Ranting and Raving in the Paper of Record

[richardf8]

I achieved a personal goal today: I finally have a letter published in the New York Times. It can be found here, third one down.

For when the link expires, and for those who don't want to register at the Times, here is the text of my letter:


To the Editor:

Lisa Schiffren ("How the Judges Forced the President's Hand," Op-Ed, Feb. 29) seems to assume that the courts exist to rubber-stamp whatever the majority of Americans happen to believe at any given moment in history.

If this were true, interracial marriage would still be illegal, and segregation the rule of the South.

No, the courts exist to ensure that the rights afforded to individuals by federal and state constitutions are preserved for those individuals, even if the majority disagrees.

Our founding fathers understood this and created the judiciary to protect the individual.

RICH FURMAN
St. Paul, Feb. 29, 2004

Comments

[kevinjdog.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! And it's a very good point, too. One that needed to be made.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Only in the last four months have I realized that constant deference to the majority is not democracy, because it tends to result in minorities never having a say.

BTW, I take it you sign with your real name? What a nice surname for you.

[richardf8]

What a nice surname for you.

Well, it wasn't so wonderful during the OJ Trial, but I imagine it was even worse for my cousin Mark.

[makovette.livejournal.com]

I assume there was someone named Mark Fate at that trial then? I refused to watch that circus...

CYa!
Mako

[richardf8]

Eh?

There was a Mark Fuhrman. And my last name being "Furman" I got grief of course. But my cousin, being Mark Furman would have gotten even more!

[makovette.livejournal.com]

Short, succinct and oh so sweet. Is anyone listening out there I wonder?

Well done!
Mako

[richardf8]

Only the ones who have ears.