Following the announcement late Friday that the Bush Administration has made a recess appointment of Judge Charles Pickering of Mississippi to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas had the following comment:

“Sadly, the President has once again chosen partisan confrontation over bipartisan cooperation.

“This President is dedicated to packing the courts with right-wing judges who will turn back the clock on equal rights, privacy and reproductive freedom, environmental protection and much of the social justice progress we’ve made in the past half-century. He has demonstrated arrogant disregard for the constitutional checks and balances that ensure independent and fair courts.

“Announcing this appointment as Americans prepare to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King is an insult to his memory, and to all Americans who are committed to equal justice under the law.”