Staff Reports
In the midst of heated politics and spirited discussions, it seems everyone has their eyes on the judiciary. Chief Justice John Roberts has resurfaced with a message for both sides of the political spectrum: watch your rhetoric. It’s almost as if, after years of silence, Roberts decided to dust off his soapbox and remind lawmakers that the judges are not to be used as pawns in the political game. The Chief Justice is worried, and perhaps he should be. Violent threats against judges sound more like James Bond villains’ antics than civil discourse. Somehow, it seems easy for Roberts to make this plea when it’s not his colleagues being lambasted by political leaders.
Much to our amusement, the Upper Peninsula chatter about mosquitoes the size of helicopters was rudely interrupted with more Washington drama. Yes, even in the peaceful wilderness bordering Lake Superior, one cannot escape the long arm of political theatrics. It’s a real shame too. Just when you are beginning to consider whether stocking up on bug spray for a trip to Michigan would be worth it, you are snapped back into the real world of fiery exchanges and ideological meltdowns.
Just as Roberts begins his impassioned crusade for judicial respect, one wonders where this Hulk-like protector of justice was when Brett Kavanaugh faced his own storm. Some say Roberts was quiet then, though credit where it’s due, he is now voicing concerns. Perhaps the Justice had an off-day, hoping the Kavanaugh situation would just, well, go away. We’d all like our problems to vanish, but those mosquitoes in the Upper Peninsula have a better chance of evaporating than Washington’s issues.
A trip down memory lane reminds us that Chuck Schumer’s roaring threats at the Supreme Court weren’t met with much Shakespearean stage direction from the Chief Justice. Funny how the protection of the judiciary didn’t spark a Shakespearean drama then. The fact remains that fiery rhetoric is like the sauce on a Wisconsin cheese curd – some can handle it, some can’t, and for some, it’s just a heartburn waiting to happen. Sadly, some politicians mistake the ability to throw shade for actual leadership skills, leaving the discourse more tangled than modern art.
Finally, for every finger pointed at political meddling with the courts, another is highlighting the mess of political appointments. The left isn’t without its blunders, gaffes, and, quite frankly, strange criteria for selecting judges. As the debate rages on, conservatives can quietly remind themselves of past victories while shaking their heads at the audacity of some judicial nominations. In the end, maybe the Chief Justice just wants everyone to remember the judiciary is like the Upper Peninsula – worth protecting from outside disturbances, even if one has to brave a few giant mosquitoes along the way.
