Thursday, June 4, 2009

Blago Bummer and Mixed Feelings on Sotomayor

Back in December, I said:
I know it's petty of me, but I hope that few black politicians get pulled into this mess.
Oh well. Not only was Jesse Jackson, Jr. implicated, but it looks like Senator Roland Burris is now in it up to his neck as well. It's always disappointing (but hardly surprising) when black politicians shoot themselves in the foot.

On an entirely different topic, I am heartened that some Republicans are condemning (not just distancing themselves from) comments by Rush and Newt about Sonia Sotomayor. She has said some regrettable things in the past, but she seems like a solid jurist.

I'm not sure what I think about Obama's comment that he wanted a justice who could empathize:
...we need somebody who's got the heart — the empathy — to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom.
Thus, we saw the Wall Street Journal's headline proclaiming Sotomayor The 'Empathy' Nominee. Still, when I read Obama's speech in context, I can see his point. I just wish that empathy had been more of a footnote. The Supreme Court is not about empathy. It's about interpreting laws and the constitution.

No comments: