Elliot Golan
With the retiring of Justice John Paul Stevens, a great opportunity is available. An opportunity to lead this country into the future.
Stevens was nominated by President Gerald Ford and joined the United States Supreme Court in 1975. He will retire as the fourth longest-serving justice in history.
With a judicial record that covered the gambit of the political spectrum, conservative to liberal, his integrity superseded the party lines that seem to suspend this country’s progress.
Though many articles are being written about his supposed liberal leanings, Stevens’ track record does not necessarily substantiate those claims.
He voted for censoring a school newspaper in 1988 and for sustaining a law that prohibited the burning of American flags in the state of Texas in 1989.
These are not liberal votes.
Yet, he was in favor of the recount in Florida over the much-disputed election of President George W. Bush. And though he was against affirmative action earlier in his career, he did vote to uphold it at the University of Michigan Law School in 2003.
Stevens seemed to do exactly what he was supposed to do.
As simple as it sounds and as hard as it is can be to find, he voted along the only lines that matter, his conscience and the law.
As the search for his replacement begins, the usual cries and concerns over political balance arise.
According to the New York Times, President Barack Obama will be considering approximately 10 candidates, though an official from the White House, who spoke to the Roundup, declined to confirm or comment on that number. Regardless of how many contend for the post, Justice Stevens’ shoes will be hard to fill.
With a fall docket numbering in the hundreds, the newest appointee will be on the front line of legal battles where the results can have ripple effects that will be felt for decades to come.
With great power and influence should come great pride and duty. The new justice must continue combating social inequalities, fight for equal rights and protection under the law and put this country in a position to evolve both legally and morally.
Take the position with responsibility. Take it as a chance to do the one thing many endeavor to do, but few seem to succeed in.
Make a difference.
Respectfully,
Concerned Citizen of the World
