High Court Rules for White Firefighters

(NEWSER) - Sonia Sotomayor’s views on race have become a hot button topic. But it’s just Republican “race mongering,” writes Derrick Jackson of the Boston Globe. Remember, the GOP “has been the party of racial code words,” from Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” to Reagan’s “state’s rights” speech. Now Rush Limbaugh compares Sotomayor to a former Klan leader, Newt Gingrich calls her a racist, and the party’s leaders sit quietly, approvingly, on the sidelines. More»

Nominee gives little insight into her true feelings on controversial issues

(NEWSER) - As Sonia Sotomayor’s question-and-answer session with the Senate Judiciary Committee continues today, the Supreme Court nominee is deploying a familiar strategy, Andrew Cohen writes for CBS News. It's the Rope-a-Dope, much like the one used by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Roberts, and Samuel Alito in their confirmation hearings. Simply put: She’s being evasive, cleverly declining to answer any question that touches controversial issues. More»

(NEWSER) - Questioning is under way on Day 2 of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, and there has already been much talk of New Haven firefighters and wise Latina women. Asked about that infamous quote early on, Sotomayor replied, “I want to state upfront, unequivocally… I do not believe that any racial or ethnic group has an advantage in sound judging.” She also argued that she was just following precedent in Ricci v. Destafano. More»

Supremes offer more modest rulings, put up barriers to lawsuits

(NEWSER) - The Supreme Court shifted further to the right in its 2008-09 term, ended yesterday, particularly on issues of civil rights and environmental protection. As USA Today reports, the conservative bloc led by John Roberts used several rulings to set tougher standards for individuals bringing suit, and it offered narrower opinions than courts past. "The Roberts Court has shown a desire to close the courthouse door," one Stanford professor said. More»

Firefighter decision shows judicial 'modesty'

(NEWSER) - Democrats are struggling to paint the Supreme Court’s rejection today of an opinion by nominee Sonia Sotomayor as proof that she is, in fact, not an “activist judge,” Roll Call reports. The high court decided to reverse Sotomayor’s 2nd Circuit ruling against white New Haven firefighters who alleged reverse discrimination. Sen. Chuck Schumer says the earlier ruling was based on precedent and therefore the mark of a moderate. More»