President Bush has finally gotten off of his ass and nominated Circuit Judge Keith Starrett to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division.

Judge Starrett is a good man and an excellent jurist. If anyone can sort through the enormous back log in the Hattiesburg Division, it's him. The man is a pioneer of alternative justice: he set up the first drug court in Mississippi, and his success has paved the way for other drug courts in the state. It's too bad that he has to leave the 14th District bench, but his addition to Mississippi's federal judiciary would be a great boon.

I predict that Bennie Thompson will bitch and moan about how Starrett is a borderline fascist racist typical white Mississippian, just like he did when the four names sent by Cochran and Lott to the White House were announced. Just like every thing else Bennie Thompson has ever said, that's a lie.

Here is a story from the Clarion-Liar demonstrating both Bennie Thompson's exaggerated opinion of his own importance and his total disconnect from reality. Pertinent quotation:

Second District U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Bolton, said Starrett's nomination is too controversial to announce before November's elections.

"His nomination could energize the Democratic base in the country," Thompson said.

What is controversial about Judge Starrett? Well, you see, he's WHITE. Allow me to quote Bennie Thompson (via TNR's Etc.):

WHAT IS BENNIE THOMPSON TALKING ABOUT?:

According to the South Mississippi Sun Herald:

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said Lott could make up for his statement [praising Strom Thurmond's 1948 run for president on a segregationist platform] by opening the door to legislation favored by the Black Caucus, pushing for a minimum wage increase, expanded affordable housing and a prescription drug benefit.
How obtuse is Thompson? It's tough to imagine that it needs pointing out, but if someone has done something truly reprehensible, and your moral revulsion in response to their offense is sincere, then no amount of do-gooding can "make up" for it. Or, to put it differently, if Thompson truly believes Lott is a racist--and Lott's made a pretty compelling case--then what about Lott's push for a minimum-wage increase, affordable housing, and a prescription drug benefit would help change his mind? Thompson should demand that Lott resign and leave the two-bit shakedown tactics to Jesse Jackson.

Bennie Thompson has had a long career of not getting it.

I really hope that Bush wins, because Judge Starrett would be a tremendous asset to the federal bench here in Mississippi, and it's clear that there's no way in hell that Kerry would ever appoint Starrett, since he lacks Thompson's approval, and Thompson is the voice of the CBC for Mississippi.