Commentary
If you watch only one thing from the Amy Coney Barrett charade, Senator Whitehouse’s presentation is the one!
As the Amy Coney Barrett Senate Judicial hearings drone on, there has been not much that was unexpected. There was, and is, little reason to watch the speeches and questions along straight party lines; the Senatorial pontification; the dodging, weaving and obfuscation by the nominee; the general disgracefulness of a sham nomination.
But there was one thing that, to borrow a phrase, is “must-see TV.” And that was Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s magnificent, informative and ultimately depressing presentation on how dark money influences the judiciary and the judicial process.
If you thought dark money was only a factor in electoral politics, watch this and think again.
Whitehouse concluded his presentation this way, “No, something is not right around the court. And dark money has a lot to do with it.”
One last thing. I’ve noticed that some media outlets are short-handing Barrett’s name: “ACB.” This has got to stop. It is an insult to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a judicial giant who earned her sobriquet through her hard work, her genius and her humanity. Although she will undoubtedly, and unfortunately, occupy RBG’s seat, Judge Amy Coney Barrett has not come close, nor would I expect ever will come close, to earning the right to a loving moniker like Justice Ginsburg’s.
Around the Block 
Ted: I watched the entire presentation, and it was brilliant. Now what more to do with it. ?? I want it plastered all over the country. It was brilliant. And, I want to examine how it can be used. Talk about it later.
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Ted,
Agree, thought his presentation was so well done and so scary but we also know no one seems to care.
If it was Democratic money, the Republicans would be raising holy hell.
On Wed, Oct 14, 2020 at 4:05 PM Around the Block wrote:
> Ted Block posted: ” Commentary If you watch only one thing from the Amy > Coney Barrett charade, Senator Whitehouse’s presentation is the one! As the > Amy Coney Barrett Senate Judicial hearings drone on, there has been not > much that was unexpected. There was, and is, lit” >
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We have three branches of government…the executive branch is completely broken under this president and administration; four more years would make it irreparable.Congress is useless and would be worse if the Dems didn’t win the House in 2018 (not to mention the fact that for Dems to maintain the any semblance of a majority, they have to win 5x bigger due to gerrymandering). And the justice system is now, for all intents and purposes, the injustice system, run by big money and special interests. Of course we should care; of course we should do what we can to fix it. But it seems to me, we’re way too far down the dark road without a total and unequivocal Dem sweep next month and then a hold for several more cycles so we can begin changing laws and changing the courts. Or, we can start learning Portuguese.
“Boas-vindas a Portugal. Felicidades!”
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I did watch Senator Whitehead as I happened to turn it on at that exact time. I was mesmerized by his charts and conclusions. I was also so disturbed by it. Later that afternoon, I happened to turn it on when one of the Republican Senators was talking. I don’t remember which one, but I was so disgusted when he said regarding “Dark Money” that the Democrats have benefitted from it also without any proof!!!
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It was Ted Cruz, the most venal, two-faced creep in the Senate…and to be the “worst” in that group is really saying something!
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Senator Whitehouse’s presentation was brilliant and analytical. Of course, the information he presented is disturbing as is this entire administration!
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I may not be able to sleep After listening to this. It is just too much.
Sent from my iPhone
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