Interesting remarks last weekend from a Reagan appointee to the Supreme Court. It was a crazy week, so never really focused on what Kennedy was saying, but take a look:
The United States is not making the case for freedom, democracy and Western law to the rest of the world, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy said Saturday.Kennedy apparently thinks Americans need to be reminded what the "rule of law" actually means:
"Make no mistake, there's a jury that's out. In half the world, the verdict is not yet in. The commitment to accept the Western idea of democracy has not yet been made, and they are waiting for you to make the case," Kennedy said in an address to the American Bar Association.
He said the rule of law has three parts: it must be binding on all government officials, it must respect the dignity, equality and human rights of every person, and it must guarantee people the right to enforce the law without fear of retaliation.It's hard to spread democracy when the rule of law isn't honored by our own leaders.
"Americans must understand that if the rules of law have meaning, such as hope and inspiration for the rest of the world, it must be coupled with the opportunity to improve human existence," Kennedy said.
