Happy Birthday, Robert. I think you are now 77, as am I, and I also read the actual physical NYT daily. Thank you for all that you do, and thanks to Heather as well.
Improve the Supreme Court by expanding the number of justices, enacting a real code of ethics, and putting in writing specific qualifications to be considered for the position.
Include in the code of ethics/ qualifications a physical/ mental rule for when retirement is necessary. It should not be age based, but based on physical rules that justices must be able to meet for decisions, and mental to make sure dementia or some other mental problem hasn’t kicked in that makes the justice incapable of carrying out their duties.
At least that billionaire didn't have to suffer "big brother" telling him the tin-can piece of junk he got imploded in was a piece of $#!7 engineering, unfit for anything other than a massively overpriced burial at sea! That's what the Яepuблikan$ have in mind for us all, both in government and the private sector. I guess sayin' that's "woke!" I say, put the woke-dogs barking "woke, woke, woke" to sleep in the Titanic!
What I think it says is that the shrinking middle class is sick and tired of billionaires not paying their fair share of taxes to help all Americans, are instead are paying for frivolities like yachts, space travel, and trips to the bottom of the sea.
Code of ethics should have been a given not an add on but here we are. Term limits have a downside in a highly politicized and divided Congress. But they discourage arrogance from knowing you can impose your will on others with no recourse. And, used correctly, can limit the damage caused by biased, single issue byproducts occupying the bench.
First, Happy Birthday to my favorite youngster. Since I'm 90 and you're only 77, Robert I can still think of you as a youngster!
Second thank you, for pointing out Adam Schiff using his censure as a means of collecting donations. It is a sign of the times. When Nixon's 100 person hit list was released those on it used it as bragging points - it showed they were on the 'right side'. Since Trump, such happenings have been used to fill the bank account. To me the bragging was humorous, the begging for money is crass.
Now to serious stuff.
Third, the Supreme Court. Article III Section 1: ".....The Judges, both of the Supreme and Inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during god behavior, ......" This has been taken to mean lifetime. But that is not what it says. It states, very clearly, during good behavior. Last I heard, accepting huge bribes (I think $100,000 qualifies as pretty damned huge) is reason for expulsion. I know this is true in big business and local Government. Every year I taught school, worked for the County. Worked for Deloitte and IBM, I had to sign a paper stating I would not accept bribes, and other things, like stock purchases inimical to the Government or business. The penalty also clearly stated was immediate dismissal. I'm pretty sure, Professor Reich you had to sign similar papers during the years you taught at Universities, particularly Berkley which is State owned. Why does this not apply to Elected and Appointed government officials? With or without written Codes of conduct, accepting bribes "gifts" especially from people with whom you are conducting business of any kind is not "good behavior"
Finally. I selected other because 'all the above' was not a given choice. The third choice, better justices (expand the court) can only be achieved if we take the appointments away from the politicians. I think Judges/Justices at all levels, Federal, State, Local, should be selected by a special Civil Services Division handling only professional appointments. These people should be appointed by their peers (in Special Civil Services) based on their ability, honesty, knowledge of the Law, and especially the Constitution. Trump's only knowledge of the Law was how to avoid the consequences of his illegal, unethical behavior.
Term limits they can’t get around. Tough ethics need to be enforced and Alito and Thomas will still do what they want. Expanding sets a bad precedent but would be hard to do know.
Born rich? Good for them. Born or become poor? Your fault. "Says the rich." Has mostly always been so. What the rich do "for kicks?" Go on a "space ship" or down in a submersible. Whatever. Death is always tragic whether 5 or 500. Still, Media latched onto the sad rich people who died. The overturned ferry with the desperately poor fleeing violence, hunger, and deep poverty? Well, stuff like that happens all the time, right? I still wonder how they got the money to pay the traffiker and if he died. I always have questions that are never answered.
Scruffy SCOTUS? The rich serve power. More than one on one favors; but "golden handcuffs" (per Thom Hartman) for extreme lifetime service. Bribe is a good word for it. I have NO trust for 6 radical "justices." Need tough Laws, not just code of Ethics, to reign them in. Probably time for setting term limits, too.
T-rump's "stolen election" and "witch hunt" are such tired old lies (Zombies). He keeps dragging them out, and brain-dead culties say "Yea, Yea, Rah Rah." Sheesh. I have NO trust in any social media. It's just more and more piled higher and deeper. Pitiful idiot cultists KNOW because they are fed same sh-- over and over, louder and louder, mostly over "social media." Need broken apart and regulated, at least. As you said!
House radicals (former gops) censuring a good man for doing a good job. Mr. Schiff putting a positive "spin" on it. Good for him. Like FDR, "I welcome their hatred." Like WOKE: yes, we are awake and alert, and working hard for good things. Like "Yankee Doodle Dancy" taken from the Brits. What about investigating Ivanka and Jared? Turn the radicals' lies on their heads.
As you said, We do our best for the limited time we have, no matter our AGE. Ruthie B.
Certainly a CoE is a sine qua non, in addition to oversight and accountability. To what degree and for how long corruption has permeated our highest court is not only a deeply disturbing realization, but also an explanation of Chief Justice Roberts' failure to lead the effort.
Congress, as the people's branch, has a duty to push adoption of a code of ethics at a minimum, and to pursue a path for investigations into misconduct.
Separation of powers does not mean insulation from the other branches, and independence does not mean immunity from the law SCOTUS justices have sworn to uphold.
Robert, we are so fortunate to have your sagacity; wishing you many more years fiercely defending our common good! Thank you, Heather, for your excellent work, and for so adeptly co-carrying the torch!
I selected "other" because "all the above" wasn't an option. Happy Birthday, enjoy your special day!!
Happy Birthday, Robert. I think you are now 77, as am I, and I also read the actual physical NYT daily. Thank you for all that you do, and thanks to Heather as well.
You're born rich; No problem.
You're born poor; It's your problem.
Improve the Supreme Court by expanding the number of justices, enacting a real code of ethics, and putting in writing specific qualifications to be considered for the position.
Include in the code of ethics/ qualifications a physical/ mental rule for when retirement is necessary. It should not be age based, but based on physical rules that justices must be able to meet for decisions, and mental to make sure dementia or some other mental problem hasn’t kicked in that makes the justice incapable of carrying out their duties.
At least that billionaire didn't have to suffer "big brother" telling him the tin-can piece of junk he got imploded in was a piece of $#!7 engineering, unfit for anything other than a massively overpriced burial at sea! That's what the Яepuблikan$ have in mind for us all, both in government and the private sector. I guess sayin' that's "woke!" I say, put the woke-dogs barking "woke, woke, woke" to sleep in the Titanic!
In WAPO this morning, Molly Roberts addresses social media memes on the Titanic submersible disaster, saying we are becoming injured to human tragedy.
https://wapo.st/3pl0S89
What I think it says is that the shrinking middle class is sick and tired of billionaires not paying their fair share of taxes to help all Americans, are instead are paying for frivolities like yachts, space travel, and trips to the bottom of the sea.
Code of ethics should have been a given not an add on but here we are. Term limits have a downside in a highly politicized and divided Congress. But they discourage arrogance from knowing you can impose your will on others with no recourse. And, used correctly, can limit the damage caused by biased, single issue byproducts occupying the bench.
I would settle for a code of ethics the same as the lower justices follow--would be a good start 😊
Happy Birthday Robert Reich. And many more for you as well.
Other.
Object lesson. Investigate and if probable cause, prosecute.
First, Happy Birthday to my favorite youngster. Since I'm 90 and you're only 77, Robert I can still think of you as a youngster!
Second thank you, for pointing out Adam Schiff using his censure as a means of collecting donations. It is a sign of the times. When Nixon's 100 person hit list was released those on it used it as bragging points - it showed they were on the 'right side'. Since Trump, such happenings have been used to fill the bank account. To me the bragging was humorous, the begging for money is crass.
Now to serious stuff.
Third, the Supreme Court. Article III Section 1: ".....The Judges, both of the Supreme and Inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during god behavior, ......" This has been taken to mean lifetime. But that is not what it says. It states, very clearly, during good behavior. Last I heard, accepting huge bribes (I think $100,000 qualifies as pretty damned huge) is reason for expulsion. I know this is true in big business and local Government. Every year I taught school, worked for the County. Worked for Deloitte and IBM, I had to sign a paper stating I would not accept bribes, and other things, like stock purchases inimical to the Government or business. The penalty also clearly stated was immediate dismissal. I'm pretty sure, Professor Reich you had to sign similar papers during the years you taught at Universities, particularly Berkley which is State owned. Why does this not apply to Elected and Appointed government officials? With or without written Codes of conduct, accepting bribes "gifts" especially from people with whom you are conducting business of any kind is not "good behavior"
Finally. I selected other because 'all the above' was not a given choice. The third choice, better justices (expand the court) can only be achieved if we take the appointments away from the politicians. I think Judges/Justices at all levels, Federal, State, Local, should be selected by a special Civil Services Division handling only professional appointments. These people should be appointed by their peers (in Special Civil Services) based on their ability, honesty, knowledge of the Law, and especially the Constitution. Trump's only knowledge of the Law was how to avoid the consequences of his illegal, unethical behavior.
Happy birthday!! We really appreciate you, and all you do.
All of the above!
Term limits they can’t get around. Tough ethics need to be enforced and Alito and Thomas will still do what they want. Expanding sets a bad precedent but would be hard to do know.
Born rich? Good for them. Born or become poor? Your fault. "Says the rich." Has mostly always been so. What the rich do "for kicks?" Go on a "space ship" or down in a submersible. Whatever. Death is always tragic whether 5 or 500. Still, Media latched onto the sad rich people who died. The overturned ferry with the desperately poor fleeing violence, hunger, and deep poverty? Well, stuff like that happens all the time, right? I still wonder how they got the money to pay the traffiker and if he died. I always have questions that are never answered.
Scruffy SCOTUS? The rich serve power. More than one on one favors; but "golden handcuffs" (per Thom Hartman) for extreme lifetime service. Bribe is a good word for it. I have NO trust for 6 radical "justices." Need tough Laws, not just code of Ethics, to reign them in. Probably time for setting term limits, too.
T-rump's "stolen election" and "witch hunt" are such tired old lies (Zombies). He keeps dragging them out, and brain-dead culties say "Yea, Yea, Rah Rah." Sheesh. I have NO trust in any social media. It's just more and more piled higher and deeper. Pitiful idiot cultists KNOW because they are fed same sh-- over and over, louder and louder, mostly over "social media." Need broken apart and regulated, at least. As you said!
House radicals (former gops) censuring a good man for doing a good job. Mr. Schiff putting a positive "spin" on it. Good for him. Like FDR, "I welcome their hatred." Like WOKE: yes, we are awake and alert, and working hard for good things. Like "Yankee Doodle Dancy" taken from the Brits. What about investigating Ivanka and Jared? Turn the radicals' lies on their heads.
As you said, We do our best for the limited time we have, no matter our AGE. Ruthie B.
Certainly a CoE is a sine qua non, in addition to oversight and accountability. To what degree and for how long corruption has permeated our highest court is not only a deeply disturbing realization, but also an explanation of Chief Justice Roberts' failure to lead the effort.
Congress, as the people's branch, has a duty to push adoption of a code of ethics at a minimum, and to pursue a path for investigations into misconduct.
Separation of powers does not mean insulation from the other branches, and independence does not mean immunity from the law SCOTUS justices have sworn to uphold.
Robert, we are so fortunate to have your sagacity; wishing you many more years fiercely defending our common good! Thank you, Heather, for your excellent work, and for so adeptly co-carrying the torch!