HEAVEN HELP THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

So Sandra Day O'Connor is retiring, and William Rehnquist probably isn't far behind. Ick. I was really, really hoping they could both hold out for a few more years.

So now, for the foreseeable future, we're faced with the ugly spectre of heated Senate battles over Supreme Court nominees.

Well... in the deal that was worked out over the filibuster issue, I think the Dems agreed not to filibuster except under extraordinary circumstances. Depending upon who the president and his buddies decide to nominate, the circumstances could range from mildly worrisome to quite extraordinary.

I think that if Bush protrays a nominee as moderate but that the nominee is someone young enough to be on the Court for another 30-40 years... I say "Look out!" I firmly believe the far-right religious fundamentalists would like nothing more than to see 2-3 more folks like Scalia and Thomas, young people in their 40's, added to the court during the next few years. A Court like that would have a blast overturning numerous rulings that rankle the Christian Coalition types, regardless of whether or not overturning such rulings would be within the boundaries of the Constitution.

If the prospect of our Supreme Court becoming irrelevant due to it becoming a blatantly politically partisan group bothers you, write to your Senators and Congressman. Call them, send them e-mails. Let them know you want a balanced Court.

And if you don't agree, go ahead and say the Court has been populated with liberals for years and years. Whether or not it has been, that is no reason to convert the U.S. Supreme Court into a politically partisan Supreme Court. Remember, everything in moderation! A "tit for tat" attitude shouldn't be entertained when we're talking about something as serious as this.

Sandra Day O'Connor was a moderate, and she was appointed by the beloved Ronald Reagan. Even he wasn't so transparent as to try and nominate people who are way far to the right. Who else will Bush nominate? Judge Moore from Alabama? Some "religious activist" judge? Heh...

Heaven help the United States of America.