Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Woo?

Hoo!

Here's a repost from the prior thread.

Ree, she should be questioned - with the same rigor that Roberts and Alito were, then rubber stamped when and if she refuses to give honest answers in even general terms on her views of basic and controversial topics that the court has considered over the past half century or so or may likely consider over the next half century or so - just like Roberts and Alito did. Yes indeed, she should be treated just as they were.

And Craig - exactly. What she said yesterday about fidelity to the law and the law always dictates the result in a case -every time - is a perfectly acceptable final statement.

Why do we talk about putting women, African-Americans, Italians, Hispanics and others on the court if we expect them to render decisions that are in no way informed by their life experience or ethnic background?

Just another example of schizoid American values....

Everyone is a product of their experience, including their life-experiences. If judges could put those experiences aside, we might be able to devise a computer program that, with the appropriate algorithm, weigh facts and precedent and arrive at a 'judgment.' This, of course, is absurd. It is a truly stupid argument to contend that judges can set all their life experiences aside (presumably including their education) tabla rossa.

It's also interesting that those on both sides seem to totally ignore that there is a frequent 5-4 split on the SCOTUS. Wouldn't this imply that different judges (and somewhat consistently in the split) judge not purely objectively, but based on each justice's personal biases (in this case meaning point of view) affecting how they weigh the application of established law and precedent?

Ree, you are arguing with yourself. She should be questioned and is being questioned. And she should not be held to any higher standard than were Roberts and Alito.

Joe is dead on.

I am arguing that you have adopted a standard that you believe should be applied, and I agree that it should and is being applied. You said she should get the same treatment Alito and Roberts got. And I agree. Th edifference is, I believe, that you would like to see a different outcome in this case than you saw with Roberts and Alito. Now I ask you, who is asking for different treatment for Sotomayor? Not me.

And I suggest you check the live blogging at NYT to see how she was questioned by Sessions - IMHO that was exactly what I expected, believe it is fair, and was about as intelligible as Sessions can make anything. Christy at FDL is also liveblogging the hearings, and she does a good job - although it is editorialized moreso than the Times.

She is back-tracking because she was wrong.

She knows very well the meaning of her words were not misunderstood. Yes, in a perfect world, it doesn't matter who is on the court if they all have the same hand book.

Diversity is more about opportunity for all. It is about equal representation. It also helps the court be fair in what issues they address and often SCOTUS must rule on issues that are Constitutionally fizzy. There, empathy and back ground matter. Since Roe is not great precedent, it makes me more comfortable there will be another women on the court. On the other hand, I suspect that Obama will say illegals are entitled to universal healthcare and Sotomayor might have a chance to rule on that.

At least we don't have to hear Democratic witnesses talk about pubic hair.......and Biden doesn't get a chance to show us how much he doesn't or does understand of law.

Ree, I just re-read your 11:15, and we agree. She is competent, and should be confirmed after the JC questions her, and the questionind should be probing.

Let's see if they bring up this: http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/UnclassifiedReportPSP.pdf

http://www.slate.com/id/2222776/ Spitzer speaks about the impending State crisis.

Muslim militants threaten to "blast" China
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/07/026926print.html

Max -- these state governments have been in deep trouble for a long time. Every move BushCo made hit states right where it hurt.

Last one everyone. This is really pathetic. It defies reason. Just look at the riot and the people fighting back. The commentary is absurd:

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2177.htm

Thanks memri for keeping some of us informed

Patsi, not pointing the finger. There is enough blame for everyone. California, New York, Wall Street, Congress and of course Bush and some of the people still working for his administration.

working for THIS administration.....sorry

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243744

max, i posted this story earlier at 7:29 from the guardian. interesting you said "muslim" whereas i referred to aq.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/14/al-qaida-threat-china-urumqi

btw, wonder if their battle song is "uighur the world"
Posted by: patd | July 14, 2009 7:29 AM

LUNCH!

Craig....
Sotomayer is backpedaling because her confirmation hearings are not the proper place to air out the argument you are making. The word "rebellious" is in my moniker for a reason. Everyone in this town knows which way I lean politically.

While registering people to vote at times I couldn't believe the idiot responses I'd get to simple straightforward questions. The three of us doing the job would show each other some of these applications and shake our heads.

However, if you were to put me (or one of my colleagues) on a panel and ask us how one should treat people while registering to vote.... we'd all answer with courtesy and professionalism regardless of how one answered the questions on the application. And that is exactly how we treated people publicly.
Everyone knows you just can't say what you're really feeling everywhere.

So far I think the hearing is going very well today.

max, i suspect that there are many a muslim who think that neither al qaeda nor taliban are truly of the faith. just as there are many a christian who doubt those hypocrites of today who term themselves christian to be truly of the faith.

(see matthew 6:5-6 about public praying and all that value flaunting and flouting by our rw radical friends)

craig, i respectfully disagree with you and wholeheartedly agree with renee. judge sonia imo is exhibiting proper judicial demeanor and exercising restraint within the usual and polite bounds of social discourse.

Solar, we have a new contestant - and today's winner. Congratulations, Ivy.

Craig,

The key word in her pull back is "understanding". In other words, she is saying you may have heard what I said and thought it meant A. I'm telling you that what I meant was B.

It is a good political answer to a complex situation. In encouraging young latino and latinas to enter law, she is saying that their experience has value within the judicial system. The more differences that can be brought to the view of the law, the better the decisions will be because they reflect the broadest range of the whole of humanity. The purpose of the law is to judge humanity. Without a broad range of judicial experience, this goal is impossible.

So Wise Latina Woman may not reach better decisions than a wise white man, but she and the white man in combination will reach better decisions together.

I don't see Christians doing the stuff some Muslims are doing, do you? That is an equivalency game that doesn't fly. Your "we are the world" comment is funny.

Yes, despite OBL still getting good poll ratings in the Muslim world, he is not your typical Muslim. I have referenced many links to those Muslims battling for reformation.

I mentioned "Muslims" and not AQ because other non AQ Muslims are "blasting" China. CPC is going to have a hard time in their Central Asian Alliance as even moderate Muslims want more liberty for their bretheren in China. We can see how China is reacting. The relesed Uighers from Gitmo said that was better than life in a Chinese prison. I expect China is going to have increased problems which AQ is trying to exploit given their problems. Note AQ is also taking on the Iranians and recently tried to blow up the Suez Canal.

In one respect you are wrong. Many who oppose AQ do so over their killing Muslims and their violence. See the great awakening. Still, many belive in Sharia and would support AQ if they moderated their tactics a little bit.

Obama has made renouncing AQ a pre-condition to speaking with Omar. I don't think that will happen. I don't see where Obama has made it a pre-condition for Hamas or Fatah to renounce AQ. Recently AQ was fighting along side Hamas in the West Bank.

And before we talk about what the Muslims feel is being faithful, let us not forget this:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/07/026904print.html

And yet most Muslims DEMAND Israel negotiate with these people and in short order given them control of a place where they can build upon their stated goals.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243755

Discretion, Renee, Discretion...you are an artful practitioner...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243763

Jamie --

Well said...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243761

Pogo --

That was Senator Leahy who called lunch... Myself, I generally don't partake.

(^_~)

One of the most depressing bits of American history I ever learned was that the Supreme Court only had slave holders on it until the civil war.

Learning that , made the Dread Scott decision understandable. Not platable , but understandable.

Well, Ivy, you announced it - without attribution. Now corrected - ....congratulations, Senator. :-)

I would love to know what Sessions thought he was saying when he said this.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/sessions-suggests-sotomay_n_231467.html

That last paragraph must mean something - I just can't tell what.

"So in truth, you weren't bound by that case ... You must have agreed with it, and agreed with the opinion, and stayed with it until it was reversed by the Court." Because she disagreed with Caabranes about what the prior rulings required? WTF??? SCOTUS overruled the prior decision upon which Sotomayor relied and announced a new standard to follow. Racism aside, there is a good reason Sessions should not have been confirmed as a judge.

Birthday of Gerald R. Ford (1913), 38th President of the U.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Ford

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243770

Pogo --

My bad...I 'sumed everyone's riveted to the t.v....

(^_~)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243770

Sessions is probably the only Republican on the committee who can play lead ass with impunity.

Ivygreen,

you mentioned yesterday that your husband is at guitar camp. Might I ask which one? I am interested in attending one somewhere.

Ivy, fear not - (he chuckles to himself).

OK, John Ensign deserves a raise for giving us more and more things to laugh about.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/john-ensign-linked-to-do_b_231272.html

I laughed and laughed. I expect John Scherer, founder and CEO of Video Professor, to add self-exorcism to the list of his offerings. "I'm offering it to for just shipping and handling because I know that after you try it, you will come back to me for all your self-exorcism needs. Try my product."

Ivy, ooh, ooh. Me too. LP is going to attend one of National Guitar Workshops' seminars later in the summer, but I'm always looking for other options.

HD, you might look into Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Piece Ranch - it if heavily focued on acoustic guitar.

Hmmm, seem s like Palin's explanation that she was quitting for the good of Alaska didn't wash with most folks.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/13/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5156705.shtml

Weren't we being told just last week how her popularity increased after the announcement? Musta been a fluke.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243775

Horsedoot -

I'll see if I can get more info when he calls tonight, maybe a link, and also a "review" if you'd like an opinion. It's near Chicago is all I know thus far. I've been keeping my head in the sand about the whole mid-life episode.

lol

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243778

Pogo --

They're very tough, I'm hearing...and no nonsense. Two "kids" got booted for drugs on Day One.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243774

Sessions has a head start. He doesn't have to fake being an ass.

We had grafitti painted on the entrance sign to our condo complex sometime last week. The initials "M.L.D." were spray-painted in black on the sign. We were told that stands for "Maniac Latin Disciples". They are a gang that started in Chicago and have branched out. Sotomayer will ge confirmed, she will just get grilled hard, before she is confirmed.

"I don't see Christians doing the stuff some Muslims are doing, do you?"

max, i don't see christians doing what i think you mean; but i do see some people who proclaim themselves "christian" fraudulently, hypocritically or out of ignorance doing so.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243784

Right, Jamie, and it doesn't hurt him with his constituents.

Max writes:

"I don't see Christians doing the stuff some Muslims are doing, do you?"

I would add "currently."

God forbid that Christians would torture anyone like Muslims do.

After all Jesus was tortured and Crucified or maybe Christians don't believe that the torture and Crucifixion of Jesus was Torture.

You know like they don't believe that Waterboarding is Torture.

Ivy, this it?

http://www.guitarworkshop.com/locations.php?campus=5

If so, that's the Chicago campus offering of NGW - LP is going to the NY one.

"Up to 375,000 registered gun owners in Arizona and Tennessee were today given the right to carry concealed guns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol...."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/14/arizona-tennessee-gun-law-debate

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243792

Pogo --

That must be it...I've been hearing something about Buddy Guy coming...

As WSJ says, Ouch.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/07/14/sotomayor-surprises-sessions/

Sessions apparently didn't know that Sotomayor and Cedarbaum are friends and that Cedarbaum was there to support Sonia. This article is good - well worth the minute it takes to read, and says volumes about Sessions and the confirmation process.

Ivy, mid life crisis aside, that's way cool. I'd be more interested in Buddy Guy than in the shredders LP is going to see.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243794

now that's a great idea - guns and booze

pogo, gives a new meaning to
"Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
[mae west She Done Him Wrong (1933)]

especially if you're the cashier.

pat, indeed it does. LOL

Hypocrisy on parade. Let's see whether Charlie votes for or ag'in.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/14/grassley-admits-to-double-standard/

Old but funny a friend sent me today:

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:

In a a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians it would create a hostile environment to post:

'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' Commit Adultery,' or Lie'

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243797

Pogo --

I'm sure LP will get your money's worth. Not sure his age & maturity (not always correlated), but hubs notes good supervision for the young 'uns.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243733

Joe, You said that perfectly.
...... just to confuse things a little bit:
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment." Oscar Wilde

New info on the H1 N1 virus

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE56C60820090714

Chloe,

I like that quote a lot, thanks!

"... the new H1N1 virus is "unstoppable"

Jamie,
That article said it's unstoppable, but didn't go on to say why? Does that mean that the antivirals aren't working on it? I haven't kept up.

Ok, This article explains a little more of what led up to this:

"— the first global flu epidemic in 41 years —"

"A "pandemic" label is not a statement on the severity of the virus, only on its geographical spread.

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained on The Early Show that the move would prompt some lagging countries to mobilize resources." http://cbs11tv.com/national/h1n1.swine.flu.2.1040159.html

thanks Pogo and Ivygreen for the info.

Pogo,

I am not too sure I would live past the week at Fur Peace. Might be one of those "died and gone to heaven" type things.

HD, I ran across that when I started looking for some place for LP to go to guitar camp as a break from sports camps and as a jumpstart for his continuing guitar studies. I had no idea Kaukonen was anything other than an electric artist, and certainly didn't know his place was basically just down the road from here. It's intriguing, but LP isn't much into acoustic music, being a shredder and all.

Of course Christian and Jews have been known to have done some "torturing". When did my words speak of the long march of history? Of course after Muslims cut the head off of Ghengis' envoy, he made sure that Islam would not rise again.

Jesus was put on the cross by Godless Romans. Hitler and Stalin, Mao and other freaks weren't religious and slaughtered millions.

What I was saying (and not even Anon could argue) is that Christians and Jews are not doing the awful stuff many militant Muslims are. We have actually tried to prevent MUslims from dying at the hands of Serbs and other Muslims.To deny the religous aspect of what is going on in the world is dangerous denial. I know the Democratic talking points love to bring up those damn SoCons, but they are hardly what is very wrong in the world.

This whole denial things is rather self-defeating. All the Press does is to highlight Obama's positive spin on everything and leave Americans uniformed about the links I post like this one: http://www.military.com/news/article/usrussian-tensions-rise-over-georgia.html Oh yeah, Obama's visit made a big impact.

Of course the reduction of nukes was a smake screen. Big deal. How many times can we blow up the world? The real stuff involves keeping a lid on adversaries, missile defense and a shared understanding of what liberty means. Hell, Russia is a member of G-8. And now Russia is pissed that Europe is building a new pipeline that will run through Turkey. Damn Europeans!

Nor does media explain the effect of the witch hunt over the secret anti AQ hit squad which was preferable to bombing and killing innocent lives: http://www.military.com/news/article/cia-may-face-probe-of-alqaida-hit-plan.html It is though the Democrats were fated to recreate Church and Carter 2. No matter how weak the opposition they are intent on snatching defeat from victory.

And as for dissing some links I have posted here like Debka, remember what they said 12 days into the post election Iranian nightmare? No, you don't because you probably label Debka as a "do not read". They said their Intel suggested Mousavi and Ahmadinejad were likely to be replaced by an acceptable alternative. That was what moderate clerics were advocating to the supreme leader as a way out of a very bad situation. Rumor had it that even Mousavi agreed. Now is Panetta as smart as Debka? Is CNN?

http://ncr-iran.org/content/view/6752/1/

The next time people laugh at the "suspect" sources I will ask you all if the NYT is right that Bush never offered Iran incentives. I will ask if WAPO was right that Iraq was Lost. I will ask you if Huff was right that Patraeous betrayed us.

For all the claims to the glory of the New Camelot, the 40th anniversary of our moon landing is upon us. What is the state of our space leadership? What is the great defense of liberty Obama summons us to as JFK did at his swearing in? What does it mean that JFK couldn't run as a Democrat today? Nor RFK. If we ignore the clear threats and rationalize our declining leadership and interest we as Liberals will pave the way for a new Reagan to lead us out of apathy, introversion and denial.

Is that what "we" want? I don't think so

There are some truths that are best left unspoken. Sotomayor will learn that. I have had to learn that over and over again in my life but still I'm the poster child for not following that advice. And I do it most often in the worst possible circumstances. And most often in the presence of my bosses or other figures of authority. It may be the rebel in me.

How's the hearing going? good? bad? ugly? Just got home from work.

Thanks Pat for the fish info. I couldn't find info on that fish because I could spell it. I'm spelling challenged ya know and that makes using the Net a problem but then I have you guys, my own personal think tank. When I need info, I just throw out my question here and zoom, back comes an answer. I found the article you linked very interesting.

and that is couldn't spell it. I can't seem to type either today.

Excuse me...Montazeri once in power would hold an election or replace Ahmadinejad with some one other than Mousavi. That is the understanding circulating from blogs coming out of Iran.

Actually such a declaration of such importance coming out of Iran and not covered by Western media is a sad low point in Western journalism....

These players are playing with their lives. Our leaders are playing for a 50% increase in their salaries.

What the hell BS questioning is coming from Lindsay Graham? "Do you know what Arabs think of women?" JEEZUS.

I, for one, believe exactly, that some Christians today are absolutely doing what some Muslims are doing today. It's a pipe dream to think otherwise. No faith or religion has a monopoly on decency.

One more day at my friend's unfair firing hearing today - probably the last.

That's an hysterical story re Session's having his own mention of an acceptable woman judge thrown back in his teeth!

Patsi, I'm sure Graham's eyes are brown. What, you don't think that question is relevant to her qualifications to serve on the Court? bwahahah

But now, home I go ...

The Last Straw

If you think these failed states look bad now, wait until the climate changes.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/failed_states_index_the_last_straw

And did Graham ask if she was hot blooded????

Please tell me the Christians that are doing exactly what some Muslims are. Are they throwing acid in women's faces, blowing up their schools? Are they burning down mosques or teaching their children how to make bombs and blow themselves up?

You made a powerful charge Bethy, could you support it?

Taking Ownership

President Obama, speaking today:

I love those folks who helped get us in this mess, and suddenly they say, "This is Obama's economy." That's fine. Give it to me.

--David Kurtz

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2009/07/two-decades-of-no-warming-consistent.html

Here you go Bob. Argue with this guy and his distinguished father. Their input has already been part of IPCC reports, so be careful.

I would prefer rampaging rivers than radiactive dust, wouldn't you? India has been flooding Bengladesh for decades. Maybe the time is ripe for some Israeli help in drip irrigation.

Obama has put climate change on the back burner as he DEMANDS Democrats give him a healthcare Bill within 10 days despite the lack of detail, funding or the transparent review of any bill on his website as he promised.

I don't think the Democrats will deliver as the budget deficit breaks 1 trillion, expected anual debt payments break 1 trillion, unemployment rises and economic job ratings decline.

The question in 2010 will be if this wa the change we asked for......

http://www.cspo.org/documents/article_Sarewitz-RightfulPlaceFinal.pdf

A good article on Science and the Democratic Party

NEW THREAD.. http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/smiling-gopers-ought-to-be-fro.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/why-is-sotomayor-backpedaling.html#comment-243846

A link still worth reading.

Craig, you seem to be suggesting race and gender should be tread upon lightly when investigating our next SCOTUS judge. While you might be right about certain fallout, there is also the fallout of Sotomayor's theatrical answers to some probing questions.

Given pubic hair on coke cans, the Republicans came off respectfully while scoring some points. I don't think either side wins the PR battle, but Obama gets his judge. Republicans ought to understand this is the consequence of losing elections. Something they still have trouble grasping.

Well, Max, how many muslims are throwing acid in women's faces? Tell me so I can find the same number of Christians. There are Christians right now in Iraq and Afghanistan who are killing innocent people, men, women, and children, while fighting for what they believe, as are some muslims.

There are white supremacists here who gather arms and munitions. There are plenty of Christians to support them. Polygamistsects here in this country take young boys and girls and abuse them. Do I know their names? No, but what do you care and why should I bother to find out. Every time you demand proof from anyone who disagrees with you, you scorn the offered proof- this is to let you know why I won't play your games. You don't want to arrive at a new possibility - you want to pontificate. The lectern is all yours.

I stand by my statement - Christians do the same as Muslims. They kill people who represent what they themselves don't like, and they deny minority rights
Even in this country, they beat and kill. Talk to Morris Dees.

Actually, Max, I wasn't speaking to you, specifically. I just didn't want your outrageous statement to stand un-challenged. I/m not interested in proving what I said.