Think Progress

Breyer sees assault on reason.

By Faiz on Aug 13th, 2007 at 2:24 pm

Breyer sees assault on reason.»

The Supreme Court’s most recent term was a difficult one, Justice Stephen Breyer said Saturday, because he found himself on the losing end of several key cases. After the 9/11, attacks, Breyer said: “I began to see that the true division of importance in the world is not between different countries. The important division is between those who are committed to reason, to working out things, to understanding other people, to peaceful resolution of their differences … and those who don’t think that.”

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74 Responses to “Breyer sees assault on reason.”


  1. Typical Lefty Says:

    Clinton nominees have always been regarded as deranged.


  2. katy Says:

    there is “no rhyme or reason” when the neoCONs are concerned…
    their commitment is to personal status and wealth only…


  3. Nate Says:

    Hmmm…I wonder which side of the “reason” debate the US falls on, these days…?


  4. Typical Lefty Says:

    Comment by RUCerious — August 13, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

    Respect the court.


  5. Zooey Says:

    And POWER, katy. Don’t forget the most important one. :)


  6. Kay Says:

    525 more days of this nightmare, unless of course the Chimperor decides to cancel the 2008 election…

    got Martial Law?


  7. shane Says:

    Clinton nominees have always been regarded as deranged.

    Comment by Typical Lefty — August 13, 2007 @ 2:27 pm

    Hey CT, did your name get banned. This one’s next. You trolls calling anybody deranged is just too ironic. How long have you been freebasing the kkkoolaid?


  8. Zooey Says:

    Breyer must feel like things on the court are really bad. It’s only been in recent months that I’ve EVER heard of SCOTUS justices speaking to or about one another from the bench or otherwise.

    Except for Scalia, of course. But he’s an ass.


  9. Nate Says:

    kay: 525 more days of this nightmare, unless of course the Chimperor decides to cancel the 2008 election…

    Makes you wonder what kind of new intelligence about terrorist threats will suddenly be unearthed in about a year or so, doesn’t it?


  10. katy Says:

    And POWER, katy. Don’t forget the most important one. :)
    Comment by Zooey — August 13, 2007 @ 2:30 pm

    doh, yep! … well, with wealth comes power…
    had it covered after all…


  11. shane Says:

    Respect the court.

    Comment by Typical Lefty — August 13, 2007 @ 2:30 pm

    STFU loser. Nobody cares what you have to say. You’re going down, here and everywhere you lurk. You treasonous traitors are going to pay for your propagating fascism. I hope when tp deleted your posts yesterday they kept a copy for the FBI.


  12. RUCerious Says:

    Respect the court.

    Comment by Typical Lefty — August 13, 2007 @ 2:30 pm

    Clinton nominees have always been regarded as deranged.

    Comment by Typical Lefty — August 13, 2007 @ 2:30 pm

    WTF? You don’t get it both ways.


  13. Troll Says:

    Comment by Zooey — August 13, 2007 @ 2:34 pm

    Maybe Bryer is an ass too?


  14. Luis M Says:

    Clinton nominees have always been regarded as deranged.
    Comment by Typical Lefty — August 13, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
    Respect the court.
    Comment by Typical Lefty — August 13, 2007 @ 2:30 pm

    Wow. 3 minutes. From calling one of them deranged, to asking for respect for the court.

    A.D.D much?



  15. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by shane — August 13, 2007 @ 2:33 pm

    This daughter beater thinks its so clever.


  16. kenoshaMarge Says:

    Stephan Breyer deranged? What alternate universe do you live in. The man is a voice of reason and integrity. Always has been. It’s a sad world when sad little trolls can insult men who are so far above them the troll isn’t even a flyspeck below.


  17. Gerald Gibson Says:

    One supreme says we are headed for a dictatorship… another says he finds it hard to REASON with the others… REASON is what the ENLIGHTENMENT was all about. Without REASON we have religious people telling scientists that they lie about their discoveries that religion doesnt like or else drink hemlock…


  18. Kay Says:

    akes you wonder what kind of new intelligence about terrorist threats will suddenly be unearthed in about a year or so, doesn’t it?

    Of course, the only thing that matters is to keep people afraid. Like McCarthysim for the Millenium.


  19. progressive John Says:

    I could not agree more, Mr. Breyer. I could not agree more. http://www.thesubversivegarden.blogspot.com


  20. Wayne Says:

    Comment by shane — August 13, 2007 @ 2:33 pm

    This daughter beater thinks its so clever.
    Comment by CT_Version 2

    Libel much?


  21. Uncle Ho Says:

    Remember, the admin DID hint about ‘postponing” the 2004 elections because of the “terrorist” threat. Look out for 2008, they might REALLY do it, & declare martial law, & W. gets his dictator wish.


  22. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by shane — August 13, 2007 @ 2:35 pm

    Look, it’s becoming a hot-head. It’s good to be annoying your crazy a*ss as much as possible.

    Look, it’s actually referencing the FBI, as if ’shane’ surfacing herself to them (for whatever reason) wouldn’t result in this FBI filing that long-awaited 31-count indictment against her.

    Nothing I post is of note to the FBI, granny.


  23. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by Luis M — August 13, 2007 @ 2:37 pm

    I meant, respecting the current demographics of the court, slow poke.


  24. Gerald Gibson Says:


    Comment by Uncle Ho

    And thats when the country finally unites republican and democrat and enforces the 2nd amendment.


  25. margaret Says:

    Good link Kay.

    It begins with this paragraph:
    “The most important issue facing America is not even being debated by the presidential candidates. With the exception of Ron Paul, all of the candidates are acting on the assumption that America’s interventionist foreign policy should continue. They only differ on the details of the intervention.”


  26. RUCerious Says:

    The very first rule under Terms of Use
    Respect other Bloggers — please do not threaten, insult, abuse, intimidate or harass other Blog users.

    TP, would you mind enforcing your terms of use?


  27. margaret Says:

    Breyer must feel like things on the court are really bad. It’s only been in recent months that I’ve EVER heard of SCOTUS justices speaking to or about one another from the bench or otherwise.

    Except for Scalia, of course. But he’s an ass.

    Comment by Zooey — August 13, 2007 @ 2:34 pm

    It’s true Zooey. I’ve been around awhile and I’ve never seen any of the justices speak out in this manner.


  28. Luis M Says:

    I meant, respecting the current demographics of the court, slow poke.
    Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 2:42 pm

    Then why didn’t you write so? It’s not something obvious from your comment.

    Geez. It’s not my fault you can’t explain your so-called thoughts in a coherent way.


  29. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by Wayne — August 13, 2007 @ 2:40 pm

    To an anonymous poster? Not possibly so.


  30. shane Says:

    Look, it’s becoming a hot-head. It’s good to be annoying your crazy a*ss as much as possible.

    Look, it’s actually referencing the FBI, as if ’shane’ surfacing herself to them (for whatever reason) wouldn’t result in this FBI filing that long-awaited 31-count indictment against her.

    Nothing I post is of note to the FBI, granny.

    Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

    Yesterday you were proposing give all liberals BADGES OR TATTOOS so they could be easily recognized when your side wants to round them up. That sounds pretty anti–American to me.


  31. JG Says:

    Except for Scalia, of course. But he’s an ass.
    Comment by Zooey — August 13, 2007 @ 2:34 pm

    Ahh Zooey, but wasn’t Scalia Cheney’s good duck hunting buddy?
    Scalia went on that hunting trip with Cheney while the court was considering whether the White House must release information about private meetings of Cheney’s energy task force. Sure seemed to work out well for Cheney..


  32. trueblue Says:

    Same crap, Different troll.

    I hope we don’t lose another Justice. It’s scary enough in Washington.


  33. John Says:

    and those who don’t think that.

    I.e., terrorists and Republicans (it’s increasingly unclear what the distinction between them is, anyway).


  34. Uncle Ho Says:

    “It would be easier (to govern) in a dictatorship, just as long as I’m the dictator.”- George W. Bush


  35. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by shane — August 13, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

    Not too bright, are you?

    I reported all of those postings as name-jackings, the only skill you lefties possess. Suspicions they were name-jacked were even pointed out by some fellow lefties.

    Planting evidence, as many lefties do best.


  36. bilbobaggins Says:

    If you want to be enlightened, angry, sad and then have some hope, read Al Gore’s “Assault on Reason”. It is one of the best books I have ever read and it is exactly what Bryer is talking about.

    It also made me realize how much Al Gore could give to this country if he would only run for President. Al Gore/Dennis Kucinich - my dream team and an unbeatable combination.


  37. Uncle Ho Says:

    “the Constitution is just a god damn peice of paper”- George W. Bush


  38. JG Says:

    Assault on reason.., assault on truth.., assault on the Constitution.., assault on the rule of law.., assault on freedoms and protections.., assault on transparency and accountability in government..
    Take your pick, there is just SOOO much to choose from..


  39. bilbobaggins Says:

    I wonder what Sandra Day O’Connor is thinking these days about her decision to retire while Bush was still in office.


  40. katy Says:

    Assault on reason.. […]
    Comment by JG — August 13, 2007 @ 2:59 pm

    battered country syndrome…

    it’s real… i know what i’m talking about…


  41. toasterhead Says:

    It also made me realize how much Al Gore could give to this country if he would only run for President. Al Gore/Dennis Kucinich - my dream team and an unbeatable combination.

    Comment by bilbobaggins — August 13, 2007 @ 2:58 pm

    I dunno - I think he’s serving the country quite well as a post-political statesman.


  42. shane Says:

    I reported all of those postings as name-jackings, the only skill you lefties possess. Suspicions they were name-jacked were even pointed out by some fellow lefties.

    Planting evidence, as many lefties do best.

    Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

    Sure change your IP address and report your craziest rants as namejacking. I left because I was disgusted with your blabbering all day. It can all be bactracked to you so give it up. You’re going down with the other war criminals.


  43. JG Says:

    Assault on the voting system…, assault on the system of checks and balances…, assault on the three SEPARATE and EQUAL branches of government.., assault on the Freedom Of Information Act.., assault ot the Presidential Records Act.., assault on the Middle Class and those in poverty (which is ever growing).., assault on the integrity of the military.., assault on Department of Justice.., assault on the National Treasury.., …. Oh, dear God.., what haven’t they ruined, broken, tainted, distorted, etc..
    You really start to wonder after a while if after they leave, if it can be put back together again.


  44. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by shane — August 13, 2007 @ 3:08 pm

    Project much?


  45. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by shane — August 13, 2007 @ 3:08 pm

    I’m being threatned by a crusty lefty.

    TP’s good for banning people who are disruptive, so you should be next to go.


  46. Kay Says:

    You really start to wonder after a while if after they leave, if it can be put back together again.

    The only people remotely capable is Kucinich and Ron Paul


  47. Kay Says:

    meant : are Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul


  48. chad Says:

    Breyer is right in politics and in journalism there is an assault on reason people are not discussing ideas just namecalling the other side or throwing out fantasy conspiracy ideas in order to scare people into their party.


  49. AlanIsATraitor Says:

    I’m being threatned by a crusty lefty. Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 3:11 pm

    Maybe that’s because you’re just another fat ‘doughy’ republican liar?

    TP’s good for banning people who are disruptive, so you should be next to go. Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 3:11 pm

    Ah, pure projection from the republican troll…


  50. chad Says:

    umm ron paul is a libertarian and wants to remove all government besides the police and military basically leaving everybody at the mercy of the people who own capital. I for won do not think that is a good idea. I do agree with his views on the constitution and disolving the federal reserve as a private business though.


  51. AlanIsATraitor Says:

    I reported all of those postings as name-jackings, the only skill you lefties possess. Suspicions they were name-jacked were even pointed out by some fellow lefties.

    Says the idiot that spends all of his time thread-jacking. Get a girlfriend, get a clue, get a life - loser.

    Planting evidence, as many lefties do best.
    Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

    Whatever - Nixon.


  52. katy Says:

    NOT ron paul… sorry…
    ya’ll need to get over that one…


  53. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by AlanIsATraitor — August 13, 2007 @ 3:18 pm

    ….says the projecting lefty who takes his views a little too seriously.

    Quick! Your blow up doll is set to deflate any minute now!


  54. CT_Version 2 Says:

    Comment by AlanIsATraitor — August 13, 2007 @ 3:19 pm

    ok.

    Don’t strain yourself.


  55. katy Says:

    *
    seriously, the best thing for ALL is to
    ignore the assinine comments from certain troolls…
    please…
    it’s the only way to clean it up…
    .


  56. VerbalKint Says:

    Troll, you’ve got nothing, and it shows. It’s a world of hurt.


  57. AlanIsATraitor Says:

    ….says the projecting lefty who takes his views a little too seriously. Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 3:23 pm

    More projection from the stupid little republican that can only see his own foibles.

    Quick! Your blow up doll is set to deflate any minute now!
    Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 3:23 pm

    Says the 20 year old single male…. More projection from the sicko righto…


  58. pete Says:

    The wise remain silent in their ignorance while the foolish proclaim their’s to all the world.


  59. AlanIsATraitor Says:

    Republicans always assault reason - because reason has a liberal bias.


  60. chad Says:

    NOT ron paul… sorry…
    ya’ll need to get over that one…
    …

    Comment by katy — August 13, 2007 @ 3:20 pm

    Katy, what kind of response is that. You are saying that Ron Paul is one of the only capable people to be President. What things do you agree with Ron Paul about? Your response was not directed any of the problems I raised.


  61. katy Says:

    i don’t get your confusion, chad…
    here, try it this way:

    The only people remotely capable is Kucinich and Ron Paul
    Comment by Kay — August 13, 2007 @ 3:16 pm

    NOT ron paul… sorry…
    ya’ll need to get over that one…
    Comment by katy — August 13, 2007 @ 3:20 pm

    ok?


  62. Zooey Says:

    I don’t know, katy. It as clear to me what you were saying. Maybe chad has comprehension problems?


  63. expat Says:

    This is terrible Think Progress. Breyer is talking about foreign governments or non government entities like OBL.

    This is a terrible blog post and diminishes my respect for this blog. I suggest you delete it, because this is of the level of Michele Malkin BS!


  64. bewilderbeast Says:

    The wise remain silent in their ignorance while the foolish proclaim their’s to all the world.

    Comment by pete — August 13, 2007 @ 3:32 pm

    I see the prophet is awake.

    Hopefully those trolls will dissipate and let a reasonable discussion ensue.

    Oh, I forgot this was the “assault on reason” thread.


  65. ronjazz Says:

    Nothing I post is of note to the FBI, granny.

    Comment by CT_Version 2 — August 13, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

    Nothing you post is of any value to anyone. You’re a LOSER.


  66. ronjazz Says:

    This is a terrible blog post and diminishes my respect for this blog. I suggest you delete it, because this is of the level of Michele Malkin BS!

    Comment by expat — August 13, 2007 @ 4:12 pm

    Execpt for its accuracy and patriotism, both liberal attributes. Too bad, LOSER.


  67. expat Says:

    Execpt for its accuracy and patriotism, both liberal attributes. Too bad, LOSER.

    Comment by ronjazz — August 13, 2007 @ 4:27 pm

    Hey loser, I am atheist, a liberal, and activist! I don’t need your patronizing BS thrown my way. Breyer is not talking about the other justices!

    I bet you didn’t even read the stupid article. You were too busy trolling the comments.

    L O S E R Give your mom her computer back!


  68. pete Says:

    Some years ago I read a work about the many “dark ages”, including medieval Europe, that have beset civilization. The author’s conclusion was that only three things are necessary to precipitate a dark age. These being; xenophobia, fanaticism, and a rejection of reason. Sadly, the world seems to have a surplus of all three.

    Justice Breyer is simply noting his understanding of that which has been true throughout human history. People will violently resist threats, whether real or perceived, to their beliefs/faiths. And, the overwhelming majority of humanity is, functionally, incapable of changing an ingrained belief/faith.


  69. Anon Says:

    People who are that upset with what’s going on can resign their positions.


  70. Ret. Col. Jack Ripper Says:

    Anon: “People who are that upset with what’s going on can resign their positions.”

    That’s right. If Bush doesn’t enjoy his historically bad approval ratings, he can just resign. If Alberto doesn’t appreciate the fact that nobody in Congress believes a word he says, there’s the door. If Condi Rice doesn’t sleep well because people are calling her the most incompetent Sec. of State and Nat. Security Advisor in history, nobody’s stopping her.


  71. m12 Says:

    Breyer must feel like things on the court are really bad. It’s only been in recent months that I’ve EVER heard of SCOTUS justices speaking to or about one another from the bench or otherwise.

    Yeah, because it’s really bad form, from a bad judge.

    Where are the hearings investigating his obvious politicking?


  72. The Oracle Says:

    Justice Breyer is being nice.

    If it’d been me instead, I’d have said that the five justices (Roberts, Alito, Scalia, Thomas and Kennedy) are f**king nuts, purely partisan animals, chosen to gut the U.S. Constitution and sabotage our democracy. These five corrupt justices are all Catholics, getting their orders from Pope Ratzinger in Rome, threatened with not receiving communion unless they blindly follow the dictates of Pope Ratzinger.

    And let’s not leave out former justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who also has earned the designation of being f**king nuts. She was the pivotal justice who decided to give the presidency to George W. Bush in 2000. She, therefore, has as much innocent blood on her hands as all the f**king neo-con nuts in the Bush administration. Long may her name live in infamy.



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