Official Alito Hearing Thread – Day 3 – Thread 3

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Thread 1
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x106359

Thread 2
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x106806#107023

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. CSPAN caller - They're treating him like a commie!

He's not on trial here!

Next caller - Actually, he is on trial! Go girl!

[underpants]

2. "He's an upright man"

:bounce:

[DemonFighterLives]

9. He has evolved then

No wonder chimpy looks up to him,

[Surya Gayatri]

3. Good caller on C-Span now

saying if the candidate won't say how he views the Constitution, how can we know what he will find within it once he's in place? SG

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. More of us calling in than freepers!

excellent!

[Surya Gayatri]

6. How is it that

our side always sounds more measured, clear and straight-talking? SG

[lpbk2713]

7. It might just be that this country is finally waking up

and seeing just how sinister these RWers are.


Even more excellent.

[goclark]

36. The paid CSPAN Freepers probably went to sleep

thinking that it is a done deal.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. Caller questioning inserting news articles and commentary

into the record.

Good call - we know a majority of the media is biased or just plain incorrect.

[DemonFighterLives]

12. I know I can just imagine Newmax, freeperville

and fox articles being held up as credible.
See here- it says the judge is upright.

[LoKnLoD]

8. If one more freeper

brings up Chappaquiddick I will scream.....

:hurts:

[Surya Gayatri]

15. Flogging a dead

horse is less risky that looking a new one in the mouth! :silly: SG

[ER One Seven]

77. Chappaquiddick?

What the hell is chappaquiddick?

[Straight Shooter]

93. Ted Kennedy many many years ago drove his car off the Chap. Bridge

Or into the Chappaquiddick River - gads, I can't remember what the name Chappaquiddick was for. I think there were weather conditions. It was an accident. He had a young woman in his car, Mary Jo Kopechne, she drowned. Kennedy panicked and instead of being able to help her, he ran to get help.

IIRC, he had had a drink or two, I can't remember.

The incident ruined his presidential aspirations and has haunted him ever since. Anyone who wants to add more info, please contribute.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[ER One Seven]

98. Thanks

I don't know why I have never heard of that.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. Replaying Durbin calling him on the ROTC lies

:)

[realFedUp]

11. I just tuned in...are these hearings over or is this a break?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

13. just a break.... 4 min. left

[Surya Gayatri]

14. 15 min. break n/t

[DemonFighterLives]

18. Leahy questioning "thilight zone"

O'connor wrote that the Pres. did not have unchecked power.
Thomas was different. Which one was right?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

16. Leahy up now... first comment

I am concerned you are retreating from your past record!

doh!

[realFedUp]

19. Someone should ask him if he's a "flip-flopper"....

or just saying anything to get this job.

[sasha031]

20. Viva, check this out when you get a chance

Was Bush Wrong About Alito's Father?
When announcing Judge Sam Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court, President Bush said:

I'm sure, as well, that Judge Alito is thinking of his mom, Rose, who will be 91 in December. And I know he's thinking about his late father. Samuel Alito Sr. came to this country as a immigrant from Italy in 1914. And his fine family has realized the great promise of our country.
http://talkleft.com/new_archives/013324.html

[Mind_your_head]

27. Interesting..... thanks for posting n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

29. I think Alito's father probably fudged his record when he joined...

I know from talking to a lot of my older relatives, you were considered a second class citizen if you were born in another country, or of mixed races... people fudged all the time. Till her dying day, my Great-Grandmother refused to acknowledge that her mother was half american indian.

Now that he thinks it will get him votes, they are pushing the immigrant meme.

[Surya Gayatri]

17. Whoa!!!

Leahy says he's concerned that Alito may be "retreating from his record"!!
Go Leahy! Those Vermonters are independent thinkers! SG

[Surya Gayatri]

21. Waffle, waffle, waffle

His answers are most often impenetrable. :wtf: Just said the President is Commander in Chief of Foreign Affairs? NO NO and NO!! Only of the military.
Un-freaking-believable. :mad: SG

[WinkyDink]

23. EXACTLY!

I yell that at the TV all the time! "NO, you are NOT MY Commander-in-Chief! I'm not in the MILITARY!!"

[hang a left]

22. Leahy is really struggling here.

Does anyone else agree?

[WinkyDink]

25. Totally agree.

It's like he hasn't prepared anything, let alone a meaningful follow-up.
Why can't he ask straight up: "Do you think, under ANY circumstances, that the President need not follow established law??!"

And Weasel's responses of, "I don't think I've ever said that." That's NOT what you were asked! The questions refer to your CURRENT POSITION.
I HATE this RW nerd who still hates the 60's, but never then enough to ENLIST. And trust me: he's against women's rights, but that bee-yotch behind him rules HIS roost.

[mrcheerful]

26. He's getting frustrated that he gets double talk instead

of answers. Who was right O'Conners or thomas, Blah blah blah, no answer.

[Surya Gayatri]

31. "I don't think the President is above the law"

well, Duh!!
"Could the Pres order the CIA or any other agency to break the law?"
Waffle, blah, waffle, blah. SG

[Pacifist Patriot]

47. I was getting frustrated with non-answers to simple yes/no questions.

[Surya Gayatri]

28. Unfortunately, Leahy's

questions are just as foggy as Alito's answers are slimy. SG

[Surya Gayatri]

24. Leahy asking about

constitutionality of "signing statements". SG

[The Witch]

30. ...... Leahy sounds quite intense.

This exchange made me sit up and take notice. This could be important.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

32. Hatch (R) now

Roberts declared Roe V. Wade settled law during his circuit court hearings.

He's getting around to saying that maybe for supreme court it's not?

[Plausible]

33. Hatch the cheerleader n/t

[mrcheerful]

34. Yuck ickky

[realFedUp]

35. The Hatch-It Man....cleaning up the testimony

He must get a lot of special interest money...he
does their bidding so well.

[sasha031]

37. there was no evidence that there was any harm to the Delaware River

when toxic chemicals flooded into the river.

what a guy

[Pacifist Patriot]

50. And this guy is supposed to be a genius?

[Surya Gayatri]

38. I wish the Dems

would do more "clarifying and contradicting" of the Repukes questions like this creep Hatch is doing. Why don't the Dems call the Repukes on their fawning and soft-ball questions. The Repukes keep accusing Dems of "attacking" their poor boy, of treating him "unconscionably". SG
:puke: :mad:

[Pacifist Patriot]

45. And what is this about referring to "an email going around?"

An email raging across the internet among little people like us or an email distributed to the Judiciary Committee?

I am so with you. Would the democrats please make some statements about the ass kissing and ridiculously stupid questions? And please, please...someone make the obvious statement that if a Democrat president had an appointee in front of the committee the roles would be absolutely reversed.

[hang a left]

39. This is the second round of questioning....

does anyone know if there will be questions after this round? And I didn't get Leahy's points he was attempting to make. Is it because he didn't get to make any points because of the evasiveness of the answers? What is everyone's take. I have the volume turned down now. I cannot stand Hatch.

[mrcheerful]

That was what I thought was going on

evasion and disraction tactics, hmmmmmm sound like something we have seen and heard before?

[sasha031]

40. look who is calling the kettle black

Hatch is calling the left irresponsible

[Pacifist Patriot]

43. Every other sentence out of his mouth is hypocrisy.

[Pacifist Patriot]

41. Oh poor baby has been attacked by special interest groups.

He's a Supreme Court Nominee! What do you expect?

And geez, the hypocrisy. Can you imagine the attacks if it were a Democratic appointee?

[goclark]

42. Just heard on Wolfie that things are going smoothly

The talking heads agreed that it looks like Alito is doing so well!

Did I miss something.

Every channel I turn to has the talking points --- Democrats don't have any there there.

Please say this isn't so ------ can't they see through this crook!

[Surya Gayatri]

48. Not if their corporate masters

tell them not to. SG

[tedzbear]

56. The Democrats better tighten up their questioning or...

...Alito will sail thru this hearing without any bumps. I notice the repugs always frame their questions in a simple manner that their stupid base can understand, while Leahy's dense questions are just as incomprehensible as Alito's answers.

The manner the Democrats are approaching this hearing makes me fear they have already decided not to fillibuster and will roll over as usual...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

44. Hatch - 'Here, let me give you

a rimjob"

jeez - they are supposed to be questioning him, not blowing him!!!! :mad:

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. The Republicans are embarrassing themselves.

But they'll never recognize that.

[WinkyDink]

46. "...all the laws CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION."

WTH??
If the LAW has been PASSED, and is NOT under current SCOTUS review, IT'S THE LAW.

THIS is the EVIL WEASEL way to say: "The President CAN decide what laws to obey and which not to obey, because, you know, some may be INCONSISTENT with what HE says the Constitution means!""

The Dems MUST point this out.

[Pacifist Patriot]

49. I hope somebody grabs that and runs with it.

That is a bombshell in my opinion. My chin hit the floor with that answer.

[Surya Gayatri]

55. So the Pres

can unilaterally & arbitrarily decide which laws are "consistent w/ the Const."??? :wtf:

[Surya Gayatri]

51. This SOB Hatch has the nerve

to talk about innuendo? Barf! SG

[mrcheerful]

52. Wifey poo is telegraphing again

[dogday]

54. I would hope a Democrat will address Hatch

and his remarks. The republicans are using their usual tactics, attack the Democrats, take the heat off of Alito.

[tedzbear]

58. If they don't I will scream and bang my head against the wall...

eom

[dogday]

59. I hear you!

If they don't slam Hatch on his words, they are wussies of the highest magnitude....

[Pacifist Patriot]

87. I'm already screaming. Someone please point out to the Repugs...

that the Democrats are doing their constitutional duty dammit!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

57. that ruling sucks!

Racial profiling is pulling over someone who's black, just because they are black.

When a cop pulls over a black man in a black sports car because they just got an apb matching that description, how is that profiling?

Did they give the name of that case? I'd like to read it

disclaimer - this is Hatchet speaking, so I prolly shouldn't take his word for it. :blush:

[carolinalady]

64. He is not the only one who has discussed it. Heard it yesterday

but I do not remember which one brought it up.

[Sparkman]

60. ORIN HATCH: NEVER criticized Bork, or ANY other REPUB Judge

[malaise]

63. Does Hatch realize

that he's setting him up for question re those coaches.

[gumby]

61. "Initial service"

Weasel, weasel, weasel.

Hatch is disgusting. Why does he hate our freedom?

[tedzbear]

68. Hatch's face lift is so tight you can see the stretch marks spreading...

from his eyes to the back of his ears. A very artificial humanoid look not inappropriate for his ilk. Does anyone else notice the plastic surgery mishaps adorning these repug oldsters?

[MiniMe]

62. Has Hatch asked one question other than "is that right?"

Talk about not giving a chance for the man to answer.

[Surya Gayatri]

65. Hatch's manner and style

make me want to :puke:
Talk a about a filthy apologist--feeding Scalito his lines as if he were somebody's ventiloquist dummy. "Think for yourself?"--he just dared to pronounce those words after this display of spoon-fed pap? :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

66. CSPAN featured links to Alito papers and rulings

· Alito: Supreme Court http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=Current_Event&Code=SCourt&ShowVidNum=57&Rot_Cat_CD=SCourt&Rot_HT=&Rot_WD=&ShowVidDays=365&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=365
- Abortion Opinions & Audio http://www.c-span.org/special/supremecourt.asp
· Alito: Judiciary Cmte. http://judiciary.senate.gov/
- Members Image Gallery http://www.c-span.org/roberts/judiciary_cmte.asp
· Alito Transcripts: Mon. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/09/AR2006010900755.html
- Tues. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/10/AR2006011000781.html
| Leahy Statement http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200601/011006a.html

[Viva_La_Revolution]

67. Kennedy! Vanguard First thing!!

[realFedUp]

71. He's already perjured himself....nt

[hang a left]

72. Is he intentionally trying to ruffle his feathers, and get him mad???

Why is he so combative???

[CornField]

Why shouldn't he be? Hell, I'm angry and I'm sitting at home.

[realFedUp]

80. He's insistent on getting at the truth. Good move. nt

[realFedUp]

83. I wish someone would ask him if he's Opus Dei....like Kennedy.

[tedzbear]

73. Please oh please Teddy, have no mercy...

...and I pray to goddess you did your homework last night. Please kick ass, because my head is getting sore from banging my head against the wall.

[realFedUp]

69. Grassley and Biden next up...nt

[Sparkman]

70. Hatch, "when you're against little guy it's a technicallity, when for him-

you're just doing what's right."
According to a KPFK (Pacifica) guest, 91% of DuLito's DESCENT cases are CONSERVATIVE decisions!
Explain why statistics are "immaterial, irrelevent and incompetant" (Perry Mason-best attorney in U.S. juris history!)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Link to Judge Samuel Alito: Questionnaire -

http://www.c-span.org/pdf/alito_questionnaire1.pdf

[realFedUp]

74. We've all come to this process knowing the candidates will lie...

and to start with that premise makes the bar
so much lower, but that's where we start with
this administration and their minions.

[Sparkman]

75. VANGUARD Alito? Your response is "Immaterial, Irrelevant & Incompetant"

To quote the honorable Perry Mason, best legal mind in U.S. juris prudence.

[realFedUp]

76. Alito's "bend over" politics...that just about sums him up.

[dogday]

78. How Long Alito?

1 year 2 years 12 years?

[tedzbear]

85. Lord have mercy!

Is the next up a Democrat? Hatchet job is beyond disgusting.

[Pacifist Patriot]

79. Come on Teddy, accuse the Republicans of sycophantic soft-balls.

[merbex]

81. You got him Ted!

Shows that he doesn't stand by his word

[dogday]

82. Did anyone just see the exchange

between Hatch and his assistant. They look like kids in school who have a secret? They were showing on MSNBC....

[CornField]

84. Kennedy moving on to CAP questions

I hope he drops the ROTC bomb

[realFedUp]

88. Alito's lying on this one also. Filibuster.

[malaise]

89. Here it comes

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[sasha031]

90. that's my guy

:headbang:

[Surya Gayatri]

86. ROFLMAO! What a visual!

"I always bend over backwards..."
More like "forewards" in order to service my corporate masters! SG

[realFedUp]

91. I thought Republicans impeach for lies under oath?

Doesn't seem to work both ways.

[Surya Gayatri]

92. "I've wracked my brains...

as to why I might have joined CAP..." wrack, wrack, wrack! What utter crap!

[sasha031]

94. what magazine! CAP who

[dogday]

95. I can remember when and why I joined the brownies

come on now, if your memory is that bad, you don't need to sit on the SCOTUS....

[Viva_La_Revolution]

96. lol!!!

ME tooo! I was 8 years old! I quit when they forced us to go around selling cookies.

Selling is not my forte. ;)

[Pacifist Patriot]

101. I quit when I was stung by a bee on a camp out. I never got to cookies.

[underpants]

97. Kennedy is setting him up

Why else would he be asking about these articles?

[hang a left]

102. Please let him have him caught.

THat would be the end of Alito!

[Pacifist Patriot]

104. I am so hoping he's got some documentary evidence to unload.

[CornField]

I'm hoping that's the case

In particular, I'd like Kennedy to pull an article published by Alito on those topics.

Quite frankly, I can remember each and every group I joined while in both high school and college, what the groups were, what the groups' goals were and why I wanted to be a part of it.

BTW, here goes Alito with the ROTC line again.

[Pacifist Patriot]

99. This is absolutely ridiculous!

[Skidmore]

105. Exactly. Somehow I get the impression he set out to

pad his resume and picked an organization that had "conservative" in its name, didn't bother to try to find out what it was all about, tapdanced his way to DC looking for fame and glory, and now it's biting him in the butt. Says a lot about his judgment, or lack thereof.

[malaise]

113. Correct

and Teddy has nailed his ass.

[Sparkman]

100. How many here have been members of ELITIST, BIGOTED Clubs??!!

[Pacifist Patriot]

103. Does Kappa Kappa Gamma count?

;)

[sasha031]

106. Never Ever

not in this lifetime or any others

[sasha031]

111. OOOHHHH another chickenhawk

so concerned about the military

[Skidmore]

110. Doesn't quite square with his just one of the folks image he's

been trying to sell either.

[lpbk2713]

112. I was in the Crystal Lake Elementary School PTA once.

Do I now have an FBI/NSA/CIA dossier?

[Pacifist Patriot]

Not because of that.

You earned that here. ;)

[lpbk2713]

Now that's something to be proud of.

{thrusting out chest/}

[Surya Gayatri]

107. "I would not identify with that"

Then what the f__k were you doing in the organization that propounded thes views? SG

[Pacifist Patriot]

108. I know it is unlikely to come up, but I'd like to hear his views on same

gender marriage. Not that I can't guess what they are.

On edit: Actually I'd like to see him dance around the question. I know he wouldn't really give us his views.

[CornField]

109. YES!!!

Set and match. Good job, Sen. Kennedy.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

114. Thread 4 is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x108042

[hang a left]

115. Look at the shit eating grin on Leahy!!!

Ha ha ha ah

[Sparkman]

116. TED KENNEDY!!! Back down that MFer of a Chair!!

[Avalux]

117. Locking.

Thread 4 is over here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x108042