Alito Hearings Begin
Posted on January 9, 2006
Today marked the beginning of the confirmation hearings for the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito. An often time aggravating hearing to be witness to. But it came off on schedule under the Chairmanship of Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA). A rather civil matter for the first few Senators who spoke, until it got to Kennedy.
Kennedy started right in on the political attacks. He mentioned that he chaired the Judiciary Committee when Judge Alito was first appointed to the bench. He then went on to cherry pick out certain opinions and positions taken by Judge Alito in his past there by eliminating all hopes of Senator Specter for this to be a civil and dignified hearing. Kennedy’s rhetoric was enough for me to start yelling at my televisions because of the utter hypocrisy of the Senator.
Senators Specter, Leahey, and Hatch all put forth hopes for hearings where they wanted some clarity given in responses. And each of them cautioned their colleagues to not turn this into a political fight, but rather to see if the nominee could put aside his personal political positions and apply existing law and exhibit judicial restraint. But then the Lush had to dash all hopes of the process being dignified by applying his hurtful rhetoric.
It is my opinion that Senator Kennedy could test the patience of Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, the Holy Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and Jesus himself. The man is a total waste of human flesh in my opinion and has no place on this committee.
The respectful tone then returned to the committee with the next speaker whose name I missed because Kennedy had me so flustered. But he spoke as did Senators Spector, Leahey, and Hatch on the qualifications and place of Judges in our society.
Then we get to Joe Biden who then starts pandering to the idea that Judge Alito finds himself in the middle of political battle. And mentions that some don’t find a right to privacy in the Constitution. Well guess what Senator - There ISN’T. I would like for one of these pinheads to quote to me line and verse where the Constitution mentions a right to privacy. Not imply anything. Where does it state that there is a right to privacy. We can wait until the second coming but there will be no answer.
He then moved on to the O’Conner test. Idiots…
We then returned to decorum with the opening remarks by Senator Kyl. And even though Senator Biden wasn’t as disrespectful as Kennedy, his underlying rhetoric was again very partisan. Sentor Kyl then spoke of the public service background of Judge Alito. He then noted the family background of Judge Alito. The son of hardworking immigrant parents. And if confirmed only the second current member of the Supreme Court who has served in the military.
He then mentioned the partisan backgrounds of all of the current seated Associate Justices. Pointing out that Judge Alito’s partisan background is nothing out of the norm.
Senator Kohl was up next who opened with the impartiality of the judicial branch. He also gave a speech reaffirming the vast and important role that Judge Alito be taking should he be confirmed. But then he broke out cherry picked decisions by Judge Alito. By claiming that he sides with special interests because he hasn’t sided with liberal special interests. And of course, like every single Communist, I mean Democrat - (I gotta find some way to stop doing that), broke out the petition to the Reagan Administration concerning abortion.
He then stated that it is the committee’s job is to sort out the truth, by sifting through the rhetoric. To this point the only rhetoric is coming out of his side of the committee room.
Senator Mike DeWine (R - OH and I’m embarrassed) comes next. He opened with the facts outlined in the Constitution. What’s there and what’s not. Senator DeWine mentioned several instances where the Supreme Court has upheld a law in one case, and struck it down in another. And cautioned that when the Constitution is not clear on the issue at hand, that the Supreme Court should side with the will of the people.
And along came Feinstein. Mrs. if you even hint at opposing Roe, you aren’t getting my vote. Which relates into, if you are Republican appointed, I’m voting against you. Her first issue had to do with gun control. Wow… I’m surprised. But the Senator cited Miller and she misquoted it.
And like the good ACLU dupe, she had to break out the civil liberties “concerns”. What a crock. She wants to know if the Judge would vote to uphold to strike down the woman’s Unconstitutional right to kill her baby and the racist idea of Affirmative Action. Yes I said racist.
Nothing could be more racist than a federal policy to grant special consideration to individuals because they are members of a so-called minority.
Next in-line from the Republican side is Senator Sessions. He opened with some praise of Judge Alito. And mentioned that he served as a US Attorney with Judge Alito. Went over his academic and professional credentials.
Senator Sessions then breached the subject of activist judges by stating that “we don’t need an activist judge.” And re-affirmed the requirements of a Supreme Court Justice to uphold the Constitution.
Sessions then took on some of the previous speakers admonishments, specifically Kennedy, and pointed to cases which Judge Alito did decide cases in opposition to the Senators’ previously stated points. During which Kennedy was seen shaking his head.
Feingold is next with his analysis of the political climate and specifically mentioned the NSA eavesdropping. Going on record stating that the government has been spying on American citizens. Never mind the fact that hasn’t been proven. The allegations appeared in the New York Times at a time so that it would spark sales of a book.
There are legal issues involved in this case, but have no place here. For the simple fact that this will almost certainly come before the court at some point. This guy is another one to test the patience of the Communion of Saints.
The Committee then broke for a 15 minute recess having completed the opening remarks of 12 out of 18 Senators.
After the recess, few Senators returned. And it seemed that none of the Communists, I did it again - Democrats, came back on time.
The next to open his remarks was Senator Lindsey Graham. His first question was what is a “main stream conservative”. He made the point that our party reaches from the center line to the right ditch. And if all of the Republican Senators vote for Judge Alito, then he is obviously main stream.
Then he made a point that if you wanted a job in the Reagan White House one of the ways that you’d do that is to claim that you think that Roe v. Wade was improperly decided. That’s the way you get hired.
He then broke into oratory on the issue of filibuster. And how one issue has the potential of bring the judiciary to its knees.
He then asked what is the proper role of a Senator when it comes to advice and consent. And gave a wonderful speech on this point. He said that Justice Ginsburg was the General Counsel for the ACLU. If he voted for her he’d get beat up at home. He also stated that if she came to this committee in this climate she would not get 96 votes.
Then came Schumer. Is it me, or do you get the idea when he smiles that children are going without dinner, that Christmas has been outlawed, and he rounds up all the dogs and cats and kills them? He just looks like he’s up to something.
He came out stating that Alito was picked to represent the extreme right wing in replacing Harriet Miers. The Senators seems to be fixated on Miers.
And of course he’s got that you’d better tell me everything or I’ll torture you on the floor mentality. It seems to me that he would be an excellent torture expert. If you don’t tell me what I want to hear, you are done for. Schumer like Kennedy is a waste of human flesh.
No matter who a Republican President nominates to fill a vacancy on any court, Schumer, Kennedy, Feingold, Feinstein, and Biden, see it as their personal mission to try to do everything they can to discredit, obstruct, and strike down the confirmation of that nominee. I am convinced that if George W. Bush nominated Anthony Romero to the federal bench, Kennedy, Feingold, and Biden would oppose it. Feinstein is best friends with it, I mean him, so she would break with their pact.
Following that New York idiot came Senator Cornyn and again the decorum returned. He noted how many Senators on the Committee voted against Chief Justice Roberts.
He noted that so many liberal special interests don’t want an impartial Justice. They want Justices who will put forward their agenda. They cannot do it by going to the ballot box, they have to do it in the courts. The Senator said that he wants Justices on the Supreme Court who will not impose his/her personal views on the decision. But adherence to the law.
He addressed the biggest activist position of all, the ability of people of faith to express those views in public. And he related that it wasn’t the intent of the founders to suppress this right. But rather that they intended to not impose a manditory way of worship.
His position in his opening statement is exactly what we’ve been stating here for the past year. We see the incroachement of the Courts on our religious expression rights as an attack on the basic principle of this nation.
Next came the Dick wearing the Turban, I mean Dick Durban who immediately went partisan as all of his cohorts have. Thank goodness he’s the last. Playing up the O’Conner angle again thereby showing his vote. Like we care. All 8 of the Communists, I mean Democrats, were in lock step. They all made the same points, they all said the basic thing, and they are all taking their key off the resident drunk.
The Dick wearing the Turban, I mean Dick Durban, then tried playing the Terri Schiavo card. Like that was an overwhelming Communist, I mean Democrat, victory. They actually see it that way. We reserve the right to kill the innocent, but don’t you dare try to execute the guilty. This is what I mean by hypocrisy.
Senator Brownback before beginning his comments asked that a summery of 4 cases on which Judge Alito made decisions ruling in favor of minorities into the record. It had been alleged by the Drunk that Judge Alito failed to rule in favor of minorities. This is second Senator who countered the comments by the Senate’s resident alcoholic and un-prosecuted murderer.
He then took on the O’Conner test. By pointing out the stupidity of reserving certain seats on the bench for certain ideology. “Seats on the bench are not reserved for special interests.” He made this point by showing the example of Ginsburg replacing Conservative Justice White. And showed a graphic where they ruled opposite of each other in related cases. Cases involving abortion and child pornography.
He then pointed out that abortion is not in the constitution. Stating that the Court ruled in 1973 was based on a false statement. He stated that a whole segment of the population is being reduced because of Roe. Downs Syndrome babies are being aborted. Based on a test which has been wrong often. So many aborted babies because of this test would have been born healthy and disease free.
Senator Coburn opened his statement by stating the benefit of going last is that he had the opportunity of others. He set the point that abortion is the not the right to choose, it’s the right to kill. He should know, he’s a Doctor of Medicine. He gave details that 16 days after conception there is a measured heartbeat. And a few weeks later you can measure brain waves and pain can be felt.
He pointed out the Schizophrenic double standards of decision of the Supreme Court. You cannot claim to care about the underprivileged and other groups when you can advocate the killing of babies. It is a double standard.
He also pointed out that this debate is going to go in all directions but it all comes down to Roe.
The Senator told Judge Alito that he challenges Senator Kennedy’s assertion that he isn’t a man of honor.
The Chair then recognized Senator Lautenburg and Governor Whitman to introduce Judge Alito.
Senator Lautenburg reinforced the heavy responsibility the Senate has in advice and consent. He acknowledged a couple of honorable Justices of the Supreme Court from New Jersey. He then outlined the upbringing and career of Judge Samuel Alito. Senator Lautenburg is a Democrat from New Jersey.
Governor Whitman who immediately recommended Judge Alito for Confirmation. She then acknowledged the Judge’s sister who is an accomplished trial attorney.
She went on to say that her decision to support Judge Alito isn’t based on political ideology, but rather on the ability for him to set aside his political views for the benefit of the law. “We want Justices whose decisions are shaped upon the facts before them and the Constitution.”
“Sam Alito has been a model of an Appeals Court Judge,” added Whitman.
Judge Alito then gave his opening statement after being sworn in by Chairman Specter.
He opened by acknowledging the service of Justice O’Conner. He then expressed his thankfulness to the President for his nomination. Then he thanked the committee for their generosity. He then went on to an anecdote on how he arrived where he is.
He acknowledged the contributions and sacrifice of his parents and related them to the American Dream. He moved on to his childhood and development. During the relation of which, the Communists (I mean Democrats) were struggling to stay awake.
“A judge’s only obligation, and it is a solemn obligation, is the rule of law.” Judge Samuel Alito
“No person in this country no matter how high or powerful is above the law and no person is beneath the law.” Judge Samuel Alito
The Democrats were all Confrontational. The Republicans were all Respectful. And respectful isn’t pandering to his qualifications and not questioning him or raising concerns. But rather in the rhetoric.
Bottom line campers, this is going to be a party line vote. And a filibuster is inevitable. Judge Alito will go down in history as the nominee who sparked the end of the ability for the Senate to filibuster judicial candidates.
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Leahey wasn’t all that civil when he comes out and says that it was unfortunate that the president did not pick a latino,black or a woman. And Biden jumped in on that too.
Quite a speculative piece Gribbit,concluding a filibuster is inevitable. I’m not as sure as you, but I didn’t listen to the whole thing. We’ll see how things unfold.
Christy, I meant that in the tone of the rhetoric. He wasn’t overly confrontational. That got started when the drunk opened his booz sewer.
Senators Graham and Hatch both stated on Fox News Live before the hearings started that they would vote to ban the use of filibusters for Judicial Nominees. This comes out of rhetoric from Feingold and Schumer who have not only hinted at it, but stated that it was likely.
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Debate is fine. We do not need a spelling, sentence structure and punctuation critic!
I will assume that the last comment was made by a moron who don’t like to follow the rules.
I will also assume that my fellow Stop the ACLU family member who edited it took out a comment criticizing stucture and punctuation.
I will address this.
Hey moron, I was writing as these people were speaking. Trying to listen and type. If you don’t like what I wrote, go somewhere else.
I have provided a valid link to a personal blog, as per the rules. Feel free to sully it with whatever nonsense strikes your fancy.
“If you don’t like what I wrote, go somewhere else.”
The mature, confident declaration of a man with an ability to unflinchingly withstand constructive criticism. Or not.
Besides, how do you know whether I liked it or not? My comments were deleted.
I merely pointed out that you misspelled “O’Connor,” which should be fair game since someone in the Kennedy thread was harping on Fat Teddy’s unsurprising botching of “Alito.”
The original link that you provided led to a 404 error page. This one leads to a blog with 1 entry created yesterday. You are going to have to better than that to post comments on my threads. I will be keeping an eye on you. If your blog doesn’t get updated regularly, I start deleting.
And for your information, I didn’t delete your first entry. And it stands, if you don’t like what I’ve written, go somewhere else. This is about what I think, I couldn’t care less about what you think.