News flash: Bush opposes Dred Scott ?!

[trochee]

In the debates last night, Bush mentioned that he would appoint judges that would oppose Dred Scott.

Those of us who remember 10th grade American History were (1) surprised that W remembered that much from that period of his life and (2) mystified by his need to declare that he's against American slavery in the 21st century.

But bohemond has an explanation for this: "You heard: 'I would appoint judges opposing Dred Scott.' Conservative Christians heard: 'I would appoint justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade'". Go read it.

I'm pretty convinced. Is he missing a piece of this analysis or did he figure out the subtext correctly?

Comments

[my-left-ear.livejournal.com]

Oh! that was sort of what I got from it, but I hadn't quite thought it out. At the time, this is what I understood bushie to be saying:

I will not select a judge who uses his opinions (i.e.--biases that are different than mine) to interpret the constitution. the DS case is an example of where someone did this. (in other words, I'm going to use an extreme example from history that everyone knows and no one can possibly disagree with--I mean, no one will say that they are for slavery or dehumanization). This won't happen again under my guard. (of course it won't you ninny, unless you count free-trade induced wage slavery!)

My most immediate response was to be offended that he would co-opt the experience of slavery in order to make himself sound righteous. I also just assumed that he was full of shit and that he was trying to convince the audience that there is actually such a thing as an un-opinionated interpretation of anything. He was using the DS case to say "see, this is an example where personal beliefs affected judgement, and I will make sure that doesn't happen." Please, how can he stand there with a straight face and say that he's all for not mixing beliefs with politics? 5 strikes and a slap across the face!

The whole abortion/slavery connection adds an entirely other dimension, proving my theory that bushie is in fact an agent of satan. (sorry satan, no offense).