I would hate to be someone to make an issue out of nothing, to shout for the sake of shouting. But, to be absolutely clear, that is not what I am doing, and it is not what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has done.
On July 10th, The New York Times published Adam Liptak's riveting interview with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg commented on the Senate’s refusal to hold a confirmation hearing for Judge Garland, important Supreme Court cases that have been heard while she has sat on the bench, the way The Court being a justice short has affected decisions, and, briefly, how disappointing and detrimental it would be for Donald Trump to be elected president and have the opportunity to appoint Supreme Court Justices.
But, of all the important topics Justice Ginsburg discussed with Adam Liptak, only one is getting press— her lack of enthusiasm at the thought of a Donald Trump presidency. The New York Times has even published subsequent articles dedicated to the nuances of her statement. As if it is surprising that a relatively open “liberalist”, daughter of immigrants, and woman of superior intelligence would oppose a man running for President of the Unites that is openly anti-liberal, anti-immigration, and anti-woman. This is not news.
Justice Ginsburg has even taken to the press to apologize for making comments about the election in general, as it has been generally the position of Supreme Court Justices to remain neutral in politics. The problem, I think, is that Justice Ginsburg, whom I love and adore, made a grand mistake in apologizing for her comment. Justice Ginsburg is a Supreme Court Justice, but she is first an American with an elevated platform and the opportunity to voice her thoughts ,that are the result of intelligent analysis, I’m positive, about an unfit candidate that may intend to direct the United States in a dangerous direction. Though it has been the result of a weak institution that Donald Trump is the Republican presumptive nominee for President, this is not politics. Justice Ginsburg’s decision to take a position reflects the reality that the United States, as a collective and united body, should be doing whatever possible to ensure that Donald Trump is not elected President because, politics aside, he is simply unfit.
It has not been the precedent for Supreme Court Justices to state their opinions on presidential nominees, because it has simply not been the precedent for such a wholly unqualified person to be considered for the job.
Sitting on the bench of the United States’ highest court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg can and should absolutely be identified as one of our nation’s best and brightest. And whether or not you degree with where she has stood on Supreme Court decisions, differences in opinion do not constitute ignorance or stupidity. Xenophobia, sexism, and bigotry, on the other hand, certainly do.
Instead of wasting column inches on outrage and shock over the justified comments of a reputable Supreme Court Justice, it’s about time we start shouting for the sake of preserving The White House for a person who is qualified to work there.
