Social Justice Sunday

Fresh from pronouncing his expert diagnosis of Terri Schiavo's medical condition from a 30-minute videotape provided to Congress, Sen. Bill Frist is set to join James Dobson to rally the militant theocrats in a simulcast event this Sunday, at which opponents of Frist's plan to destroy the Constitution will be labeled enemies of people of faith. Religious progressives are organizing their response -- see George Lakoff's Daily Kos post and consider joining the Clergy and Laity Network's National Prayer Vigil.

For some historical context on the "nuclear option" Frist and the Republicans are pursuing, see this LA Times editorial:

In the last half-century, conservative politicians have mounted three dramatically different attacks on the federal judiciary. The first attack, in which they emphasized the need for judicial restraint, was principled and coherent.

The second, which called on judges to consider the original meaning of the Constitution, was more radical but still had honorable goals: to promote stability, neutrality and the rule of law.

The third attack, however, is the most worrisome: a large-scale challenge to judicial independence, and we are now in the midst of it.

Read the rest.