Sotomayor picked

[scandal 951]

Sotomayor: "I don't believe we should bend the Constitution under any circumstance. It says what it says. We should do honor to it."

Note that the New Haven CT fire fighter case that she ruled on is expected to be overturned on appeal, causing some embarrassment during her confirmation hearings. She is expected to be confirmed however.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...9052600881.html

By BEN FELLER

The Associated Press

Tuesday, May 26, 2009; 8:48 AM

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama tapped federal appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, officials said, making her the first Hispanic in history picked to wear the robes of a justice.

If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, would succeed retiring Justice David Souter. Two officials described Obama's decision on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made.

Administration officials say Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the past 70 years.

A formal announcement was expected at midmorning.

Obama had said publicly he wanted a justice who combined intellect and empathy _ the ability to understand the troubles of everyday Americans.

Democrats hold a large majority in the Senate, and barring the unexpected, Sotomayor's confirmation should be assured.

If approved, she would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the current court.

Sotomayor is a self-described "Newyorkrican" who grew up in a Bronx housing project after her parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico. She has dealt with diabetes since age 8 and lost her father at age 9, growing up under the care of her mother in humble surroundings. As a girl, inspired by the Perry Mason television show, she knew she wanted to be a judge.

A graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School, a former prosecutor and private attorney, Sotomayor became a federal judge for the Southern District of New York in 1992.

As a judge, she has a bipartisan pedigree. She was first appointed by a Republican, President George H.W. Bush, then named an appeals judge by President Bill Clinton in 1997.

At her Senate confirmation hearing more than a decade ago, she said, "I don't believe we should bend the Constitution under any circumstance. It says what it says. We should do honor to it."

In one of her most memorable rulings as federal district judge, Sotomayor essentially salvaged baseball in 1995, ruling with players over owners in a labor strike that had led to the cancellation of the World Series.

As an appellate judge, she sided with the city of New Haven, Conn., in a discrimination case brought by white firefighters after the city threw out results of a promotion exam because two few minorities scored high enough. Ironically, that case is now before the Supreme Court.

Obama's nomination is the first by a Democratic president in 15 years.

His announcement also leaves the Senate four months _ more than enough by traditional standards _ to complete confirmation proceedings before the Court begins its next term in the fall.

Republicans have issued conflicting signals about their intentions. While some have threatened filibusters if they deemed Obama's pick too liberal, others have said that is unlikely.

Given Sotomayor's selection, any decision to filibuster would presumably carry political risks _ Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the population and an increasingly important one politically.

[Heracles 417]

As they were announcing it I said to myself, I bet you it will be the first (insert minority something) elected.

Sure enough, my prediction proved correct. First latino bla bla bla. Will that ever end here? Will there ever be a time when someone can be selected based on their character and ability rather than their so-called minority status? I am not saying she is a bad choice but you don't need to mention a person's race.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Constellation

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm sure she has ability.

If she didn't - they might as well have picked Cheech Marin

[Heracles 417]

I'm sure she has ability.

If she didn't - they might as well have picked Cheech Marin

True but there is no need to mention a persons race. Now, if it came up down the track, great. How can you have equality when a person is identified by their race whenever the succeed at something?

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Constellation

[Heracles 417]

This thread seems to be graphically screwing up for me..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm sure she has ability.

If she didn't - they might as well have picked Cheech Marin

True but there is no need to mention a persons race. Now, if it came up down the track, great. How can you have equality when a person is identified by their race whenever the succeed at something?

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

The article mentions race - that's the author's interpretation- it doesn't say explicitly that this is why she was selected (even though that may well be the case).

Who are you pissed off with - President Obama, Sonia Sotomayor or Ben Feller?

[Heracles 417]

The article mentions race - that's the author's interpretation- it doesn't say explicitly that this is why she was selected (even though that may well be the case).

Who are you pissed off with - President Obama, Sonia Sotomayor or Ben Feller?

I saw it on other media outlets. First bla bla bla

When it's pretty much the first thing you read or hear about it, you do have to wonder. Are they selecting people on merit or race? Therefore, do you and I get a shot since we are technically a smaller minority.

If someone is appointed a position in Australia, I would never hear first (insert race) brought up. It may be brought up in an interview or article down the track but that is about it. I am sure the UK is the same in this aspect.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think there's any big mystery to this - the author's conclusions are not unreasonable if you consider:

1) Hispanics are one of the largest ethnic demographics.

2) They have historically had very little representation on the Supreme Court (and to a lesser degree - frontline government in general).

There are many reasons why this might be - but I guess it comes down to what's more disturbing to you, the lack of representation or that the first ethnic representative from that community calls for (a little) recognition.

[reeses16 8]

If someone is appointed a position in Australia, I would never hear first (insert race) brought up. It may be brought up in an interview or article down the track but that is about it. I am sure the UK is the same in this aspect.

Perhaps, but Australia is widely known to not be racially inclusive (at least at an institutional level). Are there any/many non-white people appointed to positions in Australia?

I don't think there is anything wrong with mentioning someone's race or gender in recognition of an accomplishment. In this context it is a recognition of overcoming obstacles and as an example to other members of their group and other minority group of what is possible. It also reminds people not all people in the majority group (by race or gender) are out to get you, that you can in fact succeed if you are determined and talented. I think many of us live in larger cities and forget that across America there are still places where racism remains as a blatant and hostile part of everyday life.

Edited May 26, 2009 by reeses16

[scandal 951]

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bellear

Bob Bellear (1944 — 15 March 2005) was the first Indigenous Australian judge.

I don't think there's any big mystery to this - the author's conclusions are not unreasonable if you consider:

1) Hispanics are one of the largest ethnic demographics.

2) They have historically had very little representation on the Supreme Court (and to a lesser degree - frontline government in general).

There are many reasons why this might be - but I guess it comes down to what's more disturbing to you, the lack of representation or that the first ethnic representative from that community calls for (a little) recognition.

A Hispanic has never been on the Supreme Court. Sotomayor will be the first.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bellear

Bob Bellear (1944 — 15 March 2005) was the first Indigenous Australian judge.

What's the betting that this was a big deal over there at the time...

[Heracles 417]

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bellear

Bob Bellear (1944 — 15 March 2005) was the first Indigenous Australian judge.

What's the betting that this was a big deal over there at the time...

What's the bet it was not a big deal, that is, the center of attention? What is also the bet that the neither the media nor any other government official went on and on and on about their race. Especially off the bat about it.

Funny how you can mention a person's race in America, when it comes to them being successful but you are bloody racist the second you associate race with some sort of negativity associated with that same race. Double standards when it comes to race is nothing new here though. Especially after the 60's.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Constellation

[Heracles 417]

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bellear

Bob Bellear (1944 — 15 March 2005) was the first Indigenous Australian judge.

No I meant here. I look anglo-saxon therefore no one would care.

[Heracles 417]

There are a hell of a lot of people who go unnoticed simply because they are not black or Latino. Regardless of the fact that the other ethnicities are actually a minority but who cares about specifics.

Bastardized American definition of Minority: Basically someone black or Latino. What about someone from South Africa who is white? Nope, sooooorry. No soup for you. You get nothing!

Edited May 26, 2009 by Constellation

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Would they mention first Aussie or Britt if you or I where in a similar situation? I think not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Bellear

Bob Bellear (1944 — 15 March 2005) was the first Indigenous Australian judge.

What's the betting that this was a big deal over there at the time...

What's the bet it was not a big deal, that is, the center of attention? What is also the bet that the neither the media nor any other government official went on and on and on about their race. Especially off the bat about it.

Funny how you can mention a person's race in America, when it comes to them being successful but you are bloody racist the second you associate race with some sort of negativity associated with that same race. Double standards when it comes to race is nothing new here though. Especially after the 60's.

Sure, dude - whatever you say (read: whatever you want to believe).

As to Bob Bellear - the ministerial statement at his state funeral (available online) mentioned (extensively) what he had done to advance the cause of the aboriginal people.

Here's his obituary.