The stealth appointee

[Brightmore]

The stealth appointee
Boston Globe
Thomas Oliphant
September 13, 2005

JOHN ROBERTS is poised to win confirmation as the next chief justice of the United States because, among other things, he knows the law cold. But after one of the most near-perfect, resume-punching voyages ever to the Supreme Court, there is almost no evidence of his understanding of justice.

This has nothing to do with the overwhelming odds of his confirmation by the Senate. It does, however, have something to do with how his possibly routine elevation should be received.

To illustrate, I have no doubt that his encyclopedic knowledge of constitutional history includes a detailed understanding of Plessy v. Ferguson, the landmark abomination that enshrined segregation in 1896 for another 58 years under the delusional mantra of ''separate but equal." It wouldn't surprise me if Judge Roberts could quote sentences from Justice Henry Brown's majority opinion on behalf of eight brethren and even from John Harlan's passionate dissent.

But I doubt very much that Roberts knows beans about Homer Plessy, and I can imagine him being tripped up even if asked Plessy's first name. It is that human face of justice, or injustice, that concerns me, and, from the available record anyway, has never interested Roberts.

Full article

[newswolf56]

1. Profound statement at the end:

"In truth, the two stories should be linked" -- describing how the same racism that victimized black people and poor folks in New Orleans is expressed in Bush's appointment of John Roberts.

Alas, most of the (white) public -- as viciously racist now as 50 years ago (though much more secretive about its feelings) -- simply doesn't care. And too many of those who do care are distracted by other concerns.

[Robert Oak]

2. nice n/t