On the U.S. Supreme Court's Outrageous Decision - my thoughts in words.
"Diana Ross and the Supremes" could have made a more just ruling on Saturday, December 9, 2000.
The decision on that fateful day by the U.S. Supreme Court was shocking and will not be soon forgotten by historians, scholars, and many millions of Americans. It could very well (illegally) alter the future course of American history.
What went wrong?
The U.S. Supreme Court made it crystal clear that it too is infected with political bias after their stunning decision to "stay" the manual recount statewide in Florida, a decision that many had cheered a day earlier when
the Florida Supreme Court's ruling came down. Finally, a legitimate end to the election battle was in sight. But it was not to be, and it is not a pretty realization that resulted from their action. Indeed it shakes the very soul and integrity of our country's most esteemed judicial body.
To overturn the ruling of the Florida State Supreme Court by "messing" in a state's business is appalling enough. But the apparent reason for it was even more troubling. The primary reason for their action was supposedly because no "equal standards" were being applied to the manual recounting procedure statewide. Sounds somewhat reasonable on the surface, but the problem is that Florida Law (yes, Florida LAW) does not provide a state standard (which the Florida Supreme Court correctly pointed out). It, in fact, mandates each county to establish their own manual recount procedures and standards.
Many counter, "Well, it's a stupid and unfair law". Probably true and most agree. But unfortunately that legally should not bear on any Court's decision, let alone that of the highest court in the land!
The Law must be abided by, unless and until it is changed. Almost every reasonable person has been saying all along that you cannot change the law AFTER the election that was in place BEFORE the election. Well, the U.S. Supreme Court did exactly that. Their decision sets a dangerous precedent
and may undermine every future decision they render, especially those issues divided on partisan grounds. It may also serve to de-legitimize even further the office of this Presidency if Mr. Bush is victorous.
I am sure the Florida Supreme Court wanted to employ a statewide recounting standard but that would have
involved altering the Law, something they ironically had already been accused of in an earlier ruling they made a couple week ago. But they correctly withstood tempatation and made the decision not to force any specific standards upon the county canvassing boards.
When all is said and done, it can be understood why citizens for Bush or Gore act the way they do. After all, they just want their guy to win. What cannot be believed, however, are the actions of the U.S. Supreme Court who ignored Florida Law and may have altered the fair resolution of the most important election of the 21st Century to date.
Something just went very wrong in America. |
