Judge ACB

Binge Blog theme: #NDEAM. Read on for why.

First, before RantWoman delves too deeply into commentary about Judget Amey Coney Barrett,  please permit RantWoman to get a couple rants out of her system:

RantWoman HATES the national discussions hung on the term "Pro-life." The US needs to take better care of whatever babies get born, as in Medicare for All. People, regardless of religious belief need comprehensive sex education. Knowing what condoms do does not preclude people from deciding NOT to have sex. Decisions about abortion are exquisitely personal and no one should get to impose their missionary zeal on others! And RantWoman may at some point go on at great length about eugenics, disability, birth defects and lots of people she knows who are VERY happy to be alive, thank you very much, no matter what ableist tropes they have to swim in all the time.

ACB around Planet RantWoman is "The American Council of the Blind." RantWoman is fine, Fine, FINE with having mentally to edit in favor of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. 

RantWoman is sorry to hear that the White House occasion where Judge Barrett's nomination was announced has turned into such a #CoronaPalooza. RantWoman would not particularly want ascension to anyone's Supreme Court position to be marred by this circumstance #Coronapalooza showed up at an event  timed already to look, to RantWoman's taste, a little too much like dancing on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's grave.

RantWoman would also be grossed out by the political chicanery associated with votes on the stimulus, the Supreme Court nomination, and the election. Would RantWoman have enough intestinal fortitude to stand up and say "Look. People are suffering. My nomination can wait until after the election. Deal with the stimulus now"? Would RantWoman have the spine just to state in advance that she would recuse herself from all cases related to the 2020 election? Would RantWoman have the fortitude to tell a president who is clearly ill and whacked out of his mind on medication "Thanks but no thanks. Come back and talk to me when you are more obviously of sound mind"? RantWoman is unlikely to face such dilemmas but she has to ask anyway.

Now, to some actual #NDEAM content: RantWoman has been looking for a link about the blind law student at Notre Dame law school who is now famous not only because she was mentored by Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett but also because she is the first blind woman to serve as a Supreme Court Clerk and to clerk for Justice Thomas no less, just in case anyone assumes all blind people think alike.

What I learned from Amy Coney Barrett

RantWoman always, no matter who the subject or what the circumstances, is undecided about phrasing a call to public service or any other action only as "God made me do it." On one hand, faith is always an important motivator. On the other hand, a secular state cannot long exist if people of different faiths cannot establish principled common ground. 

Principled Common Ground? For now can we just say a minefield of issues and circumstances tangled up int eh current Supreme Court confirmation process.

For balance, from the other side of the Senate aisle, a statement from Sen. Patty Murray. RantWoman is trying to keep an open mind about Judge Barrett's judicial temperament and what directions her views might evolve with a lifetime appointment. RantWoman is also cross that the moderator for the list this came from takes it upon himself to decide what the rest of the blind people need to read. But that is another problem. In any case read on.

*Senator Murray Stresses the Stakes of SCOTUS Fight for People withDisabilities: “We Cannot Roll Back Access, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity”*

*On a call, Senator Murray encourages 230 disability advocates to keep up the fight against the Republicans’ rushed SCOTUS nomination*

*Senator Murray highlights how Republicans’ singular focus on confirming another far-right nominee to the Supreme Court would impact people with disabilities’ access to health care*

*Senator Murray to disability advocates:** “Instead of doing anything to help each of you, all Senate Republicans are doing is rushing through the nomination of Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court, a move that could roll back important protections for people with disabilities.”*

*(Washington, D.C.) –*  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, encouraged disability advocates to keep up the fight to slow and stop the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court—and highlighted how Senate Republicans’ singular focus on their rushed confirmation process would harm the disability community and impact their access to affordable health care.

*“We should be working to make health care more affordable and accessible and pass a COVID relief package that ensures people with disabilities get the supports and services they need in the midst of this pandemic. But instead of doing anything to help each of you, all Senate Republicans are doing is rushing through the nomination of Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court, a move that could roll back important protections for people with disabilities. It’s absolutely disgraceful—and that’s why I’m committed to do everything I can to support you in the fight to stop this nomination,”* said Senator Murray on call with 230 people with disabilities, their families, and advocates, hosted by the Association of University Centers for Disability (AUCD).

On the call, Senator Murray stressed that if Senate Republicans succeed in confirming Judge Barrett and dismantling the Affordable Care Act, people with disabilities would lose protections for pre-existing conditions including disabilities, bans on annual and lifetime caps on benefits, and essential health benefits—which require health plans to cover crucial expenses for people with disabilities like prescription drugs, and habilitative and rehabilitative services.

Senator Murray also highlighted how Senate Republicans’ effort to confirm another far-right Supreme Court nominee would have far-reaching impacts for people with disabilities, beyond just their access to health care. Senator Murray noted that Justice Barrett has not been champion for equal rights for people with disabilities—and the upcoming nomination fight threatens to roll back important advancement in access, inclusion and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

*“Not only do Senate Republicans want to confirm a nominee who would take health care away from millions, and make it more expensive for people with disabilities, but their nominee is also a threat to the rights of workers, including workers with disabilities,” *continue Senator Murray, on thecall.* “Trying to replace Justice Ginsburg—a champion for disability rights—with someone who will not fight for equal rights, is deeply troubling.  We cannot roll back access, inclusion, and equal opportunity.”*