… is Supreme Court nominee Hilda Sonia Sotomayor in my cup. (I obviously have not yet had “my cup” yet. Oy. Thanks for the correction, christina.)
BOO. YAH.
Heckuva way to start the week, I’ve got to say. Granted, this is just the promise of the nomination, and we still need to get through the Senate confirmation process, but with a majority there, I’m hopeful.
I don’t know enough about Judge Sotomayor’s legal background to comment on her rulings, but quotes from conservatives like the following make me think we’re on the right path:
“She thinks that judges should dictate policy, and that one’s sex, race, and ethnicity ought to affect the decisions one renders from the bench.”
(Right. The WASPy old dudes who have made up the bench in the past have never let any of that stuff affect their decisions.)
The quick blurb at the Times gives a brief history of her life and career, and also mentions that Sotomayor was one of four candidates–all women–for the nomination, which is also tremendously heartening. There is some rumbling that another nominee, Solicitor General Elena Kagan, would be a better jurist, but again, I don’t know. Maybe P.Soul can weigh in when she surfaces from the crazy crunch she’s in at work. (Or J.D. Regent? What say you?)
The official announcement will be broadcast at 10:15 EDT.
Now, if we can just get some good news on the California same-sex marriage ruling…stay tuned. And cheers!
It’s Sonia, not Hilda!
The story about Ms. Sotomayor on yahoo this morning mentions how she “saved baseball” in 1995.
@bellacoker: That’s where I knew her name from when she was first mentioned as a finalist for the position.
this is pretty comprehensive summary of her opinions while on the bench, citing case law etc…http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/judge-sotomayors-appellate-opinions-in-civil-cases/
Glenn Greenwald over at Salon.com has done a few blog posts debunking the attacks on Sotomayor and sharing his own experiences arguing cases before her. Good info, if you’re interested…
p.s. its REALLY long. But its very informative.
@bluebears: Thanks for that! I know what I’ll be doing all afternoon.
Thanks, bluebears (are you a lawyer, too? We’re workin’ on our own legal team over here…). There’s also the not-quite-so-long entry at Judgepedia.
I had an exam today and am too exhausted to really inform myself right now, but let’s just say this quote from a CATO institute dude: “In nominating Second Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the seat of retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, President Obama chose the most radical of all the frequently mentioned candidates before him”–made me think I will love her.
Is that bad?
Not bad. But really, she’s not radical at all. Of course, it’s coming from CATO, so whaddayagonnado?
@PhDork: yes. but don’t spread the word.
Well, I don’t really mind that, I figured she wasn’t–but anyone who raises the ire of Republicans is in my good books, somehow!