Judge not lest ye be judged
Judge not lest ye be judged
Amy Coney Barrett is being considered for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed, Professor Barrett will hold a great deal of influence over the lives of millions of people for decades.
For this reason, we the people demand our representatives scrutinize every bias and bigoted viewpoint any judge could possibly hold. This is no more than is done during jury selection. With religion being little more than a petri dish of baseless beliefs, biases, and bigotries, candidates should expect a thorough investigation of their relationship with any religion or cult. We would want to know if her religion condoned pederasty, say, or if she shared the ethics of those who practiced human scapegoating. No one would want their son or daughter crucified for the crimes of others. And what if her religion was infamous for producing splinter groups of rampaging, hood-wearing, warmongering, goose steppers itching for an Inquisition, or a Crusade, or their next nationalist identity. We the people would want to know and prevent, that — I would think.
Professor Barrett, with co-author John Garvey, suggested in a 1998 law review article entitled “Catholic Judges in Capital Cases” that judges anticipating religious conflicts in upcoming cases might recuse themselves. But this leaves the decision in the hands of someone who believes her worldview is the best of all possible worlds, and she would see her values as good enough to insist that everyone do as she says not so much as she does. Independent oversight on recusal scrutinizes her religion on a per-case basis.
No. We need a secular judge who holds objectively scrutinized evidence and the elimination of suffering far and above his or her sacred ideologies.
V.P. Bryant
Waikoloa
Great volunteers help save lives
I have been a reef teacher at Kahaluu Beach since 2010 when Lefty the turtle had to be rescued from being entangled in fishing line. Back then, Lefty was fortunate enough to have been saved by the diligent efforts of the team of volunteers that helped her get to Oahu where she had to undergo amputation but survived.
Thanks to an observant snorkeler and our passionate volunteer Paul, he was able to cut the fishing line from the turtle and save her from drowning. I was so thrilled when Paul brought the fishing line out and up to the van where Kathleen could take a photo of it. Just being there and knowing that our team effort saved a turtle really made my time volunteering worth every minute.
This is the reason I continue to do volunteer work at Kahaluu so we can help our marine creatures and protect our coral reef from being trampled by snorkelers. If we don’t protect our natural resources, what will the future generations have to enjoy?
I am truly grateful and so happy that another turtle has been saved. I just wanted to thank that snorkeler and Paul for the rescue.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Kailua-Kona