The Washington Post released PDFs of two speeches Miers gave in the early 1990s. They read like high school essays. Bad ones. She actually seems a bit more libertarian in her view than one might have expected from an evangelical (though she may have given this speech before the whole born-again thing). But philosophy is beside the point. This is an issue of raw competency. Miers’ thought process and grasp of even rudimentary legal or poltiical theory wouldn’t get her a B in a high school civics class.

Consider this dandy:

We undeniable still have a justice system that does not provide justice for all as provided by the Pledge of Allegiance. One justice for the rich, one justice for the poor. One justice sometimes for minorities, one for whites.

Are you kidding me? We’re about to confirm someone to the Supreme Court who only ten years ago believed that “justice” is “provided for” by the Pledge of fucking Allegiance?

That Bush thought Miers was competent for the Supreme Court — and that he continues to fight for her — speaks volumes about his own competency. This grows more embarassing by the day. I’m the last thing from a Bush supporter. But now, I’m embarassed for him.

More excerpts after the break. Sics all around.

“The necessary continued requirements by the Courts for progress frequently has the effect of hardening feelings and slowing the process and in my view the ultimate benefit of a society whose wealth is diversity and who pulls together against common enemies.

[...]

The underlying theme in most of these cases is the insistence of more self-determination. And the more I think about these issues, the more self-determination makes the most sense. Legislating religion or morality we gave up on a long time ago.

[...]

This week our televisions have allowed us to sit ringside as Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg testified at her confirmation hearings too become the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court of the U.S.

[...]

Courage is lacking in would-be leaders many times today.

[...]

Progress is steady and encouraging but from time to time we have to admit that equality in many arenas is still a goal.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 26th, 2005 at 8:57 pm by Radley Balko and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.