[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WAS MUGGED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, the words of William Shakespeare's King Lear 
are ringing loudly in the ears of many Americans: ``Fool me not to bear 
it tamely; touch me with noble anger.'' The old trusting king had just 
been grossly betrayed by two of his daughters. Collectively this nation 
has reason for an anger comparable to that of King Lear. In America the 
democratic process has just been mugged by the U.S. Supreme Court.
  As loyal citizens we must obey any decision of the court. But we are 
not required to restrain ourselves from vomiting. Thomas Friedman, on 
the New York Times Op-Ed page (December 15, 2000) provides a summary of 
the Supreme Court's election ``fix'' which is as accurate as any that I 
have seen thus far:
  ``. . . The five conservative justices essentially ruled that the 
sanctity of dates, even meaningless ones, mattered more than the 
sanctity of votes, even meaningful ones. The Rehnquist court now has 
its legacy: In calendars we trust.''
  So much was outrageous about this blatantly partisan decision that it 
would be unpatriotic if we fail to keep the review and scrutiny of all 
the factors surrounding this decree alive and active. It is our duty to 
be conciliatory in going forward with the governance of the nation. It 
is also our duty to support the peoples ``noble anger''. I submit that 
the following RAP poem is one of many literary missiles that should be 
fired at this evil dragon decision into the Congressional Record.

                            Robbers in Robes

     The Florida mob just made a hit--American Democracy mugged; 
           Scalia was the bulldog in the pit.
     Call 911, FBI, the CIA, Priceless voting rights, just been 
           snatched away; By robbers wrapped in fine black robes; 
           decent nations must now launch probes.
     Achtung! Now hear this! Attack bulldog Scalia, Unarmed but 
           dangerous; Beware of his tenacious bite, Any good truth 
           may attract his sight.
     Right over justice thieves vaulted; Struggling patriots got 
           assaulted.
     Tell your kids about the Supreme Court, at supper before they 
           eat; Don't let young minds discover, Obscene decisions 
           out on the street.
     Our votes were precious gems, Won with faith and sacred 
           hymns.
     Call 911, FBI, the CIA, Priceless voting rights, Just been 
           snatched away.
     American Democracy mugged!