My morning rant - Alito's "open mind" and the bunch of cowards who are

[Jersey Devil]

the United States Senate.

An "open mind"? Is there anyone today who does not have some firm opinion on abortion and the right of privacy?

These hearings (not just the one for Alito, but all of them) are a joke when the rules are that the nominee may not state his opinions on matters that may come before the court.

Instead they give some nebulous, ambiguous statement about being "fair" or "open minded" on issues that virtually every human being in the country has strong opinions on. To state that a lawyer and a federal judge has no opinion on abortion is just so ridiculous and absurd that it defies common sense.

No one is asking these nominees to "prejudge" the cases that might come before them so I understand the need for them not to give their opinions in specific situations. But to suggest that they have no thoughts on these matters and that when appointed to the Supremes they will suddenly start thinking about them for the first time is so dishonest that it taints the entire process and makes it nothing more than a big joke.

This is a good example of how legislative "cuteness" (for the lack of a better term) can come back to haunt you because this stupid, cowardly rule about not answering questions on issues that the court might rule on was started by Democrats during the Ginsberg hearings.

We have every right to know what a judge who is going to be appointed to the Supremes for life thinks about any subjects personally and his legal thinking on them. The Democrats "cuteness" in the Ginsberg hearings has come back to haunt them (and us) in spades.

Now, if the Democrats have the guts to filibuster this nomination, which is certainly not a sure thing, the Republicans will have their turn to demonstrate "cuteness" by invoking the Nuclear Option. Then when their turn comes in the minority (as it surely will sooner or later) as judges get shoved down their throats with no attempt at compromise, they too can howl with phony righteous indignation.

I am disgusted by the entire process by both sides. Senate confirmation to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court, which can effect us for generations, has been turned into a sick farce, a dog and pony show with no real purpose and accomplishing nothing. These people disgust me.

[ComerPerro]

1. I just posted a thread along those same lines

its all a sham.

Its sorta like when members of BushCo were made to testify before the 9/11 commission.

What in the hell is the point of soliciting their testimony if they aren't even obligated or compelled to be truthful?

[michiganbuckeye1970]

2. I agree

The so-called hard questions that the Dems were supposed to press on Judge Sam come off sounding like statements rather than questions. I would guess that 80% of their questioning time is spent making a speech and followed up with some limp yes/no question.

And so far they've really missed an opportunity on this one. Alito does not have the charm and style of Roberts. I don't think he is particularly likeable, which is the one thing the majority of the public look for. Dems could make him appear a little uglier.

Then, I think, the Dem leadership could go to the Repub leadership and say, "Is this what you really want?" I'm sick of the threat from the Repubs to change the rules so judges can't be filibustered. It's time for the Dems to make them do it. This will make the repubs look like bullies, which with sent of scandal in the air, is the last thing they need for themselves.

Of course, I still say that I think Roe v. Wade is safe. The backlash to it being overturned would take a generation for Repubs to overcome. No, Roe will be safe. But the SC will water it down with dumb ass laws like spousal notification to the point where getting an abortion will be a red-tape nightmare.

I think I'm going to send emails to my two Sens and tell them to pull out the stops on this one. One of them is up for reelection, so I will be surprised if she is willing to take any chances right now.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. I want ONE of our Democrats on the committee to

spend their ENTIRE time..an hour? is it, asking the SAME question:

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

"DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION?"

UNTIL THE SOB ANSWERS THE QUESTION!