Not likely. Even with Supreme Court Justice Betty Weaver’s leaving the Court, it’s not likely that things will calm down. After all, it’s election season and Justice Robert P. Young is up for his eight-year encounter with voters. And Justice Weaver’s appointed replacement, Alton T. Davis, is not likely to put up with the kinds of guff Justices Young, Markman, and Corrigan have been sending out to anyone who dares to disagree with them or call them on their facts.
I have been out of the land, watching from afar, as all this unfolded last week. So far the most notable response has been that of the Republican organization. Understand that the Governor has the authority and constitutional duty to reappoint Justice Weaver’s successor…something, by the way, that Justice Weaver–excuse me, FORMER Justice Weaver–says needs to changes (all this outlined in her court reform plan; see her personally funded website, www.justiceweaver.com). At any rate, the response has been baffling. Jennifer Hoff, who is described as a Republican Party spokeswoman is quoted in all kinds of sources describing Justice Davis as a “partisan hack.” Wow, that’s quite something to say of a judge who served on a circuit court for 21 years. It’s true he was appointed by Governor Jennifer Grandholm to the Court of Appeals, but John Engler–when he was governor–appointed Justices Young, Markman, and Corrigan–oh, and former Chief Justice Clif Taylor, too, to the various courts…Appeals and Supreme (and some to both). Does that mean they were/are hacks as well?
Perhaps the better question would be Who is Jennifer Hoff? Her Linked In profile indicates that she is the Director of Communications and Research for the Michigan Republican party, something she began in 2009. Before that (there’s a three-year lapse in her employment history here) she was working for the DeVos for Governor campaign in 2006. And before that she served as a Public Relations Coordinator/Press Secretary fot the Michigan House of Representatives–Republican Communications Services. And before that we assume she was in school at Western Michigan University. She indicates that she is a member of the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) the Leadership Institute, SSI (??), and, of course, the Republican Party. She says she’s interested in career opportunities, getting back in touch, and consulting. But she calls Justice Davis a political hack. ??? Perhaps this excess comes as a result of youthful enthusiasm gone badly awry.
I’m thinking the Republicans having to do with the Supreme Court are in a lot of trouble and haven’t the wit to see their way out of it. Why else would you turn loose this public relations neophyte? You don’t start by gratuitously denigrating someone who is of the opposite party. You don’t insult people needlessly. Even a public relations tyro knows that. And you do not call someone with a stellar record on the bench for more than two decades a “hack.” Jennifer owes Justice Davis a public apology. But heck, Justices Young, Markman, and Corrigan owe the same to former Justice Weaver for their untruths, half-truths, and pure spite (and all of it is on record).
Do you think we’re going to see such an event? An apology? No, I don’t think so, but the future is unknowable. It COULD happen. So could a return to civility on the court. But I think the only time that could occur would be after Justice Young was voted off and Justices Corrigan and Markman took time to humble themselves. Will that happen? The future is unknowable. It COULD happen.