It’s always a great day when women are able to advance to positions of power in this country. But no one should advance just because they have two X chromosomes.
The debate raging today was whether President Obama’s decision to pick Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice Souter on the Supreme Court was merely based on how empathetic she would be because she’s a woman, because she’s Latina, because she grew up in the Bronx projects.
But few are debating her judicial record, which will be, after all, what we’ll all care about if she’s confirmed.
I’m all for women climbing the ladder of success, but just as many of us are angry that women don’t get jobs because of their gender, we should also not accept women advancing just because they are women. That’s definitely not fair to men, and I’d even argue it ultimately won’t be fair to women if individuals who don’t have the chops to do a job land a gig because of any reason other than competence to do that job.
Does anyone remember Harriet Miers?
Don’t get me wrong, it sounds like Sotomayor is indeed qualified based on my quick read of her record.
We just need to be debating her record mainly. That doesn’t mean we won’t be dancing in the street celebrating the confirmation of another female on the highest court in the land. Let’s just be dancing to the tune of the real deal and not some Milli Vanilli.
What’s your take? Should we just be advancing women because they’re women? Have women been screwed for so long that it’s the only way to level the playing field? Would a women justice be more empathetic to women’s issues? Is that a good thing for someone who should be interpreting the law for all?
May 28th, 2009 at 3:03 am
To declare the gender of the Honorable Judge Sotomayer as the relevant factor in her nomination is a far better conclusion than almost any other factor. You could say she is a ‘Latina’ as much as you and the obviously eager media want to. She is as American as I am. As far as her ‘Bronx projects’ background, this conservative Republican will tell you as sure as I am an American thank God for Republicans who believe that we are indeed all equal and if we WORK hard enough, anyone can accomplish anything in our great nation.
You brought up Harriet Miers. Frankly, the Honorable Sotomayor has far more experiece at being impartial. This is truely the most significant qualification. If the Democrats are seeking a liberal nominee, this would be contrapuntal to Judiciary branch. Harriet Miers was a very weak candidate for several reasons. Ms. Miers was not in the appellate court system as a Judge. If I recall correctly, there were absolutely no decisions written by Harriet Miers. This could have been an intelligent, almost diabolical move on the Bush administration to have the Honorable Judge Alito nominated and appointed, rightfully so in my opinion.
Another factor you have not considered, yet,is that she is a divorcee with no children. The media would be more emphatic if she had children. The media would praise her as being that much more of phenomenal choice.
Quite frankly, as conservative as I am, and I make Rush Limbaugh look and act like a fat Ted Kennedy(Limbaugh is an idiot and speaks for very few true Americans), I am inclined to actually praise this nomination.
This again illustrates what is right about my generation that I share with President Barack Obama. President Obama is not my first choice for President. I did not and will not vote for him. However, I do see and do understand the ‘ME” generation values and morals that are strong within those of us born after 1960. That sounds odd, however, we were able to see the mistakes our previous generations made mostly because it was recorded so accurately and so distorted so often. However most of it was recorded either by voice or video, so the distortions were not as relevant to us. THat is why I say, with so much technolgy, recording our shortfalls and our greatness our children will be the greatest of generation and will be more united. Again, I am not a strong supporter of most of what our President does or perhaps will do. However, like any one else, President Obama will do good and the next Republican President will fix it.
If the Honorable Sotomayor is is indeed a successful nominee, this will not be a mistake. She is an American Judge who is more of a common sense jurist as opposed to an emotional jurist. This does not necessarily contrast the current Supreme Court Justices.
The absolute truth is that the greatest Supreme Court Justices are not and will not be coerced by any one group from any political or private party of supporting or opposing views. There would be no need for such a judicial body as important as the Supreme Court. Sincerely Judge Sonia Sotomayor does have the experience of being impartial. Her gender is only significant to those who believe she cannot be impartial. If it were any other scenario, then you, Eve, and every woman in america would have extraordinary praise for the late , great former President Ronald Reagan. He was impartial and he was that much more extraordinary. Then again, who am I? Some day, perhaps the intelligent President Barack Obama will recognize he is in the same party of Jefferson Davis. I know, if it is negative then no one wants to hear it.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:15 am
To argue that the selection of this candidate was not, from the political perspective, influenced by race and gender is naive. That said, the question should be whether or not she is qualified to hold the post now that she has been nominated. My gut tells me that this nomination has more to do with political maneuvering than it does with any issue regarding race or gender equity.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am
@Hikindtick:
My friend, I ask why? It is certainly political perhaps from the point of opposition. As it stands, Congress may not be as impartial and that is where politics will play a role. Conservative or Liberal, what exactly disqualifies her?
May 28th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I’m not suggesting that she is not qualified. My point is this: no matter the motivations of the one who made the nomination, if she is qualified, then she should be approved.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
(@ HikingStick…
‘'’To argue that the selection of this candidate was not, from the political perspective, influenced by race and gender is naive.”’
Honestly, I have to argue that very point. In my opinion, it is a clear decision by President Obama based on more of a decisive criteria. To be quite honest, the latin or hispanic heritage in this country is absolutely one of the largest non-white sectors in America. I’d further declare that people of hispanic heritage has indeed been ’shut out’ sort of speaking, by the media from almost as long as we have been independent as a nation.
So much of our American heritage is influenced by Latin-American culture to begin with. I say these things because this has been my opinion for so long. It is part of my generation to sincerely look past so many things such as race, gender, and national origin. I do as a matter of simple confidence and a real feeling that there are far more good people in this world than bad people and I champion the best in the human race. The world is not falling apart. So much in this world is far more encouraging. This all sounds naive. Yet, how could we as parents not be so encouraging, so optimistic about our world.
I believe strongly that society will adapt to all things. Furthermore, YOU are society.
May 29th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I share your agreement that all cultures have much to offer our society. Where I believe our views diverge is in that I do not trust that a majority of actors within our government make their decisions solely based on such noble ideals.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Robert, sometimes I wonder if you and I should collaborate on a cable-access opinion program. I’m pretty sure we’d be entertaining!
May 29th, 2009 at 10:23 am
You might be onto something. I think a lot of people tune in to CareerDiva to read you guys.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
LOL–If it weren’t for you, Eve, Robert and I would have nothing to banter about.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Indeed that would be quite an extraordinary exchange of ideas. Our beautiful and laudatory jounalist, Eve, is most assuredly the very best reason for such banter.