The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself. ― Augustine of Hippo

Today’s independent commentary deals with these people/issues:

• 2020 Census
• Amy Coney Barrett
• Romney Goes Off

2020 CENSUS:

It’s over. The Associated Press (AP) reported that the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the Trump administration can end census field operations early, in a blow to efforts to make sure minorities are properly counted in the crucial once-a-decade tally.

I worked for the U.S. Census Bureau during the 2010 Census count. After a few months of traveling around Montana, it became apparent that many Republicans did not like the Census. Now with Trump as President, he turned the 2020 Census operation into a partisan mess.

I’m not sure how the ending of the count early will affect Montana getting a second seat in the U.S. House. I had my doubts from the beginning that Montana would gain a seat. We’ll see.

AMY CONEY BARRETT:

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett played rope-a-dope with Democratic Senators on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and survived 11 hours of questioning.

I watched and listened to some of the hearing. Early in the day, I wondered why anyone in the right mind would give U.S. Senators 30 minutes each to question Barrett. I think there were a few Senators who did not even ask a question during their time but made long-drawn-out statements about everything from Obamacare to abortion to the second amendment.

I guess the Democrats’ plan since they can’t vote down the nomination is to leave her with impressions of people losing healthcare and children dying from gunshots all across the fruited plains.

They will do it all again today (Wednesday) with the second round of questioning. Senators will get 20 minutes each on Wednesday.

The best Democrats can hope for is that she turns out to be a John Roberts.

Read the Associated Press report HERE.

Read the Reuters report HERE.

ROMNEY GOES OFF:

Former Presidential candidate and current U.S. Senator from Utah, Mitt Romney, tweeted a statement about the state of politics in the United States.

NBC News reported that Romney said Tuesday he’s fed up with how “vile” and “vituperative” American politics have become, placing the blame largely on President Donald Trump.

Here is his full statement (Click on it to enlarge):

Romney should endorse Joe Biden. George W. Bush should do the same. We need to put a stop to the Trump madness.

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