I can't let this pass...

I decided that I would hold off on posting about the Supreme Court confirmation process for Samuel Alito for a few days. But that doesn't stop me reading about other people's thoughts and opinions. It seems that was a terrible mistake. I spotted a post by Dreadnought and, well, here we all are.

He observes:

Surprisingly, the focus of questioning during the first day of hearings on Judge Samuel Alito Jr's confirmation to the Supreme Court was not abortion. Rather, it was executive power.

There is no surprise for those of us living in the US. Abortion is a big issue, but it certainly isn't the only issue and, despite sporadic reporting of their other opinions, the Supreme Court isn't a single issue court.

The record of the Bush Administration thus far, it's very clear actions with the goal of expanding Executive power, and the flouting of laws passed by congress on Domestic Spying without warrants all make assessing Nominee Alito's position on Presidential power both relevant and urgent.

He continues:

Even more surprising, at least to the pro-death media, is the fact that average Americans aren't terribly interested in the hearings:

"Because of the implications of President Bush's clear desire to move the court in a more conservative direction, many activists have predicted a clash this year akin to those that occurred over the nominations of Robert H. Bork and Clarence Thomas -- Bork's heavily freighted in ideology and Thomas's overwhelmed by accusations of sexual harassment. It has not happened."

"One reason may be because the public considers these nominees differently than do the ideologues or both sides, looking at experience and demeanor more than at ideology. Or it may be because Alito's nomination has been overshadowed by more compelling issues, such as Iraq, the cost of home heating oil and natural gas or lobbyist Jack Abramoff's plea bargain."

Or it may be because the public agrees with Roberts' and now Alito's position. Perhaps, despite the skewed sampling of major newspaper articles and the nonsense spouted by NARAL, Americans reject the wholesale slaughter of children that has been carried out with Constitutional approval since Roe v Wade. "

I'm not going to wade into the abortion debate. In truth the American public who usually do pay attention have "Scandal and Lie fatigue". So much has gone so wrong for so long that they are afraid to open a newspaper or turn on the television for fear of what they will learn.

I will only point out that Dreadnought is in a fantasy world if he thinks that the American Public agree with the Pro-life and Anti-choice positions of Roberts and Alito. The numbers are overwhelmingly against him.

Now, I may be a rusty old curmudgeon but it looks to me like the number of people in the USA who want to ban safe and legal abortion (and there would still be unsafe and illegal abortion if they did) has declined. In fact, at only 20%, it looks like it's at it's lowest level for three years.

Let's consider "Generally Available" and "Stricter Limits" as generally for abortion in some form. Let's consider "Not Permitted" and "Unsure" as against abortion. I make that out to be 77% of Americans for Abortion in some form and 27% of Americans against abortion.

But wait, there is more:

The tide is turning. The days of legalised child-killing in America are almost at an end. Samuel Alito will be confirmed and Roe will fall. Who would ever have thought it even ten years ago? John Paul the Great really is working hard upstairs!

No, actually, the tide isn't turning. None of the numbers I've examined support that view. Sadly, it is very likely that Samual Alito will be confirmed. But as I listened to Nominee Alito today, he confirmed his agreement with "Stare Decisis" the principal "to let stand that which is decided". I also learned today that Roe vs. Wade has been reinforced in 38 separate rulings. Given those two pieces of information I can't realistically see the Supreme Court going against established law and public opinion to strike down Roe vs. Wade.

I wonder if the DreadPerson hopes that Griswold vs. Connecticut will also be overturned. Imagine, his joy at both contraception and abortion being illegal. Uncontrolled human reproduction and more unwanted babies. It's okay for him though, he will still be allowed to use a condom if he visits his Manhattan based boyfriend because it isn't preventing the conception of children.

At least until they reinstate the sodomy laws, that is.