In a Finch, demagoguery will do (or maybe not)

Rep. Hank Fincher (here) was in fine dismissive and demagogic form in the House Judiciary committee's discussion on HB2018 yesterday. "Horrible," "up for sale," "fervent hope," "spectre," "big money," "scare." He lost anyway.

First, he completely mischaracterized the effect (not to mention the intent) of this bill (he's either ignorant or wholly disingenuous). This bill only would spring into effect if the judicial commissions are not renewed or extended or replaced. That's a big "if."

But he also showed a major disconnect in claiming that Elitist support for commission-based selection of judges (and Elitist indifference to the text of the TN Constitution) was somehow dispositive of the issue. Fincher:

When you got the trial lawyers and the Chamber of Commerce in agreement on an issue, you ought to stop and think for a second if you're disagreeing with them. Because those two groups are diametrically opposed on so many things. . . .

Actually, that scenario may very well reflect that you are disagreeing with "The Powerful." That's one thing that those two groups have in common, and why would they complain when they have the "big money" and insider influence to influence the back-room decisions made by judicial commissions?

Encourage your state senator or representative to do the responsible thing and support HB2018/SB2618 to avert any potential confusion if the General Assembly does not reach an agreement on Judicial Selection before July 1st.