Proof - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mini Mid Wife - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution Q [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Barneys Version Part 1 Full Movie - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (8 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (7 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (6 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (5 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (4 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mentally Corrupted - Politically Incorrect: Part 2 (S1) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Game Season 2 Episode 7 - Media Blitz - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (3 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (2 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Icons of Evolution - Dr. Jonathan Wells (1 of 8) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 1/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 2/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 3/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam - Robert Spencer 4/4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Mentally Corrupted - JhoJha Knows Best "Politically Incorrect: Part 1" (S1) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- HardenUpApp - Screenshot Showcase - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- "The End Of Sober" (Sing-Along Version) - The Real Drunk Housewives of the San Fernando Valley - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- DEATH (on a shoestring) What the audience thought... - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Friday Talkie: Layout, Keys [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Sebastian Bergman - The Cursed One "Crime Scene" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Sebastian Bergman - The Cursed One "Case closed" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Sebastian Bergman - The Cursed One "intro" - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Satan guests on Steve Dahl Podcast 10.31.2012 - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- ONE DIRECTION: FUNNY PARODY LOUIS AND ZAYN LEAKED GAY FOOTAGE: SKYPE CALL [SKIT / SPOOF] part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Petey [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Group wants residents’ ‘politically incorrect’ stories [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Politically Incorrect - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Guy Fawkes Mask Mould Complete - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]