Supreme Chaos by Judge Charles Pickering

A Price Too High: The Judiciary in Jeopardy

2007-05-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

You can pre-order now, A Price Too High: The Judiciary in Jeopardy. A Price Too High, a follow-up to Supreme Chaos, presents Pickering’s personal fight for judicial confirmation. In the book, he reflects on his odyssey through the confirmation debacle and suggests solutions he believes will benefit the nominees of any party, strengthen the independence of the federal judiciary, and fortify our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.

Also, now look for updates at the A Price Too High blog.

Democrats attack Southwick on gay issues

2007-05-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

At yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee on Leslie Southwick, Democrats attacked the judge for ruling according to Mississippi law simply because they do not agree with the law.

Clarion Ledger: Southwick voted to uphold a decision giving custody of an 8-year-old girl to her father instead of to her bisexual mother. He also joined other judges in a written decision that referred to the mother's "homosexual lifestyle." Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island who presided over Thursday's hearing, said the phrase "is highly associated with a particular point of view that is not favorable to gay rights." Southwick, who at times seemed surprised by the line of questioning, said he followed Mississippi law. In 2001, when the case was active, state law considered homosexuality a moral issue that could influence custody decisions. "It was the stated policy ... regarding homosexuality," Southwick said, adding, "The law is evolving as to the fundamental rights of gay relationships."

Also find the story here.

The story also suggests that some of the opposition is not to Southwick personally but to the matter that President Bush has not nominated a black person for this position. Andy Taggart takes up this matter in his Red/Blue blog at ClarionLedger.com.

As usual, the opposition to this Bush nominee comes from national Democrats and the far-left. In Mississippi, Jere Nash (the blue side of the Red/Blue blog) also hopes Southwick gets confirmed.

Still fighitng the 5th Circuit

2007-05-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today Leslie Southwick faces the Senate Judiciary Committee as Bush's most recent Mississippi pick to join the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Southwick's pattern has followed that of Pickering's - at first seen as reasonable by all sides and controversial by none - until the far-left special interest groups opposed to him on philosophical and not judicial grounds started smearing him. Here is the story in today's Clarion Ledger. Perhaps the Democrats will let Southwick go through now that this isn't as big of an issue as the past...but they might continue to stall in hopes that a Democrat can make the appointment after 2008 instead.

Washington Post

2007-05-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

Dan Eggen and Amy Goldstein write "Political Appointees No Longer to Pick Justice Interns" in Saturday's Washington Post.

They say: According to a former deputy chief in the civil rights division, one honors hire was a University of Mississippi law school graduate who had been a clerk for U.S. District Judge Charles W. Pickering Sr. about the time the judge's nomination by President Bush to a federal appeals court provoked opposition by congressional Democrats, who contended that Pickering was hostile to civil rights. A few months after he arrived, that lawyer was given a cash award by the department, after he was the only member of a four-person team in the civil rights division who sided with a Georgia voter-identification law that was later struck down by the courts as discriminatory to minorities, according to two former Justice lawyers.

Their story gains meat and interest by throwing Judge Pickering's name in it, but in reality this person was not a clerk, but an intern who got his position at DoJ without reference from or even knowledge of Judge Pickering.

They say, "According to a former deputy chief in the civil rights division" so the writers didn't get it wrong because presumably that former deputy chief DID tell the Wash Post that information...it just turns out he was wrong; the source provided bad information. Without inside knowledge of the rest of the story, I wonder what else was wrong.

This isn't a defense or criticism of the issue of the story or the person mentioned, just wondering what Judge Pickering had to do with it at all...

Mississippi’s National Day of Prayer

2007-05-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

The Clarion Ledger writes: Mississippi’s National Day of Prayer event will be held at noon Thursday on the south steps of the Capitol in Jackson. The theme is “American, Unite in Prayer.”Among some dozen prayer leaders will be retired 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Charles Pickering Sr., Mississippi National Guard Chaplain Tom Fuller and St. Dominic Health Services president Sister Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth. The Belhaven College Choir will sing.

William Carey University

2007-05-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Charles Pickering spoke at the inauguration of Tommy King as President of William Carey University as reported by the Hattiesburg American and the Laurel Leader Call.

Spotlight on race relations at Laurel's FUMC

2007-03-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

Laurel Leader Call: "The Laurel First United Methodist Church hoped to shed some light on race relations in Mississippi and Jones County in its 'Journey to the Light' exploration conference on Thursday afternoon. A number of distinguished speakers, including former federal judge Charles Pickering and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack, spoke on the Civil Rights Movement in its original capacity in the 1950s and 60s, where it is in the present and where it needs to go in the future for true equality to be accomplished." ...more...

Journey to the Light

2007-03-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Commission on Religion and Race of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church is hosting “Journey to the Light,” a conference focusing on racial issues, both past and present, Thursday in Laurel. Judge Charles Pickering will be one of the conference speakers. Read more details in the Laurel Leader Call.

ACM Podcast

2007-03-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Stacy Harp with Active Christian Media conducted a 30 minute interview with Judge Pickering about "Supreme Chaos" at the Restore America Conference last weekend.

Black History Month at Jones County Junior College

2007-02-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

Hattiesburg American: "As evidence of progress, Mack recalled a visit he made to Washington, D.C., at the invitation of President George W. Bush to defend now-retired federal judge Charles Pickering of Laurel, who at the time was battling allegations of racism during his ultimately unsuccessful nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals. 'When the president of the United States calls me up to Washington, D.C., to defend another white, we have bridged the gap, people,' Mack said to thunderous applause." more

Pickering at Restore America conference

2007-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

Judge Charles Pickering will be one of the speakers at the Restore America Conference that seeks to add "12 million more evangelical Christians VOTING their Christian world view values in 2008."

The 2007 Restore America Conference, February 23-24 at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Oregon.

Judge in confirmation battle intrigues crowd

2007-01-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering spoke to the Shreveport Bar Association today.

ShreveportTimes: Judge in confirmation battle intrigues crowd

Shreveport Bar Association

2007-01-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

The Shreveport Bar Association will be hosting Judge Charles Pickering and historian Douglas Brinkley for discussions and book signings in January and February.

Editorial: Southwick qualified

2007-01-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Mississippi's Clarion Ledger editorializes today that Judge Southwick is qualified to fill the position and the diversity criticism should not be "aimed at Southwick but Bush" and that "diversity on the bench is 'overdue.' But that's not the fault of Southwick, nor does it in any way reflect on his abilities or qualifications. Albeit insensitive of the administration not to promote diversity, the U.S. Senate should confirm the nomination."

Folks are commenting about Southwick over at MississippiPolitics.com

Mary Libby Payne served with Southwick on the Appeals Court and said in a letter-to-the-editor: "He has been an exemplary appellate court judge in Mississippi for 12 years. Judge Southwick has keen intellect, unequaled work ethic, articulate opinion-writing skills, impeccable character and proven loyalty to the nation by his military service in Iraq."

More on Southwick

2007-01-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

No surprise, another highly qualified nominee with the experience, credentials, temperament, and intelligence to serve as a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge...and while most people praise him some still attack: "Bush selection for federal appeals court post under fire."

The opposition from Jaribu Hill, president of the Magnolia Bar Association, is not unexpected or really on the merits of Southwick. Hill and his organization opposed Pickering and Wallace as well. When they opposed now confirmed federal district judge Dan Jordan, Hill explained the basis of their opposition to the Clarion Ledger, "'a number of our members know him or have been in cases with him. We don't have any beef with him.' But despite the praise, Hill said the Magnolia Bar will oppose Jordan's nomination because the court needs more diversity. 'We have one African-American federal judge in a state that is almost 40 percent African American,' Hill said." In other words, they opposed him not because of his qualification; they opposed him because he was not African American.

In addition to nominating Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the White House also announced the renomination of Halil Suleyman Ozerden to the U.S. District Court in Mississippi. Ozerden's family emigrated from Turkey and is an American success story.

Biloxi Sun Herald: Bush nominates 2 in Mississippi for judgeships
Associated Press: Senators say Bush nominating Southwick for 5th Circuit

Southwick

2007-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Leslie Southwick has been chosen as President Bush's pick to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Bush's previous pick, Mike Wallace, asked that his name be withdrawn after Democrats continually blocked his nomination. If confirmed, Southwick will fill the seat vacated by Charles Pickering who retired at the end of his recess appointment after Democrats continued to filibuster his nomination.

Southwick is a former Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge who was nominated to sit on the U.S. District Court in Mississippi and had been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee but had not been approved by the full Senate before adjournment in December. Southwick has also served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps with the Army Reserves and recently returned from service in Iraq.

AP has the story.

Southwick's Miss Appeals Court bio.

"Thus Blogged Anderson" called Southwick "quite conservative" and "arguably the sharpest appellate judge on the state bench" and said in March of last year that he "ought to be a contender for the Fifth Circuit one day."

Who's Next?

2007-01-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

With the withdrawal of Mike Wallace's nomination to fill the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals seat formerly held by Charles Pickering, those in the Mississippi judicial circles are wondering who's next?

5th Circuit Seat

2006-12-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

Sid Salter writes that Mike Wallace has asked that his nomination to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to fill Judge Pickering's seat be withdrawn. In another piece, Salter (who covered the unfair attacks on Pickering and then on Wallace as well) asks "Now, can someone give Wallace his reputation back?" President Bush can now choose another nominee for the seat.

Shreveport

2006-11-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering will address the Shreveport Bar Association on January 24.

Pickering Book - Romney Event

2006-11-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

Signed copies of "Supreme Chaos" will be available at the Rankin County Republican dinner with keynote speaker Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Other books by Trent Lott, Billy Mounger, and Jere Nash/Andy Taggart will also be there.

It's the Judiciary, Stupid

2006-11-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Robert Bluey writes All Is Not Lost for Conservatives in "Human Events" and discussed David Horowitz's Restoration Weekend Conference where he spoke with several others including Charles Pickering.

Renominated

2006-11-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

Wallace and other judges have been renominated by President Bush but future of Mississippi judges nominated to federal bench unsure.

Post Election

2006-11-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

Democrats in control of the Senate may thwart Wallace.

Starrett

2006-11-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

Judge Keith Starrett took Judge Charles Pickering's seat on the District Court Bench almost two years ago. The Hattiesburg American writes about him in "Federal post hasn't changed Starrett."

Three Stories

2006-10-30T06:33:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering is mentioned in three stories about the ongoing issue of judicial confirmations.

Manuel Miranda writes in Human Events: Why the GOP should Emphasize Judges. He says, "In 2002, Republicans won three new Senate seats by the barest margins, giving them control of the Senate. The voter plurality that in 2004 would rank first and be called the “moral issues voter” ranked nationwide in 2002 only fourth. But in Georgia, Missouri, and Minnesota that year, in a midterm election where the President campaigned chiefly on taxes and terror, something unusual happened: self-identified single issue, pro-life voters came out to vote in a non-presidential year, who normally do not. The margin of their vote was larger than the margin of Republican victory. How? After Democrats blocked a then-obscure judge from Mississippi, Charles Pickering, Sen. Rick Santorum (R.-Pa.) began polling over the judge issue. He discovered it impacted poorly on the Democrats’ image. He then found ways to expose the increasing obstruction, finishing, just two weeks before the 2002 election, with the ultimate spotlight: an East Room speech by the President."

Jeffrey Lord writes a review of the Borking Rebellion in The American Spectator: Borking Rush. He says, "The Borking Rebellion was designed to serve two purposes. First, it was a behind-the-scenes story of the confirmation battle over a Bush judicial nominee, Judge D. Brooks Smith -- a longtime best friend of mine -- who was overwhelmingly well thought of in Western Pennsylvania legal circles. Then his nomination arrived in Washington. The real-life story takes place in the middle of the liberal interest-group borking-mania that defeated Judge Charles Pickering and nominee Miguel Estrada while stiffing nominees Priscilla Owen, William Pryor, and others. Smith unexpectedly won in a harrowing fight against opponents who were interested not in defeating his arguments but destroying his life. The book told the insiders tale of just how that victory happened and why, naming names of the bad guys in the episode, a number of them household names." [BTW - If you like the Borking Rebellion you'll love Judge Pickering's second book scheduled to come out next year.]

Judge Pickering discusses the nomination of Mike Wallace in this story in the Biloxi Sun Herald: ABA: Wallace is not qualified. Pickering says, "Mike Wallace is one of the brightest lawyers anywhere. To find Mike Wallace unqualified is absolutely ludicrous."

Focus Radio

2006-10-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

On October 30 and 31, Focus Radio with Dr. James Dobson at Focus on the Family will air new interviews with Judge Pickering. You'll be able to hear them on American Family Radio stations around the country and also should check out each episode at their website: Chaos in the Judiciary (Part 1 of 2) and (Part 2 of 2).

Also, here is an inteview Judge Pickering did with the Center for Individual Freedom earlier this year where as well as Supreme Chaos, he and the host debate some on Alabama's Judge Roy Moore.

Mike Wallace

2006-10-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Mike Wallace's appointment to fill Pickering's Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals seat continues to draw controversy from the left...could there be another recess appointment?

Ed Meese

2006-09-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese, who wrote the foreword to Supreme Chaos, spoke recently at Campbell University's Federalist Society and discussed the politicization of the federal courts.

Civil Rights Commission

2006-09-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

Bobby Harrison writes more about the civil rights museum commission. And here is an article about it in the Neshoba Democrat.

FRC - Values Voter Summit

2006-09-25T14:22:00.002-07:00

Judge Pickering and others spoke at this year's Family Research Council's "Values Voter Summit" in Washington DC. BPNews article --- Truth and Justice Blog

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Commission

2006-09-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Governor Barbour announced Thursday that former Mississippi Supreme Court justice Reuben Anderson and former federal appeals court judge Charles Pickering will cochair a commission to establish a Mississippi civil rights museum.

Wallace hearing could be Pickering redux

2006-09-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

Mike Wallace was picked by the President to fill Judge Pickering's seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and some are predicting his hearing could be a "replay of brawl over Pickering nomination." Wallace's hearing will be on September 19 or September 26.

Two Things

2006-09-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America has a piece in Human Events about judges and mentions Pickering among others: Winning the War Requires Winning on Judges.

President Bush chooses the son of a Turkish immigrant for the federal bench in Mississippi - we'll see if the left thinks that qualifies as diversity.

Related News

2006-08-31T14:15:00.000-07:00

Last month the Democrats "refused to give what is normally pro forma consent to hold over the nominations" of five judicial nominees "during the Senate's August recess." The Committee for Justice Blog notes that yesterday, President Bush renominated them (but unfortunately three of them who were awaiting votes on by the full Senate must now go through the Committee process AGAIN). One of the nominees renominated yesterday is Mike Wallace of Mississippi who has been picked to fill Judge Pickering's vacated seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

A few recent posts

2006-08-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

Sean Rushton writes a column for National Review Online mentioning Miguel Estrada, Priscilla Owen, Judge Pickering and titled: "Remember Judges? The GOP ignores judicial nominations at their peril."

Judge Pickering will be the keynot speaker at the annual DeSoto County Republican Women event on December 4.

Judge Pickering sits on the board of trustees of William Carey University and introduced the keynote speaker at their recent celebration.

Kennard Update

2006-06-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

An update on the Clyde Kennard case: Motion to se aside Kennard ruling denied

Podcasting: A new weapon for the right

2006-06-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

This column by Bill Berkowitz mentions the Heritage Foundation podcast of Pickering's recent speech there.

Heritage Congressional Fellowship

2006-06-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Judge Pickering discussed Supreme Chaos today at the Heritage Congressional Fellowship - a program of the Heritage Foundation.

Kennard exoneration challenged

2006-05-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

A white supremacist has challenged the Kennard exoneration. Pickering notes the guy has no legal standing and asked that his motion be denied. Said Pickering: "All we're trying to do is right a wrong and correct an injustice. He's appealing to fear."

More Kennard

2006-05-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here is more on the Kennard exoneration: 1 and 2.

Also, Judge Pickering discussed "Supreme Chaos" at the Kiwanis Meeting in Laurel.

Clyde Kennard

2006-05-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

Charles Pickering helped lead a bipartisan, biracial group of prominent Mississippians to file a petition of exoneration on behalf of Clyde Kennard. The Forrest County Circuit Clerk agreed to the petition and ruled the conviction null and void and declared Kennard innocent. Read about it in the Chicago Tribune and the Hattiesburg American here, here, and here.

FRC - Audio

2006-05-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

You can download the audio of Judge Pickering's FRC talk for free in mp3 format.

JCJC

2006-05-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Judge Pickering will be the commencement speaker at Jones County Junior College in his home county on Friday.

Amendment

2006-05-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

Human Events attended Pickering FRC speech and posted this on his Constitutional amendment proposal.

National Day of Prayer

2006-05-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

Judge Pickering spoke at the National Day of Prayer event in Washington DC on Thursday, making comments on the judiciary.

FRC

2006-05-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Tony Perkins introduced Judge Pickering at the Family Research Council. Pickering discussed his book, signed books, and joined guests for lunch afterward. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Review

2006-04-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Page 20 of this pdf of the Carolina Journal is a review of Supreme Chaos. Judge Pickering was recently in North Carolina to discuss and sign his book.

Raleigh, NC

2006-04-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Raleigh News Observer notes that Judge Pickering will be in town to discuss his book below this article "GOP pushes for vote on Boyle nomination." With nominations like that of U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and White House aide Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the confirmation battles could heat up again - depending on what the Gang of 14 decides to do in this election year.

CFIF Interview

2006-04-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Interview on the book with the Judge by the Center for Individual Freedom.

Related News

2006-04-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Pete Halat's arguments that his 18-year sentence handed down by Judge Charles Pickering in 1997. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld the sentence as well. A movie by Martin Scorsese based on the case may be in preproduction, based on the book "Mississippi Mud."

Trover

2006-04-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

Judge Pickering had a good turn out at Trover on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on Thursday for his book signing. Here are some pictures - he got some additional coverage in the Roll Call newspaper as well.

Amid the culture war

2006-04-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

Peter Hannaford reviews "Supreme Chaos" in the Washington Times today.

Praying Together for Racial Peace

2006-04-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Judge Pickering in Meridian at the Missission Mississippi prayer breakfast: article and video.

Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

2006-03-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering will be one of the speakers in Meridian at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast - an event cosponsored by Mission Mississippi.

Pickering in Greenwood

2006-03-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

Pickering signs books and converses with folks at Turnrow Book Company.

Bench Repair

2006-03-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

The Judge has a guest commentary in today's Washington Times discussing ways to improve judicial confirmation.

WTOK Interview

2006-03-24T06:54:00.000-08:00

Here is the video piece and interview WTOK Meridian did on Judge Pickering's recent visit.

Pickering in Starkville

2006-03-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering ponders chaos surrounding nomination

Pickering Goes on the Record

2006-03-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering appears on WTOK, Meridian, Mississippi.

Pickering in West Point

2006-03-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering details confirmation battle in new book

Tupelo, Miss

2006-03-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal writes: Former federal judge pens book about U.S. culture wars

Reading and Signing and Barnes and Noble

2006-03-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

Jackson Mississippi's WLBT reports on a recent reading and signing by Judge Pickering at Barnes and Noble.

Pickering in Columbus

2006-03-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

Columbus Commercial Dispatch on Judge Pickering's upcoming trip to the area for a signing.

Speaking Frankly

2006-03-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering gives a very frank interview to the Madison County Journal about his book and the confirmation process he went through: 'Supreme Chaos' gives insider's look into politics

Wallace Update

2006-03-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

Mike Wallace has been named to fill Judge Pickering's seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Expect similar attacks on him as some of those against Pickering: Wallace nomination may end Capitol Hill truce

Secret Exposed

2006-02-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering gave Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia an addiction.

AFR - Today's Issues

2006-02-27T18:28:00.000-08:00

Radio interview of Judge Pickering on American Family Radio's "Today Issues" on February 23, 2006.

Two Older Videos

2006-02-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of videos from Fox News from months ago. This one is Judge Pickering on the BIG Story with John Gibson where the Judge discusses the Harriet Miers nomination. This one is the Judge on Your World with Neil Cavuto discussing the Samuel Alito nomination.

Editor Reading

2006-02-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

Kate Magandy, city editor for the Biloxi Sun Herald, reveals in their "What We're Reading" section that she is reading Supreme Chaos and says in part "His take is the process is rife with partisanship and politics - not what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they set it up."

Jones County Book Signing

2006-02-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

The Hattiesburg American and the local television station WDAM carried stories on Judge Pickering's Jones County booksignings.

H.A. on Booksigning

2006-02-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

The Hattiesburg American reports on Pickering's booksigning at Jones County Junior College.

Eye On Books

2006-02-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering recently spoke with Bill Thompson at Eye on Books and you can listen to it here. Another link to Eye on Books.

It begins again...related news

2006-02-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

President George W. Bush has chosen Mississippi attorney Mike Wallace to fill Judge Charles Pickering's seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Wallace is a known brilliant, qualified lawyer who has been an active conservative Republican, but who will put his political beliefs away when he becomes a judge - as judges ought to do. He will not be an activist; he will not legislate from the bench. But the liberals special interest groups are already preparing their smear campaign. And what, they wonder, is the best smear campaign for a conservative from Mississippi? Attack him on "civil rights" - a veiled charge of racism. Here they go again.

Blog Notes

2006-02-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

The Committee for Justice blog and the Jurist Monitor both mention the Heritage speech.

Heritage Foundation

2006-02-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

Here is the video of Judge Pickering's Heritage Foundation speech with Ed Meese.

Watch Heritage Speech Online

2006-02-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

Howard Bashman at How Appealing blog mentions the Heritage speech and links to locations where you can watch it live or watch it afterward.

CNSNews.com

2006-02-13T06:28:00.000-08:00

CNSNews.com has this piece that mentions the solutions to the confirmation conflict that Judge Pickering outlines in his book.

Stringfellow

2006-02-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Eric Stringfellow writes about Judge Pickering in today's Clarion Ledger.

Blog Notes

2006-02-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

Sid Salter mentions the book at his Clarion Ledger blog.

Judge Pickering will be signing at Lemuria in Jackson (Miss) in March.

CPAC

2006-02-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering will be signing books at CPAC in Washington DC at noon on February 11 and will participate on their panel discussion "Judicial Activism & the Courts" at 1:45.

Heritage Foundation

2006-02-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

Judge Pickering will discuss his book at the Heritage Foundation on February 15 and will be joined by Reagan Attorney General Ed Meese, who wrote the foreword to Supreme Chaos.

CQ Review

2006-02-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

A not so hot review by CQ writer Seth Stern.

Related News

2006-02-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

WorldNetDaily article on wiretapping with Judge Pickering's thoughts on the Constitutional and statutory issues on the subject.

President Bush has chosen Jackson lawyer Mike Wallace for Pickering's vacated seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Expect the same folks to attack Wallace.

Blog Notes

2006-02-06T06:18:00.000-08:00

An interview with Judge Pickering at RightWingNews.com. It gets a hat-tip and commentary over at PrestoPundit and ShallNotPerish.

A mention at the blog Suitably Flip.

Townhall.com

2006-02-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

The conservative site Townhall.com has a review of the book up. The reviewer says "Supreme Chaos could only have been written by someone who, like our Founders, loves and understands the right of self-government and the rule of law and principle; it should be read by everyone who wants to do the same. Supreme Chaos should be part of every home library and used as a text in every government and citizenship class. The US Constitution was written by thoughtful men who loved and understood legal principle and the right of self-government and articulated it for ordinary citizens could understand. So also is Supreme Chaos. It is as easy to read as a newspaper -- and more logical, tracing the history of Constitutional thought and principle to demonstrate clearly what our Founders intended and how those principles should be applied." Here is the whole review.

WDAM

2006-02-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

News 7 - WDAM in Laurel-Hattiesburg discusses the book in advance of a book signing in Laurel.

O'Reilly Factor

2006-02-01T07:23:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night Judge Pickering appeared on the Fox News program The O'Reilly Factor.

From Bill's "Talking Points Memo," it sounds like the read "Supreme Chaos": The "Talking Points Memo" this evening is about another piece of history, the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. By a vote of 58-42, the Senate confirmed Judge Alito this morning, but there was deep-seated anger in the secular progressive precincts. That's because with Alito and Judge Roberts now in the court, traditionalists will rule and secular progressives will have a much more difficult time getting their agenda mandated into law. Remember, the SPs cannot win at the ballot box. They must rely on sympathetic judges and courts to implement what they want, like the gay marriage legalization in Massachusetts. Quick background. A traditionalist believes America was well founded and does not want drastic changes to the country. Secular progressives believe that the USA is a flawed nation fundamentally, and needs a vast overhaul, including a move away from Judeo-Christian traditions. This is not a liberal-conservative deal. Many liberals are traditionalists....Now progress for our people means big changes in society. Ironically, the secular progressive Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco makes my point today. It ruled that the congressional ban on partial birth abortion is unconstitutional. Remember, Congress has elected to make the laws. And the majority of lawmakers and indeed Americans believe aborting a baby in late term is wrong unless the life of the mother is in danger. But the Ninth Circuit does not believe that. It believes a baby can be terminated in the womb at any time, for any medical reason, and stated so today. This is a vivid example of judicial fiat, judges, not congress, making the law. Now Roberts and Alito aren't going to go along with that. And that's why Kennedy and other SPs are so angry. They are losing power in this country, and they know it. And that's the Memo."

Roll Call

2006-01-31T08:20:00.000-08:00

The Washington DC newspaper Roll Call reviews the book in today's issue. The online version requires a subscription. In "Pickering, Part One: First of Ex-Judge's Two Books Hits Shelves," Bree Hocking writes, "Regardless of one’s personal politics, Pickering, as the first of President Bush’s nominees to be rejected by Senate Democrats, has a compelling story to tell. However, much of that (due to the haste with which it was released) doesn’t make it into this book, which reads like a master’s thesis (with a strongly conservative bias), replete with footnotes and lengthy citations. The juicy bits will come later, in a second book due out “either this fall or the first part of next year” that will explore the “personal odyssey” of his nearly four-year battle for confirmation, Pickering says. It will also expand on the solutions he’s put forward in this book on how to mend the current judicial confirmation process."

Blog Notes

2006-01-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

RightWingNews.com comments on Pickering's book and a quote he cites in the book by Nan Aron, president of the liberal Alliance for Justice. It is generating some comments over there.

Also, the Mississippi Hospital Association blog features the book today as well.

The Tennessee Chapter of the Republican National Lawyers Association will host a reception for Judge Pickering in Nashville on February 23 which will feature a book signing.

Laurel Leader Call

2006-01-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

The Laurel Leader Call writes about the book in advance of a book signing in Laurel in February. (This site requires a free registration to view the article.)

Biloxi Sun Herald

2006-01-28T08:11:00.000-08:00

Pete Tattersall discusses the book in the Sun Herald today: 'Supreme Chaos' tackles judicial politics - Pickering pens a nominee's side

Janet Parshall's America

2006-01-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

On January 18, Charles Pickering was on "Janet Parshall's America" where he discussed the Alito hearings and his book. You can listen to the interview: part one here and part two here and part here three.

Fox News - Neil Cavuto

2006-01-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Judge appeared on the Fox News program "Your World with Neil Cavuto." Cavuto said a lot of people thought Pickering should have been nominated for the Supreme Court, but they discussed other issues like Justice Alito, Justice Souter, abortion politics and the book. Here is the transcript.

Washington Post's Online Chat - Books

2006-01-26T13:36:00.000-08:00

Today Charles Pickering went online with the Washington Post to chat with people around the country on his book, judicial philosophy and the Sam Alito hearings.

Lou Dobbs - CNN

2006-01-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

Judge Charles Pickering was on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" to discuss his book and the Sam Alito hearings. Dobbs called Pickering's thoughts "sage advice" - here is the transcript of the interview.

Hattiesburg American

2006-01-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

The Hattiesburg American writes about the book in this article.

CSPAN Video - Interview

2006-01-26T13:25:00.000-08:00

The Judge was on CSPAN on Jan 18 to discuss the book, the Alito Hearings, and various judicial issues. You can watch the video here. If you wanted to buy the DVD of the interview from CSPAN, you can do that at their shop.

Blog Notes

2006-01-26T13:24:00.000-08:00

Mention at PoliPundit.com
Mention at Southern Appeal