US Election and Supreme Court

[Jack Simth]

Possum: One of the Judicial Branch's roles is to interpert law, including Constitutional law. The Supreme Court is the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, and has the final say. The decision the Supreme Court made in the 2000 election was on a case brought to them (they didn't abitrarily step in - they were asked to make a decision, and accepted the case) on interpertation of Floridian and Federal election law. They decided the election in the same sense that the referees decide who wins in particularly close games.

Randallw: The Supreme Court Judges are appointed by the President, but the appointments are subject to approval by the Senate (perhaps Congress as well, I'm not certain on the specifics).

[Fyron]

Jack Simth said:
Possum: One of the Judicial Branch's roles is to interpert law, including Constitutional law. The Supreme Court is the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, and has the final say. The decision the Supreme Court made in the 2000 election was on a case brought to them (they didn't abitrarily step in - they were asked to make a decision, and accepted the case) on interpertation of Floridian and Federal election law. They decided the election in the same sense that the referees decide who wins in particularly close games.

Ah, but the truth mars the nice conspiracy theory!

[narf poit chez BOOM]

/me puts on a lead hat.

Sheesh, really, how's tinfoil supposed to protect you from anything?

[Jack Simth]

Narf: By acting as a Farrady (sp?) cage.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

This thing? http://www.boltlightningprotection.c...raday_Cage.htm

Problem: The part of the head not protected would allow signals in. On the other hand, same problem with lead hat. Full-body lead/Faraday suit?

[Jack Simth]

Narf: Yeah, that thing. It doesn't have to be perfect, just sufficent to protect from the particular thing you are worried about. If the particular things you are worried about are orbital mind control masers, a tin-foil hat with a metallic chin-strap will suffice as long as you remain upright.

Of CoUrSe, As No SuCh OrBiTaL mInD cOnTrOl MaSeRs ExIsT, tHeRe Is No NeEd FoR aNy SuCh PrEcAtIoN.

[geoschmo]

Jack Simth said:
Randallw: The Supreme Court Judges are appointed by the President, but the appointments are subject to approval by the Senate (perhaps Congress as well, I'm not certain on the specifics).

Yes, Congress has the duty to confirm or not the justices that the President nominates. However, Congress is not in session right now. The president can appoint a temporary justice in what's called a "recess appointment". Once Congress convenes they would go through the confirmation process, but in the mean time he'd sit on the bench and his decisions would be binding just like he'd already been confirmed.

This would be a galactically stupid idea. Agree or not, everyone must admit that a sizeable portion of the US population does not view the current administration as legitimate. Having a temporary appointed judge pass down a binding decision in favor of the incumbant is quite possibly the only thing that could happen that would be worse then what we went through in 2000.

There has been rumbling from the Supreme Court that they will not be accepting any cases this time around. So if there is another disputed election it will probably be decided in whatever state supreme court where it happens. If it does go to Washington, Reinquist will be wheeled in strapped to a hospital bed if neccesary.

[Will]

geoschmo said:
If it does go to Washington, Reinquist will be wheeled in strapped to a hospital bed if neccesary.

More likely, they will simply refuse to hear the case. Which would mean the lower court's (State Supreme Court's) decision would stand and there would be no further Federal precident. I'm pretty sure most of the Justices still have a bad taste in their mouths after the 2000 decision, and they want no part of Round 2 in 2004. And I'm sure most of the US District Courts don't want any part of it either. And come to mention it, probably most of the State Supreme Courts...

Here's to hoping only legitimate lawsuits (eg. "observers" openly hassling voters) get heard, and lets hope there aren't even any of those.

Oh, and by the way, US people... go vote

Everyone else... if you can make it to Florida, you try too.