RSC: Televise Supreme Court Proceedings

From the WMD Mailbag:

The United States Supreme Court is the most important and powerful court in the world. These nine black robed individuals rule on Constitutional matters that affect all Americans for lifetimes.

This third branch of Government holds its sessions in public – as it ought to be. The theory behind public court proceedings is that the more public and open, the more likely they will be fair. More courts throughout America are allowing unobtrusive cameras in the courts to allow the citizens to view court proceedings. When I was a judge in Texas, I allowed cameras to film criminal cases – including a capital case. I found that this enhanced the concept of a public trial.

Those that have never been a trial lawyer or trial judge say lawyers will play to the cameras. Lawyers don’t play to the cameras, they play to the jury or judge. So open Supreme Court proceedings to cameras. Let America see what takes place. Those judges who are opposed to this openness maybe shouldn’t be doing what they do when the camera is not rolling.

The above is from a letter sent out to his colleagues by Rep. Ted Poe of Texas seeking co-sponsors for legislation... I think it is an interesting idea. So long as they don't put it on C-SPAN 5 (that's little inside joke for the regulars of the radio show...)