Constitutional Life Experience
Life experience is an invaluable benefit in many areas, but then is it not also true that life experience can be a detriment in many areas as well?
That is the quandary I find myself pondering.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to begin formal consideration of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court right after Congress returns from the Fourth of July holiday. Hearings are slated to begin on July 13, although from all indications most of the considering has already been done.
The Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.) said “There is no reason to unduly delay consideration of this well-qualified nominee. Indeed, given the attacks on her character, there are compelling reasons to proceed even ahead of this schedule. She deserves the earliest opportunity to respond to those attacks.” It certainly doesn’t sound from the chairman that there is much that has not already been decided.
A surprisingly histrionic departure for the normally punctilio Senator Leahy, particularly after his unabated attempts at obstructionism in just about all the confirmation hearings during the Bush administration. Senator Leahy sat on the committee for the confirmation circus of Justice Clarence Thomas and was one of chief executioner Ted Kennedy’s henchmen for the political disemboweling of the eminently qualified prospective Justice Robert Bork.
To depict the resistance being formed against Judge Sotomayor as attacks on her character may make for a good sound bite, but is lacking in anything even close to resembling the truth and pale in comparison to the chairman’s past actions with the two previously mentioned candidates.
It is not Judge Sotomayor’s character that is being questioned, but her stated belief that her life experience as a Latina makes her more qualified to sit in judgment of constitutional issues and interpretations than a white man.
When Judge Sotomayor’s quote of her qualifications by heritage and chromosome composition was initially brought into the public debate, Barack Obama and his faithful minions passed it off by saying “Her words could have been more carefully chosen.” This may have sufficed if the judge had only made the remark in passing. But it has now come to light that Judge Sotomayor said the exact same thing in the exact same way on eight separate occasions. That level of repetition can only lead one to believe that she knew exactly what she was saying and meant every poorly-chosen word. I truly cannot imagine the public outcry if Republicans disputed her claim by saying that a white man needs to be confirmed because of his race and gender. “Hell, everybody knows a white man makes a better judge”.
But as inflammatory as her repeated comment is my question remains, is it true? Is it possible that a female of Hispanic heritage has a more developed sense of insight into the United States Constitution, a document written by older white men, than an older white man would have? There are certainly some areas where a Hispanic woman would have an advantage. Making tamales immediately comes to mind, but I am certain there are others. But is one of them constitutional law?
Or is it possible that a life filled with the trials and tribulations of being a Hispanic female would make this Latina less qualified. There are certainly some areas where being a Hispanic female would be at a distinct disadvantage. Like getting recognition for an accomplishment in a family that also has boys immediately comes to mind, but I’m certain there are others.
For those that don’t understand the importance of this selection, Barack Obama thinks his life experience makes him qualified to be president. So far aside from amassing a $12 trillion debt, his life experience has not proven to be that beneficial. But regardless of how bad it gets, he is still only president for four years. This job for which Latina Judge Sotomayor is being considered is for life. And let’s be honest, unless they are done in by their drunken husband Latina’s can live a long time.
I just can’t agree that being a Hispanic woman makes her more qualified to wear the judge’s robe. Now, had she said more qualified to sew the judge’s robe…………………………
