Will There Be Chaos in Tennessee's Judicial System?

When in 1973 the Tennessee Supreme Court stated that an election for Supreme Court judges could be by retention election, as opposed to the kind of elections one normally thinks of, a dissenting judge said,

It is not necessary for me to dwell on the possible chaotic consequences of the construction placed on Article 7, §5 by the majority.

That section of the Tennessee constitution says that vacancies in a judicial office “shall be filled” by election, not by any kind of appointment. Well, with the legislature ready to approve a revised form of the same thing, why not take a minute to “dwell” on one of the “chaotic consequences” to which we have subjected ourselves. You’re guaranteed not to like the possibility.

'Why Me Worry?' Is the 'Fix' in?

The so-called Tennessee Plan, an effort by some to keep judicial “elections” in the hands of appointed commissions instead of Tennessee voters as would appear to be prescribed by our constitution, could cause real chaos in our state judicial system. When some legislators were informed about it, they didn’t seem too worried. And that ought to worry us even more.

Who Really Represents You in the State House

Tennessee’s constitution requires the establishment and election of a House of Representatives. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a case arising out of Tennessee, issued its famous “one man one vote” ruling. But some Tennesseans either aren’t being represented or they are being represented by more than one Representative. Sounds odd, but recently that reality became apparent.

Is There Something Here to Learn?

The murder yesterday of abortionist George Tiller has been roundly condemned by every pro-life organization that I can think of, and rightly so. Murder is murder whether the person is still in the womb or has survived the womb. We join in that condemnation notwithstanding our opposition to some of horrific forms of abortion practiced by Dr. Tiller. But there may be a deeper lesson for us to learn as we consider this act of violence and the growing tendency toward violence in connection with those who are political opponents.

JUNE NEWS & NOTES

Salt and Light Committees on the Rise

Growing Number of Links to FACT Web Site

Ministerial Briefings Continue across the State

Church bulletin insert (June 2009)
 

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