If there ever was a give-up moment in this whole sorry business of the American republic, it was that revolting puppet show at the White House Monday night, at which Justice Brett Kavanaugh was "sworn in" as part of the Republican effort in the 2018 midterm elections. It wasn't the new Justice himself, although he's still pretty revolting. It wasn't the half-mad ghoul "apologizing" to him, and declaring him "cleared" of the charges brought by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford—who still can't go home, by the way—although that was pretty revolting, too.

The Saturday end was the presence of the rest of the justices of the Supreme Court. (RBG, how could you?) Chief Justice John Roberts is often referred to as an "institutionalist," which in turn is often cited by people who now believe John Roberts—the man who's dedicated his life to demolishing the achievements of the civil rights movement—as the new "swing" vote on the Court. His presence at the puppet show blows that theory to smithereens.

Imagine what a strong image for judicial independence it would have been had Roberts and the other seven justices declined to attend. Given the self-evident fact that Kavanaugh is a safe one in the bag for the next 30 years, it would've been reassuring to note that the other eight justices still maintain a minimal self-respect in their jobs. This was just a terrible moment.

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Charles P. Pierce Charles P Pierce is the author of four books, most recently Idiot America, and has been a working journalist since 1976.

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