Opinion: Bar was right to avoid adding fuel to controversy

As a member of "the legal establishment" I, and I am sure all of my colleagues, take strong exception to those who call into question and seek to undermine the integrity and independence of our judiciary at both the state and federal levels. To that limited extent I find myself somewhat reluctantly in agreement with this editorial position.

However, as a citizen as well as a member of both "the legal establishment" and the Florida Bar, I strongly object not only to Dyckman's partisanship but also to his unfair and unwarranted castigation of the Florida Bar for "pusillanimous pussyfooting," which should have been more fairly and accurately described as the "judicious exercise of restraint" (not adding further fuel to the fire) in these tumultuous times. Hopefully, the absurdity and irony of Dyckman's position is not lost on your readers.

Consider: What we have just survived was at least in part precipitated and most certainly exacerbated by the media's quest for ratings. This resulted in a premature and woefully erroneous pronouncement of the winner of the election in Florida, which was then corrected, revised and corrected again. The assault on the senses of the citizenry continued in the ensuing weeks, as editors, pundits, "talking heads" and politicians on both sides fanned the flames of this self-styled constitutional crisis with rumors and opinions oh, so delicately flavored by facts and televised "debates," which were little more then children's shouting matches on an electronic playground. And then, it ended as it began, with a rush to judgment as to the meaning and effect of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, which was initially broadcast in error as a victory for Al Gore.

Against this background, and in spite of it, Dyckman castigated the Florida Bar for failing to immediately jump into the fray? If we don't learn from the mistakes of others, are we not condemned to repeat them?

Consider also that what Dyckman describes as "irresponsible rhetoric" by Florida's House Speaker Tom Feeney and former Secretary of State James Baker as well as the "massive assaults on the independence of the judiciary" are nothing more than the exercise of free speech and the rights of all citizens to express themselves at the ballot box.

In contrast, I and the country would be far better benefitted by the media taking to task those who are ascribing "Nazi tactics" to others with whom they disagree and inciting civil unrest.

Finally, consider the ultimate irony that while Dyckman so sanctimoniously (albeit correctly) decries those who allegedly seek to undermine the integrity and independence of the judiciary as well as those who in your opinion have failed to defend it, your paper published on the same page as this notebook Pat Oliphant's cartoon, which all too clearly suggests corruption in the highest court in our land. Perhaps the Times should get its own house in order before taking on anything more.
-- A. Dean Hoolihan, Clearwater

Avoid attacks on judiciary

Now that the election is over, we all agree that some election reform is needed. I am dismayed, however, by the attempt on the part of some people to intimidate the judiciary by attempting to remove some justices because of rulings they made.

The independence of the judiciary must be maintained if the rule of law is to prevail in our state and country. There are legitimate reasons for removing or not retaining a judge in office. Not liking a ruling by him is not one of them. What is particularly worrisome is that some legislators seem to be encouraging attacks on the judiciary. I doubt that anyone agreed with all the decisions of the Florida Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court, but there is no evidence any of the justices involved made any rulings that they did not in good conscience believe to be in accord with the law.

I personally was glad that both candidates were willing to fight to make sure of a result that conformed to law. Let's attack the problem, not the people.
-- Louis Kwall, Clearwater

Beware of extremists on the court

In the spirit of Shakespeare's words in Julius Caesar, "Beware the ides of March," America needs to beware of ideological extremists on the U.S. Supreme Court. There may be several vacancies on the court in the next few years. With George W. Bush in office, we may end up with a court even more likely than the present one to give political rather than legal decisions. We have the example of the refusal of five members of the present court to allow the counting of the uncounted ballots in Florida.

Despite differences between people of different parties on many issues, the majority of Americans felt cheated by the tactics of the U.S. Supreme Court in denying Florida the right to count the uncounted ballots.

America, beware of putting ideological extremists on the U.S. Supreme Court.
-- David B. Higginbottom, Frostproof

A double standard?

Funny about the Republicans. They can "dish it out" but they "can't take it." It's perfectly all right to denigrate Vice President Al Gore but not to say a thing about the U.S. Supreme Court. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander.

I would also suggest the Republicans leave the Florida Supreme Court alone. There is nothing wrong with our state Supreme Court other than that there are no Republicans on it.
-- J.M. Stevens, Clearwater

Money could be put to better use

Re: GOP-led campaign targets justice, Dec. 13.

It never fails to amaze me. These three Republicans are planning to raise $1-million in 90 days in order to oust a Florida Supreme Court justice whose opinion differed from theirs.

What a crying shame! Imagine how far $1-million would go to buy food or school books for needy children.
-- C. Mangialardi, Palm Harbor

Florida House set a good example

I am extremely pleased that we have gotten through this gantlet, and we can now officially call George W. Bush "president-elect." I look forward to seeing our nation come together in support of our new administration as it goes about the business of improving America. I also look forward to seeing the Florida House of Representatives come together as we go about the business of improving Florida.

Some expressed concern that the closeness of this election would lead to deep, partisan divisions in the Florida House. I absolutely disagree. The professionalism and integrity of all our House members -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- showed throughout this ordeal. The quality of debate on both sides was extraordinary. I hope that other state legislatures as well as Congress follow the example set in Florida. I believe that we have shown the country that good people can disagree, and disagree passionately, without being disagreeable.

There have been questions as to whether we regret having called a special session of the Florida Legislature. I remain confident that the Legislature played a major role in bringing about finality. With Speaker Tom Feeney's proactive, unwavering leadership, we were able to do precisely what was needed and required under the laws and constitutions of both Florida and the United States. With the uncertainty surrounding the last five weeks, we had to be prepared to act if necessary. That is why we put our machinery in motion and were on track to do our constitutional duty. Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court brought finality to the situation before further action was needed.
-- Mike Fasano, state representative, District 45, New Port Richey; majority leader, Tallahassee

Democracy was ill served

History will some day record that whatever steps to the presidency the ultra-right-wing forces could not buy, they stole -- in collusion with Daddy Bush's appointed cronies on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Under a political system in whose name legions have sacrificed their lives to preserve and extend democracy, ascertaining accurately the majority will of the people of Florida -- regardless of inconveniences -- should have been the highest priority.

Instead, U.S. Supreme Court justices on the majority side abused their power by, in effect, creating a winner rather than directing their efforts toward correctly determining the winner.

Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, then, has no cause to feel "vindicated." What the U.S. Supreme Court ruling tragically demonstrates is that there are officials installed in the highest levels of government who have as little regard for the people and are as contemptuous of democracy as is she. This is not "vindication" -- only complicity.

This indictment applies with equal force to Florida's Republican majority in the state Legislature which -- in its boundless, imperial arrogance -- was already moving to select 25 electors for George W. Bush, even as the Florida Supreme Court ordered a hand count of the disputed ballots!
-- Eric Ray, Tampa

An appointment strategy?

I wonder how many democratic senators from states with democratic governors will get job offers from President-elect George W. Bush. Or will he just offer them to senators in states with Republican governors who can appoint a Republican as a replacement?

What a way to try to get a Republican-loaded Senate.
-- Bill Beck, Dunedin

"Evil' repetitions

A guest on Hardball made mention of the "evil Democrats." On Politically Incorrect, a guest from a conservative think tank said, "I would describe Democrats as evil." Florida House Speaker Tom Feeney calls Gore's concession speech "an evil speech." On Rush Limbaugh's show, the word "evil" in reference to Democrats comes up daily.

Has anyone else noticed a pattern here? I imagine the belief is that if it is said enough, people will begin to believe it.
-- Daniel Spencer, Clearwater

GOP hurt by a few

The Republican Party, as a whole, is okay. It is just a group of right-wing extremists who make the party look mean and nasty. The leaders are Dick Armey, Trent Lott, Tom DeLay, Bob Barr and about six others. They put a bad light on a party for which I always had respect, even though I am a lifelong Democrat. I can't believe the hatred they portray. I think a lot of good Republicans suffer because of them. They should be ousted from the party, as Newt Gingrich was, and then they would be seen by the public in a better light.

Tom DeLay himself is the most vicious politician I have ever seen since Joe McCarthy -- and McCarthy was on the verge of insanity.

For your own sake, Republicans, and for the good of the country, get rid of these vicious and self-righteous people. We all need a break from these congressional battles.
-- Jay Raphael, Beverly Hills

Consider the system's costs

The cost in dollars and "sense" for the Electoral College may be a drop in the bucket compared to the state and federal budgets. That direct and indirect cost should still be one place to begin the explorations of determining the initial intent and the current impact of the proclamations of that body.

Forget about the intangible costs of the media mentioning or viewing the Electoral College. Forget about the overturning costs of that iceberg as it affects close elections.

But what about the hidden costs of now changing the chad punch-card system that has been "legally" followed and accounted for? What about the costs of the embarrassment to the United States and state supreme courts and the 50 state legislatures?
-- Maurice Rubin, Tarpon Springs

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