German Professor Arrested After Speaking At "We Do Not Consent" Rally In London Tyler Durden Sun, 09/27/2020 - 09:55
After Metropolitan Police claimed they would only crack down on marchers flagrantly violating social distancing rules (though the hated "rule of six" had been suspended due to the gathering's "protest" status), German professor Dr. Heiko Schoening was arrested by a gang of British officers - he was filmed being loaded into a paddy wagon - after speaking out against using tactics like economy-destroying mandatory lockdowns during yesterday's "We Do Not Consent" rally in London.
Video of the arrest was shared on Twitter.
LONDON - Respected German Doctor Heiko Schöning was arrested by Met Police for speaking about Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/RmU5705hi3 — ShatteredWorldMedia (@MediaShattered) September 27, 2020
Several purported bystanders tweeted in protest, by the story appears to have gone largely unnoticed.
Dr. Heiko Schöning has just been arrested and put into a police van @garethicke Shame on the UK #FacismIsHere https://t.co/DVTsecfu38 — Medea Matters (@Medea_Matters) September 26, 2020
Here's video of the doctor speaking to a reporter at the event yesterday. This was filmed before he was arrested.
German Doctor Dr. Heiko Schöning was arrested yesterday, he has not been charged but is still being held in custody.
When doctors speak out the truth and are silenced, locked up, you know we are in deep deep trouble.pic.twitter.com/JMAytuyWiC — Darren of Plymouth 🇬🇧 (@DarrenPlymouth) September 27, 2020
The rally was organized by groups opposing a second lockdown in the UK, along with mandatory vaccination efforts by the government once a vaccine is approved. The doctor was pat of a group of hundreds of German doctors and scientists who have signed on to investigate and analyze whether the heavy handed measures favored by governments to combat the virus were the appropriate response.
Purported friends of the professor claimed that his wife was calling supporters to attend a peaceful demonstration on Sunday outside Wandsworth police station (146 Wandsworth High St).
http://dlvr.it/RhSJMH
Sunday, September 27, 2020
The Sell-Off Is Overdone... The Correction May Not Be
The Sell-Off Is Overdone... The Correction May Not Be Tyler Durden Sun, 09/27/2020 - 09:25
Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,
An Orderly Sell-Off
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been discussing the ongoing market correction. As shown below, the sell-off has been orderly and not one of a “panic” induced decline.
The market did retrace from the top of the 2-standard deviation range to the bottom, which is part of a healthy correction process. As we noted last week, the correction also aligns with the historical weakness seen in September and October, particularly in years preceding an election.
Importantly, given there was no sharp rise in volatility, such also confirms this was a more orderly and healthy market retracement.
While the sell-off in the market has gotten overdone short-term, we still suggest using rallies back to the 50-dma to rebalance portfolio risks. Look at the first chart above. The market is currently in a very defined downtrend. Friday’s march failed to break out of that resistance.
In the chart below, we see the market rallied back to the previous consolidation lows with the 20-dma approaching a cross of the 50-dma. Such would suggest more downward pressure on prices short-term. The 200-dma is roughly 7% lower from Friday’s close.
If the market can break above resistance on Monday, clear the 50- and 20-dma’s, then old highs should not be an issue.
But that will take a fair bit of work at a time where market risks have increased.
Is The Fed Done?
“Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell warned Wednesday that a lack of further fiscal support from Congress and President Trump could “scar and damage” a U.S. economy restrained by the coronavirus pandemic.” – The Hill
Such is an interesting position from the head of the Central Bank who has flooded the system with liquidity. The chart below is a bit dated but shows the rather tepid uptake of emergency measures.
The reason the usage of the programs is so low is two-fold.
*
The functioning credit markets function on sentiment. There is always plenty of liquidity in the credit markets. What was needed was the “confidence” the markets would work properly. Once the Fed cured the “sentiment” problem, there was mostly no need for liquidity from the Fed. Companies were able to go to market, issue securities, or borrow money as needed.
*
Companies didn’t want to take on additional debt. While the design of the programs was to support businesses in keeping employees paid, if there is “no” or “greatly reduced” customers due to lockdowns, taking on debt to keep employees makes little sense.
The second point is more important. While the Federal Reserve can calm and support public markets, they have little impact on the non-public markets. The real crisis is in small and medium-sized businesses that do not have access to public markets, either equity or debt, to raise needed capital.
The large pool of non-public businesses are facing large amounts of devastation currently, and the “death rate” of small businesses is rising to nearly 50%. Given that small businesses make up roughly half of the employment in the U.S., this is no trivial matter.
The Fiscal Kink
The Federal Reserve is trying to plug a hole that fiscal policy was widely expected to fill by now. However, the Fed’s ability to expand on current programs is limited to the Treasury Department’s issuance of additional debt. Without another “fiscal relief” bill, there isn’t enough debt issuance to support another round of interventions by the Fed.
Currently, the Federal Reserve is continuing to run “Quantitative Easing” at $120 billion per month, but much of that is just replacing bills that are maturing. As shown below, the Fed’s balance sheet has been stagnating since June as the uptake from its various programs has waned.
Subsequently, excess bank reserves, which have supported the market recovery from the March lows, have also peaked.
A Louder Message
While the Federal Reserve could undoubtedly begin to more bonds in the open market, they realize they run the risk of disrupting the credit market by becoming too big of a buyer. The Fed has previously warned they did not want to disrupt markets in this manner.
As noted by Zerohedge on Friday:
“Two weeks ago, when the Fed published its latest monthly breakdown of purchases Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility which shockingly showed that in the entire month of August, the Fed had not purchased a single corporate bond ETF and had barely purchased any corporate bonds in the open market, we asked if Powell was ‘sending the market as message.’
In the subsequent two weeks, which saw a sharp drop in risk assets and the Nasdaq sliding into a 10% correction, coupled with a modest rout across the corporate bond sector, many had expected the Fed to revert to its role as custodian of market stability and ramp up its purchases of corporate bonds, if for no other reason then to assure investors that Uncle Jerome was still watching over everyone.
So in what may come as a big surprise to all those praying for the Fed to bail them out, or to at least telegraph that he is keeping an eye on the current tech-led market mess, Powell did no such thing and in fact the Fed’s latest weekly H.4.1 report showed that the corporate credit facilities held $12.911bn of corporate bonds and ETFs as of Tuesday, up a tiny $44 million from $12.867BN the prior week.”
As noted, without more “fiscal” support, their “monetary” capabilities become much more limited.
Fiscal Support Not Likely
Despite the Federal Reserve imploring Washington for more “fiscal” support during the last couple of speeches, it is unlikely to happen. As we discussed in Tuesday’s report “No Help Is Coming:”
“Why is this important to the market? Because Congress is facing three different events that have removed the focus from additional financial support for the economy.
*
With the election fast approaching, Congress does not want to pass a fiscal support bill to help the other Presidential candidate. Such is why there are dueling bills between the House and Senate currently.
*
September ends the 2020 fiscal year of Congress. Such requires either a “budget,” or another C.R. (Continuing Resolution) to fund the government and avoid another shut-down.
*
Lastly, the death of RBG will have the entire Democratic Party, which controls the House, focused on how to stop President Trump from nominating a replacement before the election. All Trump needs is a simple majority in the Senate to confirm a justice that he can likely get.”
Without more fiscal support, the entire premise of the “economic reflation” trade may be over. Economic data is already starting to disappoint as stimulus runs dry, and earnings estimates have begun to fall again, as I addressed last week.
“Such also correlates with weaker economic data showing up. Weaker economic data translates into reduced earnings outlooks for companies. During the last 30-days, 2021 estimates for the S&P 500 have declined by an additional $5/share. Furthermore, those estimates are down nearly $30 from the original forecast in January 2020. Yet, markets remain only slightly off all-time highs.”
For these reasons, while the markets may indeed see a short-term bounce, the longer-term correction may not be over.
The Correction May Not Be Done
Given the challenges facing the markets over the intermediate-term from a “contested election,” a lack of financial support, a pandemic resurgence, and economic disruption, the risk of a deeper correction remain.
If we look at the weekly chart below, we find that when the market has historically broken below its short-term weekly moving average, it has, with some consistently, tested the longer-term average. Currently, that is almost 7% lower than where we closed on Friday.
Given we are still in a recessionary environment, that earnings remain weak, and the market remains rather extended from its long-term means, a deeper correction in the months ahead is certainly not out of the question.
Investors will likely benefit from maintaining caution in portfolios and continuing to use rallies to rebalance risks accordingly.
http://dlvr.it/RhSFQX
http://dlvr.it/RhSFQX
"Anything Tesla Can Do, We Can Do": Huawei Set To Become Major Competition In Electric Vehicles
"Anything Tesla Can Do, We Can Do": Huawei Set To Become Major Competition In Electric Vehicles Tyler Durden Sun, 09/27/2020 - 08:45
Not only are EV makers seeking out ways to duplicate Tesla's "success" as an automaker, but many are also hoping to duplicate their success in the capital markets. There's nary a bigger success than taking a company that can't consistently turn a profit and fooling the capital markets to assign it a $400 billion valuation. So, naturally, we understand why other company are seeking out ways to be like Tesla.
One of those companies is telecom giant Huawei. Xu Zhijun, a rotating chairman of Huawei is on record in 2019 as saying: "If you look at the stock price of Tesla, you will know where the future of automobiles lies."
His comment was foreshadowing as to where Huawei's future business efforts may be directed, according to Nikkei. In April 2019, the company set up a "smart car solutions" segment of its auto business. Their auto business currently has 5 segments: smart driving, smart cockpit platform, intelligent network, smart electric and cloud services.
They are like many other who have "drank the Kool-Aid" and think that Tesla is the next big thing in AI and the auto industry - and they know they can compete. "Anything that Tesla can do, we can do," Xu said.
Huawei reportedly wants to become a "one-stop supplier of all software and hardware for smart cars and seeks a dominant say in the industry," Nikkei says. There will only be two or three such major players globally, the report predicts.
Huawei has been recruiting talent from companies like Bosch and, in August, modified its business registration by adding "research, production and sales of auto parts and smart driving systems" to public records. In September, it released its Harmony 2.0 OS that it installed in its smart cockpit platform.
The company wants to do "everything related to silicon" in cars, one source said. Another said that the auto industry is closely monitoring their expansion into the industry. "Huawei is likely to become a Chinese version of Bosch," one source said.
And the time to enter the industry is arguably the most vulnerable for potential competition, as the Covid-19 pandemic has weakened the industry globally, forcing cuts and slowing demand.
Huawei first looked at EVs back in 2013 when they became a popular investment in China. There have been rumors swirling that the company would launch a car-building business for years.
Though Xu said in 2019 that there "wasn't a consensus inside Huawei as of late 2018 about whether the company should push further into the auto market", one must remember this was the same company that said on the record it wasn't going to get into cell phones.
Now, Huawei is the world's biggest smartphone maker, having overtaken Samsung and Apple. Could it become similar competition for Tesla?
http://dlvr.it/RhS9GY
http://dlvr.it/RhS9GY
The State's Response To This "Virus" Is Nothing More Than A Weapon Of Mass Submission
The State's Response To This "Virus" Is Nothing More Than A Weapon Of Mass Submission Tyler Durden Sun, 09/27/2020 - 07:00
Authored by Gary Barnett via LewRockwell.com,
“The great masses of men, though theoretically free, are seen to submit supinely to oppression and exploitation of a hundred abhorrent sorts. Have they no means of resistance? Obviously they have. The worst tyrant, even under democratic plutocracy, has but one throat to slit. The moment the majority decided to overthrow him he would be overthrown. But the majority lacks the resolution; it cannot imagine taking the risks.”
~ H. L. Mencken (1926). “Notes on Democracy,” p. 50, Alfred A. Knopf
Draconian measures by the State against the masses require the cooperation of the masses. This is the essence of political submission, and therefore, it is the foundation of the ruling “elite’s” plan to achieve a complete global economic and total control reset. At this stage of the plot, all is going just as the globalists expected, as the takeover of the human population is well underway.
Logic would dictate that this fake pandemic should be over for good after the new CDC death figures for the U.S. were recently exposed. That report showed that 94% of those said to have died from Covid alone did not die from Covid at all. In fact, the 94% that died who were claimed as Covid deaths had on average 2.6 other co-morbidities evident.
What that means is this entire virus scam was a fraud all along, and is being used as a weapon of submission in order to gain control over the entire population. Lies on top of lies have been used to frighten people into voluntarily destroying their lives in the name of false safety, and now the damage has reached levels that will be almost impossible to overcome at any time in the near or even distant future. One would think that with this ground shattering information, all citizens would be up in arms, but that does not seem to be the case. This is extremely troubling, as without a mass uprising of the people, this horrendous plan will continue to go forward.
It is now time to consider the possible tactics that will be used by the State against all of us, especially those that continue to question, and refuse to comply with the idiocy that is called a coronavirus pandemic. Hell is coming in the form of the ruling class and its pawns in government and their plan for a captured society. Is there really a devil, or have evil men seeking power created Satin in their own image in an attempt to take over the entire planet for themselves?
All the plans of these monsters are being telegraphed in advance, just as has always happened in the past. Creating a new Pearl Harbor has taken on a whole new meaning with this manufactured virus scare, but it will only get worse from here. It is imperative to understand that nothing happening is organic or natural; it has all been purposely designed to achieve a particular outcome. That outcome is total world domination by the few, and in order to be successful in this venture, the current economic system must be destroyed, and a new digital monetary system that can be monitored and controlled from the top must be created and implemented.
Even though the CDC released death numbers that completely contradict the mainstream narrative, and show that this pandemic is a fraud, it is still little reported, and it seems that many would pay no attention to this revelation even if it were reported more widely.
CDC recently updated estimated infection fatality rates for COVID. Here are the updated survival rates by age group:
0-19: 99.997%
20-49: 99.98%
50-69: 99.5%
70+: 94.6% https://t.co/9RRLgsBHta — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 23, 2020
This alone shows the weakness and apathetic mindset that permeates the American populace today.
Considering the attitude of the masses, and the lack of reason and logic evident among the herd, what is coming should be obvious. The powerful will not relent so long as the people remain indifferent to their own existence. With that in mind, expect a wave of new and exaggerated fear mongering techniques. The more the people rebel, if at all, the stronger any response by the state apparatus will be. If enough question the validity of this virus pandemic, a new and more dangerous strain will magically emerge. If resistance continues to gain favor, then a new and possibly deadly biological agent could be released, although it would need to be isolated so as to not get out of hand and threaten those responsible for its distribution among the public. If the flu season, along with a very weakened immune response of the now compromised citizenry does not keep the people in check, the release of other toxic agents is not only possible in my opinion, but also probable.
There are many scenarios that could emerge depending on what the ruling and controlling classes deem necessary in order to gain and retain total control. Once the people are frightened enough, the new vaccine will be immediately introduced. It is my belief that this vaccine is already available, and is being held until fear is at such a high level that most will voluntarily line up for injection. If this happens, control over the people will have reached a stage that is irreversible due to multiple reasons. Any Covid vaccine will introduce several viruses into the human system, and in addition, many very dangerous and problematic toxins and harmful adjuvants. But that is only part of the risk, as there could be other unknown ingredients as well, and these could be a part of a covert plan not divulged to the recipients of any vaccine.
Just recently in this article from Steemit, it was announced that the FDA is nearing approval of a biochip implant that could be injected by use of a hydrogel solution. This is supposedly an implant to detect Covid by linking the human body and mind to a computer system, and could easily be a part of any vaccine. This is insanity, but is only the beginning of any number of body and mind altering artificial intelligence methods meant to produce a transhuman society that could be controlled through technocratic means.
Beware of any bio-terror attack blamed on an outside enemy, whether an individual, a third world country, or any mainstream claimed enemy of the U.S. such as China, Iran, or Russia. An attack of this nature now would most assuredly be from within this country, and perpetrated by internal forces to stoke more fear. That additional fear, and any bio-weapon release meant to look like a virus could be claimed to be the pre-planned second wave, and this alone would turn most of the country against any that question the official narrative. Those exposing the lie that is Covid and resisting the state mandates would be severely marginalized or worse if total fear grips America.
With resistance beginning to grow due to the draconian measures initiated by the state, including lockdowns, quarantine, job loss, and mask wearing, the risk of additional manufactured terror attacks, virus releases, bio-weapon deployment, other false flag events, or vaccine-related illnesses certainly should be expected. This is the world we live in, a dystopia brought about because the people allowed it to happen.
The turning point of all this insanity is near, and will advance in the state’s favor during this farce called the presidential election. This election will bring with it untold chaos, including looting, rioting, property destruction, and hatred among the population at large. This chaos will be used against all in this country, as even more division will be forthcoming, and with it, more uncertainty and violence, leading to more state interference in our lives. This is exactly what the claimed ruling elite desires, as the more fear and hatred that exists, the easier it is to control us all. This abhorrent election, regardless of the outcome, will be a disaster, and only extend the terror we have been facing since March of this year.
“The slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.”
- Thomas Paine, Bruce Kuklick (2000). “Paine: Political Writings”, p.162, Cambridge University Press
The push toward totalitarian rule is heading into the final stage this winter. That has been proclaimed openly by the dregs of the ruling and political classes. We are on the verge of losing any sovereignty we have left, and becoming just a cog in the wheel of a centralized federal power structure bent on creating a technocratic slave society to be used to support the top tier of the tyrannical few. Stop it now or submit your body, mind, and soul to your new position as a servant to your ‘human’ masters.
http://dlvr.it/RhRyPP
http://dlvr.it/RhRyPP
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Prof Compares Black Americans Supporting Trump To Jews Supporting Hitler
Prof Compares Black Americans Supporting Trump To Jews Supporting Hitler Tyler Durden Sat, 09/26/2020 - 20:45
Authored by Ben Zeisloft via Campus Reform,
Northwestern University journalism professor Stephan Garnett referred to African-American speakers at the Republican National Convention as “a grand display of buffoonery.” In an exclusive interview with Campus Reform, Garnett doubled down, comparing Black Americans who support Trump to Jews supporting Hitler.
In an op-ed for MaxNewsToday titled “Black RNC Speakers Don’t Represent Us,” Garnett denounced Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, Sen. Tim Scott, former NFL star Herschel Walker, and other prominent Black conservatives for declaring, “Donald Trump is not a racist.”
“What a grand display of buffoonery, almost as entertaining as a minstrel show,” said Garnett.
“In fact, as far as the majority of African-Americans are concerned, it was a minstrel show.”
Garnett also said that “as for those Black ‘patriots’ who spoke so rapturously about [Trump] at the RNC, we in the Black community have an age-old, down-home term for them. And it ain’t pretty.” Garnett called Trump’s lack of racism a “fiction” and called Black swing voters who are considering Trump “too dumb to see racism even when it runs up and socks 'em in the jaw.”
Black RNC speakers attempted to challenge the narrative that the U.S. is a fundamentally racist nation.
Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, explained at the RNC that his mother worked 16 hours per day to provide for him and his brother. He described his efforts to succeed in his career and rise above poverty.
“Because of the evolution of the heart, in an overwhelmingly White district... the voters judged me on the content of my character, not the color of my skin,” said Scott. “Our family went from Cotton to Congress in one lifetime. And that's why I believe the next American century can be better than the last.”
Polls indicated that the RNC led to a nine-point increase in Trump’s approval rating among registered Black voters.
During an interview with Campus Reform, Garnett doubled down on his op-ed, saying he has "zero respect" for African Americans who support Trump. After acknowledging that African Americans have the right to support the candidate of their choice, Garnett said, "Donald Trump does not support the interests of African Americans."
Garnett said he "does not want to hear" the argument that the economy is better for African Americans under Trump, because Trump "inherited" a good economy from former President Barack Obama and since "he can no longer make that claim" due to the coronavirus pandemic."
"If you are a Black American and you support Donald Trump, I have an issue..."Garnett said.
Twice, Garnett compared the idea of Jews supporting Adolf Hitler to the idea of Black Americans supporting Trump.
"You do not support someone who works against your interests. And Donald Trump is not supportive of the interests of African Americans," he said," adding that Trump "has proven time and time again through his actions and through his word that he is racist."
Asked whether he believes the "threat" posed to Black Americans by Trump rises to the same level as the threat to Jews posed by Hitler during the Holocaust, Garnett responded, simply, "Yes."
"I think Donald Trump, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the most dangerous man in America at this moment," he added.
http://dlvr.it/RhQvT5
http://dlvr.it/RhQvT5
Coronavirus-Sniffing Dogs Used At Helsinki Airport To Detect Infected Travelers
Coronavirus-Sniffing Dogs Used At Helsinki Airport To Detect Infected Travelers Tyler Durden Sat, 09/26/2020 - 09:55
Coronavirus-sniffing dogs are being used at Helsinki Airport in Finland to detect infected passengers.
A pilot program with ten coronavirus-sniffing canines began work on Wednesday (Sept. 23) to detect infections using travelers' sweat. The dogs allow the airport to "speed up the process of identifying those infected with COVID-19," reported ABC News.
Helsinki Airport director Ulla Lettijeff said the pilot program is revolutionizing the way the airport detects infections.
"As far as we know, no other airport has attempted to use canine scent detection on such a large scale against COVID-19," Lettijeff said.
Each shift will include four dogs that will sniff out infections. Passengers, who agree to participate in the voluntary program, will be asked by airport authorities to wipe their skin to collect sweat placed in a jar and given to the dogs to sniff out for the virus. At no point will dogs directly interact with travelers.
"Covid-19 dogs started their work today at the Helsinki Airport at arrival hall 2B. Dogs have been trained to detect the coronavirus from the test wipes given by the test person. Service is voluntary and primarily targeted for passengers arriving from abroad," Helsinki Aoport's Twitter account tweeted.
Covid-19 dogs started their work today at the Helsinki Airport at arrival hall 2B. Dogs have been trained to detect the coronavirus from the test wipes given by the testperson. Service is voluntary and primarily targeted for passengers arriving from abroad. pic.twitter.com/ieMLm0KuZY — Helsinki Airport (@HelsinkiAirport) September 22, 2020
Susanna Paavilainen, CEO of WiseNose Ry, University of Helsinki's DogRisk research, said virus-sniffing dogs are mainly for "passengers arriving from outside the country."
Preliminary tests at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Helsinki concluded the "dogs are able to smell the virus with almost 100% certainty."
Several studies have shown dogs can be trained to sniff out coronavirus in sweat, saliva, and urine samples. Finland is the only country globally, testing man's best friend as the first defense line against the virus. The US, Australia, France, and Germany are also conducting tests.
The Transportation Security Administration and US Customs and Border Protection told ABC there are now plans to use dogs for coronavirus detection.
http://dlvr.it/RhPccg
http://dlvr.it/RhPccg
Questioning Supreme Court Nominees About Religion: A Delicate Task
Questioning Supreme Court Nominees About Religion: A Delicate Task Tyler Durden Sat, 09/26/2020 - 09:20
Authored by Alan Dershowitz via The Gatestone Institute,
When Judge Amy Coney Barrett came before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for her nomination to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Senator Diane Feinstein generated considerable controversy when she said to Barrett:
"The dogma lives loudly in you."
This was a reference to Barrett's deep Catholic faith. Under our Constitution, Senator Feinstein's statement crossed the line. Ours was the first Constitution in history to provide that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Although Feinstein did not explicitly impose a religious test, she suggested that personal religious views -- which she called dogma -- might disqualify a nominee from being confirmed.
That would clearly be unconstitutional.
When Justice Louis Brandeis was nominated to the United States Supreme Court in 1916, numerous leaders of the bar and prominent Americans, including the president of Harvard, opposed his nomination, sometimes implicitly, sometimes explicitly, on the ground that he was Jewish. That was wrong then, and it is equally wrong today with regard to a nominee of the Catholic faith.
Indeed, today's Supreme Court has five justices who are Catholic, two who are Jewish, and one who is Protestant. Religious tests have no place in America. But what does have a place in the confirmation process are questions about whether a nominee will put faith before the Constitution and refuse to apply the Constitution if it conflicts with his or her faith. That issue would be true of any nominee regardless of their faith or faithlessness. President John F. Kennedy assured us that his Catholicism would not determine the nation's policy. Justice Antonin Scalia said the same about his Catholicism and his jurisprudence.
It is impossible, of course, to psychoanalyze a nominee or justice to determine what role if any their faith may play in their jurisprudence. We are all influenced by our personal views, including but not limited to religious views. When Justice Pierce Butler issued the sole dissent in the notorious case of Buck v. Bell -- in which the Supreme Court, led by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, permitted the sterilization of supposed "mental defectives" -- many speculated that his dissent, which is now seen by most historians and lawyers as the correct view, may have been motivated consciously or unconsciously by his deep Catholic faith. The Catholic Church was inalterably opposed to sterilization of the mentally disabled, whereas the "progressive view," centered at Harvard University, strongly favored such "eugenic" procedures to "improve" the "race." The church was right and Harvard was wrong on this one, and it was a good thing that there was a religious Catholic on the high court to register a dissent to what we have now come to believe was an outrageous violation of human rights.
The role of religion in judicial decision-making is complex, nuanced and sometimes difficult to discuss. There is no sharp line between ideology and jurisprudence, but a line must be drawn nonetheless, especially when questioning a candidate for the Supreme Court.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett is now the leading candidate, followed by Judge Barbara Lagoa, who is also a deeply religious Catholic woman of Cuban American background. So, the issue of religion is likely to come up at any confirmation hearing. It must be handled with delicacy and sensitivity to the Constitution's prohibition against religious tests, as well as to the respect we must all pay to people of faith.
Several years ago, a United States Senator declared that he would never vote to confirm an atheist to the Supreme Court. Such a position is in direct conflict with the Constitution. But because questions about religion are generally not asked of candidates, it is highly likely that several atheists and agnostics have served on the high court. Oliver Wendell Holmes publicly acknowledged his disbelief in religion and several other justices have privately acknowledged their lack of religious faith. One's religion is a private matter, but one's judicial philosophy is highly relevant in the confirmation process.
The confirmation process has become so politicized, so personal, and often so unfair, that it is especially important to draw careful distinctions with regard to religious beliefs and observance. Let us hope the Senate handles this nomination better than they have handled other recent nominations.
http://dlvr.it/RhPYP4
http://dlvr.it/RhPYP4
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