Newt: Arrest judges; force them to explain themselves

[hgc]

Just in case there was any doubt that the GOP's resident "intellectual" is just a gibbering radical who spouts whatever crazy pops into his head, here's the right honorable Newton Leroy Gingrich on Face the Nation yesterday:

From TPM

There’s “no reason the American people need to tolerate a judge that out of touch with American culture,” Gingrich said on CBS’ Face the Nation, referring to a case where a judge ruled that explicit references to religion were barred from a high school graduation ceremony. And Gingrich recently has said judges should have to explain some of their decisions before Congress.

Host Bob Schieffer asked Gingrich how he planned to enforce that. Would you call in the Capitol Police to apprehend a federal judge, he asked.

“If you had to,” Gingrich said. “Or you’d instruct the Justice Department to send the U.S. Marshall in.”

Why does Newt hate America?

 

[Upchurch]

I don't think I care if judges are out of touch with American culture, just so long as they are in touch with US Law.

Newt is flailing.

 

[Alferd_Packer]

When are they going to propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the Supreme Court?

 

[Alferd_Packer]

There’s “no reason the American people need to tolerate a judge that out of touch with American culture,” Gingrich said on CBS’ Face the Nation, referring to a case where a judge ruled that explicit references to religion were barred from a high school graduation ceremony. And Gingrich recently has said judges should have to explain some of their decisions before Congress.

Host Bob Schieffer asked Gingrich how he planned to enforce that. Would you call in the Capitol Police to apprehend a federal judge, he asked.

“If you had to,” Gingrich said. “Or you’d instruct the Justice Department to send the U.S. Marshall in.”

I think that that would have to opposite effect that Newt intends.

Judges don't intimidate easily.

 

[Alferd_Packer]

The more I think about this, I wonder if this isn't a deliberate attempt to sabotage his own campaign.

Seriously, he's not in this to be president, it's a self promotion thing for him, just like it was for Herman Cain.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Why does Newt hate America?

Because now he puts marital fidelity first.


Oh wait--that was a rhetorical question, wasn't it?

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

The more I think about this, I wonder if this isn't a deliberate attempt to sabotage his own campaign.

Sadly, I think maybe you're right.

 

[Cleon]

Who was the liberal hippie bastard who came up with the idea of an independent judiciary, anyway?

 

[theprestige]

Who was the liberal hippie bastard who came up with the idea of an independent judiciary, anyway?

Apparently the same liberal hippie who came up with an independent executive and an independent legislature.

As for arresting judges, that's the same authority Congress has over anybody else it summons to testify.

Why should judges be exempt from Congressional authority to require testimony, if Congress believes their legal theories are of interest to the legislature?

If a congressman can be in in contempt of court, why can't a judge be in contempt of Congress?

 

[HoverBoarder]

The more I think about this, I wonder if this isn't a deliberate attempt to sabotage his own campaign.

Seriously, he's not in this to be president, it's a self promotion thing for him, just like it was for Herman Cain.

That would definitely make sense, but Newt is such a nutball, there is a chance that he is genuinely this crazy.

 

[Denver]

The more I think about this, I wonder if this isn't a deliberate attempt to sabotage his own campaign.

Seriously, he's not in this to be president, it's a self promotion thing for him, just like it was for Herman Cain.

And all these less-than-stellar GOP candidates could also be ploys by the GOP to make Romney look better in the end, in the eyes of their electorate.

Or have I wandered into the conspiracy section there?

 

[fishbob]

Newton Leroy Gingrich

Why does Newt hate America?

Mr Gingrich practicing his orally flatulent pandering to the lowest common denominator of the right wing conservatives.

In other words, Newton is pootin' out his mouth.

 

[Regnad Kcin]

Oh, Newt, we hardly knew ye.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

As for arresting judges, that's the same authority Congress has over anybody else it summons to testify.

Why should judges be exempt from Congressional authority to require testimony, if Congress believes their legal theories are of interest to the legislature?

The point is that separation of church and state is a well-established legal principle. There's no reason to haul judges that make decisions based on principles like this before Congress to testify(under subpoena, especially).

Newt's rhetoric is just silly and inflammatory.

 

[ponderingturtle]

As for arresting judges, that's the same authority Congress has over anybody else it summons to testify.

Why should judges be exempt from Congressional authority to require testimony, if Congress believes their legal theories are of interest to the legislature?

The point is that separation of church and state is a well-established legal principle. There's no reason to haul judges that make decisions based on principles like this before Congress to testify(under subpoena, especially).

Newt's rhetoric is just silly and inflammatory.

But what do you expect, not one proper christian all papists and jews.

 

[Cleon]

Apparently the same liberal hippie who came up with an independent executive and an independent legislature.

As for arresting judges, that's the same authority Congress has over anybody else it summons to testify.

Why should judges be exempt from Congressional authority to require testimony, if Congress believes their legal theories are of interest to the legislature?

If a congressman can be in in contempt of court, why can't a judge be in contempt of Congress?

Contempt of Congress for not ruling the way Newt wants? I find that concept to be rather frightening. YMMV, I supposed.

 

[BenBurch]

The more I think about this, I wonder if this isn't a deliberate attempt to sabotage his own campaign.

Seriously, he's not in this to be president, it's a self promotion thing for him, just like it was for Herman Cain.

Maybe this is all to make Romney look good?

 

[Spindrift]

Don't judges usually explain their reasoning when they make their rulings?

 

[Donal]

Apparently the same liberal hippie who came up with an independent executive and an independent legislature.

As for arresting judges, that's the same authority Congress has over anybody else it summons to testify.

Why should judges be exempt from Congressional authority to require testimony, if Congress believes their legal theories are of interest to the legislature?

If a congressman can be in in contempt of court, why can't a judge be in contempt of Congress?

There is a difference between asking a judge to testify so you can have the benefit of his wisdom and forcing him before Congress to justify a ruling you disagree with.

Ruling against the opinion of the executive and/or legislative branch is in fact not a crime.

If a judge makes a ruling you disagree with, then you can take it to a higher court or wait until another opportunity to try the issue comes up with another judge. This is not new or secret.

If a judge is suspected of unethical and/or illegal behavior, they can be impeached.

 

[Donal]

Don't judges usually explain their reasoning when they make their rulings?

Yes, and if you don't like the ruling, there is always the appeals process.