Americanpolitics

While Democrats demonstrated their support for Judge Sotomayor today through their articulation of qualifying questions, understanding, patience and a willingness to listen to the answers to the questions they had asked her, I found myself falling asleep during their questioning. Nothing against the Democrats, I just knew where they were coming from for the most part.

On the other hand, I did wake up in time to hear the second round of questioning from the Republicans who were still stuck on “the famous Latino woman” speech, discrediting, much repetition, rudeness, bullying and in some cases, asking question they did not really want to hear the answers to for they interrupted Judge Sotomayor before she completed her statements. Two of these Republican Senators were the worse, Senator Sessions and Senator Grassley both of which had serious attitude problems while interrogating Judge Sotomayor. Both were guilty of constant interruptions as well as harsh tones – which for me made statements about who they are.

The rules of law indicate that you can not discuss a case that is “in the works.” You hear police spokesmen and attorneys on television all the time telling inquisitive reporters they can not respond to a specific question because it is still “under investigation.” By the same token, I have heard Judge Sotomayor repeat constantly that she can not answer specific questions regarding gun control, abortion and today, same sex marriage was thrown in, because these are issues that are in the “pipeline” heading for the interpretation and rulings of the Supreme Court.

Yet, knowing the rules and the inevitable answers they would get from Judge Sotomayor, Republicans kept asking the same questions, sometimes in a bullying manner in an effort to get her to choose sides and commit to being for or against abortion, for or against gun control, for or against same sex marriage; knowing all along that these are all issues that are “hot spots” in terms of potential issues that will come before the Supreme Court in the months and years to come.

Because she stood strong in her knowledge of the law of not discussing a case that is “in the works” Republicans, like Senator Sessions felt justified in speaking to the manufactured concept that Judge Sotomayor’s answers to overall questions were “muddled” when in fact she gave clear, concise, articulated answers to most questions put to her, with a strong reference to the laws that were on the book at the time of any decision she made as well as laws that are on the books in relationship to the questions she was asked.

Democrats asked question relating to “privacy” regarding abortion as described in the Constitutions whereas Republicans attempted to force Judge Sotomayor to choose a side, to give her “personal” opinions on abortion, gun control or same sex marriages.

However when Senator Sessions was asked a specific question, by the newscaster during a break in the hearings, regarding his vote for or against the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor, his response was just as “muddled” and evasive as Judge Sotomayor’s response to questions that, for her, where covered under the law. Questions that she was legally not obligated to answer because they were cases that had not yet been decided by law, cases that the Supreme Court itself would be looking at in the months and years to come.

Just by the attitude displayed by Sessions one would already know what his final decision on the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor will be. He came to the table with his mind clearly made up and nothing said will persuade him differently. It would shock and amaze me, personally, if he voted in her favor.

Senator Sessions insists that he is “concerned about some of her views” but my question is: why would you ask her a question and not give her the opportunity to complete her answers, why did you waste 30 minutes yesterday and 20 minutes today asking the same questions - just let it go!!

It would seem to me that you were not interested in the answers but instead your interests were solely to reiterate controversial speeches, 6 speeches in a career that spans for years and to get her to commit her allegiance, one way or the other, for issues that may one day come before her as a Supreme Court Justice – thereby, Sessions was in a sense, breaking the law or at the very least encouraging Judge Sotomayor to break the rule as it stands on the books.

As I watched this, I was reminded of the treatment Republicans tried to initiate in the confirmation of Senator Burris. It seems to me that Republicans will break any law to get their way which speaks loudly to who they “think” they are.

While Republicans ranted and raved about the “strong Latino” who relates to her specific life experiences, speeches, I rarely heard them admit that at the end of the speech was a phrase that went something like this: In the end you put these feelings aside and look at the law.”

Republican’s grilled her about how influential Foreign Law should be in interpreting the laws here in America. Judge Sotomayor drew a line of difference between referring to foreign law and basing your decision on foreign precedents saying any interpretation/ruling should be based solely on laws derived from “opinions” previously written here in the United States and the Constitution of the United States.

They questioned her on speeches where she discussed “aspirations” that lean towards “empathy.” Judge Sotomayor quickly clarified that one needed to aspire to transcend prejudice, feelings and past experience to incorporate law into any final decision made, as a judge.

At the end of the day, Senator Graham made the most sense of any Republican speaking, in my opinion, stating that “The Balance of ‘power’ is not going to significantly change if Judge Sotomayor is on the court.” My question becomes why then was this game even being played then?

After the initial vetting – where your past is dug into by the FBI, your legal record is public knowledge for those who want to investigate, yet as a candidate during these “confirmation hearings” one has to subject themselves to the attitudes, rudeness and senseless questions. I question the process - but it is what it is.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

Personalized Magnets - Silhouettes