Why is it when a liberal interprets the law, it's painted as interpreting the law; when a conservative interprets the law, it's painted as advancing his political beliefs? I was personally disappointed to see Lambda Legal again attacking a Supreme Court nominee because he is a Bush nominee. Just as they did against Harriet Miers (and boy do they wish they had HER back!), they're buying advertising online to fight the nomination because he was nominated by President Bush.
They cloak it in the notion that Alito is trying to advance his political agenda. They go through decision after decision that Alito was a part of, attacking him for concluding a position contrary to their own. It's this same self-righteous liberalism that continues to push the middle of America away from our causes. It's this "you're either with us or you're against us" mentality that has fractured this country. I'd bet anything they didn't say Ruth Bader Ginsburg was politically motivated when she was nominated.
If they want to attack the guy for his positions, that's fine. I can respect that. But, to disguise it in this notion that he is too political for the position is absurd. If you don't like the way he thinks, just say so - don't go after his integrity as a judge.
I can't tell you what motivates Samuel Alito to make his decisions, but neither can they. He says he tries to interpret precedent and the U.S. Constitution. Given that he's going to be confirmed by the Senate (a committee vote looms), it certainly seems that a majority of Senators (including many Democrats) believe him. I just wish liberal-gay-rights groups like Lambda Legal would stop trying to say they know what motivates Alito and everyone else in this country. Their constant insistence that everyone is politically motivated speaks more about their own motivation than anyone else's.
Most gay groups are driven by the supreme hatred of one man George W Bush. They are blind to anything good that could be achieved by him or his appointees. I read in a recent poll 54% of Americans said the Alito should be nominated and only 30% said he shouldn’t. Why then do the democratic members of the judicial committee who insist they speak on behalf of 50% of the American people refuse to vote for this man? The only answer can be blind hatred. Americans are tired of the antics of manic hot heads like Howard Dean, Al Gore and Ted Kennedy. They want a solution. Although they might not always agree with the solution of the President at least he seems to offer one. Liberal gay groups can whine and stomp their feet all they want - meanwhile the right wing continues to lead this country. Watch as they take over many of the institutions that make this democracy great. You would think after five years liberal groups would figure out that America doesn’t want their anger. America continues to want the solution of George W Bush.
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | January 24, 2006 at 01:39 PM
Does it ever bother you to hold the left to different standards than the right? Do you really want Alito on the court? Or do you just want to bash liberals because it gets your rocks off? It's unfortunate that someone who has the capability to be so much more thoughtful uses his blog to bash the very organizations that fight for his rights without even a shred of analysis. Should Lambda Legal be patting Alito on the back instead? What's your argument here exactly? Why do you write this blog?
Posted by: Breathe Deep | January 24, 2006 at 09:45 AM