When I came back from live blogging the Libby trial deliberations in Washington DC, I thought perhaps I would be done with blogging about the judiciary for a little while. I did not expect to find myself reading what I have been reading about the Connecticut Judiciary.

In today’s Journal Inquirer, Chris Powell writes that Chief justice nominee starts by refusing to take questions. The article says, “She [Chase Rogers] says she won't be answering questions from the news media or the public until the General Assembly decides whether to appoint her.” Well, I have a simple request to my representatives in the General Assembly, do not appoint her. I have a simple request to my friends in the blogosphere, spread the word that Chase Rogers should not be our next Chief Justice.

That is, of course, unless the newspaper report is incorrect, or unless Ms. Rogers reverses her position pretty quickly.

The Journal Inquirer writes, “Judges argue that they should not answer questions of law that may come before them in particular cases, lest they prejudice such cases, but this is a dishonest dodge.” Personally, after my experiences in Washington, I have a lot of questions that I would like to ask Ms. Rogers and they are not “questions of law that may come before them in particular cases”.

No, what I want to know is how Ms. Rogers, as chief justice in Connecticut would administer the Connecticut courts. What will she do to open up the courts in Connecticut, to make them more transparent, to make the Connecticut judicial system one that is looked up across the country and inspires the citizens of Connecticut to have confidence and respect for their states courts?

And, no, these are not general philosophical questions, they are the basis for very specific questions. What would our new chief justice do to encourage judges to allow cameras in their courts? What would our new chief justice do to encourage the role of new media, such as blogs and citizen journalists? Would there be a WiFi enabled media room open to both traditional and new media journalists in courtrooms, the way there has been in the Federal Courthouse in Washington during the Libby trial? What bold ideas would our chief justice have above and beyond these ideas?

I must admit, I don’t know a lot about our Connecticut judicial system. I know almost nothing about Ms. Rogers. But I do know that my experience blogging the Libby Trial has changed me. It is my hope that this is the beginning of significant changes in the judicial system across our country and the Constitution State demonstrates it leadership in promoting ideas for better government.

I hope the General Assembly, Ms. Rogers, and bloggers across our state work together to bring these ideals about.

(Cross posted at MyLeftNutmeg)