Kagan ducks responsibility

At her Senate confirmation hearing, Supreme Court justice nominee Elena Kagan joined previous nominees in the pathetic practice of defending past legal positions by pointing the finger at someone else. When asked about past cases in which she argued to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and to eliminate corporate campaign financing, nominee Kagan consistently claimed that she was merely representing the positions of Congress, and had no personal opinion on these issues.

But can any of us imagine a young Justice Scalia or Justice Thomas arguing these positions on behalf of Congress? Give me a break.

As long as Washington continues to value those who evade rather than embrace responsibility, our political and judiciary system will remain second-rate. The pattern is obvious. Our Senate committees – the judiciary committee, energy committee and finance committee – seem all too content with responses like I do not recall, or it wasn’t my responsibility. We the people would not tolerate these deflections, and we should expect better of our government.

It is sad to see a Washington that encourages judicial nominees to act like Tony Hayward, Wall Street CEOs or former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Richard Martin

Spokane