Discussing the vacant seat on the U.S. Supreme Court caused by the sudden death of Antonin Scalia On ABC’s This Week Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said: “You know, the Constitution, Ted Cruz holds the Constitution, you know, when he walks through the halls of Congress. Let him show me the clause that says the president’s only president for three years. Does this mean we don’t hold hearings on anything? The president shouldn’t nominate Cabinet ministers?”

However, Schumer, who is set to replace the raspy voiced weasel Harry Reid (D-NV) as the Democrats next leader, said something in 2007 that should cause some consternation for the Obama Administration when he told a 2007 audience — on video — that he wanted to block any Supreme Court nominations for the last 18 months of  President George W. Bush’s presidency. That’s seven months longer than the amount of time remaining in Obama’s presidency.

Back then Schumer was singing this tune when he said on July 27: “How do we apply the lessons we learned from Roberts and Alito to be the next nominee, especially if—God forbid—there is another vacancy under this president? …for the rest of this president’s term and if there is another Republican elected with the same selection criteria let me say this: We should reverse the presumption of confirmation. The Supreme Court is dangerously out of balance. We cannot afford to see Justice Stevens replaced by another Roberts, or Justice Ginsburg by another Alito. Given the track record of this president and the experience of obfuscation at the hearings—with respect to the Supreme Court, at least—I will recommend to my colleagues that we should not confirm a Supreme Court nominee except in extraordinary circumstances.”

The political situation in 2007 was a mirror image of the current showdown created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death. Bush was in his second term in the White House, and the Democrats had retaken the Senate in the 2006 midterm elections while President George W. Bush had already made two Supreme Court appointments, John Roberts and Samuel Alito.

By the way, Vice President Joseph Biden, who was a senator in 1992 said he opposed any SCOTUS appointments in 1992 under the last year of George H. W. Bush’s administration and that became known as the “Biden Rule.” And both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama expressed the same sentiments from their then senate seats as did many other Democrats.

Democrats are saying that the Court will be hamstrung if it has to function for a year or more without a ninth justice. However, that is not a problem since America’s founders created a Court with an even number of justices (six) and the Constitution leaves it up to Congress to decide on how many justices will serve on the Supreme Court.

Oh wait! Democrats don’t care, because they’ll deny they ever said what they said or will say their comments were taken out of context or that the Constitution is a “living document” open to constant change.  Hillary Clinton could write a textbook on hypocrisy, except her tutor Saul Alinsky beat her to it with his “Rules for Radicals,” which has also been Obama’s guide to the presidency.

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Random Thoughts: Out of curiosity if Hillary Clinton becomes the Democrat’s presidential candidate, who will she select as her running mate? And if Donald Trump actually is the Republican candidate, who will be his VP candidate? I wonder what the odds are in Las Vegas on their eventual choices and what those lists look like? *** When President Obama spoke at a Baltimore Mosque earlier this month his audience consisted of women covered, subordinated and segregated from men. He said Islamic beliefs are marginal in the Muslim world and he denounced Islamophobia. He must have forgotten all about ISIS, al Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iranian “Death to America” mullahs, and the Muslim Brotherhood among others. Also when Christians condemn premarital sex or same-sex marriage why do liberals feel free to judge their religious beliefs and constantly praise Islam as a faith of peace? *** When Hillary Clinton says she’ll break up the big banks and jail their employees, does anyone believe this woman who pocketed $675,000 from Goldman Sachs for three speeches? Does anyone believe the Sachs bankers paid those big bucks to be entertained by this humorless and dislikable woman and those in the audience say the speeches were “pep talks for the financial sector and pretty glowing about us?” *** What does it tell you that President Obama could travel all the way to South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s funeral but can’t find an opportunity to sit through a little funeral Mass down the road for the longest-serving U.S. Supreme Court justice? *** Is it just me or does anyone else think that John Kasich looks like he combs his hair with an egg beater?

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Kanye Krap: This from friend and Atlanta broadcast journalist Eric Siedel: ” Kanye West says: “I love love love white people but you don’t understand what it means to be the great grandson of ex slaves and make it this far.” Well Kanye,” says Eric, ” I’m a grandchild and cousin to Holocaust victims and survivors. And you don’t have any idea what it means to make it this far. And the major difference between you and me, Kanye, is you keep playing the victim card, and I refuse to be or think like a victim.”

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Commission Balks On Lawyer’s Ouster: I admire Fernandina Commissioner Robin Lentz for her efforts to oust City Attorney Tammi Bach, a move I’ve  advocated for the same reasons Ms. Lentz stated and that is a string of  lawsuits that have reached six- and seven-figure settlement costs, and her belief that rapidly rising insurance rates have jumped to $72,000 from $22,000 since 2008 because of an increase in claims. Ms. Lentz said at a recent commission meeting that she had “no confidence” in the city attorney and wanted to “move in a different direction.” Her efforts were brushed aside, however, as her board colleagues didn’t take a vote to dismiss Ms. Bach, but decided instead to re-evaluate the city attorney’s responsibilities and held a workshop on the matter Wednesday, February 24, which accomplished little with the exception of a sharp exchange between Ms. Bach and  Commissioner Lentz. Like Ms. Lentz I think it looks funny that Ms. Bach repeatedly hired Miami-based lawyer David Miller, who attended Stetson Law School the same time as Ms. Bach, who says she didn’t  know him. Mr. Miller is batting .000 in arguing cases for the city so far, a fact that avid baseball fan Ms. Lentz also pointed out. Ms. Lentz was also clearly dismayed by Ms. Bach’s “memory lapses” in depositions concerning recent law suits responding repeatedly with “I can’t recall” or “I don’t remember.” I’m hoping that Commissioners Tim Poynter and Roy Smith will take a closer look and come to the same conclusion as Ms. Lentz. I have no idea where Commissioner Len Kreger stands and if it doesn’t involve a plastic bag, solar panels, fracking or unicorns Mayor John A. Miller (aka Johnny Miller) isn’t interested.

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Hey Kid! Wanna Buy A Dirty Book? In a newspaper letter to constituents recently Janet H. Adkins, Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 11th District, which includes Nassau County, proposed an amendment “to address instructional materials with sexually-explicit content.” This she said was “…. in response to complaints about students being required to read books containing sexually-explicit language.” Ms. Akins amendment requires that the parent of each public school student in grades 6 through 12 be provided a listing by title for any material containing mature or adult content and the process that the parents can take to object to his or her child’s use of the material. Other than providing parents with a list of books provided by the schools and in the school libraries I have no idea how this would be accomplished. Each person’s judgment of what is naughty and what is nice is different. I’m also not sure what books Ms. Akins has in mind as I haven’t heard any great alarm about what kids are reading and, in fact, if they are reading anything at all that isn’t on an iPhone their parents should be thrilled. Oh, and once a kid gets his hands on a list of “naughty” books, that list will prove a “must read” among the students. I recall many years ago in junior high school when we were told not to read the racy book “Peyton Place” we could hardly wait to get our hands on it, and when we did get a copy passed to us all the “good parts” were easy to find as they were dog-eared. Want to encourage kids to read? This list should do the trick. Oh, Ms. Adkins is also running for superintendent of the Nassau County School Board, and the majority of her funding is coming from out-of-state and out-of-county sources. Her opponent is professional educator Kathy Burns, whose campaign is being financed by folks who have kids in local schools and live here. Just saying.

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The Fiddler On The Roof:  Popular personable, pretty local fiddle lady, Amy Basse (pictured in the center below), can now be found every other Sunday at downtown’s Centre Street Alley Cat in a pickers and fiddlers jam session held on the roof of that Wine Boutique and Beer Emporium from 2 to 5 p.m. She will be rotating Sundays with Southern Blues Man Gitlo. The popular eatery is also serving white table cloth dinners to folks who want to hear the music and overlook the Centre Street passersby. So if you want to pick, play, grin, drink, eat, watch or just listen head upstairs at the Alley Cat Sunday, March 6 for the next session. Call ’em at 904/ 491-1001. Oh, the popular and talented guitarist Dan Voll also plays at the Alley Cat every Wednesday beginning about 6:30.

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There’s So Much Wrong Here Where Do We Start?  The Florida Times-Union in it s never-ending massive coverage of the Jacksonville Jaguars reports that the team’s defensive end Dante Fowler can be seen in a 30 second video watching two women fight with one of them described as the mother of Fowler’s child and the other as his girlfriend. I can’t add anything to this NFL Jaguars’ embarrassment.

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More Liberal Lunacy: Tiera Williams lives at the Days Inn in a chic Washington. D.C. neighborhood with her four children (ages 5,3,1 and a newborn) in a room with two double beds. She has a small refrigerator in her room and no cooking devices, but Ms. Williams say she’s not a fan of the continental breakfast in the lobby or of the lunches and dinners in the Days Inn’s banquet room, which — like her room — are all provided by tax payers. So far, say reports in the Washington Post, she doesn’t have any complaints about the free Wi-Fi. However, this poor woman only receives “every-other-day” maid service, while paying customers of the same motel enjoy daily maid service. If elected I’m sure Bernie Sanders, will certainly rectify this inequitable situation.

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Correction: A few weeks ago I suggested that guys could get a really good haircut for less than $20 by heading over to Swayze Hair Design at 1255 Amelia Plaza, which also houses Wal-Mart and asking for pretty Texan, Lisa Smith. But I got the phone number wrong. Call Ms. Smith at 904/624-7630. You won’t get a fancy spa atmosphere or be offered a glass of wine or beer, but you’ll walk out looking better than when you walked in. They’re open every day but Sunday.

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The Great Chili Cook Off: Congratulations to Jay Robertson of the Fernandina Beach Parks & Recreation Department, who did a very good job of organizing and running the 10th Annual Amelia Island Chili Cook Off last Saturday that hosted some 23 entries almost double last year’s numbers. My team — Brick Oven Goomba Chili — didn’t garner a first place in any of the five categories but we sure had fun with our booth manned by Goomba neighbors Ken Wolff and Dan Broyles and Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Chef Mark Keller, who cooked up one of the hottest bowls of red I’ve ever tasted. We missed first place in spiciest by one percentage point, coming in behind winner JDG, second place G’s Low & Slow and JAMS third place finish. If there had been a category for “best time had by a chili team” we would have taken first as we were stationed next to the legendary and unpredictable Pajamadave and his gorgeous girlfriend Zan Maddox; and entertained by guitarist Dan Voll, who also performs each Sunday upstairs at the Salty Pelican with bassist Michele Anders from 4:30-8:30 p.m. As for the chili contest … well, as they say in baseball: “Wait till next year.” First place People’s Choice was won by Ron Heyman/Kevin Lin who ran away from the field; the Restaurant/Business category won by The Palace Saloon and Overall also by the Palace. Proceeds from the event benefit the island’s Montessori School.

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Drinking, Dining & Dancing: The Omni Amelia Island Plantation has announced that Bob’s Steak & Chop House will be opening at The Shops of Amelia Island next month. Founded in Dallas in 1993, Bob’s, which is well known for its 28-ounce Porterhouse steaks, has restaurants in California, Tennessee, and Arizona. This is the chain’s first Florida location and will occupy the site that formerly housed PLAE. Don’t forget the wine tasting this evening from 5-7 at A Taste of Wine by Steve and while there ask about the Wednesday, April 20 Rombauer Dinner with Jeff Papa pouring his wines at Cucino South. The price and menu will be set soon but this event is expected to fill its maximum 50 seats quickly. Call ’em at 904/557-1506. Anybody who has served in the U.S. armed forces can visit the Falcons Nest at the Omni Plantation Resort this evening from 5:30-7:30, enjoy hors d’oeuvers  and drinks while learning more about the island’s almost 100-year-old American Legion Post 54. Members of  the post supports a variety of island programs including blood drives,  Toys for Tots, the Council on Aging, scholarships, and more and are responsible for the annual flag display on the east side of Shave Bridge each year. In addition to the good deeds the legion has a facility at 626 South 3rd Street that includes a huge bar, table seating, a dance floor, a meeting room and features live music, steak nights, barbeques, fish dries, sports on TV, and much, much more weekly. So if you’re a veteran stop by the Falcons Nest this evening, enjoy a free snack and a beverage and talk to some of your fellow veterans who are members. I’ve been a member since I moved here and have taken advantage of the many activities provided by this fine group. For more information call my friend Joe Murphy at 904/206-3935 or email him at mudguard.1@gmail.com. Oh, if you can’t make tonight’s meet-and-greet, stop by the legion post any time, look around and ask for a membership form.