Comments on: I guess it’s time for another look at the identity politics of Justice Samuel Alito http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2009/07/13/i-guess-its-time-for-another-look-at-the-identity-politics-of-justice-samuel-alito/ Pat Cunningham offers an unabashedly liberal perspective on national politics. A note of caution: The language gets a litttle salty on some of the sites to which this blog links. So, don't say you weren't warned. By the way, this blog's name is inspired by the Will Rogers quote, "All politics is applesauce." Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:06:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.4 By: snuss http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2009/07/13/i-guess-its-time-for-another-look-at-the-identity-politics-of-justice-samuel-alito/#comment-19340 snuss Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:57:21 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2009/07/13/i-guess-its-time-for-another-look-at-the-identity-politics-of-justice-samuel-alito/#comment-19340 The important part of Alito's comments is this: "And so it’s my job to apply the law. It’s not my job to change the law or to bend the law to achieve any result." While some cases may remind him of his experiences, he realizes that any personal views MUST, repeat, MUST be kept subservient to the written law. I made this point in our "hate crimes" discussion, that the place for empathy is during sentencing, not in establishing guilt, or the lack thereof, The important part of Alito’s comments is this: “And so it’s my job to apply the law. It’s not my job to change the law or to bend the law to achieve any result.”
While some cases may remind him of his experiences, he realizes that any personal views MUST, repeat, MUST be kept subservient to the written law.

I made this point in our “hate crimes” discussion, that the place for empathy is during sentencing, not in establishing guilt, or the lack thereof,

]]> By: Neftali http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2009/07/13/i-guess-its-time-for-another-look-at-the-identity-politics-of-justice-samuel-alito/#comment-18980 Neftali Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:15:16 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2009/07/13/i-guess-its-time-for-another-look-at-the-identity-politics-of-justice-samuel-alito/#comment-18980 Word choice is paramount here. I can't think of anyone from either side that is opposed to mentioning an upbringing from humble beginnings. The issue falls into establishing gender or ethnicity as credentials or qualifications for the position. Now while Alito did mention being discriminated against for his ethnic ground, he is careful not mention specifics. i.e he made no mention of being Italian. Now, if Sotomayor mentions that being an Hispanic or a Female somehow gives her special consideration, the line is crossed. Hopefully she is smart enough not to provoke such a subject in her hearings. Word choice is paramount here. I can’t think of anyone from either side that is opposed to mentioning an upbringing from humble beginnings. The issue falls into establishing gender or ethnicity as credentials or qualifications for the position.

Now while Alito did mention being discriminated against for his ethnic ground, he is careful not mention specifics. i.e he made no mention of being Italian.

Now, if Sotomayor mentions that being an Hispanic or a Female somehow gives her special consideration, the line is crossed. Hopefully she is smart enough not to provoke such a subject in her hearings.

]]>