Seeking Conservative Justice, In Vain

In 2010 several southern states with republican majority legislatures, redrew congressional districts, using updated census data, in accordance with constitutional requirements. The newly redrawn districts, in terms of geographical shape, were more convoluted than a copulating octopus. Not a trace of geometrical reason, not a trace of keeping it simple, stupid. Needless confusing complexity of shape. The insidious purpose was to align the districts so as to minimize the impact of African-Americans at the ballot box, by isolating them in small groups. Democracy in action, republican party style. Corruption. Suspicions were raised. Lawsuits were filed. So much for the pious claim often made by conservatives that racism is neither institutionalized in America, nor that it is the domain of conservatives. The United State Supreme Court agreed, and in a unanimous decision, including all conservative members of the high court, ruled that the redistricting was indeed based on racism, and was thus unconstitutional. This, after all the trouble the conservative legislative community engendered to preclude the nomination of Merrick Garland, and to elevate a true conservative to the court, Justice Gorsuch. A liberal rendering from a conservative court, similar to how the conservative court upheld Obamacare and legalized gay marriage. Proper political ideology has become a criteria among conservatives for placement on the Supreme Court, an inherently ludicrous and pernicious idea unto itself. The only criteria should of course be a consistent record of rendering wise justice for lower courts. If anything, only moderates should be considered. Conservative ideologues will evidently never learn that their tricky tactic never works. Qualified justices, even if they are conservative, render liberal verdicts when liberal verdicts are just. Conservative legislators do not have a good track record of quick learning, so, most likely the country will continue to see a steady stream of conservative jurists appointed to judgeships, even though it really makes no difference, fortunately.