Don’t Rush to a Supreme Court Decision. The Judicial Process Is at Stake.

Last updated on: October 4, 2018 at 2:50 pm by Paul Louis Metzger

Don’t Rush to a Supreme Court Decision. The Judicial Process Is at Stake. 2018-10-04T14:50:51-07:00 Paul Louis Metzger

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Supreme Court. Creative Commons

The American Bar Association called yesterday for delaying a Senate vote on Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination until the FBI can investigate allegations of sexual misconduct. What is perhaps most striking is that prior to the allegations by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and other women the ABA had approved Judge Kavanaugh as well-qualified for the highest court in the land. The reason for the call to delay is based on respect for justice and the judicial process.

In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the ABA wrote, “Each appointment to our nation’s highest court (as with all others) is simply too important to rush to a vote,” the letter added. “Deciding to proceed without conducting additional investigation would not only have a lasting impact on the Senate’s reputation, but it will also negatively affect the great trust necessary for the American people to have in the Supreme Court.”

Certainly, one is innocent until proven guilty, and we the public do not ultimately know if Judge Kavanaugh is guilty of the charges. And yes, the Judiciary Committee would need to ascertain the merits of the information the FBI provides. Even so, the more information the better. Haste makes waste in terms of the due judicial process and respect for our governmental institutions.

We all struggle with partisan perspectives of various kinds. No doubt, there are partisan biases at work on both sides of the aisle in Congress to push forward or delay the vote. For both sides—Republicans and Democrats alike, the November elections loom. One way or another, the outcome of the elections would likely have a major bearing on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination, if the vote is delayed until that time.

Even so, the outcome of the elections is part of the democratic process. A full assessment of the allegations to help determine whether they are true or false would also be part of the democratic process. Yes, Judge Kavanaugh’s reputation is at stake, as are the reputations of the women bringing forth the allegations. So, too, the reputation of our democratic process is at stake. A hasty decision will only fuel partisan flames more. We should also keep in mind that most sexual misconduct cases do not get reported. Perpetrators of sexual crimes are far less likely to be convicted and imprisoned than those guilty of other criminal offenses. What does moving forward without an FBI investigation say to women across the country about justice in our land? Are not those who have brought forth the allegations themselves innocent until proven guilty?

Many Democrats bemoaned the impeachment proceedings concerning President Clinton involving the Monica Lewinsky case, just as many Republicans are bemoaning the case of Christine Blasey Ford. But for the sake of pursuing truth over policy of this or that party, let’s not rush to a decision. The judicial process is at stake.

We want to know what you think about the upcoming midterm elections. Vote in our poll below!

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 22, 2018

The Christian Life is One of Constant Discovery--Even Rediscovery.

Next Post

October 2, 2018 What Is a Real Muslim? Who Gets to Decide?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz