Real Life Guts and Common Sense

Good Morning Bloggers! Jonathan Turley on MSNBC this morning said that President Barack Obama's new choice for the Supreme Court, New York jurist Sonia Sotomayor, is considered an "intellectual lightweight" by most "intellectual court observers." I don't know what to say about that point, but I will say that I was struck by the speeches this morning.

Her story is the quintessential American story, and it begs the question whether having a little more humanity on the court is more important right now than one more brilliant jurist. President Obama obviously thinks so, and he's an excellent legal scholar. I think I'll go with his expertise and ignore the talking-heads for now. It seems like a good choice to me.

The idea of our first Hispanic justice is also very exciting. Her "common touch and a sense of compassion" seem like excellent qualities for a person who is meant to judge our laws and our lives. Republicans may not understand the emotion, but I agree with the president - empathy is a very good quality when it comes to judging others. So far, I'm a big fan of the 54-year-old Sotomayor. I guess we'll all have to wait and see how it unfolds over the summer. For now, I'm very happy! I'll write more about it later.

Tuesday's Political Rave - Michael

Alan Keyes Loses Again

Good Morning Bloggers - So it seems that justice does exist in this great nation, especially after the US Supreme Court turned down an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man who says President-elect Barack Obama is ineligible to be president because he was a British subject at birth.

I wrote about the case (supported by Republican loser Alan Keyes) earlier on this blog, and I will admit to being somewhat critical of the Republican idiots who are still fighting this battle.

There were two absurd cases claiming Obama's ineligibility to be president, and both were dismissed. So, what do you Republican nut jobs plan next? I'm speaking to you Alan Keyes. What crazy BS should we expect from you? I hate to guess. I do hope the Secret Service is doing something to identify all the wackos out there, and hopefully keep them as far way from the President-elect as possible.

Unfortunately, in addition to the attempt during the Democratic Convention, I think we're going to see a few attempts on his life over the next few years. There are too many racist morons out there to think otherwise. Why must we suffer these fools? I thought they were all going to move to Canada if Obama won. Canada probably doesn't want them. Damn!

Monday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

Political Opinion: Elect Obama and Save the Supreme Court

Hello Bloggers - I've given many reasons to vote for Obama, but the most important is probably the Supreme Court. Its future depends upon Obama's victory since so many justices are expected to retire soon.

Bush appointees Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Allito are considered conservative success stories moving the court to the right, though the balance is not lost. Obama could maintain a fair balance between conservatives and progressives. It is a future dependent on who prevails in November.

Obama, supported by a strongly Democratic Senate, could be presented with three openings during his first term: Justices Stevens (88), Ginsburg (75), and Souter (69) will likely retire over the next four years.

The court is roughly balanced on important constitutional issues, with four consistent conservatives, four liberals and Justice Kennedy in the middle - but who leans right on many issues. Replacing liberals Stevens, Ginsburg and Souter with similar-minded justices would infuse the left wing of the court with younger leadership but leave the basic balance intact.

Even if McCain wins - God forbid - it would be impossible for him to get somebody who's extremely conservative confirmed in a Democratic Senate. McCain's best bet would be to appoint someone moderate, however, there is no certainty. Blue Dog Democrats in the Senate could lean too far right for the public good.

No matter what the Supreme Court is another vital concern when voting this November. Our three elder jurists probably won't be able to wait out another four years of Republican rule. Please help yourself - and them - and vote for Obama next month.

Monday's Political Opinion #2 - Michael