What Does the Appointment of Amy Coney Barrett Mean to You?

             Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as an associate justice on the Supreme Court last night. She is the first conservative woman and the first mother of school-age children to serve on the Supreme Court. Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) was interviewed by Fox News’ “Hannity” minutes after Barrett was sworn in as an associate justice. He gave her appointment far more importance than the fact that she is a constitutionalist and makes decisions according to the Constitution.

To all conservative women who go through hell for being conservative, who get beat up by the mainstream media for embracing your faith, being pro-life … you’re a winner tonight. There’s a seat at the table for you.

            I looked at the appointment of Barrett as a great achievement for herself, her family, and her mentors and an enormous motivator for girls and young women. I also saw her as a strong defender for the rule of law. However, I did not consider how her appointment would affect conservative women until I heard Graham make this statement. I suppose that my lack of consideration for this importance is my age and my lack of experience in “trying to do it all” as a conservative woman.

            Unlike me, Kelsey Bolar https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/10/27/what-amy-coney-barrett-means-to-conservative-women/ at The Daily Signal did see the magnitude of what Barrett has done for conservative females of all ages. Bolar noted that it was “one of the darkest days for a leftist, establishment guy” and then wrote the following:

… But for the millions of hardworking conservative women seeking an example of what it can look like to balance faith, family, and a fulfilling, successful career, Barrett’s confirmation was one of the brightest days in all of history.

It was especially bright for those of us who are exhausted and demoralized by the ugly rancor and political rhetoric. And it was encouraging for those of us who are told we are traitors to our sex if we don’t vote a certain way. It was also historic for those of us who hear, “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women,” but then watch as so-called feminists turn round to destroy women who don’t follow their explicit agenda. Indeed, they didn’t hold back for Barrett.

When a figure like Amy Coney Barrett walks in the door and earns a seat at the table, she establishes a new vision for feminism and reminds conservative women who – and what – we’re fighting for.

The significance of her example cannot be overstated. Whether we’re single, stay-at-home moms, career women, or a mix, Barrett shows what’s possible for us to achieve. Her story rejects the tired notion of traditional feminism and replaces it with a bold version that embraces womanhood for all its glories: marriage, motherhood, faith, and a fulfilling career.

            Bolar named a lot of ways that Barrett’s appointment defended conservative women. My first observation of Barrett’s accomplishments was an exclamation: Women can have it all! Women can have a happy marriage, numerous children, and a successful, fulfilling career. Barrett obviously did not listen to the feminists who claimed that women should give up marriage and motherhood to have careers. I applaud Barrett for standing by her faith in marriage and family life even as she rose to the highest court in the land.

I also applaud her husband for his support for her. Jesse M. Barrett is a fellow Notre Dame Law graduate. He is a former federal prosecutor and assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Indiana. It appears that his job is every bit as demanding as hers and that they have supported each other at home and in their careers. Barrett looks like she has it all, and this should drive every liberal crazy!

 

What Took You So Long?

             My VIP for this week is Amy Coney Barrett, the newest Justice to join the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate voted along party lines – 52-48 – to confirm her nomination at 8:00 P.M., and less than two hours later at 9:15 P.M. Justice Clarence Thomas officiated as she took the official constitutional oath of office at the White House. She will be administered the judicial oath on Tuesday in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court. Then she will take her place as a Justice on the Supreme Court.

Barrett is the 115^th Justice to be confirmed to the Supreme Court and the 5^th woman. By all accounts, she is highly qualified for the position, and she will bring a different viewpoint to the Court. She is the only conservative woman on the Court and the only mother of school-age children on the Court.

Liberals and Conservatives alike should rejoice at the idea of a constitutionalist being confirmed to the Supreme Court, but Democrats are throwing a temper tantrum at the audacity of President Donald Trump for make the nomination and of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for holding the confirmation vote. However, those who do rejoice at a constitutionalist being joining the court will like her statement.

The oath that I have solemnly taken tonight means, at its core, that I will do my job without any fear or favor, and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences. I love the Constitution and the democratic republic that it establishes, and I will devote myself to preserving it.

            I do not ask more of her, and no one else should either. She is young at only 48 years of age, so she should have 20 to 30 years on the bench – at least. If she lives as long as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died at age 87 years, Barrett could be there for 40 years. I feel good about her appointment and confident in her ability to make constitutional decisions.

What Are the Responsibilities of Judges?

             The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns the responsibilities of judges. The confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is scheduled to start tomorrow. She released the opening statement that she will give tomorrow, and her opener includes her description of a judge’s responsibilities are. 

Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society. But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life. The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the People. The public should not expect courts to do so and courts should not try.

That is the approach I have strived to follow as a judge on the Seventh Circuit. In every case, I have carefully considered the arguments presented by the parties, discussed the issues with my colleagues on the court, and done my utmost to reach the result required by the law, whatever my own preferences might be. I try to remain mindful that, while my court decides thousands of cases a year, each case is the most important one to the parties involved. After all, cases are not like statutes, which are often named for their authors. Cases are named for the parties who stand to gain or lose in the real world, often through their liberty or livelihood.

            According to Barrett’s statement, she understands that judges do not have the responsibility to make the laws or to solve the problems of society. Their job is to “enforce the rule of law,” something that is “critical to a free society.” She understands that the President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives are elected by the people and accountable to the people, whereas judges are not. Judges are appointed for life and are expected to rise above the clamor of politics. Their duty is to understand what the law says and to make judgments according to the law.