Bradley and Rose Bird

I can’t remember when I read more duplicitous, hypocritical, dishonest and “forked-tongues” statements than the ones attributed to Deukmejian in regard to his thoughts about voting for Justices Joseph Grodin and Cruz Reynoso!

What he managed to accomplish by his remarks added up to an ironclad case for the independence of the judiciary, to be free of any threats and intimidation by intolerant, prejudiced politicians and stupid and bigoted civilians. After realizing that he had put his foot in his mouth by saying that it would help him make up his mind if Justices Grodin and Reynoso were to vote for the death penalty in the future, he attempted to squirm out of the reprehensible implications of his statement in childish and puerile phrases: “If they are worth their salt at all, they should review the cases, examine the record and make their honest and best judgments. They shouldn’t be intimidated.”

What nonsense and what double-speak! First, the governor holds a gun to their temples, and then dares to say that they’re not to feel intimidated. This is hypocrisy of the highest caliber and proof that Deukmejian has no regard for the intelligence of Californians and expects them to swallow his swill without vomiting in disgust. I feel sure that his constituents will readily see through his gibberish and repudiate him and his servile cohorts.

A final question: If Deukmejian admits the fact that Grodin and Reynoso are honorable and honest people and should be allowed to make their decisions by their own lights and insights, why can’t he allow the same ground rules for Rose Bird?

JOSEPH ROSENFELD

Encino