Comments on: President Bush Called for Jury Duty

By: Serenity

Serenity — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 21:07:05 +0000

While all this has been "fascinating" to read, the major issues here are twofold: first, the president is already serving in the highest civic office, he is doing his duty as we speak, and that goes without my approving or disapproving of his actual job performance. He is very busy and I do not see how he could take days off to sit a jury even if there wasn't this second issue: the fact it would be an extreme conflict of interest. The president has the power to commute and/or pardon individuals both convicted federally and in the states. It is not appropriate under these circumstances for the president to sit on a jury, the results of which could possibly one day reach his desk as a request for a pardon, commuting of a sentence or leniency of another nature. The idea that Kerry and Bush could be compared here is ludicrous, it is comparing apples and oranges. Kerry is not in a position of possible conflict, his duties, while vastly important as well, hardly are on the scale of the presidents. Whomever commented on how little "vacation" a president really has is right. Even while on "vacation" a president is still at work. Basically his "vacation" is just a change of scenery. The entire situation here is ludicrous. I hardly find it newsworthy. Anyone of intelligence, which I see most here have, going on about this subject must be a bit bored with "business as usual" It does provide a bit of levity in these difficult and trying times. A vastly needed chance for a laugh and giggle.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 15:32:17 +0000

Why? Unless thereâs a security issue itâd set a civic example to have him report for it and make his case for why he couldnât serve if he had to. No "royal stature," just the presumption that the "President of the United States" is a really busy guy, and that America might suffer if he had to take off a few unscheduled days (weeks, sometimes) to sit in a jury pool. Besides which, there's got to be some argument for a mistrial if the PRESIDENT is on the jury.

By: ICallMasICM

ICallMasICM — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 15:07:04 +0000

'Certainly the president, of all people, should be exempt from jury duty.' Why? Unless there's a security issue it'd set a civic example to have him report for it and make his case for why he couldn't serve if he had to. I have never understood the idea that in a democracy that the POTUS should be conferred some sort of royal stature. Wasn't that what they were fighting against in 1776?

By: Diggers Realm

Diggers Realm — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 11:44:20 +0000

President Bush Called For Jury Duty President Bush has received a notice to appear for jury duty. Chad at In The Bullpen says he's sure Michael Moore will use this in his tabulation of "vacation days" taken. Iowa Voice asks the question. I can't recall a...

By: Anderson

Anderson — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 23:31:21 +0000

JJ, I was teasing about Bush's vacation-proneness. Though I suspect that we would be shocked by how much time he really spends on his work in Crawford. Certainly the president, of all people, should be exempt from jury duty.

One does wonder where the line stops--Rumsfeld? Scalia? DeLay?--but the president is clearly on one side of it.

By: Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator

Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 22:34:58 +0000

Bush Tapped For Jury Duty

President Bush has been called for jury duty at a central Texas court near his Crawford ranch. A Whi

By: Iowa Voice

Iowa Voice — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 22:23:09 +0000

Has A Sitting President Ever Been Called Up For Jury Duty?

Via Outside the Beltway, I saw this article:

Leading the free world during wartime and reporting for jury duty are both important public service responsibilities.

While most would agree that serving as president of the United States is more pressin

By: Rick DeMent

Rick DeMent — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 22:02:57 +0000

On a much more pedestrian when has anyone, in a position of wealth or power ever been compelled to serve on a jury? Where are the stories in people magazine about Brad Pitts experience carrying out his civic duty to sit on a jury? When was the last time a CEO of a major corporation been forced to sit on a jury panel? I mean common people have to make all kinds of arrangement when faced with a summons but anyone with a lawyer on retainer seems to be able to avoid things like jury duty.

I think that the president should get to postpone his duty until he is out of ofiice but the system is rigged against regular folk to a fair-thee-well.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 21:20:45 +0000

Anderson: The nature of a congressman's duty is somewhat different, owing to its local character. Actually, though, I'd exempt them, too for a very practical reason: The appearance that their judgment in a trial might be influenced by the ballot box. And, of course, presidents don't get much "time off." Even when they're on vacation, they're working much of the time. One can't exactly do jury duty and perform due diligence while worried about the Red Phone ringing. I thought the Supremes got Clinton v. Jones wrong, BTW. While there may need to be allowances made to preserve the rights of harmed parties, allowing citizens to drag presidents into court is just a horrible idea all the way around.

By: DaveD

DaveD — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 20:51:09 +0000

OK, moving on to more important items......

By: Anderson

Anderson — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 20:49:48 +0000

Kerry showed up for his jury duty, but then, he has a bit more free time than the Prez. Or does he? If Bush can take 1/3 of the year off for vacation, can't he do a little jury duty? I mean, Cheney and Rove can just keep running the country in his absence, right? Seriously, though, a serving president should be immune from such things. Pity, that. The satirical possibilities are lovely.