Futility

Posted on FaceBook earlier today, sans picture:

Confirmation hearings for Judge Merrick Garland, nominee for Attorney General, are expected to begin this week. Garland, of course, was President Obama’s nominee for Supreme Court, but Mitch McConnell refused to bring it before the Senate for action. This confirmation was also delayed for a bit, again courtesy of McConnell, who negotiated that when bargaining for concessions on the COVID relief bill logistics and … other things. A news report I read this morning said that Garland should expect to be questioned about several things, such as his position on hate crimes and how the DOJ will be free from White House interference. I can only hope that Garland will employ some of recent Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s tactics, basically refusing to answer questions on the basis that she would not render a legal opinion on a hypothetical scenario. She was able to successfully dance around nearly every question put to her concerning her personal leaning on things like abortion, rule of law, and hate crimes. If it’s good enough for her in that circumstance, it should be good enough for him with the Senate.Finally, the report I read, and other news sources, have speculated that Garland might face questions about Hunter Biden. I’m wondering what the HELL the President’s son has to do with confirming a nominee for Attorney General. Are GOP members still driving toward “digging up dirt” on the President? What could possibly be the purpose of dredging up anything to do with Hunter BIden at this point. If Hunter is guilty of breaking any U.S. laws, or financial regulations, there are processes already in place to handle that. WTF does it have to do with the Attorney General, and what answer could he possibly give that would assure the inquisition of his impartiality?Through insurrection, deaths, breach of their own office building, the GOP has apparently learned nothing from recent events. There are reports there’s “split” in the party, brought on by the former POTUS’ refusal to stand aside, instead demanding a prominent place in their future. That’s fine – unfortunate as I see it, but nobody asked for my opinion. Regardless, though, it’s up to them, and it’s partisan politics. The confirmation of Merrick Garland as Attorey General has nothing to do with any of that. Come on, GOP…it’s not too late to do the right thing and start using a new playbook. The old plan is…old. This is a new day, whether anyone wants to admit that or not…Congress now has to deal with pandemic response, new faces in its seats, and a modified balance of power. It would seem common sense to jettison the old strategic plan, since the entire landscape and many of the players has changed. So, let’s face it…if we’re honest…the old GOP plan sucked. It only worked as well as it did because they had the majority to force it through. That’s no longer the case. I’m sure they will do their best to gridlock the incoming administration, as they did with the Obama administration, but with the current dynamics at play in the House and the Senate, I’m not sure that will be effective any longer. Play nice, y’all. If you don’t, the nation will stay welded into a place that no longer serves it. If you don’t like this President’s solutions, by all means come up with something else, something better, i would hope. and enough with the stolen election. if you want some of us to get over slavery and Jim Crow, y’all can get over one election that didn’t go your way but still left you pretty much in power. Move. On.LikeCommentShare