current event threeee

Robert Barnes of The Washington Post wrote an article about “Supreme Court’s Direction Hinges on Who Wins ‘08 Races; A McCain Victory May Tilt Balance.” The Supreme Court is fairly balanced with four liberals and four conservatives, and one justice in the middle, Anthony M. Kennedy. It is likely that if Democratic Senator Barack Obama is elected president, then three justices of the Supreme Court will step down: David H. Souter, Ruth B. Ginsburg, and John P. Stevens. The ages of these three justices are 69, 75, and 88; seriously way too old for important decision makers, so I would say it’s not a bad thing to bring in new justices. However, people are afraid that Obama might make the wrong decision of who takes new seats in the Supreme Court. Law expert John McGinnis states, “What you really want to do in reshaping the court is change the median justice.” Which also makes sense, to change up what decisions might be made, instead of just changing “one conservative for another” and etc. He also says in order for McCain to appoint someone closest to his “ideology” would be to nominate a woman or a minority, who would be more difficult for Democrats to oppose. I don’t think that is a good approach for choosing someone for such an important role as Supreme Court Justice. McCain claims he would appoint judges “who have a proven record of strict interpretation of the Constitution of the United States.” Although that might be the most important aspect of a justice, there also needs to be concern for opinions on the environment, economy, and natural human rights.