Thursday, January 12, 2006

Filibuster or die

It appears to me that Alito is pretty obviously a wolf in sheep's clothing. While he comes across as a thoughtful, reasonable, personable, and intelligent candidate, it is obvious from his record that he is in the camp of the Imperial President faction. It is also pretty obvious that he isn't much into civil rights, preferring Presidential and Corporate rights instead. He will be a disaster on the Supreme Court and certainly cannot be depended upon to unphold Roe vs Wade. The Democrats have not been able to truly penetrate his defense of his questionable record and I believe will have no chance to defeat his candidacy short of a full blown filibuster (which I rather doubt they will have the backbone to carry out - I sincerely hope I am wrong). Given the fact that the Republicans have made no secret of wanting an ultra-conservative Supreme Court Justice, and given the backing of Falwell, Robertson, and the other nitwit fundamentalists, it would seem very clear that Alito should be shunned without reservation by the rest of us. But the Senate has shown little more respect for the people than Bush/Cheney so anything might happen. If they capitulate on this, however, we will know that the Fascists have won and we will live only at the discretion of King George. Sieg Heil!

One of the things I found most interesting during the hearings was the discussion of whether or not Judges should look toward foreign law for help. Alito rather outspokenly said they should definitely not. I love the assumption here that obviously foreign law could not possibly have anything of merit to offer the U.S. We are, after all, the supreme fount of all knowledge and law. No one else could possibly have anything to offer us. I think this is a perfect example of Alito's approach to our laws and culture. Whatever white American males think and say is right, is right. Princeton is not to be diluted by women and minorities. We have to keep it like it was back in the 40's and 50's (all white, all male). Oh, I forgot, Alito says he can't remember being involved in this racist, sexist, ultra-conservative organization. Interestingly enough, he seems to remember in great detail most of the opinions he wrote, especially those he knew he would be asked about.

At the present time, when there is increasing talk of impeachment, and the Republican Party is imploding because of the blatant corruption of many of its members, it would seem to me the height of folly to appoint Alito the Court where he would be able to act on behalf of the Imperial Presidency. The Democrats cannot allow this appointment to be made no matter how Republicans bitch and moan. Indeed, if there were any honest and responsible Republicans they would themselves not allow this to happen. When was the last time you saw or heard of an honest and responsible Republican? Oh, yeah, when they impeached Clinton for a private sex act between two consenting adults. Certainly not for a President and Vice-President who blatantly lied us into a phony "war" that has unnecessarily killed, tortured, and maimed thousands of mostly innocent people. We certainly don't need a Supreme Court to defend these war criminals. Say no, no, no to Alito.

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