I have sent the following emails to my California senators on the nomination of Judge Barrett. The Judiciary Committee votes tomorrow. Call or email your senators. Let them know we need judges who won’t politicize climate science.
Dear Senator Harris:
I want to thank you for your question to Judge Barrett on climate change, although I would have worded the question to ask if she accepts the science of climate change, instead of asking if she believes humans are changing the climate. As Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson reminds us, science is true, whether we believe it or not. Her response, as quoted by The Hill news site, is “You have asked me a series of questions that are completely uncontroversial…and then trying to analogize that to elicit an opinion from me that is on a very contentious matter of public debate and I will not do that. I will not express a view on a matter of public policy, especially one that is politically controversial.”
Climate change should not be politically controversial. Unfortunately, Judge Barrett has sided herself with those who have politicized climate science, as they have politicized the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason, I cannot trust Judge Barrett to make any rulings where scientific knowledge needs to be considered. For that reason alone, I would reject her nomination.
In addition, as you have pointed out, a nomination to fill a sudden vacancy on the Supreme Court should not have been made this close to the general election. Many of us have already cast our mail in ballots. The people should have a chance to elect the next President and Senators before that vacancy is filled. It was in fact, Judge Ginsburg’s last wish before her death. Out of respect for Judge Ginsburg we should honor her wish.
Lastly, I live just a few blocks from the house where you lived on Bancroft Way and am proud to have you represent me in the Senate. Senator Perdue’s disrespect insults not only you, but all of us in California you represent. His racist behavior needs to be condemned by the US Senate.
On a lighter note, I wish your a happy birthday. https://twitter.com/tomyamaguchi/status/1318595000586792961
Dear Senator Feinstein:
I want to thank you for your decision to vote against the confirmation of Judge Barrett as indicated by your tweet. “Last week Judge Barrett showed why she shouldn’t be confirmed to the Supreme Court. Her answers showed that she is hostile to the ACA and Roe v. Wade. If she is confirmed, many fundamental rights will be in jeopardy.” However, I must express disappointment hearing the news of your compliments to Senator Graham, accompanied by a hug, on the confirmation process. I strongly disagree with the conduct of Senator Graham and all of the Republicans who are ramming this nomination through the Senate just weeks before the election. Many of us have already voted. It is hypocritical that these same Republicans refused to even meet with Merrick Garland to fill a vacancy created in February of 2016. The voters should be allowed to elect a new president before a court vacancy is filled. That is the last wish of Judge Ginsburg. We need to honor her wish.
In addition to the reasons you list, I would reject Judge Barrett for her response to the question by Senator Harris on climate change. The Hill news site quotes her response. “You have asked me a series of questions that are completely uncontroversial…and then trying to analogize that to elicit an opinion from me that is on a very contentious matter of public debate and I will not do that. I will not express a view on a matter of public policy, especially one that is politically controversial.” Climate change should not be politically controversial. Unfortunately, Judge Barrett has sided herself with those who have politicized climate science, as they have politicized the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason, I cannot trust Judge Barrett to make any rulings where scientific knowledge needs to be considered. For that reason alone, I would reject her nomination.
October 21, 2020
Posted by tomyamaguchi |
Uncategorized | Amy Coney Barrett, climate change, Feinstein, Harris, judge, Lindsey Graham, Merrick Garland, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Senate, Supreme Court |
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To Senator Feinstein:
Thank you for your statement “Under no circumstances should the Senate consider a replacement for Justice Ginsburg until after the presidential inauguration.”
I am not surprised by Majority Leader McConnell’s statement that he would fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court that was created by the death of Justice Ginsberg. Nor am I surprised that he made his statement as soon as we received the news of the terrible loss to this country, not even giving us sufficient time to mourn and reflect on her accomplishments throughout her long career. I am not surprised that he would take this course in direct contradiction of his position in 2016 when he refused to even provide Merrick Garland a hearing for a vacancy created by the death of Justice Scalia that February. I am not surprised because he said he would do it in 2019. In fact, his response to the question was quite blunt. “I would fill it,” he told the audience, which responded with laughter.
I am not surprised, yet I am no less disgusted by both Mr. McConnell’s action and the audience reaction, as if this is all just a power game. Well, this is not a game. We elect our senators to act fairly and ethically while they are in office. I believe we should hold our elected officials to a higher standard.
One difference between now and 2016 was that the court vacancy then was created in February, just as the primary process was starting. We are now at six weeks before the general election with Congress getting ready to shut down to conduct their re election campaigns. That should be reason enough to wait until a new President and new Senate are elected and sworn into office.
Sadly. Mr. McConnell does not feel the same urgency to provide our country with pandemic relief. He has not bothered to call a vote on the HEROES Act, months after it was passed by the House of Representatives.
I agree that confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice can and should wait until 2021. Thank you for taking your position.
My message to Senator Harris is a request to join Senator Feinstein on her position.
September 19, 2020
Posted by tomyamaguchi |
Uncategorized | confirmation, election, Feinstein, Garland, Ginsburg, Harris, McConnell, Scalia, Senate, Supreme Court |
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