Posted on 03/06/2014 5:05:02 PM PST by Bogey78O
After my previous post on the Justice Stevens’s new book, I requested a review copy from the publisher, which I have now received. Here are his six proposed Amendments. I’ll avoid commenting until I read the entire book (a fairly breezy 133 pages, followed by the Constitution as it stands now, and a list of all JPS clerks).
The “Anti-Commandeering Rule” (Amend the Supremacy Clause of Article VI) This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges and other public officials. in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
Political Gerrymandering – Districts represented by members of Congress, or by members of any state legislative body, shall be compact and composed of contiguous territory. The state shall have the burden of justifying any departures from this requirement by reference to neutral criteria such as natural, political, or historical boundaries or demographic changes. The interest in enhancing or preserving the political power of the party in control of the state government is not such a neutral criterion.
Campaign Finance – Neither the First Amendment nor any other provision of this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit the Congress or any state from imposing reasonable limits on the amount of money that candidates for public office, or their supporters, may spend in election campaigns.
Sovereign Immunity – Neither the Tenth Amendment, the Eleventh Amendment, nor any other provision of this Constitution, shall be construed to provide any state, state agency, or state officer with an immunity from liability for violating any act of Congress, or any provision of this Constitution.
Death Penalty- (Amend the 8th Amendment) Excessive Bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments such as the death penalty inflicted. The Second Amendment – (Amend the 2nd Amendment) A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms when serving in the Militia shall not be infringed.
I’ll have more thoughts later.
I will note that his biography, which says he “Retired from the Supreme Court on June 29, 2010″ is inaccurate.
He doesn’t understand—or doesn’t know about—the reasons why the framers restricted the federal government in the ways they did (Nor, why they granted a right to bear arms.)
Stevens was purportedly well into senility before he retired from the court.
He wrote the majority opinion in one case (memory fails), citing a precedent that meant the exact opposite of how he construed it.
Evidently, neither his clerks nor his peers on the court could handle him.
One question: which of these amendments is the most naive?
Actually a staggering question. Id have to vote for the last one I read.
Stevens was purportedly well into senility before he retired from the court.
He wrote the majority opinion in one case (memory fails), citing a precedent that meant the exact opposite of how he construed it.
Evidently, neither his clerks nor his peers on the court could handle him.
It’s really amazing that a lunatic like this was on the Supreme Court. Black robed tyrant comes to mind.
Campaign Finance – Neither the First Amendment nor any other provision of this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit the Congress or any state from imposing reasonable limits on the amount of money that candidates for public office, or their supporters, may spend in election campaigns.
Anybody here have a measuring stick with 'reasonable' on it? Is reasonable between 5 and 6 inches? Maybe for Asians reasonable is 4-5 inches. Blacks 6-7 inches? What exactly is the reasonable width of somebodies hand?
I do have to agree with the Anti-Gerrymandering Amendment!!!
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
No person shall be deprived of life without due process of law. Why are leftists so repelled by the Constitution.
When you take a serous look at Justice Stevens and others appointed to the courts, can you start to understand the necessity for Maine to secede and offer a place for those who can and will accept the risk and responsibilities that go with being free.
The old liberal’s clerks wrote a book for him. And now they put it out under his name, with his blessing, so it’ll get some attention.
Shove it, kiddies....there is a way to pass legislation in this nation, and old SCOTUS men who haven’t had an original thought in decades can’t change that fact.
The 2nd Amendment assures we civilian’s arms to counter the Organized Militia. Apparently the Judge doesn’t see it that way.
How arrogant of him to think HE knows better than the patriots who wrote our blessed constitution. If only we could only seperate ourself from these egotistical, self righteous, narcissistic, this country could heal.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
i think they show what an intellectual lightweight stevens is.
per campaign finance amendment, what the hell is “reasonable”, Stevens? why put such a subjective and therefore will be in the courts, term, in there? does NOTHING!!!!
“It’s really amazing that a lunatic like this was on the a Supreme Court.”
He was a Republican pick (Ford). Like Souter, Roberts, Blackman, O’Conner, and Harriet Myers sold to us as a conservative.
Interesting how many of the GOP picks are just as bad as the Dem choices.
Quite a wish list. Does it leave any power not arrogated to the Courts?
No, but "judges" like Stevens will be more than happy to supply you with one that'll work today. You may need a new one made up tomorrow.
Every one of these "amendments" has that quality about it.
Bookmark
I wonder if he ever read it.
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