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They Write Letters, Old Judges Edition.

What do cranky retired federal judges do for fun?

They write letters denouncing the judicial appointment crisis, of course:

But the use of secret holds and filibusters undermine the credibility of the judiciary and, by contributing to lengthy vacancies on the courts, impede the courts? ability to ensure that cases can be heard and adjudicated in a timely fashion. At this moment, our courts are overburdened and increasingly certain vacancies are being designated as ?emergencies? by the Administrative Office of the Courts because of the length of time the court has been without a judge. This situation is untenable for a country that believes in rule of law.

"Rule of law" -- how deliciously quaint.

Given the myriad and pressing problems facing our nation, to say there is an "enthusiasm gap" among the electorate regarding judicial nominations is an understatement.

But we're grown-ups.

We're supposed to help focus attention on things that matter, and by that I mean Koran-burning nutjobs and enforcing "no-Mosque" zones in culturally significant spots like Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The sad irony is, as Dahlia Lithwick noted recently in Slate, that the issue is truly bipartisan:

Whether you support Obama's legislative agenda or abhor it, having properly functioning courts should matter, because today in America every single legislative action has an equal and opposite legal reaction.

I know I know, Bork payback trumps all.......

Full post as published by South Florida Lawyers on September 17, 2010 (boomark / email).