"Fear And Trepidation"

Okay, so we all know by now that President Bush nominated his attorney, Harriet Miers, to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the United States Supreme Court. Liberals and Conservatives alike were a bit taken aback by Bush's appointment of a seemingly inexperienced, yet loyal, Texas crony to the nation's highest court.

However, even more troubling than Miers' perceived inexperience and obvious indebtedness to the Bush Dynasty, may be the fact that the Religious Right has publicly considered supporting Miers' nomination strictly based upon "private assurances" provided to high profile right wing leaders by the Bush White House.

Thankfully, the Senate Judiciary Committee has said NOT SO FAST

The Committe is troubled by the remarks of Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson who,when discussing his questionable support for Miers, recently hinted:

"When you know some of the things that I know -- that I probably shouldn't know -- you will understand why I have said, with fear and trepidation, that Harriet Miers will be a good justice."

I'm sorry, but what the hell does that mean? Why is this Dobson nutjob privy to "things he probably shouldn't know" regarding Ms. Miers. I'm curious. Is she a robot programmed by Karl Rove, and controlled with a joystick? Has she been sent to the United States by God as some sort of divine inspiration to rid us of homosexuals, unwed pregnant mothers, and other "undesireables."

Folks, the legal landscape of this country is being determined by well-timed leaks, and backroom deals. I fully understand that the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice is an inherently political act. I've checked my political innocence at the door, but come on, this is getting ridiculous. When the director of Focus on the Family knows more about one of the (potentially) most powerful judges in the world than the very people who's lives will be shaped by her judicial opinions, we have abandoned all hopes of a legitimate democracy.

Our leaders no longer pretend to separate Church and State. However, they can at least do us the favor of discussing their religious designs in an open and public forum. Is that too much to ask?