Sonia Sotomayor: The Sacrificial Lamb

President Obama announced his nominee for United States Supreme Court by introducing Sonia Sotomayor. Sonia Sotomayor is an U.S. Court of Appeals judge in the Second Circuit. In response to her nomination, the pundits grasped onto her being the first Hispanic to be nominated to the highest court in the land. Who cares!! Skin color, ethnic background, and sex are not criteria to be used when nominating a Supreme Court Justice.

Currently Justice Ginsburg is the only female while Justice Thomas is the only non-white Justice on the bench. Many have looked for President Obama to appoint a more diverse nominee to the bench. With Sonia Sotomayor he gets both the female and ethnic box checked. Over the summer, Miss Sotomayor will be put under the spot light by both parties prior to being voted on by the Senate.

Jeff Rosen, writer for The New Republic, in his story “The Case Against Sotomayor” published May 4, 2009, attempts to look at all sides of the potential nomination of Sotomayor. Rosen reports that “former clerks sing her praises as a demanding but thoughtful boss whose personal experiences have given her a commitment to legal fairness.” My hope is that she does not use the bench as a pulpit which is something many judges do attempt. Rosen goes on to report, when talking about former law clerks of judges on the Second Circuit or federal prosecutors in New York (most Democrats); many are concerned “about her temperament, her judicial craftsmanship, and most of all, her ability to provide an intellectual counterweight to the conservative justices, as well as a clear liberal alternative.”

If she is intellectual enough to provide “counterweight” to conservative voices on bench now, why would President Obama nominate her? One concern I have is a quote, if true, in Rosen’s article by a former clerk of the Second circuit of “she has an inflated opinion of herself, and is domineering during oral arguments, but her questions aren’t penetrating and don’t get to the heart of the issue.” If Sotomayor lacks the ability to ask probing questions then she is definitely not Supreme Court material.

Sen. Schumer in a letter to President Obama stated, “It’s long overdue that a Latino sit on the United States Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor and Ken Salazar are two candidates who would make outstanding justices. They have top-notch legal minds, years of experience, moderate approaches to the law, and would make history by being the first Latino on the court.” While I agree that having a diverse look to the Supreme Court is appealing, but we cannot afford it to be done if the candidate does not understand the limited role of a Supreme Court Justice.

Kidding or not, Sotomayor is caught on tape saying, “court of appeals is where policy is made” when addressing potential law clerks in 2005. She did later add that she was not promoting or advocating the concept. It is these types of slips that can give real insight into true belief of the words being said. The interesting part will be if liberals will be okay with her “moderate” view of the law since many liberals are looking for more influence for their cause on the bench.

President Obama’s introduction read like a campaign stop. Earlier I posted that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be the next Supreme Court Justice and I have not given up on that yet. It will be interesting to see how Sotomayor defends her position when she upheld the reverse discrimination case of white and Hispanic firefighters in New Haven, Conn; Ricci v. DeStefano. It will be this interpretation of law that will start the unraveling of Sotomayer and pave the way for Clinton. Previously I spoke on the reverse discrimination case by the New Haven firefighters. Please read further there as this case will become a central component to whether Sotomayor is confirmed.

Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement, “Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly. But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences.” This examination of her record will bring to light the reverse discrimination case of New Haven firefighters as well as the six decisions she made that saw five reversed and one where the court disagreed with her reasoning.

A lot will be made of her comments and case load. One in particular that will see a lot of attention, beside New Haven, is the 1993 case where Sotomayer, as reported in Foxnews article “Sotomayor’s Judicial Record could be Battlefield for Critics, Advocates”, “threw out evidence obtained by police in a drug case, because a detective lied to obtain the search warrant – prosecutors agreed to a plea bargain. However, during sentencing Sotomayor made controversial statements by criticizing the five-year mandatory sentence, calling it an ‘abomination’ that the defendant did not deserve.” Due to a failed search warrant the evidence was thrown out but for her to criticize the mandatory sentence is the type of empathy that many will say does not exist at the Supreme Court level.

The Supreme Court is to interpret law based on the guidelines and amendments in the United States Constitution. Not to interpret law based on upbringing, life experience, or empathy for the excused.

Oligarchy to Monarchy; The death of Democracy

The defection of Arlen Specter to the Democrat Party was touted as a victory by Democrats and a blessing by Republicans. Pundits, namely those on MSNBC, are giddy at the upheaval taking place within the Republican Party as moderates are finding there is no room for them. Regardless if you are liberal, conservative, or moderate we are all witnessing something very dangerous taking place in America politics; creation of a one-party system.

An oligarchy already exists on the national political scene. Third party candidates rarely get the exposure, exceptions are Nader and Perot, required to launch a major offensive. The Republican Party is becoming a regional party and may lose their footing on the main stage. While those on the left are cheering, it presents American Democracy in a precarious situation. With no other party established on the national scene, the regionalization of the Republican Party will doom Americans to choosing from one party.

Every national election other candidates are listed on the ballot, without the ability to participate in national debates, they do not get the national exposure the current Oligarchy enjoys. What America requires to save Democracy is more political parties for Americans to choose from. All too often Americans vote for or against the two major parities. President Obama talks a great game and adopted the Clinton game book on his path to the White House.

The mastery of the Clinton playbook by President Obama is a prime example of voters going to the poll to cast their vote based on emotion rather than logic. The Republican Party message of fiscal responsibility was muddled as President Bush abandoned his conservative heritage by opening up the pocket book in the final two years of his Presidency. The departure from fiscal responsibility created the perfect storm for a “liberal” liberal to be voted in. The Republican hierarchy realized this by putting forth their sacrificial lamb; Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin.

The $3.6T budget proposed by President Obama increases the realization of a one-party system as Americans become slaves to the Government. Ironic that many compare President Obama to President Lincoln as Lincoln fought to free the slaves and Obama is fighting to enslave all Americans. I challenge every America to find candidates that best represents their core beliefs and vote for them. The Democrat and Republican Parties are not the only games in town.

Continuing to use the mentality of it’s a “waste of a vote” will destroy Democracy in America. I am suggesting or recruiting for any party rather to find a candidate that fits your core beliefs to rally behind. If one does not exist then perform your patriotic duty and become that candidate. More candidate choice is demanded for the survival of Democracy in the United States.

Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton

Over the past few days I have extended the distance I take Mischka for a walk from 1.5 miles to 3 miles. Since Mischka is heeling without being reminded, the walk is a lot quieter. The peaceful walk, except for the occasional barking dog or car passing, has allotted my mind greater freedom to explore events, concepts, and ideas without interruption. During our walk on Wednesday my thoughts traveled back to the Democrat Primary and the ultimate selection of Sen. Obama as their nominee.

My focus was not on the eventual historic bid for the White House rather on rival that did not get tapped; Sen. Hillary Clinton. Many whom I talked with when Democrat nominee Obama tapped Sen. Joe Biden to be the tickets Vice President thought Obama made a poor decision. The misstep of Sen. Biden instead of tapping Sen. Clinton looked to be fatal then the Republican Party gave the Democrats a gift when they added Gov. Palin to the ticket.

The adding of Gov. Palin allowed the conversation of the non-appointment of Sen. Clinton to subside. Why is it that Sen. Obama did not choose Sen. Clinton to form the ultimate “Dream” ticket? Was it perhaps a larger picture was being painted? The bigger picture being painted is the Supreme Court.

On President Obama’s 100th day in office, Justice Souter notified the President of his intention to retire from the bench. The news stirred up the mass media as to what type of person President Obama ought to choose for the highest court in our land. Currently the Supreme Court has one female and one black with the remaining Justices being white males. The pressure on President Obama is to appoint a minority female to the bench.

President Obama has established a list of criteria that he will look for in the next Supreme Court Justice. The number one criteria being empathy while top Democrats are looking for President Obama to appoint a non-judge type. I believe that President Obama will appoint a female but it will not be a minority.

Thinking back to the primary and the fallout after Sen. Biden was tapped to be the Vice President instead of Sen. Clinton, perhaps the media missed the second great story to come from last year historic election season. It appeared that the Clinton’s were on the outside looking in as the Democrats pushed toward the White House but that was all a façade.

The ground was being laid to pave the way, if Democrat nominee Obama was elected, for Sen. Clinton’s appointment to the Supreme Court. Granted the right Justice had to step down as to make the choice of Sen. Clinton the right one. The next Supreme Court Justice will be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The pondering point is if the President will offer up a sacrificial lamb prior to Secretary of State Clinton’s confirmation hearing.

Transparency: Really?

As the CIA memo debate continues on and Attorney General Eric Holder is comtemplating legal action against those involved, the Obama administration has promised transparency. Really? If what former Vice President Cheney is saying is true, why is it taking so long for the Obama administration to declassify CIA memo’s that showed technique’s used saved Los Angeles from an airline attack. Throughout the run for office and since, President Obama repeated the claim that his administration would be the most transparent in history.

I ask again; really? Why hasn’t the President Obama produced a birth certificate? President Obama has done everything possible to block the true nature of his birth certificate. Many will say that Hawaii has it on record. A certificate of live birth, which Hawaii has on record, is not the same as a birth certificate. The certificate of live birth is something that you or I can get in any state since it simply acknowledges a live birth took place regardless of location.

So why doesn’t President Obama produce his original birth certificate? President Obama speaks of transparency but fails to be transparent on a vital piece of information. American’s, in hindsight, are seeing how President Obama has no plans of honoring the U.S. Constitution. Other evidence is the nationalization of banks, firing a CEO, and now forcing an automaker into Chapter 11.

Everyone on the left feels that former Vice President Cheney is out of line when speaking out against the CIA memos. Never in our history have we looked at the previous regime to punish. FDR administration didn’t get looked into for the Japanese internment camps, Wilson’s Sedition Act, or Clinton’s administration in their three missed opportunity to capture Osama Bin Laden. The continue attack on the CIA, Bush Administration, and the U.S. Constitution by the Obama Administration only weakens the United States.

President Obama foreign policy: Hypocrite or Savior

Today the United Nations (UN) is to start a conference on racism around the world in Europe. The goal, according to the BBC, of the UN Racism conference is to review progress “in fighting racism since a 2001 forum.” The trouble is several key players are boycotting the conference; including the United States.

The BBC reports that many “Western countries see this as a curtailment of free speech” as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to speak. For the past month and a half President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have traveled across the globe in a good will tour apologizing for the actions of United States. President Obama has cloaked the apologies as means of “strengthening our hand” by reaching out to our enemies.

To boycott the UN racism conference is a bad move for a country that fought a war over slavery, saw Civil Rights leaders slain (King), and saw a historic election when Sen. Obama became for the first black President. President Obama said, repeatedly, while running for office that he’d sit down with President Ahmadinejad without preconditions. Then why does he not, or at least send a delegation, attend the UN racism conference?

President Obama continues to make mistake after mistake on foreign policy. While meeting with leaders of Americas, many criticized the President for hand shaking with foreign leaders that have spoken out against America, but President Obama missed an opportunity to re-define Democracy and the important role the United States played during the decades that surrounded World War II.

The United States for decades after World War II has been the leader of the free world, granted the past decade our leaders have failed us, and the President Obama apology tour only weakens the position of the United States by giving hope to those that wish the demise of our great country. President Obama’s administration is missing a big opportunity by boycotting the UN Conference on Racism and is a hypocrite for the reason of not attending.

Reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8006852.stm

Mexican-American Drug War: Solution - Legalization

President Obama traveled to Mexico yesterday to meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon. The discussion that ensued was about the drug war taking place along the American-Mexican border. A few weeks ago Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “We know very well that the drug traffickers are motivated by the demand for illegal drugs in the United States, that they are armed by the transport of weapons from the United States to Mexico.” As with many consumer goods, the United States is the largest consumer of illegal drugs. According to Drug Sense the U.S. Federal Government spent over $19B in 2003 and $15B year to date. The Merida Initiative established a pledge of $1.4B in security aid to Mexico over the next three years. Clinton is hoping to use $80M to send Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico which President Obama echoed yesterday.

President Obama talks about making tough choices. I applaud him for not pushing for legislation in banning assault rifles as it was a campaign promise to do so. The three major drugs in question are marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. President Obama said, “You can’t fight this war with just one hand” and “You can’t have Mexico making an effort and the United States not making an effort.” The United States has poured billions of dollars down the Drug War drain. What effort is President Obama saying the United States is not making? The drug problem has been around longer then assault rifles.

Did the United States not learn anything from prohibition?

In nearly every speech President Obama gives, he states that Americans are going to need to make tough choices. Here is a suggestion to that tough choice decision making. Legalize illegal drugs. Before you pass judgment apply some common sense here.

Terrorist and Cartels fuel their enterprises with money raised from the drug trade while America Government spends billions of dollars to stem the tide with little success. Mexico claim that the United States is the source of guns for the cartels is misguided. If the cartels did not get guns from America there is huge black market in Asia and the Middle East.

The tough choice is to remove the cash cow from the Terrorists and Cartels. In order to remove their cash cow is for the United States to legalize illicit drugs. President Obama’s administration is planning to spend trillions of dollars to get out the recession, improving health care, and creating energy sources that promotes the “Green” initiative. The short term funding plan is to borrow money from the Chinese and for the Federal Reserve to print more money.

The time will come that the Chinese will no longer want American debt and will want to collect. In order for the Chinese collect, America will need to raise funds. To raise the funds it will take revenue and the way Governments raise revenue is through taxes. Right now the anger is focused on the rich and the expectation that the rich need to pay more taxes. There will come a time when taxes will fall to the middle and lower class.

Right now the plan is tax the rich more but do not be fooled that everyone will be expected to pay more taxes as it your “patriotic duty” according to Vice President Biden. The excessive taxation and enormous growth of Government is why “Tea Parties” took place on April 15th. To help mitigate the increase in taxes for all and to take bold moves to stem the tide of violence on the American-Mexican border it is time to legalize drugs.

By legalizing illicit drugs the United States government will be able to tax and regulate the potency and purity of illicit drugs. Another aspect is the creation of jobs through transportation, production, and selling of illicit drugs. A byproduct of legalization is it will encourage addicts to seek treatment since the use of an illegal product is no longer demonized.

Personally I am not an illicit drug user nor will legalization drive me to use illicit drugs which are the fear of opponents to legalizing drugs. I agree with President Obama that Americans need to make tough choices and one of those tough choices ought to be to legalize illicit drug use.