bhallg2k
06-07-2005, 12:13 AM
So in light of the Supreme Court's medical marijuana decision, what do y'all Republicans think now about so-called "activist judges trying to legislate from the bench," as is so often said of judges handing down "liberal" decisions?
In case you didn't know, the Court effectively struck down state medical marijuana laws today. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that state medical marijuana laws do not protect the state's citizens from federal prosecution. It was a by-the-book decision and it was correct, even though I don't agree with the outcome.
Justice Stevens said in his majority opinion that it was a matter for Congress to decide whether or not medical marijuana should be legal, but as it stands now, the states have no right under federal law to decide otherwise. Thus he and five other judges ruled against backers of medical marijuana.
Justices Rehnquist, Thomas and O'Connor (appointed by Republicans) dissented. In effect, they attempted to federally legalize state medical marijuana laws, ignoring long-standing federal law that supercedes anything else. That, by the way, is what an "activist judge" does.
So express your outrage, Republicans. Show your teeth at this abomination of the judiciary. Don't be hypocrites. How dare those activist judges (appointed by Republicans; I don't think that irony will ever grow old) attempt to usurp the people's power to make laws and make medical marijuana legal all by themselves! Shame, I say. Shame!
In case you didn't know, the Court effectively struck down state medical marijuana laws today. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that state medical marijuana laws do not protect the state's citizens from federal prosecution. It was a by-the-book decision and it was correct, even though I don't agree with the outcome.
Justice Stevens said in his majority opinion that it was a matter for Congress to decide whether or not medical marijuana should be legal, but as it stands now, the states have no right under federal law to decide otherwise. Thus he and five other judges ruled against backers of medical marijuana.
Justices Rehnquist, Thomas and O'Connor (appointed by Republicans) dissented. In effect, they attempted to federally legalize state medical marijuana laws, ignoring long-standing federal law that supercedes anything else. That, by the way, is what an "activist judge" does.
So express your outrage, Republicans. Show your teeth at this abomination of the judiciary. Don't be hypocrites. How dare those activist judges (appointed by Republicans; I don't think that irony will ever grow old) attempt to usurp the people's power to make laws and make medical marijuana legal all by themselves! Shame, I say. Shame!