It was a long haul for Robert Bacharach. He was originally nominated by Barak Obama for a seat on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in January 2012. Yesterday he was finally confirmed by a 93-0 vote of the United States Senate.
The Oklahoman's Washington Bureau correspondent, Chris Casteel quoted Senator Tom Coburn as saying of Bacharach, "You cannot find a blemish on this man in terms of his personal integrity." He added, "I have never met anybody who knows the Constitution--its limitations, its intent--better than Judge Bacharach." Coburn also said that Bacharach had "one of the greatest intellects" he'd ever met.
High praise indeed. Too bad Coburn was one of the primary reasons this whole nomination process took so long. He sat on it from January until the end of April last year. In fact there is no evidence he would have ever moved on it if the state's largest newspaper, The Oklahoman and its parent company OPUBCO hadn't stepped in. On April 30th of last year Casteel wrote a piece questioning why Coburn was still refusing to endorse Bacharach to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He pointed out the committee would not entertain a nomination without the approval of both senators from the home state of the person involved. The old reprobate, Jim Inhofe had all ready given his, however Coburn was, somewhat mysteriously, refusing to budge on it. In response to Casteel's questions a spokesperson from Coburn's office issued a statement that was such gibberish it almost didn't qualify as part of the English language.
Coburn knows who runs things in Oklahoma though. On May 1st, less than twenty-four hours after receiving that open handed bop in the back of the head by OPUBCO, he gave the go ahead. From that day forward he's been claiming Bacharach is the greatest thing since Oliver fucking Wendell Holmes.
Of course even then it wasn't easy. Senate republicans wouldn't allow an up and down vote on the nomination through a prolonged filibuster. They were enamored with the poll numbers of Karl Rove and Dick Morris and believed Mr. Mitt Romney would become the next president. They desperately wanted that seat on the court to remain open so that their man could nominate someone who might be more in tune with their way of doing things. Yes, screw the Constitution, no one has paid any attention to that old rag since 1861 any way.
Coburn and Inhofe made some faint grumbling sounds about the politics of the situation. However, when democrats moved to end the filibuster, in an act of abject political cowardice, both Oklahoma Senators voted, "present" which in effect were votes against "one of the greatest intellects" Coburn has ever met.
Even after Barak Obama swept to victory the republican filibuster continued through the end of the session, forcing the president to renominate Bacharach in January of this year. GOP senators mumbled some things about lame duck congresses and tradition, but it was all utter nonsense. They knew a republican majority wasn't going to take control of the Senate this year. You almost get the impression they were waiting for Bacharach to throw his hands up in frustration and yell, "fuck it" then walk away in disgust.
He didn't and now he awaits the swearing in ceremony and a well deserved seat on the bench in the Denver based court.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, Luis E. Ruiz walked out of the Oklahoma County jail yesterday as his father gave praise to God and Jesus Christ.
The Bethany Police Department gave up their investigation into the murder of Carina Saunders on the 6th of this month. After that organization was out of the picture it took less than three weeks for the two men accused by them of the killing to be exonerated. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now in charge. The Oklahoman's Tim Willert quoted OSBI spokesperson, Jessica Brown as saying, the agency is gathering evidence in the case and is in the early stages of investigation. Brown was also quoted as saying, "It's going to be a very long process." In other words, Bethany fouled this thing up so badly we don't even know where to start.
So the long wait for Robert Bacharach is over, but nearly 17 months after her body was discovered, the wait for Carina Saunders' loved ones is beginning once again.
It would appear Lady Justice is not only blind, but many times she moves with all the speed of a glacier, if she moves at all.
One thing was finally gotten right. We can only hope that someday the other will too.
2-26-13
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