Undermining separation of powers

Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 14, 2007, 17:40:

Two questions:

1. Is Doctor Salsa as laughably undistinguished as Harriet Meyers?

2. If the good Doctor is approved by Uribe's cronies in Congress, is it a lifetime appointment or a fixed term?

Sr Tertius says on Aug 14, 2007, 18:22:

I don't know much about him (or Meyers, for that matter), but if Coronell's criticism is true he is not only undistinguished but also the quintessential Colombian opportunist politiquero. Constitutional judges serve 8-year terms.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

juancegomez says on Aug 15, 2007, 07:57:

I believe the whole three of them are now out of the running, since the guy seemingly quit after the two female candidates resigned due to his apparently obvious triumph.

In short, it's a re-do...volver a barajar y sacar otros tres nombres.

Still, as questionable as Mr. Gonzalez's potential appointment may have been, I think even this has hardly reached the levels of "undermining the separation of powers" that are going on next door. It is indeed an instance of it, however.

Sr Tertius says on Aug 16, 2007, 17:27:

Well, apparently the cards were re-shuffled and... oh my God, the same guy shows up again! What a coincidence!

http://www.semana.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?idArt=105615

Of course it's no coincidence. Worse yet, he tries to defend himself in an interview with Semana (see link below) in which he comes out as... well, let's put it mildly... as not quite qualified for the job.

http://www.semana.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?idArt=105619

His answer to criticisms to his qualifications: That being a long-time bureaucrat qualifies him as a Constitutional judge. Right. And what about his independence from the president? Well, his last phrase is pretty reveleaing, "El presidente Uribe me puso en la terna para que fuese un juez imparcial y tengo que cumplirle."

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

juancegomez says on Aug 17, 2007, 08:49:

I must admit that I did hope (far too quickly) that the guy would have the nerve to stay out, so it's a bit of a surprise to see him pop right back in. Definitely not a coincidence....nor a good thing.

Honestly, I would respect a politically/ideologically conservative judge or lawyer much more, if he/she were qualified enough, even if I personally don't want to see that either...but a pure bureaucrat without any of the necessary qualifications just makes a complete and utter joke of the process.

Sr Tertius says on Aug 28, 2007, 17:53:

Update

http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2007-08-28/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

robi666 says on Aug 28, 2007, 18:00:

Well... it does not seem a good thing. But how do you explain the 67 votes?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

juancegomez says on Aug 31, 2007, 11:45:

Looks like he got away with it. Shameful indeed.

While I don't know the details, it doesn't need that much explaining though, when you think about it.

robi666 says on Aug 31, 2007, 13:45:

"it doesn't need that much explaining though, when you think about it."
I mean, 67 votes for him and 10 for the others... no opposition in Colombia? Sorry... I don't get it.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Sr Tertius says on Sep 1, 2007, 10:14:

Robi666: I don't get it either. I'm trying to find an explanation for those in the opposition who voted for Gonzalez, and nothing comes up. Juan?

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

juancegomez says on Sep 1, 2007, 12:36:

Robi666: Not *no* opposition, but that the congressional majorities are clearly Uribist and that there's usually a certain amount of indiscipline (people who don't vote with their party or who simply don't show up for voting).

SrTertius: I haven't found a list of who voted for whom, which could help find a better answer to that question, but here's the total vote count (91):

González : 67 votes.
Arango: 7 votes.
Velásquez: 3 votes.
Blank: 10 votes
Null: 4 votes

http://www.novacolombia.info/nota.asp?n=2007_8_30&id=39512&id_tiponota...

Apparently the PDA was going to vote blank, as a whole, so I can only assume that some Liberals could have either broken ranks, or were simply allowed to vote "freely".

http://www.lapatria.com/Noticias/ver_noticia.aspx?CODNOT=20051&CODSEC=...

Sr Tertius says on Sep 1, 2007, 13:41:

I don't have the exact match, but there were 10 blank votes and there are 10 PDA senators. The list is here: http://www.polodemocratico.net/-Congresistas-

My guess is that all 10 voted blank. As for the Liberal party, well, those guys seem to be more concerned on their self-perpetuation than on doing any real opposition, and they're historically known for their lack of coherence even when they had Congressinal majorities.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

juancegomez says on Sep 1, 2007, 14:19:

Which helps explain how many ex-Liberals became Uribistas in the first place (for the time being...when Uribism is no longer convenient, they'll probably leave it just as quickly). .