Offering constructive criticism to the social cripples in our midst since early 2005.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Too stridently right. Too many speaking engagements at federalist societies.

He's old, though, so Dems might be less strenuously opposed than to a 40 y.o.

[Spanky]

Ten Democrats voted for CAFTA. Good for them. Shows that DLC is stil kicking. However, since only 44 Republicans voted for the pact that means over ten were traitors. Anywhere know where I can find who the traitors are.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8424884/

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Originally posted by Spanky
Ten Democrats voted for CAFTA. Good for them. Shows that DLC is stil kicking. However, since only 44 Republicans voted for the pact that means over ten were traitors. Anywhere know where I can find who the traitors are.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8424884/

Karl Rove is a traitor.

Oh, you mean senators....

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Originally posted by Spanky
Novak doesn't want Gonzales. Maybe that is a good thing:

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/r...20050627.shtml

I am mystified why anyone would give a shit about anything that Novak has to say. He's a pompous, lazy, ill-informed, arrogant, semi-literate, self-promoting windbag. When he was teamed with Rowland Evans, the pair was widely known as "Errors and No Facts". If he's against Gonzales I say let's elevate the Hispanic Inquisitor tout suite.

[Spanky]

From the DLC


THE NEW DEM DISPATCH, July 01, 2005
Political commentary & analysis from the DLC =============================================

Idea of the Week: Avoiding a Judicial Armageddon

As Americans prepare to celebrate the values they share on
Independence Day, the sudden retirement announcement by Supreme
Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner has launched into motion a series
of events that could produce one of the most polarizing and
paralyzing political fights in recent memory.

O'Conner has been generally viewed for years as the "swing vote" on
a divided Court with respect to a wide array of issues. As a result,
conservative activists will view her retirement and replacement as a
once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Court and thus, U.S.
constitutional law. But the main reason her retirement could touch
off a judicial Armageddon is simple: O'Conner's adamant refusal to
countenance any revision, much less reversal, of Roe. v. Wade, the
decision which established a woman's constitutional right to choose.

By most accounts, there are only three current justices --
Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas -- who would likely support a full
reversal of Roe. But replacing O'Conner with a reliable anti-Roe
justice might lead to some revisions of the decision, and would
likely put the Court just one vote away from the fateful step to
overturn basic abortion rights. After years of being fed symbolism
and empty promises by a series of Republican presidents, the anti- abortion movement and the Cultural Right generally will without any
question view this appointment as the day when the bill comes due
for their faithful support of the GOP. And for the same reason, pro- choice advocates, will fight any appointment designed to undermine
Roe with equal tenacity.

Given the fact that the U.S. Senate nearly ground to a halt earlier
this year over Republican efforts to outlaw filibusters of Court of
Appeals nominees, there's not much doubt a Supreme Court-shifting
appointment would pretty much overwhelm every other issue in
Congress, and indeed, in the political world generally, until it is
resolved one way or another.

There is one, and only one, person who can prevent this judicial
Armageddon: George W. Bush. By the simple expedient of replacing
O'Conner with a moderate-to-conservative justice who's not
determined to undermine or overturn Roe, Bush could defuse the
crisis and give Washington a fighting chance to spend the remainder
of this year dealing with a large array of national challenges from
winning the peace in Iraq to reducing the budget deficit. Without
question, taking this step would absolutely infuriate the Cultural
Right, but it would almost certainly be met with relief and
gratitude by a majority of the American people. As a second-term
president, Bush is ultimately free to do the right thing regardless
of the pressure he's under from conservative ideologues.

It would be highly appropriate on this Independence Day for the
president to declare his own independence from those in his party
who want this fight, and who would sacrifice an already fragile
sense of national unity without a second thought.

One thing is clear. This appointment will enable the president to do
what he so often promised to do during his first campaign: "change
the tone in Washington." He now must decide whether he wants to
change it for better or for worse.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
Why not go with a moderate pick that is acceptable to everyone?

Rip? Rip, is that you? Wake up, Rip!

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
Why not go with a moderate pick that is acceptable to everyone?

ROFLMAOOOFLMFAOFLL!111

[Replaced_Texan]

If any one of you refers to me as "old ranching girl" or "simple cowgirl" when talking about my long and distinguished career, I'll bitchslap the hell out of you.

From today's AP - two stories of reactions to O'Connor's retirement, from the President and from members of Congress. I am struck by two of the public statements:

"For over 23 years, Justice O'Connor has been one of the Supreme Court's finest justices. As the first female justice, this simple cowgirl from Arizona has been a trailblazer for women and rightfully earned her place in history. She has served with distinction and dignity." - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

and

The president spoke with O'Connor before he appeared in the Rose Garden to express appreciation for her 24 years of service.

"For an old ranching girl, you turned out pretty good," he told O'Connor, who grew up on an Arizona ranch. But it was an emotional call, McClellan said. He quoted Bush as telling her, "You're one of the great Americans" and "I wish I were there to hug you."

After talking with O'Connor and before going to the Rose Garden, Bush held a meeting with senior advisers to talk about the selection process. The meeting included Cheney, Miers, Lewis "Scotter" Libby, the vice president's chief of staff, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and Counselor Dan Bartlett. Chief of Staff Andy Card participated by telephone from Maine.

"We have had a plan in place ... just in case there was a vacancy," McClellan said.

Without even touching on what a demon's league that list of advisors is, it strikes me as condescending to refer to her as an "old ranching girl" or a "simple cowgirl." She is a 75 year old woman with a brilliant mind who has had one of the toughest jobs in the nation for decades. They wouldn't call Rehnquist or Scalia an "old country boy" publicly, would they? They seem almost amazed that a woman had the drive to do as much as she did. I think it's insulting to think that a woman couldn't. And regardless of her gender, this is a jurist with incredible capabilities and intellect (even if I don't agree with her conservatism, I respect someone who can do what she did for so long). Doesn't she deserve a better public send-off than comments that peg her as less than she is?

Grrr. Makes me want to throw things.

And the first one to tell me that I'm cute when I'm angry will be the first one to be hit.

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
If any one of you refers to me as "old ranching girl" or "simple cowgirl" when talking about my long and distinguished career, I'll bitchslap the hell out of you.

Grrr. Makes me want to throw things.

And the first one to tell me that I'm cute when I'm angry will be the first one to be hit.

Can we comment on the fact that you were quite a piece of ass in a leather bustier?

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
If any one of you refers to me as "old ranching girl" or "simple cowgirl" when talking about my long and distinguished career, I'll bitchslap the hell out of you.




Grrr. Makes me want to throw things.

And the first one to tell me that I'm cute when I'm angry will be the first one to be hit.

The reason why they used that phrase is because that is how she refers to herself. She likes to say, isn't America great, I rose from being an Arizona cow girl to the highest court in the land. When I heard her speak she referred to that a few times. And yes, I have heard this kind of phrase used many times to compliment people of achievement, including men. "He was just a poor farm boy and now look where he is... etc." It is meant as a compliment, so pull that PC overly sensitive stick out of your derrier.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
If any one of you refers to me as "old ranching girl" or "simple cowgirl" when talking about my long and distinguished career, I'll bitchslap the hell out of you.




Grrr. Makes me want to throw things.

And the first one to tell me that I'm cute when I'm angry will be the first one to be hit.

huh? you'll be the "beaner who made good."

in context, aren't they just saying she went from some humble beginnings to a pretty impressive place? And I do think they'd (Bush, i really don't know Frist's speaking style) say something like that for a man who grew up on a ranch. You have enough to get bugged about re. Bush, you shouldn't go looking for more.

[Replaced_Texan]

From the folks who brought you SCOTUS Blog: SCTNomination Blog

On the right there's Confirm Them

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
From the folks who brought you [url=http://www.scotusblog.com/movabletype/]SCOTUS Blog[/urlSCTNomination Blog

They should've introduced a low cut robe 20 years.



ain't no reason now. ruthie can't fill it out.

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
If any one of you refers to me as "old ranching girl" or "simple cowgirl" when talking about my long and distinguished career, I'll bitchslap the hell out of you.




Grrr. Makes me want to throw things.

And the first one to tell me that I'm cute when I'm angry will be the first one to be hit.

You would prefer "reverse cowgirl"?

TM said something on the FB the other day about people who don't think racism exists anymore. This is a good analogue re: sexism. Wasn't O'Connor offered positions as legal secretary rather than associate after she graduated from law school? How infuriating to read such comments about her on her retirement. I don't care if she refers to herself as an Arizona cowgirl, it's demeaning for Frist and Bush to say that. Maybe it wouldn't be if the makeup were 7 to 2 the other way.

And Hank, the "humble beginnings" thing isn't all there is to those comments. It's just.plain. different. from calling Bush a "simple cowboy." and not just because he's not that at all.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Spanky
Novak doesn't want Gonzales. Maybe that is a good thing:

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/r...20050627.shtml

Interesting. I really think Bush is cognizant of his dad's fuck ups and doesn't want the shitty milquetoast legacy of his dad and as such will be cognizant of the Souter trap.

I wish the age thing was a block for them, as I think Olsen would be good. I would also be happy to see a U/Chicagoer. Epstein or Posner (hi uknowho!). Although I know that won't happen.

I was sort of pro-Gonzales, but this sort of gives me pause:

"he could not bring himself to support parental notification on the Texas Supreme Court. While he professes to be anti-abortion, he maintains Roe v. Wade is inviolable -- a judicial version of John Kerry's formulation."

The first sentence is where the pro-choice crowd totally loses me. the second sentence I find problematic because the bottom line is its a poorly crafted opinion and shouldn't be inviolable on that plank(ton) alone.