Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 OPINION 
8

Sotomayor Shows Democrats' True Face

Confirm her, but make sure the country sees what it voted for

Share

(Newser) – The people voted for Democrats, and Sonia Sotomayor reflects the views of the winning party. For that, writes Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post, she deserves confirmation. But Republicans should seize the moment to illustrate what liberalism leads to. They should call Frank Ricci, the firefighter Sotomayor denied promotion. “Let Ricci tell his story, and let the American people judge whether his promotion should have been denied because of his skin color,” writes Krauthammer.

Sotomayor’s supposed to have empathy, and that’s why she ruled against Ricci. Empathy’s nice in private life, and even in writing laws, but it has nothing to do with interpreting them, says Krauthammer. “Figuratively and literally, justice wears a blindfold. It cannot be a respecter of persons. Everyone must stand equally before the law, black or white, rich or poor, advantaged or not."

The Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, May 28, 2009. Earlier this week, President Barack nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, replacing the retiring Justice David Souter.
The Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, May 28, 2009. Earlier this week, President Barack nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, replacing the retiring Justice David Souter.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Supreme Court choice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to President Barack Obama during an announcement, Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Supreme Court choice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to President Barack Obama during an announcement, Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court, speaks in the East Room of the White House.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court, speaks in the East Room of the White House.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Obama and Vice President Biden applaud federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, after the president announced her as his nominee.
President Obama and Vice President Biden applaud federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, after the president announced her as his nominee.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Since the 2008 election, people have been asking what conservatism stands for. Well, if nothing else, it stands unequivocally against justice as empathy -- and unequivocally for the principle of blind justice. - Charles Krauthammer

Vote Democratic and you get mainstream liberalism: a judicially mandated racial spoils system and a jurisprudence of empathy that hinges on which litigant is less 'advantaged.' A teaching moment, as liberals like to say. - Charles Krauthammer

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
8 comments
VIEWING:
 
IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
May 29, 09 6:18 PM CDT
Do you have someone pull a string in back of you after which this repetitive, meaningless commentary is broadcasted?
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
TerrifiedCitizen
May 29, 09 12:45 PM CDT
I'm afraid I must undeniably side with this occasional lunatic... He's got it right this time. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
kokuaguy
May 29, 09 1:48 PM CDT
It's too bad the Supreme Court justices could not have found a way to interpret the Constitution with a bit of empathy when they ruled in 1857 that no person of African ancestry could claim citizenship rights or have access to the federal courts. Likewise in 1896 when they upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation even in public accommodations (particularly railroads) under the doctrine of "separate but equal". Perhaps most shocking was the decision in Korematsu v. United States authorizing internment of U. S. citizens of Japanese ancestry in concentration camps in World War II. Finally, as a "liberal" (who by definition could not be a "fascist" without departing from a strict construction of the rules of usage of the English language) I can't help wish Justice O'Connor's empathetic side had swayed her to join the minority in 2000 when the Court ruled that the constitution required George Bush must occupy the White House,) She clearly had second thoughts about that vote since she changed her mind about retiring and waited to leave until Bush was actually elected in 2004. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
kokuaguy
May 29, 09 1:51 PM CDT
And which occasional lunatic are you agreeing with, TC-- Krautsickle or Corona_smoker? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
Doctor_Zaius
May 30, 09 12:37 AM CDT
She had to rule on the law in question, not the morality of said law. The law was valid but shitty, there is no exception for not upholding shitty laws. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1

View all 8 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

129 Stories

Supreme Court Won't Spare Beltway Sniper

Execution set for tomorrow as request for more time fails

Nov 9, 09 3:47 PM CST
(Newser) - The Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal from John Allen Muhammad, also known as the Beltway sniper, clearing the way for his execution tomorrow. Muhammad’s lawyers said he needed more time to prepare his appeals. Although justices Stevens, Ginsburg, and Sotomayor questioned Virginia law for not affording convicts... More »

MORE ABOUT:
death penalty • Ruth Bader Ginsburg • execution • John Paul Stevens • US Supreme Court • sniper • John Allen Muhammad • Lee Boyd Malvo • Sonia Sotomayor • Beltway Sniper

(AP) - The Supreme Court will hear a new case about the rights of Guantanamo detainees, this time involving prisoners who remain in custody even after the Pentagon determines they're not a threat to the United States, the court said today. Last year, the court said in a 5-4 ruling that federal... More »

MORE ABOUT:
China • Guantanamo Bay • US Supreme Court • Uighurs • Obama administration • Bermuda • Palau

INTERVIEW

Justice Stevens Hints He'll Retire This Term

Liberal stalwart, at age 89, admits, 'I'm not exactly a kid'

Oct 19, 09 6:01 AM CDT
(Newser) - John Paul Stevens, the senior justice on the Supreme Court and the bench's liberal lion, says he gave serious thought to retiring—in the late 1980s, when he was 65 years old. Instead, while younger colleagues have packed their bags, Stevens has become the court's master tactician, cobbling together narrow... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg • retirement • John Paul Stevens • federal judges • US Supreme Court • Sonia Sotomayor • Supreme Court justice

129 Stories


Politics  •  Opinion 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
affirmative action • Frank Rich • US Supreme Court • Obama administration • Sonia Sotomayor

from our news partners