Maureen Dowd: What A Wise Latina Knows About "A Gaggle Of White Republican Men"

New York Times:

You can't judge a judge by her cover.

Despite the best efforts of Republicans to root out any sign that Sonia Sotomayor has emotions that color her views on the law, the Bronx Bomber kept a robotic mask in place.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[DoTheMath]

This is one of the best Dowd columns I have ever read. The description of Palin as a country-music queen without the music is priceless.

[Two Cents]

V. nice piece by Rabbi Michael Lerner at http://www.tikkun.org/article.php/20090513110338623 titled "The Democrats - Blowing It Again."

[BambooHarvester]

Wilburrr ... Do you think she carries a switchblade ?
~

[scottyknows]

Considering the borderline psychotic way Democrats acted toward the last few GOP Supreme Court justice nominees, they have nothing to complain about.

Reap what you sow indeed.

[SharpDressedMan]

I was impressed and pleased by Sotomayor's refusal to allow herself get boxed in by trick questions. Trick questions are a lawyer's trick so they are understandable. I am just glad she didn't fall for them.

[blacknow]

Maureen Dowd is confused. Since the election of Obama she has lamented the lack of a post-racial reality. As if this ideal was a good thing. Apparently she has failed to recogniz that the questioning of Sotomayor's identity by Republican senators is part of the post-racial process. It asks that we sacrifice our "experiences" to get ahead.

Here take a look: http://blacknow.org/blog1.php/2009/06/08/post-racial-racism-don-t-feel-don-t-tell

And remember: We're All Black Now ...

[GrainOSand]

I
“I will say then, that I am not nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters of the free negroes, or jurors, or qualifying them to hold office, or having them to marry with white people. I will say in addition, that there is a physical difference between the white and black races, which, I suppose, will forever forbid the two races living together upon terms of social and political equality; and inasmuch as they cannot so live, that while they do remain together, there must be the position of superior and inferior, that I as much as any other man am in favor of the superior position being assigned to the white man.”
--Abraham Lincoln as recounted by Stephen Douglas

[Wydia]

Even a great man can make a mistake. And jeez, look at who is telling you what Abe said.

[LaFilleEnRose]

In listening to this very thoughtful jurist, I realized that the GOP has focused on the wrong element of her statement about being a wise Latina and how that might make her a better judge. They have taken that to mean that she'd be "empathetic" to other Latins or women, etc. In other words to make her prejudiced for or against things outside of the facts of the case. But it just could have meant that her particular strict upbringing -- reflecting the values of her family and experience -- provided her with the broad-based qualities that it takes to be a judge. Diligence, persistence, clear-thinking, an ability to analyze a situation to see if blind prejudice of others is hiding the truth in any given situation. Rather than showing prejudice.­..perhaps she means she can detect when it's a factor. She's certainly shown that she is determined get at the facts -- all of them -- in order to render judgment. I am not Hispanic but whatever it was that they were learning in that household has made this woman one of the purest judges of information that I've witnessed in a long time. And I suspect that, in fact, her personal experiences as a Latina may make her, indeed, particularly ready for our highest court of the land.

[SharpDressedMan]

Well said.

The attack tactics are part of the adversarial relationship the Republicans have with the Democrats. It's a shame because they should all work for the common good.

The Republicans are derailed almost distraught with the quality of Sotomayor. They were hoping to tear her reputation to shreds but can't. Senator Sessions found out the hard way. Senator Graham is licking his wounds off camera.

Sotomayor was right about being a woman and of Latin origin allows a different perspective on judging. That's not necessarily prejudicial but some Republicans took a defensive stance to make a mountain out of a molehill.

[peacegurl48]

Si se puede! She is far from robotic; she is thoughtful, intelligent and cool (like our POTUS). If I ever doubted that we are a racist country the GOP has given me a reality check. As a Black/Latina it has been painful to hear the demeaning way that this accomplished woman is being treated.

So different when you think of the way we are all to treat that flower of womanhood, Palin!

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

As a person with a soul, it's been painful to hear...

[barackobama4prez]

Co-sign. I wouldn't say it's been painful. i've been pi$$ed about it. These guys know she's the wisest, best put-together person in the room [plus we all know she will be confirmed] and their nastiness is completely unnecessary.

I feel the same way when Barack and Michelle Obama are the subjects of basesless attacks based on skin color. But I figure if Barack, Michelle and Sonia...al­ong with millions of Americans they represent.­... can get up the next day and come back stronger, wiser, harder, fiercer...­.then I can, too!

[lovethesinner]

Dowd: "Senator Graham said Sotomayor would be confirmed unless she had “a meltdown” — a word applied mostly to women and toddlers until Mark Sanford proudly took ownership of it when he was judged about the wisdom of his Latina woman."

I just have to say it. I've never read anyone who can paint so many accurate portraits in a single sentence as Maureen Dowd.

[Wydia]

You got it!

[whitehawk]

Why is the Republican white man, scared of other races???? Afraid of being a minority???? They do look soooooo fooolish!!!!

[ItHadToBeSaid]

. . . Because equality and a level playing field necessitates the abolishment of the "Perks of wh. ite Privilege" which has been their way of life since birth.

[BlueDog1]

And then then they had 15 neo-con senators in 2009......­..........­.........

[whitehawk]

There were not many Republicans on any day of Sotomayor's hearings, that were unbiased or unprejudice toward this 'wise latina woman'. I am appalled at their childish, arrogant, dumbed down accusations and inferances of who she is and what she believes. In fact, it really touched on nothing to do with record, all about personality and 'empathy', race and 'exceptionalism'.

Prejudices are a kind of emotional learning that occurs early in life, making these reactions especially hard to eradicate entirely, even in people who as adults feel it is wrong to hold them.

Interpersonal Intelligence is the ability to understand other people; it is a correlative ability, turned inward. It is the capacity to form an accurate, veridical model of oneself and to be able to use that model to operate effectively in life. Not many of the Republican members of the Judicial Commiittee.

They attempted to hijack her emotionally, she held strong. I am proud of her. Oppression is part of their game, but they looked 'wicked' and unintelligent.

[Rosewren]

It seems the Republicans wish to rule from ignorance and only on emotions. She seems like the adult in the room.

[ignoranceequalsfear]

I have listened to nearly the entire hearings of the last 3 judges nominated (including Sotomayor).
I can say that most of the Republicans are having a "meltdown.­"

They sound childish, spiteful, disrespectful, intellectually challenged in their basic understanding of what they are asking, let alone her responses, and mosty completely fear-based.

They are truly hurting their own Party and themselves.

5 words for them: You reap what you sow!

[Greywolf Borealis]

She has consistently shown that this "wise Latina woman" is much more intelligent than that gaggle of white senators. ¡Ustedes, van mujer!