The New York Times' Carl Hulse pens an interesting article in today's issue on Republican machinations on the nuclear option. Apparently, though Frist and his cronies had planned on postponing the action until next month, Hulse reports that they now hope to try to quash the Democratic voices within the next two weeks. (For an interesting article on the efforts to abate the dilemma, check out Alexander Bolton's piece in The Hill today.)

In the course of the article, Hulse notes a heated discussion that took place on Capitol Hill today as Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) berated Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy for alleged judicial activism, who was testifying on the need for increased security for judges.

"Lately we've had rulings that seem to go beyond the rule of law" and that reflect "outside influence," the congressman told the justice. He pointed to a Supreme Court decision last month barring the execution of those who were juveniles when they committed their crimes. That decision, which was written by Justice Kennedy and which cited international treaties and practices abroad, appeared to reflect "pressure put on by the United Nations and other agencies," Mr. Tiahrt said.

Mr. Tiarht said the court was "not interpreting the Constitution and laws that govern America anymore," and added that his views were shared by people "across the United States."

[...]

Representative Steven R. Rothman, Democrat of New Jersey, said he was surprised to see Republicans criticizing the court when seven of its nine members were nominated by Republican presidents. (Justice Kennedy himself was nominated by Ronald Reagan.) And criticism of Justice Kennedy was belittled by the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania.

"I read about people wanting to impeach Justice Kennedy for decisions that he has handed down," Mr. Specter told reporters. "You'll pardon me for mentioning it, but the only reason I mention it is because it's not worth mentioning."

Rep. Rothman makes an important point that is all too often forgotten by the American media: the vast majority of Supreme Court Justices are Republican appointees, and more broadly, the majority of all federal judges were appointed by Republican Presidents. Perhaps they're not all extreme liberals after all!

Specter's comments are also of note. They represent the feelings of most Americans who believe it to be beneath a member of the House of Representatives to attack a judge for promoting justice as best he can. The more Americans hear of such scurrilous comments, and the more Americans realize that they represent modern Republicanism, the sooner moderate Democrats retake Congress and restore sanity to Washington.