Deep Division

It's somewhat disconcerting to encounter such divergent positions held so rigidly as we heard in the grim embrace of Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Democrats, mostly advocating reason and perspective found themselves in this predicament when they chose to take note of what a shady and dishonest capitalist operative the nominee has proven himself to be in the past. Republicans may not be as firmly wedded to principle, but what they lack in this regard they more than make up for in looniness. Texas Sen. Cornyn, a courageous but retiring advocate for the freedom to marry box turtles, was joined in a sinister heartland lineup with Oklahoma senator and clairvoyant diagnostician Coburn and the Kansas shepherd of the unborn, or possibly preborn, fœtus, Brownback in a triple thrust that made clear that they don't intend to let the judiciary fall into the hands of individuals who aren't committed to the rule of law as the power of their president to stomp out bad guys whenever he thinks he sees one.