"minority" "racist" "woman" "extreme" "liberal" "stupid"

All of these words I have seen used to describe Ms. Sonia Sotomayor , President Obama's nominee for the next seat on the United States Supreme Court. She is a graduate from Princeton. She has presided as a judge over thousands of cases. Her reputation is one of a calm ,level headed, intelligent and insightful judge - essentially someone President Obama would want to have on the Supreme Court.

Does her political ideology match mine exactly? No. Do I like her only because she is a single, self-made and self-sufficient woman who came all the way to being nominated to be the next Supreme Court Justice by her own determination and hard work? No. Is her 'race' the reason why I look up to her so? No.

I respect Sonia Sotomayor because she is strong. Her personal and professional record all indicate that she is one that remains supremely rational and coherent amid a storm. Recent political posturing and "attacks" have allowed her to display this uniqueness of character.

I have looked briefly through several cases and decisions, all of which seem to be roughly 'center', ideologically. This isn't exactly what I hoped for but on the several cases upon which she has already spoken during the second day of hearings, including Roe v. Wade, her answers have been concise and unwavering ; such a fresh change from the evasive answers often times given in this situation.

Regarding Roe V. Wade, she has stated :

"The court's decision in Planned Parenthood vs. Casey reaffirmed the court holding of Roe V. Wade. That is the precedent of the court and settled in terms of the holding of the court"

Does this sound extreme?

Regarding Executive Power, she has stated:

"no one is above the law," including presidents operating in times of national
security crisis. "The president can't act in violation of the constitution..."

Regarding her "wise Latina" remark, she has stated:

"I want to state up front, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any ethnic, racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judging..."

Does this sound racist ?

By all accounts, Ms. Sonia Sotomayor, will be an excellent Supreme Court Justice. In this instance these hearings are all pomp and circumstance. Every Republican or dissenting Democratic senator will ask topically legitimate questions, whose answer may raise an eyebrow or two, but will not provide any real depth on the issue. It is obvious that the response she has elicited since her nomination has been racist and sexist, at best. Although it is hurtful to see such a response, I must remember that her nomination is not about her race or her sex. Although these characteristics are important and represent a significant sentimental value , it does not qualify or disqualify her nomination.

If the only issues her critics can find wrong with the honorable Sonia Sotomayor are her possession of ovaries and Latin American ancestry, I feel it is a safe bet she is going to be a wonderful Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

-Sophia

1

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6 Comments

July 14, 2009 5:36 PM

[0+]  Anathema said:

Do you have any other information on her past cases? I would like to read up on her more, I dont know too much about her politics.

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July 14, 2009 6:07 PM

[0+]  sophiafromoregon replied to Anathema :

Thank you for commenting. Here are
a couple links .

http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions

here are some articles that summarize some of her most 'controversial' decisions.

http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/judge-sotomayors-appellate-opinions-in-civil-cases/

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/26/sotomayor.resume/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/26/sotomayor.resume/index.html

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July 14, 2009 8:35 PM

[0+]  Anathema replied to sophiafromoregon :

Thanks :) and no problem

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July 14, 2009 9:11 PM

[0+]  radhika said:

Although I find most of her opinions rational and fair, her comments on race have and still continue to bother me, as does her judgment in the New Haven firefighters case.

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July 15, 2009 8:27 AM

[0+]  Naught said:

I like her because, based on some of the rulings she's made, I think she makes decisions based on what she determines the constitution and laws say, not her political or moral beliefs.

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July 17, 2009 6:35 PM

[0+]  aleks said:

Who do you think of as a "dissenting Democrat"?

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