"A New Hope"

The "official" title of the chapter in the original Star Wars movie seems appropriate for the news du jour - Harriet Miers' withdrawal.

This Owl wishes her all the best, and hopes that she will continue to serve President Bush well.

Now, Mr. Bush, enough with the stealth nominees, lack of paper trails, lack of history. As I wrote last night, it's time to nominate a known quantity, someone who is a solid conservative, with a firm, established constructionist view of the Constitution. In doing so, you have the support of both the majority of the Senate and the majority of the People.

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Why I oppose the Miers nomination.

I've been sitting on the sidelines, watching this slow-motion train wreck unfold. Now it's time for me to speak up.

I oppose the Miers nomination for two reasons.

First and foremost, I do not believe that Harriet Miers is the right person for the job. She may be a wonderful person, but wonderful people don't always translate into the best performers of a given job.

I've yet to read, see or hear anything other than "trust us" or "give deference to presidential nominations" as a justification for Ms. Miers' nomination. Sorry, but those just don't cut it.

Second, it appears that she was nominated for all of the wrong reasons. Republicans control the Senate. There is no reason, and no excuse, for not nominating someone with both an established knowledge of constitutional law and a healthy respect for that law (I think the term is "constructionist", but I could be very wrong. I'm a math / computing Owl, not a law Owl).

There comes a time, when foes rise up and challenge you, when you must make a decision; a decision to either kowtow to your foes, or stand firm and say "Bring it on."

I believe it's quite apparent what Mr. Bush has decided.

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Eight Months of Nothin'

Well now, seems old Owl here has been asleep at the keyboard.

Actually, I've been busy working on many things, both personal and professional.

For my vast reading audience (Hello? Is anyone out there?), my apologies. Hasn't been much to report on, or discuss.

Unless, of course, you want to discuss the finer points of the Fast Fourier Transform, Lego robots, or the Barcza opening. I could then talk your ear off... but probably bore you to tears.

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