Confirmation Hearing: windjammer for Supreme Court justice

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

No need to explain what to do here, friends

[tmthforu94]

What is the nominee's opinion of this article?

http://www.r-word.org/r-word-effects-of-the-word.aspx

[windjammer]

Thank you Mr Vice President,

I would like to thank President Griffin for having nominated me for this position as well. This is a great honour.

For senators who don't know me, let me introduce myself. I was an active player who decided to retire from politics. I was previously Midwest Governor, Mideast Governor, representative, Lieutenant Governor, Senator, Senate Speaker and Vice President .  I know and understand the game very well. I know as well how the court works. I participated in many court cases relating to the constitutionality of a law or a criminal trial.  So why confirming me? Because I have experience. I will be an active Associate Justice and will fulfill all my duties if confirmed by the senate.

I'm available for any question or concern you might have.

Regards,
Windjammer

What is the nominee's opinion of this article?

http://www.r-word.org/r-word-effects-of-the-word.aspx

This article isn't related to this game so I don't understand what the question is? No one will ever fill a lawsuit about this article.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Having had the opportunity to work with Windjammer as Mideast Speaker this past spring, I know him to be a consistently active, independent, and competent public servant. I will be voting for confirmation.

[tmthforu94]

What is the nominee's opinion of this article?

http://www.r-word.org/r-word-effects-of-the-word.aspx

This article isn't related to this game so I don't understand what the question is? No one will ever fill a lawsuit about this article.

Let me re-word the question then, since you don't understand it: After you have read the article I posted, what is your opinion of the words in the article and do you think the point made by the author has merit?

I think integrity and character are important traits for individuals nominated for any office, and it is concerning that you are unwilling to answer a straight-forward question.

[Oakvale]

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew

[Potus]

Do you still oppose a universal, absolute right to free speech?

This was a big issue back when he was Vice President because he said he doesn't believe in free speech. Important stuff.

[windjammer]

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Honestly, I quite agree with South Park on this question (S19E8). People should focus on improving the lives of people who have disabilities instead of creating artificial debates about using a word.

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I have not been nominated for "the most popular office". My job is to make sure that the consititution is respected. I don't understand why having my personal opinion about the word "retarded" matters. So yes, I didn't understand your question.
I have people with disabilities in my family, when I was in high school I managed to convince the board of directors to finally make the high school comply with the european norms about people having disabilities. With my effort, the high school became more accessible to them. So I have never been against people with disabilities, I have fought for them.

Do you still oppose a universal, absolute right to free speech?

Article VI Clause 1:

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My view on free speech is basically the same than the current US Supreme Court. People can write anything they want. They can freely assemble as well. The right of free speech is mostly unlimited. There are however few limits:
-child pornography
- imminent lawless action: murder etc,...
And I agree with the Supreme Court on this matter because guaranteeing the security of the People is a constitutional duty as well.

However, I would have agreed with the Supreme Court in Snyder vs Phelps, even if the actions of the Westboro Church were deeply homophobic, it was protected by the right of free speech and wasn't dangerous.

[windjammer]

Having had the opportunity to work with Windjammer as Mideast Speaker this past spring, I know him to be a consistently active, independent, and competent public servant. I will be voting for confirmation.

Thank you Senator

[tmthforu94]

Well, I'll ask some questions, since senators apparently don't have any...

Question 1: I in-part asked the question about the "r" word because it is a word you have frequently used and you also have expressed opposition to total free speech in the past, so I was wondering if you would support a lawsuit that would prosecute yourself for using offensive language. In the past, you have made statements saying that you are a "free-speech hater" and weren't even certain if free speech is a right in the Atlasian Constitution. You cite experience with the Supreme Court, yet a key lawsuit you defended, Snowstalker vs. The Midwest, was defending a blatantly anti-free speech law. Why should we have any reason to believe that now that you've been appointed to the Supreme Court, you conveniently have decided to support free speech?

Question 2: You have had several personal spats with different Atlasians. How can you assure the Senate that as a Supreme Court justice, you will be able to rule objectively and put your personal feelings towards individuals aside?

Question 3: You've been pretty involved in the political side of Atlasia - nothing wrong about that, I have as well. If appointed to the Supreme Court, will you end all political involvement in the game?

Question 4: Do you believe in term-limits for Supreme Court justices? If confirmed, will you self-impose a term limit on yourself?

Question 5: What is your view of the role of regional and federalism in our constitutional system? How will your view affect rulings concerning whether federal laws pre-empt state laws or causes of action?

Question 6: Do you believe that courts should show compassion? Do you believe there is a difference between doing justice and applying the law?

Question 7: How important is the emphasis on precedent in Supreme Court decision-making? Under what circumstances would you vote to overturn a previous ruling by the Supreme Court?

[windjammer]

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Well, thank you . I'm glad to have someone who is asking questions hehe .

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Well, that's quite a long question .
The question about any lawsuit against myself, well, I would simply recuse myself, for fairness. Justices have to recuse themselves when a lawsuit is brought against themselves. And I find that normal.
Regarding Snowstalker vs the Midwest, I would like to remind everyone I was the attorney defending the law, not the judge. I believed that the only way that could avoid the law being striken down would be to try to convince the judge that the current definition of free speech didn't include the right of people to say offensive comments like homophobia,... Let me be clear, I knew since the beginning this law was going to be struck down, but I just wanted to defend this law because it was my duty to do so as governor.
Then, my personal views relating to the freedom of speech is that offensive comments like homophobic, racist comments shouldn't be allowed. But my personal views simply don't matter. As a judge, I have to make sure the constitution is respected, no matter what my personal views are.

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In the past, I indeed clashed with many people. But this is a game and I don't hold a grudge against anyone. If I believe there could be a problem with my "personal feelings", I would recuse myself.

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Will, it has already been done, I'm no longer involved in the game except for the constitutional convention, which is hardly a partisan issue . I don't plan to run for any office as a member of the Supreme Court.

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I don't like at all term limits for elected officeholders. I believe people should have the right to reelect their representative if they want to do so. For the Supreme Court, my opinion on possible term-limits is much more conflicted because Judges aren't elected, they are appointed. So I'm not sure if there should be term-limits for the Supreme Court or not.
I won't be indefinitely a member of the Supreme Court, I can guarantee that. So I guess I will impose myself term-limits without knowing how much time I want to remain in the court?

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Well, I'm personally a regionalist and I have been a strong supporter of reducing the number of regions in order to save the regional system. I believe regions and the federal government should be able to coexist. For the last question, it will simply depend about the case I guess. If for example the federal government passes a law that wants to regulate the elections at regional levels, I will personally rule that this is unconstitutional because the constitution is clear about that: the regions can govern themselves and their elections as they wish. However, if the regions are trying to raise an army in time of peace without the consent of the senate, I believe this is unconstitutional as well because the regions cannot maintain armed forced in time of peace without the consent of the senate.

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The role of the Supreme Court is to make sure the constitution is respected, not to show compassion.

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This is simply really important. Supreme Court decision-making shouldn't be constantly overturned because members of the court change. The role of the members of the Supreme Court is to make sure the constitution is respected, not what according to us the constitution should have been.



I hope I have answered to all of your questions, if you want to know anything else, please let me know .

[DKrol]

The nominee has my support.

[Senator Cris]

Windjammer has been an active and capable office holder in the past. I'm sure he'll do a really great job by making sure the Constitution is respected. He already did that in the Senate.

I'll vote to confirm the nominee.

[tmthforu94]

Thank you for your answers. This is a qualified and capable nominee.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Mr. Windjammer, I have a question about activity. The Supreme court is not constantly engage but at points the demands on it can be rather intensive. If I recall correctly you did not vote in December and at points you have had periods of inactivity. Can you assure the Senate that you will be an active and able Supreme Court Justice?

[windjammer]

Mr. Windjammer, I have a question about activity. The Supreme court is not constantly engage but at points the demands on it can be rather intensive. If I recall correctly you did not vote in December and at points you have had periods of inactivity. Can you assure the Senate that you will be an active and able Supreme Court Justice?

Yes, I will be active.

[windjammer]

The nominee has my support.

Windjammer has been an active and capable office holder in the past. I'm sure he'll do a really great job by making sure the Constitution is respected. He already did that in the Senate.

I'll vote to confirm the nominee.

Thank you for your answers. This is a qualified and capable nominee.

Thank you all

Mr. Windjammer, I have a question about activity. The Supreme court is not constantly engage but at points the demands on it can be rather intensive. If I recall correctly you did not vote in December and at points you have had periods of inactivity. Can you assure the Senate that you will be an active and able Supreme Court Justice?

Yes, I will be active. If I realize I can't be active for any irl reasons, I will resign.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I am also satisfied with the nominee and with his answers here.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Time to vote! Aye or nay on windjammer

[Prince of Salem]

Aye

[Ebowed]

Aye

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE!

[Oakvale]

Literally astounded, lads. Literally astounded.

[Senator Cris]

AYE!

[Clark Kent]

ABSTAIN