Great new ad about John Roberts from IndependentCourt.org

[Skinner]

I just got this email. Check out this ad. It's great:



QuickTime: http://www.supremecourtwatch.org/silence.mov
Win Media: http://www.supremecourtwatch.org/silence.wmv

Here's the press release:

IndependentCourt.org
For Immediate Release: September 15, 2005

IndependentCourt.org Releases New Web Ad Called "Silence"
Ad showcases Roberts' unprecedented refusal to answer questions in Senate Nomination Hearings

Washington DC -- Showcasing some of the more than 100 times that Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee John Roberts has refused to answer important and legitimate questions from Judiciary Committee Senators, today, IndependentCourt.org released the attached Web Ad called "Silence."

Over nearly three days of hearings, Roberts has done nothing to dispel doubts about his commitment to protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, including voting rights, privacy, and opportunity for women. Judge Roberts has refused to answer questions about even the most straightforward legal issues and the most settled precedents.

Roberts has done nothing to allay concerns regarding the extreme positions he took as a top political appointee in the Reagan and first Bush administrations on fundamental freedoms, including women's rights and civil rights.

The American people deserve better. Despite repeated invitations to address the human dimension of legal practice, Roberts has given slight indication that he understands the impact his opinions would have on real people. Roberts failed to see the courts' primary role as upholding justice and protecting rights. Too much is at stake to leave these questions unanswered.

It is particularly troubling that Roberts has refused to answer questions while the White House has also refused to release important documents about Roberts' work as the Principle Deputy Solicitor General during the first Bush administration. These documents could have revealed important insights about Roberts' views on legal issues and his legal philosophy. Without these documents, the Senate cannot fulfill its constitutional duty to conduct a thorough review of the nomination.

Americans have a right to know whether John Roberts will stand up for our rights. It is Roberts' responsibility to demonstrate that as Chief Justice he will protect basic rights and freedoms. He has failed to meet that burden.

###

[DemExpat]

1. Very effective....

DemEx

[BlueJac]

2. I don't want to comment...

I shouldn't say anything about it



:sarcasm:

[Ninga]

3. Ad schmad..........if the ball less ones don't filabuster Roberts is in

like flynn.

Good money thrown after bad.

[Skinner]

7. Sadly, I think it's a foregone conclusion.

I can't believe I just said that. But I get the feeling that he's in. At this point we're just fighting over the margin of victory. But that is important. If we can get a large number of no votes, then maybe we can help insure that Bush doesn't nominate an even more insane right-winger for the *other* opening.

[Ninga]

10. self delete

[Ninga]

11. This country needs hero's. Sometimes hero's sacrifice their lives or

the jobs to do the right thing.

John Roberts is 50 years old.....we are looking at 25 to 35 years of his influence.

I urge all DU'ers to make calls to their Senators, EVEN THOUGH it is a foregone conclusion that Roberts will be the next Chief Justice.

We all need to act, not because we will stop Roberts but with hope we can influence Bush's next nomination.

God help us all, God help America.

[bostonbabs]

18. I agree...I am calling emailing etc.

this makes me ill....another Clarence Thomas who loves Leo Strauss (University of Chicago)along with Norquist and all the neocons. They want to control everything because " We The People" are too stupid.
I hate them.

[bostonbabs]

19. I agree...I am calling emailing etc.

this makes me ill....another Clarence Thomas who loves Leo Strauss (University of Chicago)along with Norquist and all the neocons. They want to control everything because " We The People" are too stupid.
I hate them.

[Hardknock]

36. sad.....

America is gone folks.......

[newyawker99]

40. Hi Hardknock!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Broken_Hero]

20. Yeah, i agree.

I think its a foregone conclusion. The dems on the panel aren't asking enough tough questions, and they are leaving a lot of room in there comments, which lead me to believe that Roberts, to take a quote is "In Like Flynn." I don't like the idea of Roberts, being what, a two year judge, getting the top judge spot in the land. I don't really care to much for the man, he won't answer questions, but on the other hand, why the hell should he? Our dem leaders are doing much of anything to stop it, but throwing minimial rhetoric around. I see pro-choice groups and other civil rights groups making more noise than the dems, and that is sad.

[SoDesuKa]

29. Back Door Man

Roberts might have answered questions forthrightly, but that might have put his confirmation at risk. Instead he chose a weak stunt to avoid giving Democrats any talking points. If the ends justify the means, we can say that Roberts "won".

But in a larger sense it's not a win at all. Roberts starts off his tenure as Chief Justice by exploiting weaknesses in the system. Since he can't be compelled to tell the Senate how he really thinks, he gets away with it. Oh, great. We've got a helluva justice system in America when the top guy chuckles about how he got away with a stunt.

[troubleinwinter]

31. Bullshit.

"...maybe we can help insure that Bush doesn't nominate an even more insane right-winger for the *other* opening."

Where DID you get those pretty rosie lenses? I want some.

[mod mom]

4. too bad they didn't catch Mrs Stepford yawning in the background.

Keith played a great montage on that last night.

[Supersedeas]

43. a kabuki dance

[jillan]

5. Any news of what stations will be showing this????!!!!

The only thing missing from this is his scary expression. I just wish they would have put in one of these

[meganmonkey]

6. That's a good one

although I think it would be nice if there were a little blurb saying "Contact your Senators and tell them how you feel about this nomination" or something to that effect. I am sure the website has info on what to do, but there should be mroe of an action plan in the ad itself...

[SaveAmerica]

8. they even dogged him last night on nbc nightly news, said

someone sarcastically asked something like 'if you won't answer anything else I guess I should just ask what movies do you like' Roberts answered; Dr. Zhivago and one other, Newsguy then said that was the only real answer he gave in the days questions.

[Rainscents]

9. Well put together!

People really need to wake up!!!

Dem's must not let him get through on the senate floor! I'm afraid they will!

[katinmn]

12. Very effective ad. If I were on the cmtee I'd be angry.

What a waste of everyone's time.

[NV Whino]

13. Great ad

Don't know what good it will do, but I hope the world sees it.

[BrightKnight]

14. This should be given some air. - n/t

[dickthegrouch]

15. If I answered interview questions like that I'd never get a job

Dear Senators,

You are interviewing John Roberts on our behalf for a job from which he cannot be fired.

Cut short the interview.

You considered it appropriate to ask the questions; he as candidate, has no standing to decide what is appropriate to answer.

He doesn't want the job.... Take it away from him.

[SoDesuKa]

26. You'd Never Pass a College Exam That Way Either

For all his alleged "brilliance" Judge Roberts chose not to answer any question that was too difficult. Imagine pulling a stunt like that on a college final.

[TankLV]

33. EXACTLY!! I wish somebody would have asked the question that is so

obvious - again - to all of us here: Would you hire a person who refused to answer any questions about the job YOU were hiring him for?

Would ANYBODY get a job in an interview performance like that?!

It is really that simple.

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

16. OMG: He's Ronald Reagan's lost son!

How many times did we hear Ronnie use that "well, I don't remember" line? Wow, and it takes five TV channels to carry this lame message live; what a waste of time...

[SemperEadem]

42. Someone should have asked him

so, does anyone in your immediate family suffer from Alzheimers? Senility? Have you been tested?

[question everything]

17. Wait until his small kids become sexually active

and see how quickly he will care for right to privacy. This will take, what, 10 years? Will be too late by then.

[ClintonTyree]

38. I'm quite sure........

Robert's children were born without sex organs. Oh, they were adopted weren't they. Well, I'm sure that Roberts has had them removed or sealed in concrete, no republican must ever have sex unless it's to procreate. They still feel guilty about it then.

[question everything]

39. LOL. How cruel (nt)

[Broken_Hero]

21. Yeah, we deserve better...

Roberts wont stand up for anyones rights, but his buddies rights. He is a poor choice for the top judge spot in the land.

[MyUncle]

22. Great ad, but it is game over with Roberts. He is in.

[stevedeshazer]

23. This guy is my age. He'll be Chief Justice for the rest of my life.

He'll have the best health care in the world. I won't.

I love the ad, but sadly it will mean nothing in the long run.

You can already hear the hoofprints of Senate Democrats stampeding to vote for this guy, including my own Democratic senator.

I know the Dems are outnumbered in the Senate, but sweet Jesus, can't they stand up NOW? What does it take?

I'm in a shitty mood about this.

It just should not be this way. This is a lifetime appointment to the most powerful position in the federal judiciary, and this guy has just skated through.

I'm waiting for the full Senate vote, so I'll know who is really my friend and who isn't.

I predict ten to fifteen votes against Roberts' confirmation.

All Republicans and most of the Democrats will vote for this guy.

I'd sure like to hear from all the Green-bashers why I should support a Democratic party who is largely in support of a guy who is so obviously against the interests of their constituents.

Any takers?

[femrap]

35. I hope you are wrong....

please use the toll free numbers and call all of the spineless dem senators...
1-800-828-0498 and 1-800-247-2971...

Call and give them HELL.

I like to call the repug senators...especially the southern ones...I pretend I am one of their constituents...I have a great southern accent...and I tell them the poor staff member who answers the phone what the senator needs to do to save our democracy from people like Johnny Bob Taliban.

The staff member asks for my zip code .... but of course I have checked w/ www.zipinfo.com and I am totally prepared.

The above is a tactic used by the religious right and anti-choice groups....us Dems can use it well to our advantage.

I enjoy using this tactic while standing in the check-out line at my local grocery store....I loudly ask for Senator Sessions or Senator Coburn. Everyone looks on as I tell the Senator of crimes he is committing against our Democracy...

hey, it beats looking at the tabloids!!! And the others standing in line think you are 'somebody.' One person asked me for the phone number, which I am more that happy to hand out.

Please join me in calling our Senators and telling them that confirming Johnny Bob Taliban is an act against Democracy and Individual Freedoms.

[SoDesuKa]

24. Glib Lawyer

Big deal, so he's a glib lawyer. You can't get him to talk about anything substantive. What is he hiding?

[lonestarnot]

25. He's about the biggest blah blah blah in history of Supreme

Court nominations.

[WiseButAngrySara]

27. How can ANY Democrat have hesitations with respect to the way they

will vote? He is NOT a judge for the people, as he doesn't express our will! He certainly doesn't deserve the status of CJ. He is a political stooge for the BFEE. B* is in office in part because of his aid during the Gore vs. Bush fiasco.

I can't believe the country has come to this in 5 short (LOOONG) years. Maybe Katrina really was somewhat of a 'blessing' in disguise, as I've heard some threads suggest. I hope B* poll numbers continue tumbling into the dark abyss of no return, that all of their crimes come to light, including the recent election fraud, and that he and his entire crew are IMPEACHED.

[savemefromdumbya]

28. Roberts - no way is he going to be on the side of the people!

Joining the junta he will add to our pain. I'm sure all the Bill of Rights will be overturned eventually

[WiseButAngrySara]

30. Thanks Skinner! Kick and recommended......n/t

[donheld]

32. Like it or not John Roberts silence speaks volumes

God I hope Dem Senators are listening.

[JDPriestly]

34. Beautiful ad. One of the best I've ever seen.

[ClintonTyree]

37. Very nice, but............

it's not going to make a damned bit of difference. The Dems are going to roll right over like the bush lap dogs they are and confirm this man without batting an eye.
Christ, our Media has finally found it's spine and is doing it's job, what it will take for our elected Democratic leaders to do the same is unfathomable to me right now. They're acting like this is no big deal, they're asking questions, Roberts isn't answering, but in the end most of them will just roll over and confirm him. Sickening.
I'm just so sick of our Democratic "leadership" (an oxymoron if I've ever heard one) letting this administration ruin America.
I'm not a fan of Ralph Nader, but I guess he was right when he said "there's not a dime's worth of difference between the two parties".
Fucking disgusting.

[SemperEadem]

41. well done.. very effective and illuminating

I'm concerned that Roberts doesn't give a f*ck just how shady he's coming across by dodging these pertinent questions... his blind willingness to keep faithful to the neo-con agenda is making him out to be a man who has something to hide.. but you can't hide an elephant in the living room, shitting all over the place.

It concerns me more that he's going to get his nomination because of the thugs in the Senate. I wonder what they're going to say to their daughters or granddaughters when they look to the scotus to defend their rights and their granddaddy/grandmama voted to flush them away...

[Ignis]

44. Great ad!

I was trying to explain just how awful Roberts is to some friends, but this ad did my work for me. Those eyes...

[Hardknock]

45. THERE WILL BE A MARCH ON DC!!!!

WHEN ROBERTS AND THUGS REVERSE ROE V. WADE.