Alito Hearings

Thanks, Ken. BTW, I didn't take Coburn's "razzing" of Durbin as a political attack but meant more lightheartedly and as an example to prove the point that there is nothing wrong with changing one's mind.

 

Ken, thank you very, very much for the link.

I'm a little curious which Dem preceded Graham, as Graham was being very complimentary to Alito when Alito's wife teared up.

 

I had heard about Mrs. Alito getting upset, but from the link, it doesn't appear that anything the man said was upsetting. What happened prior to that?

On a side note, in my opinion, the confirmation process needs to be completely revamped. If senators and congressmen were subjected to the same thing nominees were, they would be crying foul for sure.

 

I think the issue has now become whether or not Alito lied about it. He apparently put his membership in a racist group on an early resume.

Now he's saying he didn't belong to the group. This is not a good sign. As far as belonging to the group earlier, I agree with Ken. It's not good, but a man can change. I wouldn't reject him soley on that.

 

Yep, I heard Rush Limbaugh say that second sentence yesterday and today.

BiR (out in Kansas City) </font>[/QUOTE]You have the advantage of me. I don't listen to Rush.

 

He could ask a lot more questions if he didn't spend so much time preening and speechifying.

 

Alito admits to being a member. He says he was not a leader in the organization, nor even what would be considered an active member.

I still don't understand why he can't remember why he joined it. If he joined it because of the ROTC controversy he should have said so and said that was the only reason he did so while not approving of the prejudice of the organization's stance toward women and minorities. </font>[/QUOTE]I'm trying to understand why it matters. He's made 4,000 judicial rulings. That ought to be enough to judge his judicial philosophy.

CAP is a red herring issue. It means nothing but gives Kennedy et al something, at least, to grasp onto.

They look like malicious fools, Kennedy leading the way.

 

Yes, that is what they all say, carpro. I am sure that, despite the fact that you very nearly reposted Rush's comments verbatim, your insight was original and the similarity is purely coincidental. I am always told that by those who do this.

Don't forget: I listen to him too......

Regards anyway,
BiR

 

As I greatly respect yours, BiR. What do you think of Alito? Too conservative? Not as conservative as many of us hope?</font>[/QUOTE]1. With respect to the CAP, I do not feel he is being forthright on this matter. I read where he claims not to have known that much about the group, and does not recall being a member. That is pathetic. He doesn't remember? Yet he placed on his resume?

2. The Judge testified that he would recuse himself should any case involving Vanguard Funds, Smith Barney and his family member's law firm come before him. Yet he broke that claim, as he had been "unduly restrictive" in his promise. According to The Washington Post [Link], Alito offered the following:

So, if that is indeed the case, what is the time frame that his statements become no longer operative?

3. Is Alito for or against abortion? I am not sure if this is a difficult question, but the Judge doesn't really clear this up, does he?

[Another Link]

Remember: he was talking about "bringing about the eventual overruling of Roe v. Wade" in 1985, yet now he says that he would approach it with an open mind. Does he realize that those who support him are for a "culture of life?" Many of those who support him do so because they believe he will vote to repeal the decision in Roe v. Wade.
Moreover, I found another statement in that article alarming:

[Here is a link to more information.]

As a result, it is my opinion that he is not the best choice for the Supreme Court.

Hope you are doing well, and look forward to your thoughts/insight.
BiR

 

So are you going to tell your senators to vote Judge Alito up or down?. Unless something new comes up in the next couple of days, I will tell my two senators to vote to confirm Judge Alito. </font>[/QUOTE]It really doesn't matter, as I am sure that he will be confirmed. It is so sad to see another member of the Federalist Society on the Court. &lt;sigh&gt;

Hope you are doing well down in Arkansas,
BiR

 

BiR,

I'm afraid you're not going to be very impressed with my thoughts:

I like him. I think he will be a very conservative Justice, somewhere between Rehnquist and Scalia (which is probably a no-brainer), probably closer to Rehnquist. IMO, he would vote to overturn Roe which, you might've guessed, but who knows.

There are a couple of things that I've also been curious about:

The CAP membership. I don't know much about the issue, to be honest. Though perhaps he really doesn't remember I was honestly kinda puzzled as Ken said. It does sound to me, ultimately, like a lot of nothing.

And I must admit I'm a little bothered by the Vanguard thing. Maybe Alito's got a good argument but, as much as it sickens me to say it, Kennedy had a point in noting that Alito had promised to recuse himself but didn't. But frankly, that Kennedy could sit in judgement on anyone's character is a mockery of justice.


Of course, as you can probably imagine, I'm tickled to have another Federalist Society alum on the Court.

As to my Senators (Shelby and Sessions), though I fortunately have nothing to worry about as to how mine will vote, I too have written to mine urging their vote for Alito.

So, how do you like KC? Safe travels home, my friend.

 

First of all, allow me to clear this up for you: I am ALWAYS impressed with your thoughts, regardless of whether or not I share them. I appreciate your insight.

I don't think the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade: it would usher in the end of the GOP as a political power. That is why it has not been overturned thus far.

I respect that, I simply disagree.

Taken with the whole discussion of the CAP, can you really trust him?

&lt;sigh&gt;
Oh, well......

The same goes for Senators Allen and Warner. [Allen is rumored to be interested in the White House, as is Mark Warner (I would vote for him without hesitation). But Allen won't have the clout to defeat Jeb Bush in the primaries.]

I got to go to the Truman Library while I was here, which I enjoyed immensely. Other than that, I have spent the entire time working.

Thank you very much for that. I may try to call you from Atlanta tomorrow. Depends upon what time I land - VERY short layover for my flight to Ohio.

 

So are you going to sit this confirmation vote out? If not, then I would be curious to know how you will advise your senators. </font>[/QUOTE]If I thought it would do any good, I would urge Senators Allen and Warner to vote no. But there are not enough votes to stop this confirmation.

Resistance is futile.....

Regards,
BiR