Judge Sotomayor's name has circulated much lately as a replacement for retiring Justice David Souter, so her nomination is a little anti-climactic. I can't say that I know much about her, other than she helped bring an end to the 1994-1995 baseball strike and was once considered by none other than GW Bush to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor (which ended up going to Justice Alito).
All I've read about her suggests that she works hard at meeting concensus, something that sounds thematically consistent with this administration, and that her appointments have been supported by Republicans, including her initial appointment by George HW Bush.
So far, I like the sound of it.
-rl
May 26, 2009
April 3, 2009
Marriage statute in Iowa jettisoned by court
Justin over at Donklephant has a take on the shocking unanimous decision of the Iowa Supreme Court.
An excerpt of the opinion, emphasis mine:
An excerpt of the opinion, emphasis mine:
We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification. There is no material fact, genuinely in dispute, that can affect this determination.
We have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law. Faithfulness to that duty requires us to hold Iowa’s marriage statute, Iowa Code section 595.2, violates the Iowa Constitution. To decide otherwise would be an abdication of our constitutional duty. If gay and lesbian people must submit to different treatment without an exceedingly persuasive justification, they are deprived of the benefits of the principle of equal protection upon which the rule of law is founded.
March 14, 2009
February 25, 2009
Utah Gov. Huntsman: Credit where credit is due.
Jon Huntsman, the Republican governor of Utah, laid out the truest and most realistic assessment of his party's current state in a piece with the Washington Times.
Calling congressional GOP leadership "inconsequential", Gov Huntsman calls out his party's lack of principle, particularly in regards to spending, during the Bush administration and admonishes them for their hypocrisy in calling out Democrats for spending. Unlike Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Huntsman has no intention of turning away money from Washington, despite misgivings about the effects of the stimulus on government "size". The video embedded into the article is worth a watch.
Governor Huntsman gives a very refreshing take on what a real party in opposition should do, instead of pouting and behaving like a group of petulant four-year olds. The GOP needs more Huntsmans and fewer Sanfords, Boehners, McConnells, and, based on his reaction to the non-State of the Union, Jindals. Republicans, please be a party of active and creative opposition and not one of petulance and ignorance.
Calling congressional GOP leadership "inconsequential", Gov Huntsman calls out his party's lack of principle, particularly in regards to spending, during the Bush administration and admonishes them for their hypocrisy in calling out Democrats for spending. Unlike Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Huntsman has no intention of turning away money from Washington, despite misgivings about the effects of the stimulus on government "size". The video embedded into the article is worth a watch.
Governor Huntsman gives a very refreshing take on what a real party in opposition should do, instead of pouting and behaving like a group of petulant four-year olds. The GOP needs more Huntsmans and fewer Sanfords, Boehners, McConnells, and, based on his reaction to the non-State of the Union, Jindals. Republicans, please be a party of active and creative opposition and not one of petulance and ignorance.
February 20, 2009
Conflict over Fairness Doctrine not over
Apparently Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) isn't satisfied with President Obama's non-support of the Fairness Doctrine.
Yes, I followed this from Drudge, but still, here it is.
What I find interesting is DeMint's assertion:
The Fairness Doctrine, in simplest description, requires broadcasters to provide two sides of an issue into a conversation broadcast. DeMint's assertion that the Fairness Doctrine would silence voices of disagreement is bollocks. To wit, the current media craze of yelling until you're red in the face to stifle your critics, à la O'Reilly's No-Spin Zone, seems to be more than effective silencing the voices of disagreement. If anything, I'd think that a fairness doctrine would help return a certain civility to the airwaves.
Senator DeMint, please tell me how giving equal time is censorship? Senator DeMint, please tell me how giving equal time is silencing voices of opposition?
-rl
UPDATE: Here is a link to DeMint's press release. Contact your local Congressional office and tell your Senator and Congressman that you oppose Senator DeMint's forced vote.
Yes, I followed this from Drudge, but still, here it is.
What I find interesting is DeMint's assertion:
With the support of the new administration, now is the time for Congress to take a stand against this kind of censorship. I intend to seek a vote on this amendment next week so every senator is on record: Do you support free speech or do you want to silence voices you disagree with?
The Fairness Doctrine, in simplest description, requires broadcasters to provide two sides of an issue into a conversation broadcast. DeMint's assertion that the Fairness Doctrine would silence voices of disagreement is bollocks. To wit, the current media craze of yelling until you're red in the face to stifle your critics, à la O'Reilly's No-Spin Zone, seems to be more than effective silencing the voices of disagreement. If anything, I'd think that a fairness doctrine would help return a certain civility to the airwaves.
Senator DeMint, please tell me how giving equal time is censorship? Senator DeMint, please tell me how giving equal time is silencing voices of opposition?
-rl
UPDATE: Here is a link to DeMint's press release. Contact your local Congressional office and tell your Senator and Congressman that you oppose Senator DeMint's forced vote.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)