69 million page views

The "court" thing is a case of small judges wanting to be big Presidents.

Reader comment on item: Trump executive order 'a great fumble.'
in response to reader comment: still trying

Submitted by Michael S, Feb 20, 2017 at 16:46

Hi, Moh

This whole "court" episode is a clear case of little judges wanting to be bigger people than they are; so they go about legislating from the bench, as though they were Senators, and conducting foreign policy from the bench as though they were Presidents. In the end, most of their decisions have ultimately been overturned by higher courts.

Seeing your post reminded me to check up on how Malcolm Turnbull is doing. He just turned down an offer from NZ's Bill English, to take 150 Islamic migrants off Malcolm's hands; but the Aussie PM rejected him because he preferred to work out the details of the much larger deal (some 8+ times as many migrants) that he had on the books with the US.

Two things seem to be at work here, from my ivory tower perspective:

1. The deal, which had been cut between Turnbull and Obama in the latter's waning days, was actually an exchange -- Australia agreed to take a like number of Latin American migrants off Obama's hands, as part of a deal:

http://nypost.com/2017/02/02/inside-obamas-quiet-deal-to-help-australia-with-refugees/

2. Turnbull is more interested in deepening his relationship with Donald Trump, a dependable ally, than with the fickle Kiwi. NZ has a reputation for "pushing the limits" in being independent of its allies;
and at any rate, it isn't much of a player on the world stage:

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/files/styles/fullsize/public/images/dominion-day-cartoon_0.jpg?itok=VhhCKbMX

Did I get that right?

My family doctor, meanwhile (a Pakistani-American), asked me how you were taking the leaked, "animated" phone call between Trump and Turnbull. I told him the story was way overblown; and you actually liked Donald Trump. Was I right? Anyway, Mr. Turnbull is rather unfazed by it all:

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/02/19/09/47/us-australia-rock-solid-governor-general

I just bookmarked 9new.com. It seems fair dinkum, about as much as one can expect.

Take care.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

Reader comments (14) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
San Bernardino terrorist [52 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
G. EpsteinFeb 14, 2017 10:44236714
Phooey [70 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Fred McMurrayFeb 10, 2017 12:13236583
For better or worse... [34 words]There is NO Santa ClausFeb 9, 2017 21:27236563
Difference With Putin On Iran Should Be Discussed [64 words]DaveFeb 8, 2017 18:46236528
Not really a fumble: there is a great precedent for singling out countries [384 words]Michael SFeb 8, 2017 04:27236502
still trying [41 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif id'UllahFeb 15, 2017 03:31236502
The "court" thing is a case of small judges wanting to be big Presidents. [299 words]Michael SFeb 20, 2017 16:46236502
Possible leakers implicated [115 words]Michael SFeb 21, 2017 21:23236502
the negotiators [392 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif id'UllahFeb 26, 2017 05:06236502
Press Mess [288 words]MichaelFeb 27, 2017 03:58236502
Well said Dr Pipes [150 words]AnonFeb 7, 2017 21:20236482
1The moderate left would say 'if you can't be sure he's a terrorist, let him in' [97 words]Anon.Feb 7, 2017 16:31236473
Twilight in America - President Trump is giving true Americans a chance to say -'STOP' [363 words]M ToveyFeb 7, 2017 15:32236470
Trump is a pleasant blessing. After him, methinks, comes "Le Deluge" [503 words]Michael SFeb 9, 2017 05:43236470

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)