Yet another reason why I left Idaho

I do try so hard to keep this arbitrary and capricious thing from degenerating into a poli-blog, I really do, but things just have gotten so crazy lately.

It seems that Idaho's senior U.S. Senator, Larry Craig (R), is not really into that whole separation-of-powers, three-branches-of-government, independent-judiciary thing. He has co-sponsored S. 520, the "Constitution Restoration Act of 2005":

"The Constitution Restoration Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal district courts from exercising jurisdiction over any matter in which relief is sought against an entity of Federal, State, or local government or an officer or agent of such government concerning that entity's, officer's, or agent's acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government.

Prohibits a court of the United States from relying upon any law, policy, or other action of a foreign state or international organization in interpreting and applying the Constitution, other than English constitutional and common law up to the time of adoption of the U.S. Constitution. Provides that any Federal court decision relating to an issue removed from Federal jurisdiction by this Act is not binding precedent on State courts.

Provides that any Supreme Court justice or Federal court judge who exceeds the jurisdictional limitations of this Act shall be deemed to have committed an offense for which the justice or judge may be removed, and to have violated the standard of good behavior required of Article III judges by the Constitution."

I can't imagine Mike Crapo (a lawyer himself) or Mike Simpson or Butch Otter signing on to this profoundly un-conservative bit of pandering. I can't see Stephen Trott or other Republican-appointed judges embracing this. I hope not. One of these days, these little bills R's roll out to appease one wing of the party will pass, and then where will we all be?

I respect most of my Republican colleagues back home, lawyers and judges. They're smart enough that eventually all but the most partisan of them will figure out that they're in the demagogues' sights, along with the justice system and the rule of law. One of these days, some Idaho R's will have to show some backbone and say, enough's enough.

(link via Hullabaloo)

Update: A link from home! Or from North Idaho, at any rate. Say hello to Angry Commentator. Come see her pose proudly with Bo Gritz! "It truely was an honor," she said. But for me, an exiled Gem Stater, all she can say is, " a good thing that Skelly left -- whoever he is."

What was Orcinus saying about eliminationist rhetoric?