Supreme Court Justice

 Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The New Republic this year declared that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was their hero- and she is JAC's as well. 

When President Bill Clinton appointed her in 1993, he said she was the "Nation's best judges, progressive in outlook, wise in judgment, balanced and fair in her opinions (and) ... over the course of a lifetime, in her pioneering work on behalf of the women of this country, she has compiled a truly historic record of achievement in the finest traditions of American law and citizenship." She has certainly lived up to that reputation as she has gallantly tried to forge a common sense path on a court that has become increasingly more conservative.

JAC specifically recognizes Justice Ginsburg for her stinging dissent on the landmark Hobby Lobby decision - a decision that seriously erodes women's reproductive rights and the separation of religion and state, forces the court"into a minefield"  She said, "Approving some religious claims while deeming others unworthy of accommodation could be 'perceived as favoring one religion over another,' the very 'risk the [Constitution's] Establishment Clause was designed to preclude."

Justice Ginsburg was the second female appointed to the nation's highest court and the first Jewish woman.

__________________________________

 

U.S. Surgeon General

Dr. Vivek Murthy

It was a simple - yet truthful - tweet from Dr. Vivek Murthy: "Tired of politicians playing politics [with] guns, putting lives at risk [because] they're scared of NRA. Guns are a health care issue."  Following the Sandy Hook school shootings, he also tweeted, "NRA press conference disappointing but predictable - blame everything in the world except guns for the Newtown tragedy. #wakeup." 

 

In a time when there is an alarming increase in gun violence and school shootings, Dr. Murthy was expressing what the medical profession has been saying for years. Yet, the powerful NRA seized on these statements, flexed their muscle, bullied Congress and held up his Surgeon General nomination for more than a year. But, in one of Congress' last actions before they adjourned for 2014, the Senate confirmed Murthy by a 51-43 vote. 

 

Murthy will be the country's youngest Surgeon General to serve and the highest ranking Indian-American in the Administration. Obama said in a statement that Murthy will bring "his lifetime of experience promoting public health" to the role and help guide the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis. "Vivek's confirmation makes us better positioned to save lives around the world and protect the American people here at home." 

 

Dr. Murthy stood up to the NRA - and won. The NRA lost.  It's about time.

  Talking Points Palm Beach

High Level Briefing on Israel

 with

Gidi Grinstein

President & Founder of the Reut Institute

4-6 PM

at the home of 

Betsy & Richard Sheerr 

West Palm Beach 

For more information, contact JAC at 847-433-5999