Politics have kept key federal court judgeships vacant
Four of the D.C. Circuit Court's 11 seats have been left vacant due to congressional obstruction. (DOJ)
Over the past four years, the federal halls of justice have been left partially hollow as the number of judicial vacancies in the federal courts continues to mount—due to foot-dragging on nominations and partisan filibuster once nominations are made. These vacancies hobble the courts’ ability to do their core work, which includes determining the fate of our most important environmental protections.
Take, for example, President Obama’s nomination of Caitlin Halligan for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In 2010, the president nominated Halligan, praising her “excellence and unwavering integrity,” yet two years later the Senate has twice refused to confirm her to this environmentally critical court. Halligan, a distinguished litigator who has argued five cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, is well-qualified for a seat on the D.C. Circuit. Yet despite bipartisan support and several high profile endorsements from law enforcement organizations and leaders, last week Halligan was forced to suffer through a second politically motivated filibuster that Senate GOP’s justified by willfully misrepresenting her record.
The D.C. Circuit Court may not be familiar to most Americans, but it should be. In the United States, courts are responsible for securing our civil liberties by allowing the right of every individual to claim the protection of the laws. By empowering citizens to prevent corporations and the government from operating outside of the law, courts level the playing field and ensure that ours remains a nation of laws.
Of the nation’s courts, the D.C. Circuit is second only to the U.S. Supreme Court in its environmental importance, and is often required to provide the last word on critical issues of national significance, including those issues that fall under landmark environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the nation’s hazardous waste laws. The D.C. Circuit’s influence is not limited to environmental cases, however. From food safety and workers’ rights to the integrity of our elections, the court wields extraordinary authority and influence.
Despite the court’s significance, four of its 11 seats have been left vacant due to congressional obstruction from Senate Republicans bent on trampling the duty and ability of President Obama to adequately staff the judiciary. In more than fifty years, he is the first president not to have a single judge confirmed to the D.C. Circuit during his first full term. Meanwhile, courts are left understaffed and overtasked.
Again and again, the D.C. Circuit has played an essential role in ensuring that Americans receive the full protection of our environmental laws. During the second Bush administration, for instance, the D.C. Circuit rejected EPA’s effort to convert the Clean Air Act into a statute that would allow power plants and other facilities to increase significantly the pollution they emit without government review.
And just last week, the court heard another critically important environment case where Earthjustice, together with the Appalachian Mountain Advocates, represents a number of groups in defending the EPA’s veto of the Spruce No. 1 mountaintop removal coal mine against the attacks of a disgruntled coal industry. If the D.C. Circuit allows this mine to go forward—in violation of the Clean Water Act—this mine would destroy more than 2,000 mountain acres, bury more than six miles of West Virginia streams with mining waste, and pollute downstream waterways.
The vacancies on the D.C. Circuit must be filled with qualified candidates such as Halligan, who has long worked to protect Americans and has received the American Bar Association’s highest rating. This month, thousands of supporters like you stood behind Halligan and in the defense of justice by telling the Senate to confirm Halligan to the D.C. Circuit. Unfortunately, all but one Republican senator chose to put partisan gamesmanship above the nation’s well-being by blocking a yes-or-no vote on her nomination. As a result, Earthjustice is continuing our work on the Hill, alongside partners like the Alliance for Justice, the Center for American Progress and others, to ensure that the D.C. Circuit—and all who appear before it—will no longer suffer the effects of a historic vacancy crisis.
Thank you for taking action. After all, laws on the books protect no one if they’re left unenforced. We will continue to carry this fight forward—and are grateful to have supporters like you by our side.
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PPP - 3 Ps (Politics, Power and Party)? The fourth P is not a priority, the People, unless our vote is needed. "We the people, in order to perform a more perfect union" has been removed. The PPP is a priority over the 4th - People. Now the 5th P should be a priority - Prayer, we all need it now.
If They can't get the votes through by Judicial or Legistrative means, then turn it over to the public whom all these laws, rules and decisions are suppose to be serving the public anyway.
It's politics, always politics. Either get down to business and get the job done or put the vote out there.
You are so right Kathy hand it over to the people that is were it counts
We Democrats are tempted into thinking that we have the moral high ground, especially in blatant situations such as these. However, our party is also owned by huge private interests. Our party is in second place to what we truly expect from it.
Sadly that is true. And uninspected by most of us!
Oh really? I'm amazed by your admission. Well, maybe not.
I think it's time for both the Democrats and the Republicans to do some true soul searching, deciding whether partisan politics really works or not.
Permit me to choose one issue to start with. Obama Care.
I agree that health care should be affordable for everyone. But letting the D.C. bureaucrats control it isn't the Answer. Just look at Medicare, and you'll see the future of Obama Care.
Some type of Health Insurance [Deregulation]may be necessary to create competition in health insurance policy sales.
Medical Savings accounts should replace Medicare Deductions, and employer based health insurance for routine care, with Health Insurance Policies used exclusively for major surgeries, and catastrophic care.
This would also allow insurance to be portable, so everyone is covered during both employment and periods of unemployment.
If both sides could and would agree to this, then the next step should be to repeal Obama Care.
Let the affordable health Care and affordable health insurance be provided in the private sector.
If only both parties found this solution acceptable. Maybe if
We The People inform our elected representatives that this is the only alternative we will accept, they'll be forced to act in our best interests.
That's the kind of anti-people-first pro-corporation RepubliThug thinking that got us into this multifaceted mess in the first place!!!
And to want to derail ObamaCare and Medicare and to defund Medicaid is just what they want most ... It gets in the way of their Corporations and the Rich running the bottom lines of our social order that would put our Mom out in the street with non support as a. Reward for working hard all her life! Shame on you and the Republicans all around you!!!
To me, it's just confusing. It appears as a country of extreme opinions and actions, where the balance of power is not determined by democracy, but by "poderoso caballero, Don dinero." It's sad and disgusting.
People put faith in their representatives to create a better way of life, not to engulf them in a political trap that more and more hinders the fundamentals of democracy...
The word on the street and coming from serious Political Activists is that there are a select few of the Wealthiest entities on this planet that basically control this planet. They've used the term "Own". There's a book in print you know. This will be one of if not the next books I'll read.
Go ahead, have all the power, Greed & $$$ you want. This life is short lived. By your actions you're allowing this planet to be screwed therefore leaving a burdensome Hell for Your Children to deal with & and try to exhist in. They will curse you for that. I won't be here. I won't live for much longer.
Ever read H.G. Wells. If so then do it again because not only was the man a genius at writing...there have been numerous studies and consitent proof that he did indeed foresee the future. Not like a soothsayer but he had the brilliant capacity to look ahead and surmise what this world will be like if things continue on as they are. I watch PBS & WUSF mostly. Watch for his Biography on that channell. The History channell might give you a clue also. His son did a remake of the origional "Time Machine". See it...Just see it if you have the guts. You could just do a Google Search of Wells. H.G. stands for Herbert George. If you feel your entitled to rule and are doing nothing wrong than it won't hurt you to check it out. However, if you hesitate to watch then you indeed have allot to fear and will avoid it Out of fear.
Another good example of the future is Kevin Costner's "Water World" & "Mad Max and The Thumderdome" They are not far fetched at all. Get some forsight. Go ahead, Watch...Read them if you dare. If you don't answere to yourselves and your Children why you weren't brave enough..
Know that our Highest Power Is Watching. Be very afraid. No, You are not the highest powers. Never show your faces in any places of worship. There are no religions that condone this. If you do I wish you consumed with shame and guilt.
Yep, You Betcha,
Anita
remember obama lets anything go as long as he stays president. the man has no shame. things would work much better without a president. maybe we as a nation have become weak an relied on a government to long. a government that is for the people not just the ones that can make the government the most money. what happened to the days when a government worker did an honest days work and then donated his own time to govern. this was always done out of the goodness of their hearts. now we have a full time government with no heart and not much goodness. god bless this nation.
Mr Van Lear:
Are you living in an alternate reality or just not paying attention?
Either way, it's ridiculous to blame Obama for the mess created by his enemies, who would rather destroy America than listen to reason. Our President isn't perfect, by a long shot, but at least he's trying to do the right thing for this country--which is more than can be said for his opponents in Congress.
Well, they were replaced by the days of the career bureaucrat. Not what the Founders intended, but that's where we are.
This is why everyone needs to understand that the most powerful Term Limit is a vote cast by a well informed voter.
What would happen "if" each person chose two or three issues that were important to them, l;earned about those issues, and then voted for the candidate whose views were closest to their own?
Yes, that would mean ignoring sound bytes, how the candidates look on the stage. and deciding who to vote for based on their records, and the facts regarding each issue.
I believe WE The People ARE Capable of do that. So, everyone, get up and do it. The Mid Term Elections are next year. Start NOW, and truly make a difference when you cast your VOTE.
Stand for The Constitution, and a Republican "Form" of Government, or fall for everything they shovel at us.
Sorry, but you're pointing your finger at the wrong person. It's the republicans who have nearly brought this country to ruin, not Obama and the democrats.
I've had enough of Democraps and Republicraps! Let's be Loyal Conservative Americans for a change.
BTW: Who instituted the Great Society programs that led to the present Welfare State?
I don't think it was the Republican Party of yesteryear. Yes, the Repubs. have increased it in some ways, but, the Dems. have expanded it far beyond anything L.B.J ever dreamed of.
Not even then President Johnson imagined that there'd be so many millions of Americans on Food Stamps, Social Security, and other forms of Welfare one day.
The problem now, is how to repair the damage the thieving politicians have done to both Social Security and Medicare, (Privatize?); see that all who have paid into them receive their fair share, (whatever it is), and then sunset the program, so future generations aren't burdened with it.
Lets say that everyone born after January 1st 2001 simply isn't eligible for payments.
Bring them to an End, so that the D.C. "geniuses" no longer set rules for how much money individuals must save for their retirement.
That's the answer. Therefor, it probably won't happen!
Unfortunately the Republican Cartel is ignorant and does not fathom the importance of governance in our Democracy.
The Republican Cartel has a singular mission, prevent our majority elected black President from accomplishing the programs that the majority elected him to do!.
Anyone who supports the Republican Cartel in this autocratic mission is a Traitor to our Republic and Democracy.
To preserve our Democracy we must remove these Republican Cartel Traitors from public office.
First, our government isn't a Democracy, it's a Constitutional Republic.
Next, you sound like you're promoting Majority Rule, with no Minority Rights. . . Those who voted for O Bummer being in the Minority.
Remember Comrade Presidente wanted the Sequester to happen, and no is blaming the Republicans for "allowing" it to happen. Would you be whining, if the Republicans and Democrats cooperated, (Unlikely, but Possible), took the G.A.O. Report seriously, and started eliminated the truly wasteful departments and programs that presently exist?
Let's start with the 7,800 temporarily or permanently vacant buildings that the Generals Services Administration presently maintains.
Or, maybe, eliminating the multiply duplicated Welfare and other programs presently administered through out the Federal Government.
The first Duty of true Conservatives is to Block Liberalism as often as possible. Especially Obama Care.
let's start by eliminating O's weekly vacations, and continual campaign trips. He's the President. Let him stay in the White House long enough to act the part that he's supposed to be playing.
Unless he's incompetent. Then, he should be removed from office, and replaced by a competent individual. . . excluding Joe biden, N. Pelosi, Harry Reid, and John Benedict (Arnold, the Caveman) Boehner.
If we truly believe that the Republicans and the Democrats presently in Power are part of the Problem, then lets vote them out in 2014, and Vote Competent Representatives, and let the Senators be appointed by the State Legislatures as the Constitution originally required.
These are the solutions to our problems. We [presently] have the power to solve our problems. So, let's do it!
I would like to see these Republican Cartel Traitors removed. But it is almost impossible most people are so misinformed they vote for this obstruction. Any thing that is right for our Country is very hard to get. Keep fighting for what is good.
If the voters who elected these obstructionist legislators would pay attention to what they are not doing to grow our country, they might remove them from office in 2014....or maybe they like it this way?
Actually, if the People would ignore the rhetoric and mud slinging from both sides, and take the time to make informed choices, then the situation would begin to change.
Every Person is Capable of being a well informed voter. But its up to each individual to do it for themselves.
When that happens, things shall change faster than a speeding bullet, and WE the people will have more power than a locomotive.
The problem is that the republicans have gerrymandered the states so badly that it's almost impossible to remove them. Take Paul Ryan -- he would never have been elected if he hadn't finagled his district to blatantly.
Assuming that's true, how do you suggest that the districts be returned to a form that allows for a truly fair vote?
Bi-Partisan politics does great harm in many and varied ways. Not staffing this circuit court is an example. I resent this negative force which is grinding democracy to a halt.
You're absolutely right about the Courts. Unfortunately, choosing the Chief and Associate Justices has degenerated into a game of partisan appointments, instead of choosing the Judges based on their Judicial Record.
First, we need a truly educated populace, who actually understand what the functions of each branch of the Federal Government are.
When people truly understand that the Chief and Associate Justices are responsible for interpreting Federal and State laws, to determine whether they fit within the limits of the Constitution, half of the battle will have been won.
At that point, they "should" also realize that the Justices have no Authority to legislate from the Bench, and that all legislative Powers belong to the Congress, that shall be another battle won.
It may also be necessary to Limit the President's Power to nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to appoint only the Chief Justice.
Yes, this is possible, provided We The People accept our Responsibility to be diligent, and truly learn and understand how our Republican form of Government is designed to work, and then through making informed choices, we FORCE it to work properly.
Maybe it's also time to create a system in which the Chief Justice is elected by the Associate Justices by a secret non partisan Ballot, and the top candidate (s) are then presented to the President for nomination.
Then, perhaps follow the same system for the Chief and Associate Justices to choose the other Associate Justices, with the Chief justice having the Power to nominate, and appoint the Associate Justices.
Sounds complicated, Right? Well, it would be, at first. But once it works the first time, then it would be easy as Pi.
Maybe in this case, the Republicans are correct. It seems we've lost the idea of the original Intent of the Supreme Court and the other Courts in the System.
They weren't created to mete out environmental "Justice". The were created to determine whether or not Laws passed by Congress, and Signed by the President conform to the U.S. Constitution.
326 years ago, the Constitution was created to restrain the U.S. Government, by separating Powers exercised by the President, Congress and the Courts form those exercised by the States, so that the People would be saved from being oppressed by a Tyrannical Government.
The Bill of Rights was written to guarantee certain unalienable Rights to the People, which the Federal Government was then required to Recognize, and never to abridge [limit in Any Way].
This is why Judicial Activisim must Stop.The Courts are NOT empowered by the Constitution to either write or sign laws. Only to DECIDE whether laws enacted by Congress and the States are Constitutional.
True Justice shall be done, only when many of the onerous environmental Regulations are repealed.
Congress MUST sunset many of the regulations, because their goals have been either realized or surpassed. And then, create rules that speak to present facts.
In other words we need to practice good Environmental Stewardship. And, also we must recognize that Technology has advanced sufficiently so that the dangers that existed in the 1970's, [when the Environmental Policing Agency was created], don't exist any more.
Clean air, Land, and Water are necessary for us to live well on this planet. But that isn't the Province of the Courts.
Unshackle them, by appointing true judges, [not Robed Legislators} to the bench, and let the Courts fulfill their Constitutional Responsibility.
Maybe it's time to disband the E.P.A., and transfer many of its powers to the States. And, It's certainly IS Time to appoint non partisan and Non Activist Judges to the Supre Court and all of the Other Courts, as Well.
I remember seeing human feces shooting out of a pipe into the Norwalk River in Connecticut in 1968 before there was an EPA to stop such things. If you want to get rid of the EPA, I suggest you put your drinking glass below just such an outlet to enjoy the kind of water you deserve.
O.k. Then how would you reform the E.PA. so that it can continue tio perform its needed functions?
What powers is it clear that they shouldn't have?
Just what powers do you think the EPA shouldn't have -- the power to make sure that water is safe to drink, or the power to make sure that our air isn't contaminated with pollution, or the power to prevent mining and oil companies from ruining the country? If you are saying that industry is capable of policing itself, you are either naive to the extreme or hopelessly stupid. The EPA came about because the American people were tired of streams that were filled with suds, air that gave their children asthma, and food that was contaminated by the filthy water and food that it was either grown in or given as feed. I am old enough to remember what it was like before the EPA was formed, and I cannot imagine anyone wanting to return to that. Even in the 1970s, factories were pouring chemicals, dyes, and acids into rivers. I can remember driving to New Haven and seeing the stream going through Derby a different color every time we went past -- sometimes poison green, sometimes rust red, and sometimes a sickly color that defied description.
So a document that was created 326 years ago should be adhered to without question or debate, but an agency that was created only 40 years ago is outdated and should be disbanded?
Wow.
That's not what I said, or meant. We SHOULD stick firmly to the original Intent of the Constitution. As for making changes, that's why the Amendment Process exists.
Remember, the Bill of Rights was originally only a collection of [proposed] amendments to the Constitution, until the states ratified the first 10 Amendments.
The 16th and 17th Amendments should be repealed. Why do you think the income tax Code is so complicated?
I researched it for a paper for my Composition class in '99 or 2000, and discovered that "if" someone were unfortunate enough to be paying all of the taxes contained in the code, he or she would be paying between 25 and 33 different taxes.
That's why the 16th Amendment, "the Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes from whatever source derived, with out apportionment [proportional taxation], among the [citizens of the]several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration", Must Be Repealed.
As for the 17th Amendment, it should be Repealed, and Senators should be appointed by the State legislatures, so that the States have the power in Congress that the framers intended them to have.
No 40 year old Department should
What specific Agency or Agencies that were created 40 years ago are you referring to?
Do you remember the Department of Health, Education and Welfare?
Well, today, it has been replaced by the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Education.
Can you guess which one should be dissolved, and which should remain, with its powers greatly reduced?
The Department of Education, which hasn't educated anyone since its creation, should be disbanded, and the states should receive their present powers.
Incidentally, in spite of the mountains of regulations imposed by the Ed. Department, American K-12 and College Students are now severely under educated, compared to those of many countries.
Before you ask about the School Lunch Program, I believe the states can administer it far more efficiently than the Departments of Education and Agriculture.
Yes, some of the more recent Agencies should be either reformed, or disbanded.
Personally, I believe that the E.P.A. should become a Department of Environmental Quality, and have its enforcement Powers restricted.
As for other agencies, opinions about which should be kept and disbanded are legion on both sides.
So no, I'm not saying blindly follow a 326 year old Document, while letting more recent, and unneeded Departments exist, only to eliminate our Constitutional Rights.
Instead, we follow the Spirit of or Second Greatest Historical Document, and amend it, when necessary, so our Civil Rights are protected, and expanded in the Present.
Also, remember the 10th Amendment: "The powers not delegated [assigned] to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited, [restricted] by it to the States, are reserved to the states, respectively, or to the People."
Maybe if our respective State legislators would find their Testicular fortitude, and demand that Congress return all powers to the States which the Constitution doesn't specifically assign, nor restrict Congress from exercising, we'd be in better shape than we are now.
Have you ever considered that?
Since Common Sense is neither "Common" nor "Sensible" to t our career Legislators, We The people MUST get them to realize that they are our Employees, (since we elected them), and that they shall become unemployed unless they fulfill their duties as We the People believe they Should.
Spoken like the total Repub that you are! That is why nothing gets done because the Republicans aren't going to let Obama win anything, it doesn't matter what the subject. The EPA is the only organization that is protecting our environment, endangered animals and our lands. I bet you want to see Fracking across the Country too! You people need to get a clue, the Majority spoke when they Reelected the President and they will remember what you all are doing now.
no, the Department of the Interior also has responsibilities to protect wildlife and land.
The problem IS that too many different agencies have similar responsibilities. Maybe if they could all be combined into a U.S. Department of Environmental Quality, with VERY Limited enforcement Powers, the job would be done more efficiently.
In fact, that would save Federal funds that few can imagine, since having a single agency would eliminate the need for multiple Agency Directors and related administrative Staffs.
Then, the primary concern would be to create a charter, assigning the Agency specific Duties.
While this may seem like Common Sense to most of us, such thinking would be neither "Common" nor "Sensible" to the obstructionists on both sides.
Prayer for them to begin cooperating by truly hearing our Voices, and cooperating amongst themselves is Absolutely NECESSARY.
Then, we bury our Representatives under so much Mail, (emails, included), and repeatedly call them, until they address OUR Concerns.
At some point, just like the Bengazi Coverup, they'll realize that they've got to address our Concerns, and then it shall be done.
Apparently you are totally ignorant of the tremendous improvements in Air and Water QUALITY that the EPA has created with intelligent rules.
Obviously you are also an ignorant climate denier!
No, I'm well awarer of the improvements that have happened since the E.P.A. was created.
However, if outdated regulations are still being enforced, and retiring them would ease the regulatory burdens on Corporate America, then I'm all for that.
AS for man Made Global Warming, let me be ABSOLUTELY CRYSTAL CLEAR on this point:
I can see that the weather patterns are changing, and I started to recognize it about 20 years ago.
But, I don't believe that we are causing all of the changes. When Climatologists have proven through examining ice cores that such changes have occurred may times throughout the Earth's history, [prior to the rise of industrial civilization], then, I find it extremely difficult to believe that anything we're doing, or that we've done in the last 40 - 100 years is causing the changes we're seeing today.
I didn't say it's "IMPOSSIBLE", just very unlikely. After all, we all experience the changes in the weather that are caused when volcanoes erupt, spewing ash into the upper atmosphere. And that's been happening for tens of billions of years.
How can the pollution we've created since the Industrial Revolution occurred be compared to the natural pollution created by a single volcanic eruption?
That said, yes, we've pumped toxins into the atmosphere, and we've learned from our mistakes. Remember the acid rain phenomenon? We've reduced our release of those chemicals into the air considerably since then.
That's why I'm calling for sensible re-regulation, that retires outdated restrictions, while replacing them with those that will lessen the amount of pollutants we release into the air in the future.
What's wrong with that Logic?
I think it is not only obstruction of justice, but abuse of power too. It is definitely Abuse of Power to filibuster every Bill that makes it to the floor for debates and votes. Abuse of Power IS against the law. Should be so for Congress too. It is dirty politics, for the Republbaggers to stop Obama appointments so they can stack the court themselves. They already did that for the once Supreme Court, and look what that got us. It is also against the Constitution that they try to convince us that they love. We are not fooled, they hate the Constitution as much as they hate the government, the American people, and America herself. It shows in everything they do and refuse to do.
You're right, Abuse of Power is one of the main problems. Now answer this.
Why is it right for the Democrats to stall Judicial Appointments made by a Republican President, but it's a High Crime for the Republicans to do the Same when a Democrat is appointing Judges to the bench?
If one is wrong, isn't the other equally wrong?
I thought that a judge was supposed to determine if a law was Constitutional, not make laws that is for the citizen, so if you do not like it you change the law. But then again Obama's pick for the unelected 9 people in black robes was about legislating from the bench, seen her say so at a conference a few years back. Old Trip you sure make a good living doing this don't you? What is wrong with the 10th amendment, lets take care of these problems in our own state, I do not think we need Trip sticking his nose in our states affairs. I do nor remember the EPA ever being ratified by our Congress, I thought it was a executive order, along with so many other mistakes.
You missed the point. Yes, Judges are "supposed" to determine whether or not laws are Constitutional.
The problem comes when they're bought off by corporations, or worse, appointed by a President of either party, to further his specific agenda.
And we both know that happens regularly.
Every State legislature Should invoke the 10th Amendment, to reclaim the powers that each state is meant to exercise for its citizens.
It seems like the President, the Members of Congress, and often even the Judges, forget that because we elected them, they are our employees.
I wish they could all put partisan bull sh*t aside for one term, and do the jobs they're elected, nominated, and appointed to do.
And by God, honor the separation of Powers as directed in the Constitution, so that The Executive, legislative and Judicial Branches each full fill their constitutional Responsibilities, in order to preserve what the Greatest Country in the World.
Yes, in spite of all of our problems, I firmly believe that we live int he Greatest country in the World.
Not a "perfect"Country, by far better than many others.
At least you appear to agree regarding the 16th Amendment.
Going forward with issues of green energy, and mineral exploitation are serious issues. I am hoping that we can think clearly before allowing special interests, from destroying our valued National Parks, and Wildlife. It seems to me that our Government is risking everything we have of value, and quality of life issues, with their
sequester, and fillibusters. I am concerned for our freedom to even speak up anymore against these very rich special interests. How can I help to change the balance of power, with out monies, that I do not have? I care very much about our land, and animals. Even more about our ecology, and global; warming. I am an adult college student, who is trying to make an honest difference. I thank you for all that you do, to preserve our landscapes, and attempt to shape our nations character. We have the responsibility to use integrity, and informed decisions. We are not in a position to fight against Mother Nature any more. I am sure she WILL do her job. How can I do mine?
Sincerely,
Janis Horwedel
Yes, clean energy, and mineral exploration are immensely important. This is another area where we need to become better informed as individuals.
While preserving the National Parks, we must also realize that today's technologies for extracting oil and other minerals are many times better than they were in the 1970's.
That said, I believe that there is a balance between extracting oil and minerals, and preserving the beauty of or National Parks.
I'm completely against granting animals any Human Rights, simply because they're not "Human". We also need to remember that at least 99% of all lifeforms to inhabit this planet are now extinct, and most died off due to natural changes long before we arrived on the scene.
I'm not a Biologist, so I don't understand the precise relationship of all lifeforms to the biosphere. If we can save the wildlife and plants, then we should do so.
I believe that a combination of re regulating, to retire outdated rules, while replacing them with scientifically based ones to address present and future concerns,is the best way to preserve the natural world, and meet our industrial needs.
Some areas of the parks can be safely developed. So let that happen, provided thorough environmental impact studies are completed before oil and mineral extractions begin.
If this is too realistic, so be it. It's the only solution I believe can work.
Isn't it obstruction of Justice?
Aren't these judges breaking the law?
Yes, they're breaking the Law. But,when they're a "Law" unto themselves, and therefore the Constitution is meaningless to them, the point is Moot to them.
We need to greatly reduce the Presidential Appointment Power within the entire Court System.
What form that change take, I don't know, but we MUST do it Now, or we'll loose the Courts Forever.
It's past time to put a "full court press" on Senator Reid to repeal the part of the filibuster rules that allow a single hold to block an up or down vote on judicial candidates. Let's get all environment activists together and make a push!
Wrong. It's time to stop playing Political Games, and appoint(elect?)non partisan Judges to the Supreme and Circuit Courts. maybe the President should appoint the Chief Justice, after he's been chosen from among the Associate Justices by them; and then to Amend the Constitution to allow the Chief Justice to nominate and appoint the Associate Justices.
Leave the uniquely American Filibuster alone. Sometimes, it's the only Way bad Laws are killed before being enacted; and the unqualified appointees, (Hagel, Perry, etc. . . etc. . . . etc. . .)are stopped from assuming Power in D.C.
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