A
front-page news article in today's Los Angeles Times
(Saturday October 22, 2005) that focused on Harriet Miers' response on a
questionnaire included harsh critique from a law professor who has
described himself as "progressive" and once praised far-left Judge Ruth
Bader Ginsburg for her "steely brilliance."
The Times simply identified
Burt Neuborne as a "New York University law professor" and "a
voting rights expert." However, a look at some of Neuborne's public
writings and career uncovers a dedicated liberal and lays doubt on his
being impartial towards Miers.
In
an April 2005, article in the left-wing The Nation, Neuborne
wrote,
"[T]he current Court is still capable of delivering powerful
legal highs. The remarkable judicial odysseys of Kennedy and
the late Harry Blackmun; Sandra Day O'Connor's stubborn search
for a middle ground; John Paul Stevens's enduring wisdom and
intellectual leadership; Ruth Bader Ginsburg's steely
brilliance; the decent pragmatism of David Souter and Steven
Breyer ..."
Neuborne had no such fond words (nor any at all) for Justice
Clarence Thomas. As for Justice Antonin Scalia, Neuborne simply referred
to his "quirky literalism and intense constitutional protection."
In addition, writing on the nomination of Attorney General John
Ashcroft in
January 2001, Neuborne began his article in The Nation,
"John Ashcroft's nomination as Attorney General is the first
installment on George W. Bush's enormous political debt to the
radical right."
The term "radical right" is used six times in
Neuborne's piece, not including the times he refers to "right-wing
religious fundamentalists" or labels something "extremist." The same
article also promotes that George W. Bush "sold his soul at Bob Jones
University" in 2000.
Oh, yeah. Neuborne also served as
National Legal Director of the ACLU in
the 1980's.
Much has been written about Miers' Christian faith. Judging from his
writings, it appears Neuborne could hardly qualify as a fair critic of
Ms. Miers.
TheMediaReport.com says ... Just asking
for full disclosure.