Confirmation Hearing: Peter Bell (Associate Justice)

[Emsworth]

I call to order the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Peter Bell.

[Sam Spade]

One question:

How strongly do you feel about the concept of overturning legislative law, whether enacted by Atlasian Senates or held over from the US Government?  Will you be likely to do so, or will you lean towards a status quo on these matters?

[7,052,770]

Oooh, I will definitely have to make some great questions for this...

[PBrunsel]

When it comes to Constitutional knowldge, Peter Bell is the best man for the job. I'll vote aye.

[MHS2002]

Are you or do you know anyone involved in the Forum Elite Conspiracy?

[Peter]

How strongly do you feel about the concept of overturning legislative law, whether enacted by Atlasian Senates or held over from the US Government?

It is obviously an enumerated power of the Supreme Court to be able to overturn Laws that it considers to be in contradiction with the Constitution. I would do my duty in this regard and protect the Constitution from over-reaching by the legislature.

That said, a measure of judicial restraint is often in order, and I think that the Court should be prepared to carefully weigh what it does when examining statutory text and make sure that we are not striking an entire statute when other remedies may be better suited to the situation.

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Not knowing what cases I may face during my term, I have absolutely no idea what issues, situations and complexities I may face and any answer either way that I could give is a simple shot in the dark.

Are you or do you know anyone involved in the Forum Elite Conspiracy?

I have previously addressed my role in the FEC in this post

[7,052,770]

My question is of these images appeals to you the most?

[Peter]

The first picture, that of Justice David Souter. I have often said that Justice Souter was my favourite Justice on the present RL Court and that if given the opportunity I would elevate him to Chief.

Chancellor Palpatine whilst obviously a genius, is not as clever as Justice Souter. When I do my executions, I prefer axes to guillotines, so #3 is out. Brooke Burke is a female, so she's out. I'm not sure whats going on in #5, regardless, I am not aware of any them being clever, so I don't like that one either.

[7,052,770]

well you answered that pretty well, though I am a bit preturbed by your apparent not recognizing The Who

If you were walking along one day, and you saw me lying on the ground, dying of thirst, would you give me a drink of water?

Now what if it were Osama bin Laden?

[Peter]

If you were walking along one day, and you saw me lying on the ground, dying of thirst, would you give me a drink of water?

Presuming I had the water to give you, yes.

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Do I get I higher reward if I bring the guy in alive?

[7,052,770]

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Do I get I higher reward if I bring the guy in alive?

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No reward either way

[Peter]

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Do I get I higher reward if I bring the guy in alive?

No reward either way
[/quote]

I am not answering questions that are not based in reality.

[7,052,770]

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Do I get I higher reward if I bring the guy in alive?

No reward either way

I am not answering questions that are not based in reality.
[/quote]
a bit of a cop out, but fair enough


Next question:  What would you say to someone who said this:
The constitution does not expressly forbid the removal of the vice president's head, so it's ok.  In fact, I'm going to go cut of Emsworth's head right now!

[Peter]

Next question:  What would you say to someone who said this:
The constitution does not expressly forbid the removal of the vice president's head, so it's ok.  In fact, I'm going to go cut of Emsworth's head right now!

I could have sworn I left my axe here the last time I used it.

[True Democrat]

What is your view on how to balance civil liberties and fighting terrorism?

[Peter]

What is your view on how to balance civil liberties and fighting terrorism?

I cannot comment suitably on a broad topic without specifics, but I will say this, nothing in the Bill of Rights changed from 10th Sept 2001 to 12 Sept 2001, the circumstances in which it is applied is certainly different and as a Judge I would have to take account of that, but the underlying ethos of the Bill of Rights remains unaltered.

[True Democrat]

What is your view on how to balance civil liberties and fighting terrorism?

I cannot comment suitably on a broad topic without specifics, but I will say this, nothing in the Bill of Rights changed from 10th Sept 2001 to 12 Sept 2001, the circumstances in which it is applied is certainly different and as a Judge I would have to take account of that, but the underlying ethos of the Bill of Rights remains unaltered.

Ok, I'll make it more specific.  Relating to the real world, it is my opinion anyway, that many European nations like France deport people for hate speech, not just hate crimes.  I believe that the UK is also exploring this.  What do you think of these types of laws?  Also, what do you think of banning religious headress like they do in France?

[Emsworth]

While the questions so far seem okay, I would advise that we should not get too specific. Committing to one side on the specifics before the case even begins is not the mark of a distinguished jurist.

[Siege40]

In the event of a coup, and the overthrow of the current government by the FEC, to which side would owe your allegiance?



Siege

[Peter]

Ok, I'll make it more specific.  Relating to the real world, it is my opinion anyway, that many European nations like France deport people for hate speech, not just hate crimes.  I believe that the UK is also exploring this.  What do you think of these types of laws? Also, what do you think of banning religious headress like they do in France?

Obviously European nations are free to do as they choose. The term hate speech covers all manner of sins, and according to who the observer is, can span from simply criticising a religion or lifestyle all the way over to actively inciting people to commit acts of terrorism. Some of this "hate speech" would not be protected under our Constitution whilst some would, one would have to look very carefully at how a particular Law was worded before coming to any definitive conclusions.

To my knowledge, the religious headress ban applies only in schools in France, though I may be wrong. Provided that we are dealing with a generic headress with no special circumstances, under our Constitution I think it would be a violation of the Free exercise and/or speech clauses as was established in Tinker v. Des Moines in 1969 in the RL Court.

[Peter]

In the event of a coup, and the overthrow of the current government by the FEC, to which side would owe your allegiance?

Given that I have already confessed to being the leader of the FEC, I would have thought it would be rather obvious.

[Siege40]

In the event of a coup, and the overthrow of the current government by the FEC, to which side would owe your allegiance?

Given that I have already confessed to being the leader of the FEC, I would have thought it would be rather obvious.

You've also stated that I'm your puppet President, it's really a win-win for you.

Siege

[Peter]

You've also stated that I'm your puppet President, it's really a win-win for you.

The thing is that I need to keep the masses obeying me, so like all dictators, I must follow the popular whims and fads, and thus may at some point be forced to usurp you, even though you obviously already do everything that I could ever want.

*Makes Siege's head nod*

[DanielX]

Wouldn't your position as Pope of the Church of PD make your objectivity in Church-State judgements questionable? And if nominated, will you resign your Papacy?

[Peter]

Wouldn't your position as Pope of the Church of PD make your objectivity in Church-State judgements questionable? And if nominated, will you resign your Papacy?

That's it. I'm done being nice with you. F**K You!