When it Rains, It Pours

As the saying goes, "When it Rains it Pours". That seems to be the current situation within the borders of this great country we call America. From the southern states of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi getting hit hard by the indifferent "Force of Nature" known to all as Katrina, to the pending current "battle" and pending hearings over Judge John Roberts and his nomination to the Highest Court in the Land, and now the Death of the Chief Justice - that leaves two open seats on the bench, and may even see John Roberts take the helm of the court.

Now in terms of Katrina, why waste time, energy, and hot air to play the blame game? People are dying down there and have had their lives destroyed. Yet some just want to make the current administration out to be incompitent and careless duds. Such examples include Kayne West's "George Bush doesn't care about black people" and the Rev. Jesse Jackson asertions that "only black people are left in New Orleans" and "When it's about white people it's about finding food, but when it's about black people it's about looting" - to which Condi Rice defended the administration and added her opnion to the pot. Personally I don't know if Mr. Jackson is actually worthy of the title that he holds. In my estimation that man is only out for himself and what his publicity can do for him. He's not really all about "civil rights", he's about Jesse Jackson. For instance, Mr. Jackson going down to meet with Mr Chavez and strike a deal with him in terms of oil and gas for those devistated by Katrina; whether that was a genuine move on his part remains to be seen, but it does seem to be a case of the all too perfect smoke screen, where he makes himself (and a man who is considered by the US as a threat to the Latin American region) look good. All of this happens shortly after Pat Robertson made his offhand comments on his television program. (I smell a rat.)

What about Roberts? With the confromation hearings origionally scheduled for tomorrow, but now held off for a few days due to the funeral of the late Chief Justice, I don't see why he would not be confirmed at least as an Associate Justice. With the President's new revelation this morning though, that he desires to have Roberts preside over the court, things could get interesting. Now that there are two spots open on the bench, what will happen? Will Roberts sail by as an associate? Will he become Cheif Justice? (If he does will we see a conservative Roberts court as we saw liberal Berger and Warren courts prior to 1986?) Now I think that Roberts is a good and qualified canidate at least for Associate. He doesn't have any expirence in terms of being on the high court, and that could hurt him; possibly Scilia or Thomas would be better. What of the second nomination? It's been put forth that the democrats will fight this one tooth and nail, that the second one is the one that matters, because that could tip the scales to the right (instead of having more of a centrist court as we have had while the late Chief Justice has presided). All of these questions remain unaswered at this junction, but they need to be, and time will tell - as well as answer them.