I see a problem, albeit minor, for her to continuously make a point about her heritage but bristle at a colleague who asks a question related to it. Great. That's a pretty quick dismissal of a solid example of how she views the law. Roberts is a solid conservative who had impeccable qualifications. He prevailed on 25 of 39 cases argued in front of the Supreme Court. He tends to be a bit more conservative than I usually think but he was replacing Rehnquist, so no surprise AND he is entrenched in representing what he believes the founder's ideals to be. It doesn't always fit with today's society but I'm not in favor of wiping them out. His opinion on the NCAA case regarding a too far reach of the enforcement of Title IX is appropriate thinking IMO. I have no problem with Alito OR Sotomayor espousing their immigrant history in terms of how it impacts their decision making. I already said there is no way to seperate one's individual experiences from how one thinks. My issue is whether that makes one's decisions BETTER. Alito argued 12 cases before the Supreme Court. He tends toward Libertarian views which appeals more to me than Roberts. What of CAP? I think it's like many college organizations. Do I think it's racist? Not based on what I have read. Here's what the editor of the organization's magazine said about the controversial editorial.... In the spirit of context, as we are trying to understand Ms. Sotomayor, isn't the above explanation plausible? I have 2 organizations from college listed on my resume. Yes I was a member and yes they belong on my resume. Am I aware of everything they put out or publish? Am I aware of the point of view of their leadership? No and no. I am glad that Alito admitted the viewpoints were controversial. They are. I have said before though that there are very few among us who do not have at least some racist/sexist/ageist thoughts. It does not make us racists/sexists. Thinking and behavior are not the same thing. It would be nice going forward to have a SC that is not all Roman Catholics educated at Ivy League law schools.
i think the context is different on that point, her promoting her heritage and someone asking if she got her acceptance in school because she is hispanic is 2 different things. They dont just hand out cum laude diplomas to every hispanic that comes through there. So you dont have a problem with what she said about making better decisions than white man, according to this bold text of your response? I also dont buy that people are not aware of the organizations or fraternities/sororities they choose to be apart of in college. Maybe its just me, but i research what i am getting into before i join.
It seems that we all have a tendency to apply contextual definitions when it suits the argument. Of course I still have a problem with it. Who is to say she doesn't harbor some racist or sexist thoughts of her own? CAP was an informal, non school sponsored, group of alumni. Didn't they just want to keep women out? Weren't they against affirmative action? Neither of those are illegal for private groups or organizations. CAP hasn't existed since the mid 80's. It's views were extreme but Alito's listing of it hardly makes him an extremist.
Yes you are absolutely right about how we add contextual meanings and definitions to our arguments:wave:
Harry Reid just told Sotomayor that's she's always been the underdog. I love the mentality that if you're a minority, a woman, or a migrant (legal or illegal) that you've had a much tougher time than anyone else. That pretty much leaves only white male citizens. :nope: I didn't grow up wealthy, lost my dad at an early age, and didn't receive any special grants, etc. to go to college. I also didn't receive any preferential treatment or points to get a job or promote. I would hope that someday people would stop blaiming the world for their shortcomings but I guess that's just a fantasy. Harry Reid looks 100 but is only 69. I don't wish ill will on anyone but it will be a great day for America when he retires or kicks the bucket. If I could ask Sotomayor a question, I would ask her thoughts on AZTLAN.
i encourage all of you with an opinion on sotomayor's "better" comments to read the entire transcript of her speech. she is very thoughtful and those comments, in context, seem reasonable, even wise. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/us/politics/15judge.text.html here is a paragraph just following the infamous quote "However, to understand takes time and effort, something that not all people are willing to give. For others, their experiences limit their ability to understand the experiences of others. Other simply do not care. Hence, one must accept the proposition that a difference there will be by the presence of women and people of color on the bench. Personal experiences affect the facts that judges choose to see. My hope is that I will take the good from my experiences and extrapolate them further into areas with which I am unfamiliar. I simply do not know exactly what that difference will be in my judging. But I accept there will be some based on my gender and my Latina heritage."
I disagree. I read the whole speech and came away thinking that the context is just what the selected quote implies. She may very well be a racist. But to be fair her record does not seem to indicate prejudice, and overall she seems to be a left leaning moderate.
True...but the problem I have with it is the double standard. I'm always amazed how women and minorities are always "taken out of context" but a white male is obviously racist and sexist. :huh: I guess she means that I'll never be able to understand her (because I haven't walked in her shoes) but she can understand me (because all white men are the same). NOT! She may turn out to be a great judge but it still doesn't lessen her comments. If we're going to hold everyone to the same standard, then those comments are racist and sexist.
double standard? by the entertainment class maybe. i see no evidence of a real double standard, just an imaginary one. by the way, -ailito was in love with his immigrant background and said it made him a better judge---nominated, confirmed. -thomas was just a little sexist---nominated, confirmed. that is not at all what she said. youre fishing. if you have a problem with her comments, then yes it should.
