Posted on 09/08/2005 12:31:16 PM PDT by lilylangtree
WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. Supreme Court was asked Thursday to block a federal panel from sending to President George W. Bush its recommendations for closing or realigning hundreds of military bases nationwide.
Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., filed the request for an emergency stay with Justice David H. Souter, who could handle the matter himself or request a vote of the eight remaining justices.
In court papers, lawyers representing Corzine and other New Jersey state and congressional officials said they wanted a temporary reprieve so that they could file a full appeal of the decision by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission to close Fort Monmouth.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected the politicians' efforts to stop the panel from closing the Army research and development post based in New Jersey.
In other base closings lawsuits around the country, a Massachusetts judge on Thursday rejected the state's efforts to keep the Otis Air National Guard Base open.
The list was expected to be presented Thursday to Bush, who has pledged to give it to Congress without making any changes. Congress then can vote the entire list up or down, but may not modify it.
Fort Monmouth was one of more than 800 military installations that the base-closing panel recommended closing or consolidating. The Massachusetts case involved Otis Air National Guard base.
Massachusetts was one of several states to challenge BRAC's findings on the grounds that changes to their National Guard units or bases must be approved by governors. The others have had mixed results.
On Wednesday, judges stopped the panel from recommending changes at Air National Guard bases in Connecticut and Tennessee, and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich filed a court appeal to block a plan to move fighter jets out of his state.
A federal judge in St. Louis threw out a Missouri lawsuit, saying she had no authority to hear the case because the BRAC decision was still preliminary. Washington state also has filed a lawsuit.
The federal government contends the commission's recommendations are not reviewable by the courts.
I am sure the the states would like to form militias to man the bases that the fedgov no longer says it needs.
Guess Corzine was not paying for an apartment for the right person afterall. Darn just when you thought money could buy everything.
"Crooked Corzine" wants to keep open bases that haven't
been opened and used since the begining of WW II.
And then use the empty facility for a hurricane relief center next time around??
Should read remaining 7 justices. But then, Souter may not know Rehnquist was buried yesterday.
Typically, the dims try to pull out the courts to get their way and overturn/halt the legislative or executive branch activities.
The libs really are pathetic and completely without a moral compass.
The states usually do get to keep the bases don't they?
If not, I agree - give the land BACK to the states where it belongs anyway. The federal govt, if it wants the use of a state's land can sign a renewable lease and pay for it.
You expressed what I'm thinking. That's why I'm laughing.
I guess it beats having a governor who makes bad spaghetti?
Maine anyone.
oops posted before I finished -
Let me add - the federal govt can use land for military bases at no cost, but the land still belongs to the state and is only loaned to the central govt. This is to keep control if and when a base is close.
The lease option is for any other land use - including parks! Lot's of coal now under the "park" category thanks to willie boy clinton.
How about Illinoisistan-Folks here call our capitol fool Rod Blowjobovich.
"Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., filed the request for an emergency stay with Justice David H. Souter, who could handle the matter himself or request a vote of the eight remaining justices."
Somebody needs to pay closer attention to current events.
""Crooked Corzine" wants to keep open bases that haven't
been opened and used since the begining of WW II."
The base he is trying to save, Fort Monmouth, is currently active and housing the Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) and the West Point Prep School. I work for a Defense Contractor that services projects based out of Fort Monmouth and I live about a 1/2 mile from it. My wife's Grand Father was one of the engineers that developed RADAR there during WWII. The Fort's closing will have a big impact on this area.
He probably does know as does Ruth Bader Ginsberg, but I suspect those two will try to channel the vote of the late Chief Justice Rhenquist -- to whatever Ruthie, the Silent, and David, the Dumb, decide.
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