Official Opening Statements Thread - Alito Hearings Now! Part II

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Thread 1
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x88324#88963

Carry on :patriot:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. break kick!

7 minutes to go

[Sydnie]

2. Nice interlude of Scotty

sounded a lot like a "I know you are but what am I" answer, didn't it?

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. David Gregory was hitting him hard with questions.

I can't wait to see the repeat!

[Sydnie]

6. me too

By the looks of the threads about it, it didn't last too long today either.

[bettyellen]

13. * said alito has "the intellect to bring class" to the SC...

does anything he says make sense?

[Sydnie]

50. He must mean that Alito actually studied when he was in school

therefore, giving him some "class".

:hi: bettyellen. Long time no see!

[bettyellen]

94. anyone who wasn't drunk 24/7 has class acoording to *...

he needs his enablers, you know, designated drivers, etc.
:hi:

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Are these just speeches today or will we get to see the Senators ask

questions?

[Sydnie]

5. I beleive just speeches, including Alito's speech

questions start tomorrow I think.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. Graham (R) up... first of the last 6

[Sydnie]

8. Just get on with the ass kissing Graham .. we all have things to do today

Here it is ... kiss it!

[quiet.american]

10. Graham is carrying on as though he's counsel for the defense. n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. all the Repugs are...

course to be fair, so far all the Dems have been for the Prosecution. ;)

[quiet.american]

19. -- and I'm glad to see, they've got their case well-prepared! ;) n/t

[Oreo]

9. What a weasel!

He's saying Alito's statement about personally thinking abortion isn't covered by the constitution was only because he wanted the job. Is Graham gay BTW?

[bettyellen]

11. Graham ttrying to prempt questions on Roe, and filibuster talk

trying to whip up the Pro-breeders. :puke:
arrrggghhh, litmus test. he said it.

[Greybnk48]

14. someone needs to remind Graham that

Clinton was elected--twice--no asterisk.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

15. Schumer up

triple play

Replacing OConner, Meirs debacle, your views are extreme!

Slam!

I hope my colleagues across the isle don't decide to flip flop on ideology now that they used that argument for the Meirs Nom.

Your views on presidental powers bring up questions will you issue him a blank check? that's an open question based on your stated views.

[cal04]

16. Please post what he says. Many people here watching

Thanks sooo much for the threads

Dozens of Long Islanders are rallying against the nomination of conservative Judge Samuel Alito to the nation's highest court.Protesters turned out in force in front of the Nassau County Courthouse Monday as Supreme Court nominee Alito's confirmation hearing began on Capitol Hill. The protestors say they are upset about Alito's record on abortion, affirmative action and civil rights.

[Greeby]

17. ooooo "flip flop" indeed

:applause:

[txindy]

18. These two are just creepy.

I'm sorry, but they are. :scared: If that isn't the most uptight-looking couple in town, I'd hate to see who is.

[Rainscents]

21. OMG, what the hell is that about? YUK!!!

[bettyellen]

20. Schumer: "You will define our freedom, when life begins, etc, etc....

beautiful statement...
Heavy burden to prove they're worthy, triply high because:

1) replacing O'Connor
2) you are there to placate extreme right wing
3) record seems quite extreme and troubling


woo hoo.

bringing up miers treatment, LOL. questions must be answered.
hoping not to see a flip flop, will not let you slide without answering.

[bettyellen]

22. "we need to know presidents and paupers will receive equal justice"

sweeeet.
i hope this gets widely seen.
go chuck!

[gkhouston]

betcha that quote makes Countdown tonight. n/t

[bettyellen]

30. "when a president goes too far... will you issue him a blank check?"

"federalism... you wrote "congress exceded it's power" (on gun legislation)
you said: "constitution does not protect right to abortion.... talk of advancing the cause to overrule Roe V Wade"
"familiar arguement for ducking answers do not apply, you have a written record of statements..."
"have an obligation to answer what you have written about... you have already... prejudgement- so cannot use that as a basis for not answering. "
"no comment" will not dismiss your prior expressions (of opinion on these matters).

go Chuck!

[txindy]

26. Schumer rocks.

No doubt about it. He's on.

[bettyellen]

32. Best opening statement.... did he even bother complimenting his lovely

family, suit, haircut, etc....?
Beauty of an opening, hope that gets around.

[Guaranteed]

23. Schumer has hit the right tack.

ALITO is imposing his personal views on his judicial decisions.

[rpgamerd00d]

24. Great Baseball Ump analogy: "95% strikes for 1 team, 95% balls for other"

"One would then question whether that Umpire was impartial.....

Zing!

[Guaranteed]

25. Yup. The question is whether he HAS pre-decided.

And he has.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

27. reminding him he has quite a written record...

we will be asking many questions.

:rofl:


"No Comment" will not dismiss your previous veiws on record.

:rofl:

[Mist]

28. Schumer: "You have an obligation to answer questions you've

ALREADY written about."

[Viva_La_Revolution]

29. Cornyn (R)

We won't hold you to a double standard
(translation - don't worry, we'll go easy on you buddy)

:puke:

insinuating that the dems don't play fair! what a hypocrite!

[liveoaktx]

33. Ugh-that's why I didn't bother to call Conehead to filibuster

He's such an ass

[Viva_La_Revolution]

34. Damnit! I DO want a liberal judge on the court!

You guys have all those conservatives, and there's a few centrists....

Why can't we have a liberal!! POS

[quiet.american]

31. I wonder how Alito received such high ratings from the ABA?

Especially given his failure to recuse himself from the Vanguard case. This certainly bears a little digging.

[Nikki Stone 1]

35. Good point!

...

[Mist]

37. I wonder too. RW ringers joining the ABA? Bribes? Somethin's goin' on..nt

[Dinger]

54. I Have To Ask Again... What About 50 Yr. Tradition-Blue Slip/Pink Slip

thingie that bu$h stopped months after he stole office? There must be someone here who knows what that is, but I remember it being an early indicator of * going hard right on the Supremem Court.

[Greybnk48]

36. God, gays, abortion, did I miss guns?? n/t

[bettyellen]

38. Cornryn: Gay marraige, restricting religion in public, FEAR FEAR FEAR.....

trying to rouse up a big pity party for the church goers- they are NEVER allowed to express themselves...
:cry:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

39. Durbin! (D)

:)
detailing OConner'r deciding votes (#5 votes)

[bettyellen]

47. Viva, have you seen a good list of #'s or email contacts to call re: Alito

fillibuster?
I need and figured it would be good to add here.

[Skidmore]

40. What do you suppose would happen if student led prayer before

football games went poof? What dire calamity faces the world if people couldn't pray before a frickin' football game?

[Sydnie]

41. Durbin up now n/t

[quiet.american]

42. Can somebody please give this thread a final vote --

-- so that it can be easily accessed on the Greatest Page.

[Sydnie]

43. done n/t

[quiet.american]

52. thanks! n/t

[undeterred]

44. done!

:headbang:

[quiet.american]

53. thank you! n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

45. Quoting Paul Simon!

did I miss something? THE Paul Simon?

[nickinSTL]

73. haven't been listening, just following here

but I assume he meant former Illinois Senator Paul Simon (D)

[Mist]

46. Durbin restates O'Connors rulings, especially

her decision concerning "restraining the rights of an over-reaching Presidency."

[Sydnie]

48. Dsubin hitting the spying and how it effects privacy

Only judge to allow a search of a 10 year old girl ...

Durbin swings and contacts!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

49. Patriot Act.

you allowed a search of a 10 year old girl.

would you be the 5# vote to preserve our right to privacy, like OConner was?

[bettyellen]

51. Durbin explaining privacy, common birth control, yippppeeeee.

Schiavo, spying, 10 year old girl searched, Planned Parenthood Vs Casey,

(Could Alito want the gov up our but any further? )

Protecting us from the president....Nice going Durbin.

[bettyellen]

56. torture! who will influence you....Federalist Society?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

55. Rosa Parks!

Nice.

Civil rights
march on Selma
father ruled against discrimination
Would you have his courage? (ohhh. depending on how Alito feels about his father, that could have stung.)

[quiet.american]

59. Yes -- sins/courage of the father -- stinging, brilliant. n/t

[Sydnie]

57. Who will protect our rights?

Will it be the Federalist Society or will it be Sandra Day O'Connor?

There's the money line folks!

[Sydnie]

58. Bringing up the coal mine decision!

He is not holding back at all.

I am lovin' me some Durbin today! :loveya:

[bettyellen]

66. That was awesome, needs to be seen widely.....

[Viva_La_Revolution]

60. Brownback (R)

bad joke to open...

Role of the courts is limited. It's not there to decide politcal issues

Role of Judiciary is expanding today.... WTF :eyes:

[gkhouston]

62. and bad logic to follow, I'm sure... n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

65. yep

'shouldn't be comparing you to OConner.
seats are not reserved for special interests

IDIOT: aren't they supposed to represent the people of the US? and follow our laws? Where's my representation if he gets appointed? As a woman and a Liberal, probably in the toilet. :(

[gkhouston]

68. this just in: upholding the Constitution now a special interest. n/t

[Sydnie]

61. Brownback

ARRRGGGHHHH!!!

He's not a racist ... really he's not!

[Sydnie]

63. Defer to the political branches???

Hey asshat ... not everyone in the "political branches" are lawyers. Does "your" pResident have a law degree. I thought not.

You need to kiss my too.

[Strawman]

64. So these Republicans are opposed to Brown v. Board of education?

Which minorites don't get to have which rights when a legislature passes a law that constitutes a majority tyranny?

[jane_pippin]

67. "The ACLU--clearly a liberal organization..."

Can the ACLU use itself to sue these idiots for defamation? (Not that I think being called liberal is defamation, but you know how they're using it. Plus they don't have a party affiliation.)

They can use their defense of Rush as exhibit A.

[nickinSTL]

88. it's not really defamation...

but it is inaccurate, a lie.

For instance, the ACLU supports free speech of EVERYONE, even those groups that liberals don't like.

That's not liberal, that's protecting the Constitutional rights of Americans.

[gkhouston]

91. which only liberals advocate, apparently.

Well, we've found one subject the neoconservatives are finally being honest about...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

69. we're poor because we abort Down's babies!

Wow.

[undeterred]

"we are at our best when we help the weakest"

Is that why we rushed within hours to help the poor blacks get out of New Orleans!
Is that why we cut medicaid and medicare?

What a hypocrite! I can't believe he brought up Downs Syndrome.

[Mist]

70. Brownback brings up the Ruth Bader Ginsberg argument again--

Why do RW's think that Ginsberg being appointed means all their far right judges should therefore be appointed?

[gkhouston]

79. well, if they want to use that logic, they got Roberts.

Our turn now. :7

[Viva_La_Revolution]

71. Coburn (R)

he's a practicing physician? Where was he during Shivago?

[jane_pippin]

77. He's really making me want to swear in the worst way.

Get off your soapbox, you fucking fuck.

[last_texas_dem]

84. This goober come across dumber than Cornyn

Quite an impressive feat...

[bettyellen]

72. Email your Senators: Add your letter or link here....

here is People for the American Way's Site:

http://www.savethecourt.org/site/c.mwK0JbNTJrF/b.1321625/k.6C29/Stop_Alito_Action_HQ.htm

[Guaranteed]

74. Crazy man talking now. nt

[Strawman]

76. Just keep talking buddy

Guess he didn't get the memo that there's a different speech for the fundies and the general public.

[Greybnk48]

80. He just lied

about pain felt by the fetus. Now gays.

[bettyellen]

82. he wants to make this about abortion? only when they get to talk about it!

[Sydnie]

75. Damn, I didn't know we had a pulpit on the floor

Coburn is over the top here. Wonder when he is going to pass the collection plate?

edited because I credited the wrong asshat with the statement

[Viva_La_Revolution]

78. Back to abortion again

really on his mind, isn't it?

[undeterred]

83. don't you just love men who are experts on womens moral choices?

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[The Witch]

81. OH PUKE ME

up a tree with a spoon!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait a second.

"Sodomy protected but prostitution unprotected" ... which does he prefer?

Edit. I'm turning on Randi. I can't take this shit.

[undeterred]

86. probably a combination of the two

arrogant SOB

[Sydnie]

89. Scallia would protect both!

:rofl:

[Greeby]

85. Coburn?

Didn't recognise him without the crossword :evilgrin:

[Sydnie]

90. ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!

How true!

[gkhouston]

96. I wish we could get camera close-ups of the crosswords

then we could call in to CSPAN and correct his mistakes. Or maybe introduce a few, on purpose. :P

[Guaranteed]

95. And he's not crying. nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

87. Oh G-D...now we get to hear Coburn drone on about abortion & gays

Abortion is "ripping from the wombs" of women?:eyes: How damn DRAMATIC! SHUT UP TOMMY! From the mouth of a MAN no less.:grr:

[liveoaktx]

93. WHEN these asses bring up the military weapons that laser

innocent people, including women and children and send people to death in an unjust war, I'll listen.

Yeah, let's have an open debate about the horror weapons Congress is funding.

[in_cog_ni_to]

100. No kidding! THAT will never happen.

Boeing and Lockheed Martin would lose money.:grr:

[quiet.american]

98. Right -- but Shock & Awe was "pro-life".

I see one of his favorite words is "schizophrenic." I wonder why? :yoiks: :crazy: :eyes:

[Guaranteed]

92. This is why we have to HYPOTHETICALLY "give" them that

a fetus is "alive," and show them that abortion is within a woman's moral rights anyway.

Otherwise, they just keep on with this heartbeat and brainwave shit...and it never gets down to the woman's right to decide over what grows in her womb.

[in_cog_ni_to]

97. This bastard WANTS Roe V. Wade overturned and hopes Scalito WILL do that.

Man.....this man had better be filibustered. He's VERY dangerous, IMCPO.

[Greybnk48]

105. Forget Roe, this is the beginning of a coup

I'm shaking right now over the Roe comments, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. This is bigger than women losing their human rights. We may all lose our human rights as we know them, not just us women.

[shance]

99. The Republican Senatorial Misogynist Brigade draws God, Abortion

and the Pledge of Allegiance like a gun.

[LeftCoast]

101. Viva_La_Revolution - How about starting #3?

:hi:

[bettyellen]

102. Alito's Dad was not an immigrant- this was debunked....

WTF is this?

[Sydnie]

103. Who is this guy

kids are home now, so I missed it. Why is he here?

[in_cog_ni_to]

107. Senator Lautenberg Democrat from NJ.

:(

[bettyellen]

109. sitting in for Sen Corzine, who is going to be our new Gov in NJ...

[in_cog_ni_to]

104. WHY is Lautenberg introducing this bastard?

:crazy: WTF?

[Sydnie]

106. thank you. couldn't figure out who he was n./t

[undeterred]

108. its the isn't New Jersey wonderful speech

but they forgot Springsteen

[LeftCoast]

110. Locking - Please continue discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x90575