Posted by AuntieMel on April 8, 2005, at 13:20:28
In reply to Re: Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. » AuntieMel, posted by rayww on April 7, 2005, at 17:07:54
As you put it, not me.
These new bits mostly apply to appeal courts and the Supreme Court. It is legislation designed to limit their powers, and in my opinion neuter the third branch of government.
If this is allowed to pass, the slope just got very, very slippery.
The first part says that if a court has to decide if something is 'constitutional' it can *only* consider the original constitution and what was English common law *at the time* the constitution was adopted (1700s)
It says the court may NOT consider past court decisions, changing standards, treaties or anything else.
The second part I quoted says that if any government entity or official, from local to federal, says that God is the source of law or government then the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over that action.
An example would be if a trial judge were to stand up and say that all laws come from God and could quote bible verses - including 'an eye for an eye' this law would say that the Supreme court has no jurisdiction in regards to that statement.
The fact that this law in itself would be unconstitutional begs the question - 'But doesn't this law take the ability of the court to call it unconstitutional away?'
poster:AuntieMel
thread:480726
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050122/msgs/481634.html