What I'd like to know about Judge John Roberts

I'm listening to the discussion about Judge John Roberts on PBS right now. (God bless this home of relatively rational analysis.)

I've also been reading an article about Roberts at law.com - "the Web's leading legal news and information network" - which seemed like a good, impartial place for my own reading on this guy to start. I highly recommend everyone read it.

Despite the talk on television of Roberts' thin record ("He's a stealth candidate" say some liberals), I'm going to withhold judgment...especially since others are calling Roberts "the smartest lawyer in Washington". Of course, with Senator Schumer reminding us that Judge Roberts refused to list three Supreme Court decisions he disagreed with during his previous confirmation hearings, he just may be TOO smart. (wink)

But I've got two questions I'd like Judge Roberts to answer. I offer them here "intellectual property free". Any Senator may use them. No attribution necessary. One question comes from the fact that Judge Roberts and I are both 50 years old. The other has to do with the worst decision, in my opinion, The Supreme Court has ever made.

The first question: What does Judge Roberts think of Star Trek?
The second question: What does Judge Roberts think of Bush v. Gore?

Star Trek was first broadcast in 1966, when both Roberts and I were 11 years old. When you're 11, you're thinking about the values you will live by for the rest of your life. Star Trek's vision of a time when everyone on Earth has learned to live in peace (admittedly, after a forth world war) and of the Prime Directive which directed Capt. Kirk, et al not to interfere in the development of other cultures had a huge influence on my own ethical and moral development. I'd like to know if Star Trek had an influence on John Roberts and, if so, what that influence was. (For good measure, someone could also ask him what, if any, influence the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" had on him too.)

Bush v. Gore. Arguably the worst Supreme Court decision in American history...a terrible decision also brilliantly (and somewhat humorously) discussed here and, more intellectually, here (PDF document). Bush v. Gore is no way to (s)elect a President. I want to know what Judge Roberts thinks of this Supreme Court decision.

Well, I've gone from PBS to CNN. Aaron Brown had a nice balance of conservative and liberal commentators on tonight's show. I sure hope CNN keeps him on the air.

Live long and prosper, everyone!

Addendum:

I forgot to mention that one of Aaron Brown's guests tonight was Andrew Breitbart, who made this comment when asked by Aaron "What's the one thing you'd like to know about Judge Roberts?"

Said Breitbart (and I may have a word or two slightly off here): "I'd like to know if DailyKos, The HuffingtonPost, and the other left wing sites can handle two cultural battles at the same time?"

What a strange, non-answer answer.

Why is it that some people have absolutely no curiosity about Judge Roberts...the man and his opinions? Why is it that so many people have lost the abiity to think critically about things? Abraham Lincoln said "As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."

I, for one, want to get to know this man. It's not enough that President Bush thinks he's good enough. After all, President Bush still thinks Karl Rove is an ethical and moral enough person to be his Deputy Chief of Staff (not just his Senior Advisor, a position requiring lower ethical and moral standards).

Well, this lets me end on Andrew Breitbart's actual response to Aaron Brown. Yes, Andrew, The Huffington Post can handle two, three, or more cultural battles at the same time. Bring them on! (wink)