My 2009 "McLaughlin Awards" [Part 1]

Chris Weigant, 12.25.2009

Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

Welcome once again to our year-end wrapup and awards ceremony. Honesty dictates that I immediately genuflect to The McLaughlin Group, from whom I hav...

Fashion Students Design Robes for Sotomayor

Stephanie Green, 10.13.2009

Staff writer and columnist for The Washington Times

We tapped some local fashion designers and high school students through our friends at Fashion Fights Poverty (FFP) to produce sketches for Justice Sotomayor to consider.

Breaking the Gender-Merit Link

Nancy Hopkins, 11.22.2009

Amgen, Inc. Professor of Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When someone suggests gender diversity as an asset of a job candidate, the reply is often "Oh no, I'm only interested in merit." Yet name some other quality needed for the position, and the idea of merit is assumed, not questioned.

Justice Ginsburg's Advice to Sonia? Shop in Europe!

Stephanie Green, 11.14.2009

Staff writer and columnist for The Washington Times

Although Justice Ginsburg gave her new friend on the Court a white collar worn by female justices, she explained that Justice Sotomayor is going to have to go across the pond to do her robe shopping.

The Republican Death March on Health Care

Susan J. Demas, 10.20.2009

Syndicated columnist, political analyst and mlive.com blogger

Thanks to the town hall turmoil from bigots, birthers and assorted miscreants, Republicans can savor a sugar-high on health care -- a decadent and ultimately short-lived victory.

Justice Sotomayor, Justice Scalia and Our Six Catholic Justices

Geoffrey R. Stone, 09.28.2009

Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law at the University of Chicago

Does the religion of the justices in any way matter to the business of the Supreme Court? During Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, her faith was largely backgrounded, as if being Latina matters but being Catholic doesn't.

Now It's Cool To Be a "Wise Latina Woman" (in Small, Medium, or Large)

Marlene H. Phillips, 09.20.2009

Professional writer, political observer

If it has the phrase 'Wise Latina Woman' on it, it's selling like hotcakes. Bumper stickers, note cards, women's undies, dog jerseys -- and for the men, a 'My wife is a Wise Latina' shirt.

Dumb Is the New Smart

Dave Astor, 09.18.2009

Award-winning columnist for The Montclair (N.J.) Times

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, "It's the simplicity, stupid!" One reason why extremist Republicans have way more clout than their numbers deserve is tha...

Whether Gates or Health Care, Race Matters

Abby L. Ferber, 09.17.2009

Scholar and Author

Discussions of race are not merely a distraction from more important matters; they are essential to understanding political mobilization around many of the significant policy issues facing us today.

Another Blow To White American Lunatics

Stu Kreisman, 09.16.2009

Emmy award winning writer-producer and author.

Having just accepted the best golf player in the world is an African American, now the winner of one of the four "Majors" tournaments is Korean, which will drive the Lou Dobbs division of the wing nut association crazy.

The Language of Paying Respects: The English-Spanish Connection at a Chicago Business Who's Who

Esther J. Cepeda, 09.13.2009

Opinion journalist and an expert on the issues of U.S. Hispanics/Latinos

I'm not a fan of pandering for pandering's sake, but someone addressing you with words they're unfamiliar and maybe a little uncomfortable with shows not only respect, but warmth.

Sotomayor, Obama, and the Looming Republican Race Problem

William Bradley, 09.13.2009

California-based Political Analyst NewWestNotes.com

The "Manchurian Candidate" fantasy is alive and well in Republican ranks. And is it a long-term problem that they are largely opposed to the first black president and first brown Supreme Court justice?...You bet.

What The Presdient Was Thinking While Giving Out Those Medals Of Freedom

Duncan Quirk, 09.12.2009

Writer, stand up comic, and video guru living in New York City. He also works for Smile Train

Justice Sotomayor: Thurgood Would Be Pleased

David Jones, 09.12.2009

President and CEO, Community Service Society of New York

The balance of the Court didn't shift with the new appointment, but I'm certain that the new Justice's life experience, outstanding scholarship, and hard work will have a powerful impact on the Court for the rest of my lifetime.

Ode to the Purple Senator: Lindsey Graham, Republican, South Carolina

Lanny Davis, 09.11.2009

Lawyer and partner, the Litigation Group

Mr. Graham is truly a rare politician: someone who can maintain his conservative principles but still reach across the aisle to find common ground, even, at times, with liberals like me.

The GOP's 'Wise Latina' Problem

Dolores Huerta, 09.10.2009

Co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America.

The Right never expressed disapproval over rulings by Scalia and other conservatives who concur with Sotomayor, underscoring how disingenuous attacks by the NRA and its allies have been.

Sonia and the Supremes

Shawn Healy, 09.10.2009

Managing Director and Resident Scholar at the McCormick Freedom Museum

Given the alignment of stars in Sotomayor's strive for the Supremes, her sterling resume made confirmation all but inevitable.

What Affirmative Action Babies Can Give Back

Natalie Holder-Winfield, 09.10.2009

Diversity Lawyer

Too often, those of us who have benefited from affirmative action forget how and when to give back.

Sotomayor Puts Dent in Glass Ceiling

Tim Giago, 09.09.2009

Founder, Native American Journalists Association

Perhaps it will be a cold day in hell before a genuine Native American ever reaches the rarified air of the U. S. Supreme Court.

Sunday Roundup

Arianna Huffington, 09.08.2009

This week, Paula Abdul's Idol journey ended, Sonia Sotomayor's SCOTUS journey officially began, Michael Jackson moved closer to posthumously setting a new record for most autopsies, and Bill Clinton added another line to his resume: superstar envoy. In the battle for the most cringe-inducing quote of the week, Ryan O'Neal staked his claim to the title with his admission that he hit on his daughter, Tatum, at ex-wife Farrah Fawcett's funeral, while George Bush scored major points with his 2003 assertion, newly revealed by French President Jacques Chirac, that he wanted to invade Iraq to thwart Gog and Magog, the Bible's satanic agents of the Apocalypse. Filled with libidinous fervor, O'Neal wanted to bed his kid. Filled with religious fervor, Bush ended up screwing us all.

Mel Martinez and the Last Nail in the Republican Diversity Coffin

John Ridley, 09.08.2009

Emmy-Winning Commentator and Writer for Esquire

Martínez's move can been seen as another accomplished person of color flipping a metaphorical middle finger at all the Republicans have devolved into: The party of the "angry white voter."