Reid Statement on the Nomination of Judge Samuel Alito
Oct 31, 08:57 AM | Harry Reid
“The nomination of Judge Alito requires an especially long hard look by the Senate because of what happened last week to Harriet Miers. Conservative activists forced Miers to withdraw from consideration for this same Supreme Court seat because she was not radical enough for them. Now the Senate needs to find out if the man replacing Miers is too radical for the American people.
“I am disappointed in this choice for several reasons. First, unlike previous nominations, this one was not the product of consultation with Senate Democrats. Last Friday, Senator Leahy and I wrote to President Bush urging him to work with us to find a consensus nominee. The President has rejected that approach.
“Second, this appointment ignores the value of diverse backgrounds and perspectives on the Supreme Court. The President has chosen a man to replace Sandra Day O’Connor, one of only two women on the Court. For the third time, he has declined to make history by nominating the first Hispanic to the Court. And he has chosen yet another federal appellate judge to join a court that already has eight justices with that narrow background. President Bush would leave the Supreme Court looking less like America and more like an old boys club.
“Justice O’Connor has been the deciding vote in key cases protecting individual rights and freedoms on a narrowly divided Court. The stakes in selecting her replacement are high.
“I look forward to meeting Judge Alito and learning why those who want to pack the Court with judicial activists are so much more enthusiastic about him than they were about Harriet Miers.”
Comment
- Senator Reid….Takes The Mormon Pro-
Abortion position….Yikes !!! Ralph Neas and Senator Shumer will join Catholics Kennedy, Biden, Durbin, Leahy, and Kerry in Hating Judge Alito….The Bishops should Excommunicate those “Kerry Katholics”!!!
— Brad Oct 31, 09:25 AM # - Hopefully Senator Reid won’t hug the abortion tar-baby on this one like some in the party already are at DailyKos. What’s more important, fighting abortion arguments on impotent grounds, or growing strength in the party?
This Alito guy is a Senator’s justice, respecting legislative authority in creating law and limiting the judiciary’s role. Alito’s decision in Planned Parenthood v Casey supported the law as advocated by a Democratic governor and legislature, not “imposing mens will over women by forcing a women to notify her husband of a need for an abortion.” The rightwing nuts should be screaming conspiracy that Alito took the Democrats side in an abortion matter!
Gotta keep the moonbats under control or this party is done for.If Harry opposes, he’s walking down the Daschle road to a lobbying job.
— cowtipper Oct 31, 09:40 AM # - I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a response to this question on the other thread, so I’ll ask again here, especially given that it’s more appropriate to the topic:
In connection with the Harriet Meirs’ withdrawal as nominee to the Supreme Court, you stated in part, “Apparently, Ms. Miers did not satisfy those who want to pack the Supreme Court with rigid ideologues.”
Query: what is your opinion of rigid ideologues Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer? Did you excoriate President Clinton for nominating them?
And a related question: are you aware of the distinction between political conservativism (whereby one advances conservative social policies) and judicial conservativism (whereby one insists on originalism and strict constructionist Constitutional interpretation, to prevent judicial tyranny)? Or are you simply ignoring the distinction in the hopes that your audience is ignorant of the difference?
These are important questions, Senator, made more so by your decision to characterize the opposition to the woefully unqualified Meirs as based on “extremism.” Again I ask, what is your opinion of Clinton’s liberal extremists Breyer and Ginsburg?
— Sobek Oct 31, 10:39 AM # - >Again I ask, what is your opinion of Clinton’s liberal extremists Breyer and Ginsburg?
Probably similar to that of the Republican Senate that confirmed them:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Confirmed 96-3.
Stephen Breyer: Confirmed 87-9.
Sobek, what is your opinion of the ‘extremist’ Republican Senate that confirmed them?
— Ken Oct 31, 11:04 AM # - Senator:
Just a couple of points you can’t seem to remember.
!. Alitto does reflect the majority of the country. The democrat’s represent the minority.
2. Carl Rove, Dick Cheney, and Pres. Bush were not indicted.
3. Joe Wilson is a liar.
Good luck in 06.
— Ken Oct 31, 11:17 AM # - KEN and the rest of you far right people that live in an imagined make believe utopian non reality. Bush may have created this make believe world but you don’t have to dwell there.
Set your mind free. Go back to your roots before it’s too late. Become a real American again. You don’t need to be a Democrat to vote out all of these Republican scoundrels.
The Country needs to be saved from Republican Corporate Cronies.
GIVE EM HELL HARRY!!!!
WE ARE WILD ABOUT HARRY!!!!
— gary jarvis Oct 31, 12:04 PM # - ALITO WOULD OVERTURN ROE V. WADE: In his dissenting opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Alito concurred with the majority in supporting the restrictive abortion-related measures passed by the Pennsylvania legislature in the late 1980’s. Alito went further, however, saying the majority was wrong to strike down a requirement that women notify their spouses before having an abortion. The Supreme Court later rejected Alito’s view, voting to reaffirm Roe v. Wade. [Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 1991]
ALITO WOULD ALLOW RACE-BASED DISCRIMINATION: Alito dissented from a decision in favor of a Marriott Hotel manager who said she had been discriminated against on the basis of race. The majority explained that Alito would have protected racist employers by “immuniz[ing] an employer from the reach of Title VII if the employer’s belief that it had selected the ‘best’ candidate was the result of conscious racial bias.” [Bray v. Marriott Hotels, 1997]
ALITO WOULD ALLOW DISABILITY-BASED DISCRIMINATION: In Nathanson v. Medical College of Pennsylvania, the majority said the standard for proving disability-based discrimination articulated in Alito’s dissent was so restrictive that “few if any…cases would survive summary judgment.” [Nathanson v. Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1991]
ALITO WOULD STRIKE DOWN THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) “guarantees most workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a loved one.” The 2003 Supreme Court ruling upholding FMLA [Nevada v. Hibbs, 2003] essentially reversed a 2000 decision by Alito which found that Congress exceeded its power in passing the law. [Chittister v. Department of Community and Economic Development, 2000]
ALITO SUPPORTS UNAUTHORIZED STRIP SEARCHES: In Doe v. Groody, Alito agued that police officers had not violated constitutional rights when they strip searched a mother and her ten-year-old daughter while carrying out a search warrant that authorized only the search of a man and his home. [Doe v. Groody, 2004]
ALITO HOSTILE TOWARD IMMIGRANTS: In two cases involving the deportation of immigrants, the majority twice noted Alito’s disregard of settled law. In Dia v. Ashcroft, the majority opinion states that Alito’s dissent “guts the statutory standard” and “ignores our precedent.” In Ki Se Lee v. Ashcroft, the majority stated Alito’s opinion contradicted “well-recognized rules of statutory construction.” [Dia v. Ashcroft, 2003; Ki Se Lee v. Ashcroft, 2004]
— No Gibbons Oct 31, 12:24 PM # - “Sobek, what is your opinion of the ‘extremist’ Republican Senate that confirmed them?”
I think it’s obvious, based on the fact that they were confirmed by overwhelming majorities, that the Republican Senate didn’t impose any kind of political test on them. They saw that both were qualified—regardless about disagreements on substantive positions—and acknowledged that the Democrats who won the White House got to pick the judges.
That would be in stark contrast to the current crop of Democrat Senators, you see.
— SobekPundit Oct 31, 12:30 PM # - Sen Harry, your best tactic in this is to call Alito a Nazi, then follow up by mumbling something about Halliburton and Jesus humpers. Also make sure you bring in Howard Dean to remind the country of how much he hates Republicans.
After that, complain that Bush is dividing the country. Use the word extremist a lot, too.
— The Warden Oct 31, 01:40 PM # - Moderate Comments and FILIBUSTER!
— Jacob Metcalf Oct 31, 02:10 PM # - Yeah, filibuster that guy who got 100% approval by Senate Democrats last time around!
And don’t forget to call his wife a whore!
— SobekPundit Oct 31, 02:40 PM # - Unless you start enabling the comment moderation feature in Typepattern every single post on this blog will be a ranting point of semi-lucid neocon freepers.
— Jacob Metcalf Oct 31, 03:00 PM # - SobekPundit,
You know this rhetoric and hyperbole is just standard operating procedure. Prepare the battlefield early and plant the kernels of partisan doubt into the public consciousness. As advocates for the opposition, competing parties are obligated to contest anything presented by the, in this case, majority party. Unseemly but utterly expected despite its reflexiveness. You can bet that this template response was written long before Alito was ever announced.
Note the keywords to tarnish: “radical”, “too radical”, “activists”, “old boys club”, “pack the Court”.
Note the phraseology to divide: “ignores the value of diverse backgrounds and perspectives”, “chosen a man”, “declined to make history by nominating the first Hispanic”. Playing the race card and trumping with gender was a nice touch.
Your questions are valid, SobekPundit.
— AnonymousDrivel Oct 31, 03:18 PM # - Bush Nominates Alito for Supreme Court
Monday, October 31, 2005
FOX NEWS By Liza Porteus
THE LIBBERS ALL COMPLAIN, SEN. REID QUICK TO
FORCE HIS ADVICE ON PRESIDENT BUSH MOANS AND GROANS ,WHY DON’T THEY DO AS WE TOLD THEM ?
Needlessly Provocative?’WHO SCHUMER,
KENNEDY, LAHEY, AND YOURSELF !
“While Alito has already won praise from
Bush’s allies on the right who say he’s not
an ideologue, Democrats have served
notice they will not make the
confirmation process easy.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,
said Monday that he is “disappointed” in
the pick of Alito in that he is not a
“consensus nominee” and said one day
earlier that that nominee would “create
a lot of problems.”
“The nomination of Judge Alito requires
an especially long, hard look by the Senate
because of what happened last week to
Harriet Miers,” Reid said in a statement
Monday.
“Conservative activists forced Miers to withdraw from consideration for this same Supreme Court seat because she was not radical enough for them,” he continued. “Now the Senate needs to find out if the man replacing Miers is too radical for the American people.”
Reid also criticized Bush for not choosing
a woman or an Hispanic for the court.
“He has chosen yet another federal
appellate judge to join a court that
already has eight justices with that
narrow background,” Reid added.
“President Bush would leave the
Supreme Court looking less like
America and more like an old boys’
club.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also blasted Bush for not picking someone in the “mold of Sandra Day O’Connor, who would unify us.”
“The president seems to want to hunker down in his bunker” and “soothe the ruffled feathers of the extreme wing of his party,” Schumer said. “This controversial nominee, who would make the court less diverse and far more conservative, will get very careful scrutiny from the Senate and from the American people.”
Schumer also said the confirmation process should not be rushed: “When there is a controversial nominee for a pivotal swing vote on the Supreme Court, the precedure should not be short-circuited, short-changed or rushed. We need to be careful here, this is a nominee that could shift the balance of the court.”
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the Alito nomination is a “needlessly provocative nomination.”
Bob Beckel ,THIS GUY IS BEGINING TO SOUND MORE LIKE SCHUMER EVERY DAY !
There are perhaps only two other people in the country who would cause Democrats to be “more disturbed” than Alito, said Democratic strategist Bob Beckel.
“He runs counter to everything we believe in,” Beckel added. “Let me congratulate the right wing. They beat the president back and they got somebody they wanted.”
— Porcius Oct 31, 03:47 PM # - Senator Reid,
I hope that the Democrats will not shy from filibustering the nomination of Alito. And if the Republicans threaten again to use the nuclear option, you know what the Democrats’ response should be: “Bring them on!”.
Alito WILL legislate from the bench, just as Scalia and Thomas do. The hard-line right is lying when it claims that it does not want activist judges on the Supreme Court. It just does not want liberal activist judges.
Bush could have saved face after the Meirs debacle by nominating a moderate with an impeccable legal pedigree. That was his last chance to be “a uniter, not a divider”.
Instead he chose to again suck up to our home-grown Taliban minority, in a pathetic attempt to save his failed presidency, and selected someone who will further divide the country.
In any event, even if Alito is nominated, Bush & Co. are finished.
The corruption, amorality, ruthlessness, deceitfulness, abysmal incompetence, and partisan cronyism, of this Administration and Congress are out there for all to see.
The indictements of Abramoff, DeLay, Savafian, Noe, and Libby, are only the tip of the iceberg. The stench of mendacity and corruption emanating from the Republican party is growing stronger by the day.
Bush has only succeeded to deflect attention from Libby’s indictement—and the rot of his Administration—for a short time.
Poll results released today show that 55% of the respondents consider Bush’s presidency a failure. It won’t get any better.
— Evil Progressive Oct 31, 04:18 PM # - Jacob Metcalf,
Do you dispute that Alito was approved by 100% of Senate Democrats when nominated as an appellate judge?
Do you dispute that Senate Republicans overwhelmingly voted in favor of Breyer and Ginsburg, in spite of their radical left-wing ideologies?
Or do you simply find it easier to dismiss uncomfortable facts by tossing around the word “freeper” and calling for censorship?
— SobekPundit Oct 31, 04:19 PM # - FROM THE Free Republic
I hear Harry Reid Hates him. That is a good sign!
This is wonderful news. Judge Alito has my unequivocal support.
At least he will appease Coulters lust for an elite education. Anyway.
ScAlito is a good pick. The democrats will hate him. Its “Farggin War!” time.
IMHO, if Roberts and Alito (or anyone in the Scalia mold) is all we get from W serving as president, then he will have done us proud.
This guy is on the most liberal appeal courts in Jersey. He has hasn’t drifted left even being on that on that court …..WOO HOO!
FOX news says confirmation will be a “bloodbath” and “cataclysmic”.
I can hardly wait for comments by Reid, Schumer, Kennedy & Leahy – the four stooges!
It has been announced. The guy on Fox said this would be a bloodbath – the dims would be crazy to let him be on the Supreme Court. Nuke time!!!
And as with Scalia, lawyers say Alito’s vote is easy to predict in highly charged cases. But where the nickname misses is temperament, or what some might call personality. Both on the bench and in person, Alito is no Scalia.
Although he’s a frequent dissenter and not at all afraid to disagree with his colleagues, Alito’s opinions are usually devoid of passion. And his tone during oral arguments is probing but always polite—a sharp contrast from the often-caustic tone adopted by Scalia both on the bench and in his dissents.
Oddly enough, the “Scalito” nickname seems to have caught on even among some conservatives who appear to use it as a compliment.
Education:
Princeton University, A.B., 1972
Yale Law School, J.D., 1975 YEA NO HARVARD PUKE .
— Porcius Oct 31, 04:25 PM # - I don’t talk to Neocon Freepers.
— Jacob Metcalf Oct 31, 04:43 PM # - “I don’t talk to Neocon Freepers.”
How very mature of you. And in the spirit of your comment, I’d like to point out that you just did. [insert juvenile remark about your mother here].
— SobekPundit Oct 31, 04:50 PM # - Talking with Freepers on the Internet is like watching monkeys poop in their hand at the zoo and lick it. It may be mildly amusing at first but it gets old really quick and you feel lesser and dirty for doing it. This is exactly why this blog need comment moderation now. We have comment Moderation on all of the blogs at YDWA.org and we have ZERO GOP trolls posting comments because of it.
— Jacob Metcalf Oct 31, 05:06 PM # - RE: Jacob Metcalf’s post (Oct 31, 06:06 PM)
I hear the same about “Kossacks”, too; but when you ask for “moderation” from “GOP trolls”, it sounds more like a desire for echoes. Bouncing comments off the chamber walls is fine… just don’t pretend it’s an open forum of debate to winnow fact from fiction.
As far as your desire for filibuster, I don’t have any reservations from that and I don’t suspect the GOP does either. It’s a debate the Right wants to have to bring the Constructionist viewpoint to the fore. I suspect most (even if a slim majority) of the country would accept its foundations, and if the filibuster is the Democratic nail to the judicial nominee’s coffin, the Senate rules are its extruding hammer. The problem has been the reluctance from the GOP leadership to enforce a real filibuster rather than the watered down whiff of one that has become the contemporary, “civil” norm.
— AnonymousDrivel Oct 31, 05:26 PM # - That’s the best way to foster intelligent discourse, I’ve found. Ban all those with opposing viewpoints.
— SobekPundit Oct 31, 05:32 PM # - Harry, as minority leader, you should apologize to all Italians for the Democrats calling our next Supreme Court member “Scalito.” That is so juvenile of your people. Item 2, was it Screeching’ Howie Dean who wrote your blog? Were responses prepared for all possibile Bush appointees? It only took minutes for you to post your pathetic whining reaction.
— joro Oct 31, 05:33 PM # - Senator Reid:
Thank you for already voicing what many of us are murmuring on blogs and around the water cooler: Judge Alito is horrid choice and does not represent mainstream America.
We are a nation of diversity. We should not be hamstrung by an extreme religious faction that serves to polarize us. When we start impinging on a woman’s right to choose, we erode the right to privacy, the right to self-determination, and the right to equal access to healthcare. The Supreme Court asserts “Equal Justice Under the Law.” Yet when we impinge on the rights of one gender and place undo restrictions on a subset of the population, we will never be able to bring this aim to fruition.
In any other nation we would be labeling these extreme conservatives as “religious extremists.” Or in other circumstances we would call these individuals the Taliban. Yet in this nation they are referred to as the “Moral Majority,” a vocal minority that does not speak for all Americans. How come we have a zero tolerance for this behavior from our international counterparts yet let the same sort of factions within our country dictate national policy?
You do not represent my state, but you represent my voice in this matter. Thank you again for voicing your concerns regarding Judge Alito.
— Kelly Oct 31, 05:41 PM # - Jacob – obviously Senator Reid does not want this site censored or he would have by now. As I’ve said before, this is a free country. What’s up with your wanting to censor this site all the time? It’s getting old. Give it up. Why don’t you get your own site and censor it all you want or just relax and go to the zoo. Or you can write back and call me more names.
— Jeff Oct 31, 05:42 PM # - It seems to me that all Americans should remember that we will have all these Justices for their life time. Confirmation should be about what is really best for the entire Country and not a group of radicals. We must remember what our Country stands for….Freedom!!!!!!!! Therefore, we must have a moderate on the Supreme Court.
Give em hell Harry.
— Carolyn Martin Oct 31, 05:49 PM # - Harry – Your blog got hijacked by right-wing pigs.
Too bad.
— No Gibbons Oct 31, 06:07 PM # - Write letters to Ensign and Harry Reid and tell them to oppose Scalito!
Dear Senator:
I ask your help to do everything in your power to defeat the nomination of Samuel Alito to United States Supreme Court.
I am a thinking man. I believe if the Court is returned to a majority of far right conservative justices instead of maintaining its current balance, our country will suffer tragic consequences and those consequences will persist for many years.
Not only will Alito’s nomination start a divisive fight between Democrats and Republicans, the dispute will be costly to our country’s political future. We are a sharply divided nation today because President George W. Bush has pursued a policy of extreme right-wing politics throughout his terms. His actions range from launching a failed war of aggression on Iraq to making huge, undeserved tax cuts for the rich. It will take years to recover a semblance of comity after this divisive fight.
George W. Bush was very narrowly elected in 2000 and reelected with a very small plurality. Yet, he continues to make choices that are far outside the mainstream of American politics. Over 55 percent of our voters today disagree with him. If a Presidential election could be held today and Bush ran, he would lose.
Alito’s appointment to the Court threatens disruption and hardship to many. He could and would return our country to the days when American had no social infrastructure to protect the poor, the disabled, and the needy. His judicial philosophy is so far removed from the mainstream that his decisions would overturn critical precedents on privacy and the right to choose, such as Roe v. Wade.
Your vote on this nomination will be crucial to our country’s future. Many Democrats and mainstream Republicans are now watching. I appeal to your integrity and responsibility to vote against this crucial nomination.
Sincerely yours,
— No Gibbons Oct 31, 06:09 PM # - “Harry – Your blog got hijacked by right-wing pigs.”
So I take it no one is interested in simply acknowledging the fact that Alito was confirmed by 100% of Senate Democrats the first time around? And no one wants to dispute the fact that Ginsburg and Breyer clearly indicate that Republicans—unlike Democrats—don’t impose personal political tests in judicial nominees?
As for those who decry the religious right vis a vis Meirs, try to remember that James Dobson et al supported Meirs. I mean, not that you’ve proven very interested in facts, so far, but I thought I’d mention it.
— SobekPundit Oct 31, 06:12 PM # - Write your senators now!
— No Gibbons Oct 31, 06:14 PM # - “confirmed by 100% of Senate Democrats the first time around”
For a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States? Thought so.
“James Dobson et al supported Meirs.”
James Dobson and the American Taliban who want to make decisions for women have no clout in my book.
— No Gibbons Oct 31, 06:17 PM # - Having non moderated instant comments enables the rightwing noise machine and makes sane logical political conversation impossible. If you even start to let them use their framing then you have lost.
You don’t give a political group that wants to destroy you a chance to spread their talking points on your dime on your website. That is not censorship that is common sense. They are free to open up their own website if they want to but you own your website and should get to choose the course of the dialog on it.
— Jacob Metcalf Oct 31, 06:21 PM # - So, Jacob are you saying that Harry Reid has no responsibilty to his constituents unless they are Democrats?
Funny, early in 2000 all you lefties were arguing that President Bush had a responsiblity to ALL Americans regardless of political party.
— The Warden Oct 31, 07:03 PM # - If the Democratic party does not stand firm against this right wing choice that will move us in a backward direction and rob many of well founded rights then I have no hope for this nation and this party.
It is time the democratic party voiced a position and stood firm and made their positions known. Stop caving into the GOP slander machine and the media by never voicing firm stands on issues.
It is not in the interest of the citizens to surrender all rights, to have a court that would embrace discrimination, that would take women backward in time and that would rob the employees and the taxpayers of their rights as workers (already being eroded without question).
Im begining to wonder why I remain a citizen when this nation fails to listen to the taxpayers.
— JT Oct 31, 07:03 PM # - RE: No Gibbons (Oct 31, 07:07 PM)
Harry – Your blog got hijacked by right-wing pigs.
Oh no! An opposing view… run away, run away! Or at least ad hominize because it feels so good!
Actually, some of the commentary provides valuable insight into what the enemy, er “rightwing noise machine”, thinks and gives a heads-up on how best to present an issue. Consider it free advice that one may spend as wisely or foolishly as one pleases. Fair-minded people will weigh the merits, whatever the source, and draw their own conclusions to the equity we should all want as arbiters of public sentiment. Of course ideologues need not apply and should probably remain the isolationist caterwaulers outsiders readily dismiss.
— AnonymousDrivel Oct 31, 07:25 PM # - Jacob – Sounds like he has chosen the course of dialog. He should want to hear from all of his constituents not just Dems. Sen. Reid IS my Senator and I am a taxpayer in his district and I disagree with his obstructionism and will let him know my views.
Judge Alito has superb qualifications, previously approved by the full Senate and will respect our constitution. What’s wrong with that? That’s what I would like to see. We currently have a few on the bench that want to write their own laws. They should’ve run for Congress or Senate. We need to balance the court not add another left winger. We need Judges that will follow the constitution and I believe Alito will do that.
— Jeff Oct 31, 07:40 PM # - If I wanted to read right-wing noise I would actually go to dedicated right-wing noise websites. But this is not a dedicated right-wing noise website and it has no place here.
Screw this hippie dippie attitude of never wanting to step on anyone’s toes.
— Jacob Metcalf Oct 31, 07:42 PM # - “But this is not a dedicated right-wing noise website and it has no place here.”
Translation: Republican politicians should listen to opposing viewpoints, but Democrats shouldn’t.
Jacob is just another left wing hypocrite.
— The Warden Oct 31, 07:48 PM # - Why not achieve your legislative goals by bringing others to agreement with the strength of your argument. rather than by sneaking them through the back door?
There is little virtue in winning the Super Bowl if you do it by bribing the officials.
Jacob, I know how much it must hurt for a liberal to have to see another opinion., but believe me when I tell you it won’t kill you. God knows the pathetic liberal pap in the MSM has not killed me in 70 years.
— Walter E. Wallis, P.E. Oct 31, 08:43 PM # - Senator,
I was willing to listen to what Ms Meirs had to say, but I read some of the responses she first wrote to the Judiciary Committee and was appalled. This was not because of any belief she held or not, but because the answers were terrible. Her withdrawal was a result of ultra-conservative pressure because she was completely unqualified, not anything else.
Much is made of the fact Judge Alito was approved previously by Democrats for an appellate court. An analogy would be selecting someone to operate on your heart. You might select that person using different qualifications than selecting someone to set a broken leg. Certainly both would be doctors, but skill and knowledge are not always congruent with what the job demands.
An Appellate Judge can be censored. His/her rulings can be appealled to a higher court. They are not the ones cracking open the ribcage and slicing the beating heart. A Supreme Court judge must have more than skill and knowledge. They must possess compassion, wisdom, and judicial impartiality. They sit on the court of last resort.
When I think of what qualification a Supreme Court Justice would most require, I think a knowledge of constitutional law tops the list. I’m willing to grant that Judge Alito has that qualification. But does he have the temperment to be a Supreme Court justice? I think not.
I won’t repeat all of #7 above, but the one example that most worries me is Doe vs Groody 2004. Do we want a Supreme Court judge who thinks strip searches of children are all right? Do we want a Supreme Court justice who so blithely disregards our rights against unconstitutional search and seizure?
This ruling speaks of a fascist mindset. This speaks of someone unable or unwilling to see that this ruling would be a step toward the tattooed wrist. A person who could make this ruling is not a Supreme Court justice.
The next strongest objection by most people is that he would vote to strike down Roe vs Wade. This, I feel, is the least worrisome aspect. Yes, it might be struck down for a bit, but my grandfather was a Southern Baptist deacon and, in 1942, he took one of his daughters to a neighboring city for a “procedure”. The anti-abortion rhetoric disappears in the face of reality. Backstreet abortions, Mexican vacations, “procedures”, if you will, would soon replace Roe vs Wade as they did before it existed and sensible people know it.
Last, do the conservatives have valid complaints regarding laws that have been upheld previously by the Supreme Court? I think they do. I don’t, however, think that polarizing the nation is the answer. The Supreme Court doesn’t represent a political viewpoint. It shouldn’t be made a political football by either side.
I oppose Judge Alito because I think he is not of the calibre to be a Supreme Court justice.
utahgirl
— utahgirl Oct 31, 09:37 PM # - We have no choice but to filibuster. We must state clearly,” This far and no farther.” If the Democratic Party will not fight over this, when Bush is weak, then we will never fight over anything.
Quote of Theodore Roosevelt says it all
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
— John Danzer Oct 31, 10:03 PM # - Senator Reid…... I think your state should take a long hard look at re-electing you as their state senator. You have done nothing but undermind the president of the United States since he won both elections. You should be ashamed of your behavior…I believe in a 2 party sytem, but sir you have been a total embrassement to your party as well as Senator Kennedy and your gang of obstructionists. The republicans won the election….”get over it”” We get to pick the next associate supreme court justice. When you win…if ever again you can pick your losers.
— Paul Oldach Oct 31, 10:53 PM # - Jeff…..
Its funny how when faced with honest debate, the left will resort to cheap shout down tactics and pety name calling.
“Racist”
“Nazi”
“Biggot”
“Neocon”
And many others.
This time will be no diffrent.
Knowing the Move on gang, They will have him shaking hands with Mussolini and Hitler.
Let the good times ROLL!!!!!!!!!
Bring it on….
— JP Oct 31, 11:47 PM # - Jacob – you need to stay on your Yippie Dippie site or go hug a tree if you do not want hear other opinions. This is not a dedicated left wing noise site either. This is a site to voice one’s opinions, views and debates. As I’ve said Sen. Reid is my elected Senator and I have every right to voice my opinion on this site without censorship as well as you do. Boy, why are you so angry?
— Jeff Nov 1, 12:49 AM # - “They must possess compassion, wisdom, and judicial impartiality.”
And yet I assume you support Ginsburg. If ever there were a Justice completely devoid of impartiality, it’s her. She was a hard-core Lefty before her nomination, and subsequent history has demonstrated a hundred times over that she fully intends to remain a Lefty. I don’t begrudge the woman her ideology—or Clinton’s perogative to nominate her—but she clearly and consistently fails any sort of impartiality test.
When you know, before you even petition for certiorari, how Ginsburg will rule, you clearly fail the test just announced by UtahGirl.
“Much is made of the fact Judge Alito was approved previously by Democrats for an appellate court. An analogy would be selecting someone to operate on your heart. You might select that person using different qualifications than selecting someone to set a broken leg. Certainly both would be doctors, but skill and knowledge are not always congruent with what the job demands.”
That might be a valid point if, as a Circuit judge, Alito handled only personal injury law, or only divorce cases, or other cases having nothing to do with Constitutional law. But the fact is that Alito has been handling Constitutional law cases for years. You noted some yourself, did you not? Keep in mind that Justice Stephen Breyer had no more or less con law experience serving on the First Circuit than Alito got on the Third. Do you think Breyer was a mistake?
— Sobek Nov 1, 12:59 AM # - Harry ,
Would it be possible for the people of Nevada to impeach you?
If so what are they waiting for?
— ant Nov 1, 01:39 AM # - “You don’t give a political group that wants to destroy you a chance to spread their talking points on your dime on your website. That is not censorship that is common sense.”
I commented on this earlier, but it doesn’t seem to have posted. So here goes again.
There is an interesting line of First Amendment cases that deal with the question of government sponsorship of speech. In Rust v. Sullivan (1991), the Court upheld a provision of Title X that withheld funds from doctors in publicly-funded clinics who discussed abortion with their patients. Opponents of the provision argued that it was an unconstitutional infringement on freedom of speech.
The government argued that it didn’t have to fund the speech. They weren’t forcing any doctor to refrain from discussing abortion on their own time or in their own offices, but, to paraphrase you, Jacob Metcalf, they couldn’t spread their talking points on the government’s dime in the government’s clinic.
The government won that case. Congratulations: you’ve just found yourself in the company of William Rehnquist and Antonin Scalia.
Incidentally, while no private party has any obligation whatsoever to provide a forum for speakers with an opposing viewpoint (for example, I don’t have to let you into my house to shout anti-Bush slogans), you’re missing the point. The point is that contrarian perspectives foster dialogue, not hearing only your own viewpoints constantly reiterated. If a commenter gets abusive, refuses to follow a stated and clear set of rules, or otherwise abuses the site (i.e. spam), then sanctions are clearly appropriate.
But banning someone because of the content of their speech? By people who compare conservatives to the Taliban? I think you’ve got it backwards, bud.
— Sobek Nov 1, 03:28 AM # - “For the third time, he has declined to make history by nominating the first Hispanic to the Court.”
Senator, may I assume you would have approved of Miguel Estrada?
— Sobek Nov 1, 03:29 AM # - Jacob Metcalfe: “We have comment Moderation on all of the blogs at YDWA.org and we have ZERO GOP trolls posting comments because of it.”
Well, the blog to which you link has zero comments, period…
— Supernatural Rabbit Scribe Nov 1, 08:50 AM # - sobek,
Don’t cherry-pick my statements. I speak only to the nomination of Judge Alito. Per Doe vs Groody, he is not a person I want on the bench.
utahgirl
— utahgirl Nov 1, 08:52 AM # - I don’t think President Bush, can pick a replacement for this inportant assignment, he has goofed again, as in so many things. I begining to think he is incapeable of signing anyone for this important position.
— Virginia B. Johnson Nov 1, 09:53 AM # - “Don’t cherry-pick my statements. I speak only to the nomination of Judge Alito. Per Doe vs Groody, he is not a person I want on the bench.”
So impartiality is important in some cases but not others? Can you give us some kind of guide as to which cases require it?
“I don’t think President Bush, can pick a replacement for this inportant assignment, he has goofed again, as in so many things.”
Agreed. Democracy is clearly too important to be left to the voters.
— Sobek Nov 1, 10:18 AM # - utahgirl: Doe concerned a search where there was a warrant with an affidavit both attached and explicitly referenced in the warrant. The affidavit stated that it would be necessary to search all persons at the site. Due to an administrative error, the affidavit was not referenced in the “Persons to be Searched” portion of the warrant. The majority ruled that this was enough to invalidate the warrant; Alito dissented. He didn’t say that the 4th Amendment allows the police to strip-search ten-year-olds at will. This is not substantive enough to preclude Alito from consideration for a SCOTUS appointment. Obviously.
Virginia B Johnson: “I don’t think President Bush, (sic) can pick a replacement for this inportant (sic) assignment, he has goofed again, as in so many things. I (sic) begining (sic) to think he is incapeable (sic) of signing anyone for this important position.”
I hope the Senator treats your thoughts with all due consideration.
— Supernatural Rabbit Scribe Nov 1, 10:21 AM # - “Senator Reid…... I think your state should take a long hard look at re-electing you as their state senator. You have done nothing but undermind the president of the United States since he won both elections. You should be ashamed of your behavior…”
Poisted by — Paul Oldach Oct 31, 11:53 PM
Did you sing the same tune when he threw his support behind Miers? How about when he voted yes on no child left behind and voted yes to give Bush authorization to attack Iraq? How about when he voted yes on the Bush energy policy and bankrupcy bill? Undermind the president of the United States… Give me a break.
— No Gibbons Nov 1, 12:50 PM # - UtahGirl said,
“Do we want a Supreme Court judge who thinks strip searches of children are all right? Do we want a Supreme Court justice who so blithely disregards our rights against unconstitutional search and seizure?”
There isn’t a court in this country that has ever held that strip searches of children are per se unconstitutional. Not a single one. As Supernatural Rabbit Scribe indicated, the Groody case was about the sufficiency of the arrest warrant. I submit that reasonable minds could disagree on whether the warrant was sufficient, but you’ve ignored the key issue and resorted to an appeal to emotionalism—an appeal that Alito properly rejected:
“I share the majority’s visceral dislike of the intrusive search of John Doe’s young daughter, but it is a sad fact that drug dealers sometimes use children to carry out their business and to avoid prosecution. I know of no legal principle that bars an officer from searching a child (in a proper manner) if a warrant has been issued and the warrant is not illegal on its face.”
As you at least tacitly conceded, UtahGirl, the issue here is not about search and seizure, but about unconstitutional search and seizure.
For those of you inclined to read it, the Groody opinion can be found in pdf format here:
http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/024532p.pdf
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 01:03 PM # - No Gibbons, I think you’re right. Granted, on some of those positions I think Bush manifestly deserved to be undermined (e.g. Meirs, energy bill, highway bill). But while Reid has proven quite the obstructionist, it’s by no means universal.
And I’d also like to point out that in many cases, Reid has no obligation whatsoever to support the President. A legislator has no duty of deference to the executive in fulfilling his legislative role—else what would be the point of a legislature in the first place? Why not let the President make the laws?
That said, I think the Advice and Consent role does require a degree of deference. Nothing about that clause insists that the minority party gets to impose rigid ideological tests on judges. As in the Clinton era, the rule is that he who wins the election gets to pick the judges. Only in cases of manifest incompetence or cronyism (both of which charges can be and have been levelled at Meirs) is deference to be withheld.
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 01:11 PM # - A political blog is a piece of campaign literature. You can email and call your state’s Senators but their political campaign literature are their own business and do not affect your ability to contact your elected representatives.
— Jacob Metcalf Nov 1, 01:14 PM # - “A political blog is a piece of campaign literature.”
Most campaigners have the good sense not to censor their opponents in a readily verifiable manner.
”...but their political campaign literature are their own business…”
Really? I just got a letter from the good Senator the other day (how he got my name and address, I can only speculate), and it came on letterhead that said “Official Senate Business.” So apparently, his campaign literature is the business of the entire Senate, and by extension, the business of those taxpayers who fund that Senate.
So yeah, it’s my business. If my Senator wants to take wildly inconsistent actions on my dime, you better believe it’s my business.
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 01:30 PM # - Here in Washington the only two state wide elected Republicans are our Secretary of State and state Attorney General. The Washington State Republican party has completely failed to win over voters here. They don’t let me write dissenting rants on their campaign literature nor do they let me show up at their campaign office and pitch lies and rants. That is not censorship that is common sense. You have free speech. You can start your own site and say what you want on it. But the owners of this site have the right to decide what is published on their website and it is about damn time that they step up to the plate and enable comment moderation.
— Jacob Metcalf Nov 1, 01:41 PM # - “A political blog is a piece of campaign literature.”
“Most campaigners have the good sense not to censor their opponents in a readily verifiable manner.”
That’s OK, but I prefer:
“A political blog is a piece of campaign literature.”
No, it isn’t. It’s more of a town hall meeting. Speaking of which, Sobek is Harry Reid’s constituent. You aren’t.
— Supernatural Rabbit Scribe Nov 1, 01:50 PM # - “No, it isn’t. It’s more of a town hall meeting.”
Not according to national election law. This is published and owned by “Friends For Harry Reid” and that is a political campaign literature for the national Democratic Senate effort. I am a Democrat and have two proud Democratic Senator in Washington DC so Senator Reid is a national leader in my party. If you have a problem with that take it up with Bill Frist when he is not being finger printed by the SEC.
— Jacob Metcalf Nov 1, 01:58 PM # - Jacob, unlike ordinary campaign literature, a blog with active comments openly invites discussion. Not so with a pamphlet or mailer.
I fully understand that Senator Reid can choose to ban me at any time, for any or no reason. I also appreciate that, in spite of the efforts of those who find contrary views anathema, he has not done so. I’m glad he’s proven more tolerant than you.
But don’t get me wrong, here. I don’t want you to stop urging him to silence his critics. You’re continued incitements to censorship by a member of Congress give me a good chuckle. You brighten my day.
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 02:07 PM # - You don’t actually think that Senator Reid or members of his staff actually read these comments do you?
— Jacob Metcalf Nov 1, 02:18 PM # - If that is the case, why are you asking them in the comments section to turn on moderation?
And I long ago gave up hope that Senator Reid might read my questions to him, although it’s possible one of his staffers does.
And please keep in mind, I’ve nowhere claimed that my free speech would be stifled if I were banned. In fact, I’ve said the exact opposite. I’m just pointing out that censorship is bad policy, even when it does not violate free speech.
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 02:29 PM # - Jacob – if you read the fine print you will find that the friends of Harry can moderate this blog at any time, if they choose. Obviously they do not want to. It also says, use this blog at your own risk, you may hear opposing opinions. I’m glad that Sen. Ried & staff are open minded enough to not censor this blog. If we didn’t give our opinions here, it would be just you and a few lefties bashing the Admin. and talking about what a wonderful a job Sen. Reid is doing. We could visit your site to hear that rhetoric.
— Jeff Nov 1, 03:07 PM # - Closed session baby!
— No Gibbons Nov 1, 03:09 PM # - If the Senator’s failure to allow comments on the Scooter Libby post is any indication, I’d say it’s entirely possible that either Reid or his staffers do, in fact, read the comments, Jacob.
Bad policy, Senator. Especially given that your statement is riddled with errors and misrepresentations. And, if I might note, hah hah hah to all those who expected higher-level indictments and only got Scooter (who?) Libby. Merry Fitzmas.
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 03:19 PM # - Hope Harry Reid gets this message:
Regarding the filibuster / “nuclear option” from the Daily Kos…
The Nuclear Option
by kos
Tue Nov 01, 2005 at 08:42:48 AM PDT
After the 2004 election, Tom DeLay crowed that Republicans were at the dawn of a “permanent majority”. A year later, things are not looking so hot for Republicans.
Bush has been hovering in the 38-41 range. The Republican Congress is in the 30s. Democrats have opened up big leads in the generic congressional ballot. Republicans are reeling from investigations and indictments of all their top players. Republicans are going down hard in several key states, including Ohio and Missouri. And people are incrasingly dissatisfied with the direction of the country.
So really, given the tenuous hold on power of the Republican Party, do Republicans really want to ditch the filibuster? Because it won’t be long before Democrats retake the White House and congress. And it sure will be nice to need just 51 votes to pass legislation and confirm nice, solid, liberal judges.
I say test the GOP. If we don’t use the filibuster out of fear they’ll pull the nuclear option, then there is no practical filibuster in existence anyway. Force them to pull the trigger. Let’s see just how confident they are in their “permanent majority” status.
Because the way things are going for Republicans, it won’t be long before Democrats reap the benefits.
— John Nov 1, 03:24 PM # - This Alito guy is a Senator’s justice, respecting legislative authority in creating law and limiting the judiciary’s role.
I know that’s the GOP party line, but, like most GOP talking points, it’s a lie.
Even a quick look at Alito’s record reveals that, time and time again, he has found that Congress has exceeded its Constitutional authority whenever he’s had a chance to rule on a law the Right dislikes. Whether its family and medical leave, civil rights, or even a ban on machine guns(!), Alito has shown neither “respect” for “legislative authority” nor any propensity whatsoever to “limit” his “role” as a Federal judge. There is certainly no reason to expect him to change his spots if he’s confirmed to the Supreme Court.
— Mathwiz Nov 1, 03:48 PM # - Senator Ried:
I just saw your motion to have a closed hearing on the Iraq War debacle! Darn! I wish you were my representative!
You are spot-on regarding Judge Alito. This is NO TIME to put another “divider” in Goverment. Now is the time for accountability and honesty! Especially when our brave soldiers are dying on foreign soil! Filibuster him. It’s not about his credentials, honesty, or even his activistic record. Its about representing the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! And a dogmatic supreme court with few, if any, moderates; does nothing but harm our democracy. The Extremists are in charge and need to be challenged.
The Repulican culture of corruption must end in order for America to heal.
Keep Giving them Hell Harry! God bless the USA, and may a “United” states return again in my lifetime!
T. Loosli
— Travis Loosli Nov 1, 04:03 PM # - Mathwiz,
“Even a quick look at Alito’s record reveals that, time and time again, he has found that Congress has exceeded its Constitutional authority whenever he’s had a chance to rule on a law the Right dislikes.”
Or, you know, when it actually has exceeded its authority. For example, the Second Amendment (the amendment that liberals don’t read) protects the right to keep and bear arms. It doesn’t grant Congress any authority whatsoever to limit that right.
When Chief Justice Roberts was first nominated, I predicted (and so far I’ve been right) that no one who threw out the “activist” label against him would bother trying to proffer a reasonable definition of that term. Instead I’ve seen a variant of your argument, that activism means striking down laws.
Horse crap. If Congress passes an ex post facto law, and it is struck down, it is not due to activism but due to a reading of the Constitution, which expressly forbids ex post facto laws. Striking down a statute, then, is not an inherently activist act. Instead, activism means making policy decisions to shape society according to the personal views of the judge. If guns were not specifically protected under the Constitution, then Alito’s actions would be the height of judicial activism because they would represent nothing more than his view that guns are great.
If you can provide an example of Alito putting his own policy preferences above those of the legislature, then your contention will have some merit.
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 04:38 PM # - Thank you Mr. Reid…it is about dayum time…GIVE THEM HELL….we need to know what happened no matter what….thank you sir and I am so delited that you have restored my faith in America…..you and Mr Fitzgearld are God send…thanks and keep up the good work….never put politics before AMERICA….
— keith Nov 1, 04:45 PM # - “This is NO TIME to put another ‘divider’ in Goverment.”
That’s an interesting, but fundamentally untenable, view of the role of judges. A judge is supposed to administer justice, not unite Americans (whatever that might mean). Sandra Day O’Connor is a perfect example of that kind of flawed thinking. She thought she could strike some middle ground and somehow mollify the masses. Instead, she left everyone unsatisfied with partial—and logically inconsistent—victories, and made a complete hash of Constitutional law.
Consider the Michigan Affirmative Action cases. The issue was whether race-based, numerical set-asides are Constitutional or not. The dissenters said no, discrimination is discrimination regardless of who it purports to help. The Breyer-Souter-Ginsburg trio said discrimination is just fine, as long as it’s helpful. O’Connor split the baby, saying discrimination is fine in law school, but not in undergrad (what the hell is that all about?), and that it is constitutional for 25 years but no longer (again, what the hell?). To their credit, as much as I disagree with Ginsburg, Breyer and Souter on their outcome, at least theirs is a logically consistent approach.
And, I should note, none of the three demonstrated any interest in acting as “uniters.” Have you excoriated them for that?
— SobekPundit Nov 1, 04:45 PM # - Boycott Dominos Pizza and call their corporate headquarters at 800-468-4726 and make the demand that George W Bush withdraw the nomination of Samuel Alito and nominate a moderate to the Supreme Court or that you will boycott Dominos pizza. Dominos pizza CEO David Brandon supports the antiabortion movement. Pass the word.
It appears time for an economic revolt against the companies that fund George W Bush and the Republican Party. Go call and email these companies and tell them you have had enough of the actions of the Republican Party and you will not take it anymore.
http://www.hoflink.com/~dbaer/petitions.htm
.
— buckfush Nov 1, 06:22 PM # - Thank you Senator Reid! I am so proud of you and our Democratic representation today. Our family members serve this country and we owe them accountability. We do not send our sons for Mr. Bush’s private war. Send them if you need to but tell them the truth about why they are going, not treat them this way, it’s disgraceful. I just made my first but not last contribution to your pac. Thank you and good luck!
— mahina Nov 1, 07:05 PM # - I totally oppos Alito! Stop this nomination BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
— Coral Nov 1, 08:15 PM # - SobekPundit said: As in the Clinton era, the rule is that he who wins the election gets to pick the judges.
And then, as in the Clinton Administration, the Judicial Committee gets to hold up the nominations forever, and make sure they never get to the floor to be voted on? mmmmmm hmmmmmmm.
— chimera Nov 2, 02:28 AM # - Discovery of New DEMOCRAT Element
A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the
heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named
“Governmentium.” Governmentium has 1 neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75
deputy neutrons, and 11 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic
mass of 312.
These particles are held together by forces called morons, which are
surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.
Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be
detected, as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute
amount of Governmentium causes 1 reaction to take over 4 days to complete, when
it would normally take less than a second.
GOVERNMENTIUM has a normal half life of 4 years; it does not decay, but
instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant
neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium’s
mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause
more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.
This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe
that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in
concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as “Critical
Morass.”
When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium – an
element which radiates just as much energy, since it has 1/2 as many peons but
twice as many morons.
— Porcius Nov 2, 07:42 AM # - “And then, as in the Clinton Administration, the Judicial Committee gets to hold up the nominations forever, and make sure they never get to the floor to be voted on? mmmmmm hmmmmmmm.”
Tell you what: win some elections so you control the Judiciary Committee, and then we’ll talk.
The fact is that Clinton got about as many federal judges through as Bush has, so there’s no legitimate basis to gripe. That’s a two-edged sword, of course, meaning Republicans can’t really complain about Democrat obstruction of appellate judges, either. (But note, for the record, that Senator Reid complained loudly about obstruction during the Clinton era, and suddenly became a convert during the Bush era, so I’d say he’s got a serious double standard problem).
But I’m drawing a distinction between obstructionism for the sake of obstructionism (courtesy of Hatch then) and obstructionism qua attempt to pick the judges after losing an election.
— SobekPundit Nov 2, 11:58 AM # - My mother, a former Catholic, paid the mafia for an illegal abortion and I am here today by the luck of her survival. For all you in denial out there: Roe v. Wade didn’t invent abortion. That’s been around for as long as there’ve been humans. Secondly, note the payee for my mother’s illegal abortion, which happened several years before I was born. The only thing that changes when abortion laws change is WHO GETS PAID. And one more thing—whether or not your wife, sister or daughter comes home safe.
For anyone who’s into smelling the coffee, take a hard look at http://eileen.250x.com/Main/7_R_Eile/Santoro.htm and note that the foetus probably didn’t make it either. And women, that picture should burn itself into your brains, because that is what the Republican party wants for you. The Republican doesn’t care if you die from sepsis, or don’t get the healthcare you need. All they care about is control of your body in producing more little consumers, and more money for their friends in the adoption industry, some of whom sell little white babies for up to $250K apiece, depending on what the market will bear.
This country safely sent a man to the moon and back. And now the pious are saying our own daughters are not worth safe doctors.
Confirming Alito would mean five Catholic Supreme Court Justices, all from a religion that has not solved one single problem for the human race in 2000 years. I was given a choice when I was a kid by my parents on whether or not to become a Catholic, and I chose not to. I did some research and found that the Church was pro-choice until the 1860s—they changed their mind, so can I. But simply leaving the Church is no longer enough, now that the Church wants to impose its policies on those of us outside of it as well. If they want to make public policy, then let them pay public taxes. It may mean dissolving some of their billions in real estate holdings, hospital chains, or their substantial financial holdings in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, so be it.
That Bush would cater to such an organization with a proven 100% failure record is even worse, but it is no surprise to me at all, given the fact that the spoiled baby who was appointed president in 2000 has bankrupted every company his daddy ever gave him. Failure is as failure does.
— Rule of Thumbalito Nov 2, 12:09 PM # - “My mother, a former Catholic, paid the mafia for an illegal abortion and I am here today by the luck of her survival.”
That’s a pretty bizarre way to start a comment attempting to persuade people in favor of Roe. Are you suggesting you would be better off having had your arms torn from their sockets in utero?
“That’s been around for as long as there’ve been humans.”
The same is true of burglary. Shall we legalize that, as well?
“And women, that picture should burn itself into your brains, because that is what the Republican party wants for you.”
The Republican party wants women to take responsibility for their choices. Democrats want to live in a world without consequence. And then they accuse Republicans of living in fantasy land.
“This country safely sent a man to the moon and back. And now the pious are saying our own daughters are not worth safe doctors.”
Are you familiar with the Latin phrase “non sequitur”?
“Confirming Alito would mean five Catholic Supreme Court Justices…”
Damn Catholics. Like John Kerry, and Ted Kennedy. Even worse than the Catholics, though, are those fundamentalist Protestants, like Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Isn’t there some way we can bring back the Salem witch trials, but burn Christians instead? Oh, and don’t get me started on those Mormons, like Senator Reid…
“I was given a choice when I was a kid by my parents on whether or not to become a Catholic, and I chose not to.”
I’m glad you were alive to make that choice. I’m disheartened that you would deny that choice to others.
Re: Catholics in general. Would you be this opposed to a Catholic nominee if it were a Democrat? Just wondering. I’ve seen this “I’m a former…” kind of rage before, and I’m wondering whether your anti-Catholicism trumps your anti-conservativism.
One final question: what, if anything, is the basis for your assumption that Catholic Justice Anthony Kennedy would vote down Roe v. Wade? Have you read his position in Planned Parenthood v. Casey?
— SobekPundit Nov 2, 12:36 PM # - I believe you are the only statesman there. What has become of this nation… Shame on America
— Frances Nov 2, 04:30 PM # - Boycott Dominos Pizza and call their corporate headquarters at 800-468-4726 and make the demand that the CEO David Brandon get George W Bush to withdraw the nomination of Samuel Alito and nominate a moderate to the Supreme Court or that you will boycott Dominos pizza. Dominos pizza CEO David Brandon supports the antiabortion movement. Pass the word.
Call your Senator and tell him or her that unless he or she votes against Samuel Alito, you will boycott Dominos pizza and they will lose alot of money and that you’re boycotting them because they give money to the Republican Party and the CEO David Brandon supports the antiabortion movement with money.
Tell Republican contributors that you have had enough of the actions of the Republican Party and you will not take it anymore.
http://www.hoflink.com/~dbaer/petitions.htm
.
— buckfush Nov 2, 04:32 PM # - Sam the Sham Alito is a crook..
I lived in West Caldwell NJ for 9 years..where that crooked Sam the Sham Sambino Alito lives
He was the head of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Newark when I was crippled by a drunk West Caldwell cop still on the force he’s an officer now..
I am Italian 100% and so also Roman Catholic and from NJ I grew up in the neighboring town of Roseland..
The drunk cop was in the basement of a Go-Go bar where he drank for 6 hours at a bachelors party this corrupt cop arranged he had 5 accidents in 7 months and 7 in less than 18 months…
Sam the Sham Alito is a Criminal and will testify to this under oath any time you want..
All of the law enforcement covered up the accident occured in Verona NJ 10/8/88..so the Essex county D.A. the NJAG and even Chertoff who I write and also Larry Thompson who I wrote me a letter I still have all touched this toxic tar baby..
After I learned of this drunk cop having all these accidents knowing he was drunk when he crashed into me.. I went everywhere to get him investigated Alito made sure that the cops from his town were above the law..
The cop retaliated against me so many times forget me wrtiing it all here now I’m in pain it wewnt on for 10 years..
4 Towns were involved Montclair including a judge who was an active eager member of this long term criminality North Caldwell and Verona were the accident occured..
My dad was head of litigation for State Farm Ins. but we’re not real close but I knew enough that I was morally bound to stop this rouge drunk cop What I am say ing is Sam The Sham Alito is a crook, and unfit to sit on any Bench let alone the Supreme court such as it may be…
The West Caldwell cop then went after the woman I loved and was with for 11 years and they even had her and her children thrown out in the cold with no home the whole story is too much to write now but they destroyed our lives all thanks to Sam the Sham Alito and his highly Racist Town of West Caldwell NJ..
She had a miscarrage thanks to Sambino Sam the Sham Alito, she was way really beautiful they framed her for DUI and kept asking her out it’s so disgusting as is Alito we need an FBI investigation to bring him down he’s a disgrace..
Also that town is full of Mafia it’s where the Soprano’s is based and David Chase lived who I knew somewhat so for Alito to not find Mafia in West Caldwell is like not finding a Catholic in Italy..
Alito is corrupt I know it first hand stop that dirt bag for the sake of America..
— TJ Nov 2, 10:43 PM # - a victory for tolerance and unity apparently requires the muffling of those darn intolerant dividers….
Thank you, Jacob Metcalf. Next time I’m at the Ministry of Love I’ll be sure to ask for your autograph.
— sulla Nov 2, 11:31 PM # - Wow, TJ, let me see if I can sum that up, omitting all the stuff that isn’t about Alito:
1. Alito “is a crook” (cheer up, that means he’s no Dick Nixon)
2. Alito lives “in West Caldwell NJ” (bastard!)
3. “He was the head of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Newark when I was crippled by a drunk West Caldwell cop…”
4. Alito “is a Criminal” (note the capital “C”)
5. “Alito made sure that the cops from his town were above the law.”
6. Alito “is a crook, and unfit to sit on any Bench” (I assume for purposes of this comment that you’re not referring to, say, park benches)
7. Some cops destroyed your life and your woman’s life, “thanks to … Alito,” who is also somehow responsible for the town being racist (huh?)
8. Alito made your woman have a miscarriage (through voodoo, perhaps?)
9. Alito is “disgusting” and should be the target of an FBI investigation (which should be dedicated to combatting “disgustingness”)
10. Alito is corrupt
That’s an impressive list, TJ, and I think I can distill it all down to a slogan that will fit on a bumper sticker: “ALITO CAUSES MISCARRIAGES AND RACISM!” You’ve officially convinced me to oppose him.
— SobekPundit Nov 2, 11:39 PM # - Look for some reason I only get half the screen on this site so I am half writing blind here you see..
Now Alito was the reason that the U.S. Attorney’s office did not investigate my being crippled by a drunk cop form his town, woh then retalited against me and the woman and kids I loved for 10 years..
That’s a criminal violation of the law under the 1989 statue that it’s a Crime to conspire to violate the Cilv Rights of a person or group, I assert that Sammy Aliot is guilty of that and other crimes connected to this very unusual case..
This is because Alito refused to investigate the cops of his home town which is well known to be a racist strong hold..
I could give a rats rear end what you think, I am writing here for Senator Reid..
I made it cryptic because if investiaged and I have the pertinent evidence he will be charged with a criminal offence..he also violated the 14th amendment equal justice you see..even for Italians from NJ like me..and My Girl and her kids..
And yes what they did to us did cause her to have a miscarriage of the only child I would have had..
She was.. I can’t tell you what they did to her that that scum bag Alito aided and prolonged and it even went as high as Larry thompson and also Chertoff and I have the proof..you see..
Alito is a crook, criminal no good dirty and that’s that buddy boy..
All we need is an FBI investigation which the Senate can order …these are things so bad that I can’t write here..
But how many drunk driving victims are harmed harrassed defrauded and those they love for years by the drunk that crippled them..that’s Alito’s fault..
He ws the head of the U.S. attorney’s office in Newark and so kept this all cover up for the sake of the cops of his town and mine and my loves and her kids..
The accident occured in 10/8/88, on his watch…and he broke the Law..he Alito broke the Law..
This isn’t politics it’s criminal law as Senator Ried will understand…
Simple as that..
— TJ Nov 3, 12:45 AM # - Assault on the Middle Class
Remember Clinton’s support for NAFTA? Now there is CAFTA, again thanks to some Dems.
Here is a snippet from Michigan Liberal
John Edwards on Michigan’s troubles
by: matt November 02, 2005 at 01:20:30 EST —-snip—Edwards was in Ann Arbor as part of an anti-poverty tour of college campuses. His speech – before a crowd of about 1,000 U of M students – was, well, acceptable.—snip—It’s clear the horror in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast affected Edwards in a very deep and personal way.
-snip-
Five of us Michigan bloggers met with Edwards after the speech in a small hallway inside the Harlan Hatcher Graduate library.
-snip-
Here’s my little exchange with the would-be veep:
MF: I don’t know how much you’ve been following what’s been happening here in Michigan with respect to the auto industry right now. We’ve had the Delphi Corporation (which used to be part of GM) that’s just declared bankruptcy…
JE: I saw that…
MF: ...and now they want to pay their workers nine dollars an hour. General Motors may not be far behind, unfortunately, Ford doesn’t look much better. And through all the reports you read about what’s happening, two big phenomena come out that are causing this and that’s problems with health care and pensions. Where do you see the national debate on health care right now? It seems…in Michigan, it’s sort of starting to come up now; we have a Governor who is proposing some initiatives that she’d like to see…
JE: I think there is no national debate…
MF: Right, it doesn’t seem to be a priority at all.
JE: It’s not a priority. What we have to make the country understands is that this doesn’t just hurt workers who don’t have health care coverage, or people who don’t have health care coverage, or Americans who trying to pay the rising cost of health care, it hurts us economically, for the very reasons you just identified. We’ve got somewhere between $1,700 and $1,800 per car of health care costs in the cars that we’re driving. Japan’s got about $250-$300. It makes us extraordinarily hard for us to be competitive…
MF: Did you know they make more cars now in Ontario, Canada than they do in Michigan now?
JE: No…I did not know that. But that’s a…that’s a very sad fact. No, the truth of the matter is not only to deal with the health care crisis which – we have a system in crisis right now – on top of that, in order to make sure we keep jobs here that don’t have to be closed down and go somewhere else, we have got to have health care coverage and the government has got to play a serious role and its not doing it. I don’t even hear any – unless I’m missing it and I haven’t heard it – I don’t hear any initiatives out of this administration.
MF: No, I mean they’re too busy being indicted….not to be flip, but that’s what’s going by the wayside right now.
JE: ...and figuring out ways to deal with the bad publicity about not responding to the hurricane and Tom Delay’s trouble and all that, yeah.
Every night Lou Dobbs pounds on outsourcing and illegal immigrants. Liberals love Lou Dobbs, a “real” conservative. So, where the hell are the Democrats?????????? Passing NAFTA and CAFTA. If we are going to put corporatists on the Supreme Court, I hope we put one on that will support the American car companies by supporting national health care.
— dkmich Nov 3, 05:06 AM # - Sen Reid:
The Democrats again contradict themselves:
Liberal Hypocrisy?
In 1990, it took the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee all of 15 minutes to conclude its confirmation hearing on Judge Alito’s nomination to the 3rd Circuit.
During that hearing, Senator Ted Kennedy praised Judge Alito’s “distinguished career” by telling the judge…
“You have obviously had a very distinguished record, and I certainly commend you for long service in the public interest. I think it is a very commendable career and I am sure you will have a successful one as a judge.”
(Sen. Ted Kennedy, Committee On The Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 4/5/90)
But, this week, it took Senator Kennedy no time at all to bow to his special interest group friends by charging, “If confirmed, Alito could very well fundamentally alter the balance of the court and push it dangerously to the right.”
And Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, taking his cue from the liberal talking points drafted by PFAW and Alliance for Justice, chimed in saying, “The Senate needs to find out if the man replacing Miers is too radical for the American people.”
In 1990, both Kennedy and Reid VOTED in favor of Judge Alito when he was confirmed to his current position on the Court of Appeals. And now they say Judge Alito is “dangerous” and “extreme?” Even worse, now some members of their party are even threatening to deny Judge Alito a fair up-or-down vote on his confirmation?
It is time to stand up to this liberal hypocrisy, overcome their threats of obstruction, and make sure the Senate confirms Judge Alito!
Seminolejoe
— Joe Mackay Nov 3, 07:38 AM # - dkmich,
Let me get this straight. Unions and government regulations screw up the auto industry by making it virtually impossible for manufacturers to compete, and your proposed solution is to compensate by screwing up the medical profession by making it impossible for them to compete, as well?
— Sobek Nov 3, 10:19 AM # - Seminole Joe, to be more precise, Senator Reid didn’t say that Alito is too extreme, only that he needs to find out whether he’s too extreme.
Which, if that’s true, it means he didn’t do his job back in 1990. Remind us why we pay your salary, Senator.
— Sobek Nov 3, 10:22 AM # - I wish that Democrats would wake up and realize that they are not the majority any more in this country. The President and the Republicans do not have to get your recommendations or approval on anything. What it is time for are the liberals to come back to the mainstream of the country and stop this penny-ante whining and fighting on everything.
The end result not only makes you look ridiculous, but it also weakens are country and how we are viewed by the rest of the world. Until you win a majority in any house of the government, I think that the best thing to do is make this country strong and quit the whining. You don’t have to agree on everything, but show some class and dignity when you oppose, and build your own party alliances!
— C Fink Nov 3, 03:25 PM # - Bush’s allies on the right saying Alito is not a ideologue is like Ralph Reed saying Pat Roberts is not a religious zealot.
Liberals wonder why Bush has to be so stubborn and arrogant. Why is he incapable of taking responsibility for any administrative initatives that have not gone so well or admitting any mistakes?
Other conservatives have done so and they are respected by liberals for having done so.
Apellate judges are not Supreme court justices, there is much more at stake for the American citizens when judges have a lifetime tenure.
Despite any 1990 votes it is not unreasonable to suspect someone (whose rulings the last 15 years have been perceived by knowledgeable people to have shifted significantly more to the right) has moved from a moderate to more extreme judicial philosophy.
Liberals gut feelings tell us Alito is out of the mainstream and when Pat Robertson says he is a slam duck can you blame liberals for being anxious?
Ginsberg and Breyer had no chance to tip the court significantly to the left.
Alito can tip it significantly to the right and that is not what 68% of Americans want.
The Dems may be in the minority but the American people are not.
Alito’s nice guy front does not make him less of a partisian than Ginsberg, Breyer, Scalia or Thomas.
I agree with John and say I hope the Bananna Republicans pull the nuke trigger when we filibuster.
Dems have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You know that is true.
A lot of us liberals want the fight more than you do my Republican friend. It feels good. It is good for the country. Also you need to be blooded some.
We are coming for you buddy. You and your corrupt leaders.
When we take over in 06 after sweeping up your house of cards we will get you some long needed counseling.
— green tom Nov 4, 02:00 AM # - Alito will be confirmed, I don’t like it, but I think that is the reality of the situation. I believe that Rove threw this guy at us so that all attention would be focused on him and not on he and Libby’s criminal activities. Please don’t let us get bogged down in trying to defeat this guy at the sake of abandoning the cause you began with invoking rule 21.
Keep fighting the good fight – I’m with you all the way.
Lynne in Reno
— Lynne Black Nov 4, 01:35 PM # - Filibuster is the only way to stop the far right takeover of the third branch of government. I urge you to take that course unless this nominee is withdrawn.
You are doing a great job- keep it up. The media have finally started to report fully again.
Keep it up, Harry!
— Mark Simmons Nov 5, 12:50 PM # - Is Harry Reid fucking retarded?
— You Disgust Me Nov 5, 12:57 PM # - Before we elevate Alito to royalty we need to make sure that he supports mainstream American priorities like the abolition of private property and the formation of a one world government headed by Nelson Mandela. Mr. Reid I beg you, you must find out if Alito is guilty of thoughtcrime before you let him be confirmed. How can we collectivize farms if Alito finds some silly amendment in the Bill of Rights to stop us? If the evil fascists in the GOP (Has anyone ever noticed that GOP rhymes with Nazi?) have their way, we could lose our Natural Section given right to kill those we find inconvenient!! If the Republicans use the nuclear option we’re going to have to get drastic. We may have to have Anita Hill accuse Alito of raping and killing her. We may even have to send Alito to whereever the hell we sent Senator Torricelli!
— jimmylib Nov 5, 04:40 PM # - You don’t get to pick another Ginsberg until you win an election
— Biggie Nov 6, 03:17 PM #
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