GOP Senators OK With Race-Based Sotomayor Attacks:Silence is Acceptance

Generally silence is not considered acceptance unless you receive a benefit from your failure to speak, however, the GOP it seems what to have it both ways. On the one hand, they are allowing such Republican luminaries as Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich to falsely characterize Judge Sotamoyor a "racist", while others in the party call for a respectful debate over her nomination with the other.

In essences the Republicans seem to want the benefit of saying crap on conservative radio; accepting the benefit, while returning the proverbial box unopened. Sorry, if you will not strongly denounce and call for a stop to this language, then you are accepting the benefit—your silence or as Jeff Sessions put it " I am not going to baby-sit conservative commentators," can be tacit acceptance to the language.

I am not shocked, but I am disturbed by the volatile tactic as it will allow Republicans to use the most vile and incendiary language possible. The biggest problem I have with the whole Sotomayor nomination debate is the hypocrisy of Rush Limbaugh, who made the following statement on his weekly rant about Judge Sotomayor, "She brings a form of bigotry or racism to the court." Oh wait, let me in his words "soften" that a bit reverse racist, as if putting a pillow around a Molotov cocktail will make it burn less hot.

I was floored by the sheer hypocrisy, because this is a man who called the current President of the United States, a grown man; a "man-child," that is, a synonym for a "boy," and a "magic negro." Yet he is going to talk about someone being racist. However, based on these tactics I believe the GOP are opening themselves up to a potential landmine.

Think about it....Are Rush and the Republicans playing the Reverse Race Card? Do they want to open up the Racial debate with some of the Racially-and Sexism-charged excrement that Rush's mouth that the GOP fails to denounce?

Like I said Silence is Acceptance.

"Senator Boxer: Nominate a Woman!!!-Making the Band (Part 2): A New Supreme

Wow, Senator Boxer another litmus test right out of the cultural wars, just brilliant.

You know what I can't take it anymore, all the litmus tests for being a Justice on the Supreme Court. If its not how many left or right leaning decisions in the ceaseless cultural war, now its gender. I agree there are not enough women judges on the bench, and add in the additional criteria of race and there are not enough minority (women & men) on the courts. The need for a person of color is as great as the need for a woman, as a matter of fact I believe 2 people of color , and 2 women so its a tie.

That is why I agree with Senator Boxer, we do need a Supreme Court that is more representative of all Americans, so that its decisions had better reflect the diversity of life experiences and points-of-view in America. Where I disagree is creating a gender or racial litmus test. Whoever is the President chooses, I am sure it will be based on not only gender or ethnicity, but merit, the legal reasoning s/he demonstrated in decisions, the President's legal philosophy for American law in the 21st century, and the nominee's expertise in a specific areas of law that the Court is lacking.

Such a decision does not preclude a woman, or minority, both of which are sorely needed on the Court with the Federalist 5. I will also stress I would love to see a woman that is a person of color. However, it will neutralize the blistering cultural wars, and yes sexist rhetoric ( Mr. Rosen this means you—temperament—please) and focus on a need of the Court to deal with future issues on the horizon.

I have blogged about this in “Making the Band” Part 1, about the punditry and political jockeying and the essential question in my book is the same: What area of expertise is needed on the Court in light of the current economic crisis and 21st century issue? Race, gender, etc are moot point Democrats won folks.

Nevertheless, please exercise your right to be heard and your opinion stated, by participating in the process and lobby for whomever you think is the best candidate. Women’s groups should and must lobby for women’s issues and women’s candidates, just as People of Color ( Asians, African-Americans, Latino-Americans, etc) must lobby to for issues and candidates, etc… ad infinitum that affect them. Free Speech is essential to democracy, so go ahead and write letters and emails, but think about what I said as well.

What area of expertise is needed on the Court in light of the current economic crisis and 21st century issue?