Weekly Comments Archive
Archived Issue
Sunday, September 20, 2020
ISSUE #1029
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Legacy; Mayor DeBlasio’s furlough

Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday. Only a handful of Supreme Court Justices have had as much impact as she did on equalizing opportunities for all Americans. In fact, she might be alone at the top because of her fierce determination that, primarily, made half the population equal to the other half. While supporting women, her influence also supported the rights of men. She was an amazing person who was influenced by own experience as the top graduate of Columbia Law School. Imagine being Number One in anything, but discriminated against simply because she was a female, a Jew, and had kids.

But within hours of her death, controversy erupted in Washington. Although she had apparently asked that the next President pick her replacement, the existing President (with agreement by the Senate) always has that Constitutional right. She could have ensured her replacement would be selected by a Democrat by resigning in July 2015, but she chose to keep fighting for her beliefs.

President Trump quickly announced her replacement would be a woman. Although Democrats are objecting, can you imagine that any of the women on Trump’s list would ever vote to overturn Landmark rulings such as equal pay for women, equality for gays, and equal opportunities among men and women?

Joe Biden says that if he wins the election, Trump should withdraw his nominee so Biden can nominate a woman who is Black.  We know who is on Trump’s short list, but Biden has not announced any potential nominees. Biden reminded us to recall specific comments made by Senators Cruz, Rubio and Graham and hold them to their previous statements on the record. But he doesn’t want voters to check on his previous positions.

A reminder: Ginsburg’s nomination was confirmed by the Senate 97-3. What are the odds of such a vote today?

In New York, Mayor DeBlasio announced a one-week furlough for himself and non-essential city employees. Wow, seven days without a mayor! That gives folks a chance to straighten out the disastrous situation he created. Disappearing for a week or more is a great option that should be followed by a lot of Mayors in cities affected by riots, looting and arson. The Minneapolis Mayor and Council are clueless; can’t figure out why crime went up when funding for police went down.

Speaker Pelosi found out last week that rioting and looting is occurring in American cities. She also announced tentative plans to impeach President Trump.

In other news you might have missed, two Arab countries signed historic peace deals with Israel. UAE and Bahrain seem to trust Israel more than Iran.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers:

 “Many a public man wishes there was a law to burn old records.” DT #627, July 30, 1928

“Politics is a great character builder. You have to take a referendum to see what your convictions are for that day.” DT #1199, May 29, 1930

“A President just can’t make much showing against (Congress). They just lay awake nights thinking up things to be against the President on.” WA #430, March 22, 1931

“If you have a radio [or television or internet], the next three months is a good time to have it (quit working). All you will hear from now until the 4th of November will be: ‘We must get our government out of the hands of predatory wealth.’ ‘The good people of this great country are burdened to death with taxes. Now what I intend to do is …’ What he intends to do is try and get elected. That’s all any of them intend to do. Another one that will hum over the old static every night will be: ‘This country has reached a crisis in its national existence.'” WA #86, August 3, 1924

“New York has just appointed a new police chief. The murderers just wouldn’t surrender to the other one.” DT #743, Dec. 13, 1928

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