The Muck and Miers

Let’s say you know someone professionally. And that the relationship is of the most intimate kind. You share the deepest detailed and privileged information imaginable with this other person. You tell her in advance about your hopes, your plans, your expectations, your strategies. After she gives you her best advice she then steps forward to protect you if something goes wrong. Together you privately enjoy your successes and even admit your failures. Though she knows everything about your professional life she tells no one, bound by her ethics, and the law, and her loyalty from revealing a single thing. What is said behind closed doors remains there, what is confidential stays that way.

This relationship continues for more than 15 years. Deep bonds and absolute trust are built. During that time you are in the public sector. Politics. Your focus shifts from the state to the national. Every day you are forced to confront the issues, explain your positions, and defend your policies. No one is more visible; no one more on the record. A small group of your closest advisors is there with you each step, helping you. This person, your old friend, trusted advisor and protector, is a part of that group.

Then you can reward her for her service. You can nominate her for the US Supreme Court. And you do. When, during the ensuing rush for information, someone asks you what her beliefs are about abortion you say it was not a relevant concern. Shortly thereafter you amend that; you say you do not recall ever, during those many years, having a discussion about abortion with her, and that you do not know her views. Not that you do know but can’t tell because of privacy concerns--- but that you never, ever talked about it together. In all that time.

Congratulations. Your answer will go down as the biggest bunch of bullshit since “I am not a crook,” and “I did not have sex with that woman,” and “because they have weapons of mass destruction.”

Two Short SCOTUS takes:

Look at these thumbnails, both part of a single, larger photo taken the day Roberts was sworn in as Chief. They tell the story.



Scalia, shut out from the top job, is his usual warm, engaging and charming self...



... and Thomas, who did not really understand anything that was going on is just delighted to be out of the house and wearing his big robe again.