âFor today, the women of this Nation still retain the liberty to control their destinies. But the signs are evident and very ominous, and a chill wind blows.â — Justice Harry Blackmun, New York Times, April 7, 1994 on the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services decision
Today a hurricane forced wind has hit us head on. It is sad sad day for many of us, whose rights will soon be trounced by the new majority of the Supreme Court. The delicate balance of the Court has now been tilted to the right and I fear what this means for our future, and our children’s futures.
I am currently watching the Senate vote for Judge Samual Alito’s confirmation to serve in Justice O’Connor’s place on the Supreme Court. 85 of the 100 Senators have voted already, with 54 Senators voting for confirmation. Shame on Democratic Senators Byrd (D-VA), Johnson (D-SD) and Nelson(D-NE) for voting for a nominee who goes against core democratic beliefs and will limit personal liberties. I also am disappointed with Judiciary Chair, Republican Sen. Spector who has historically been a strong proponent of a women’s right to choose. In committee, Spector tossed softball questions at Alito, and then voted along party lines to confirm him.
Judge Alito developed the nickname “Scalito” for a reason. When he takes Justice O’Connor’s place as the key swing vote on the Court he will will without a doubt rule against a women’s right to choose, and once again allow school prayer and vote to allow the President unlimited executive power. He has a history/record as a circuit court judge of ruling on these issues in an activist manner. In Casey v. Planned Parenthood Alito ruled that a woman could not end a pregancy without her husbands consent. When this case reached the Supreme Court, Justice O’Connor and the majority ruled that spousal consent was unconstitutional and a burden on pregnant women.
His record shows that he is a Conservative judical activist who now will have the swing vote on the Supreme Court. He will be voting along-side Thomas and Scalia and I now strongly fear the decisions that will be made on cases that are set to appear infront of the Court. As I sad before, this is a sad day for our country and our individual civil liberties, particularly a women’s right to choose.
the vote isn’t actually happening today – Senators are just announcing their positions. According to the NYT, there will be a cloture vote (to end debate) on Monday – that’s where a filibuster would happen, if it happens (not looking likely), and the vote to confirm will be on Tuesday.
It is very rare for Senators to change their votes after they have publically made statements for or against confirmation. So with 54 Senators stating in session that they would vote to confirm, even if the 3 Democrats who crossed party lines switched their votes there would still be a majority to confirm. There is no doubt that Alito will be confirmed. Unless there is a fillibuster, which Kerry has been trying to get that off the ground. As for whether or not it is gonna happen . . .one can hope. But, the Republican leadership has firmly stated that they would pull the “nuclear option” if Democrats tried to fillibuster Alito or any other Sup. Ct nominee.
If every time Dems want to use it the Reps pull out the nuke option, fine, use the filibuster and let them do it. I am guessing it will backfire on the Republicans, personally, because the polls (as I recall) show a majority of people want the minority party to have the ability to check the other party.
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Let ’em do it, then break all hell loose in the media (as much as the media allows) on how the Repubs are out of control.
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Because the filibuster is totally useless if you never pull it out in fear of losing it.
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I hope Kerry succeeds, it’ll be the first thing he’s done in a long while that I will be really proud of. I hope it’s not just a stunt. Maybe he knows something we don’t…
This is yet one more, of many, example of this administration’s complete disregard for the direction of this country and the desires of its people. Let’s look at the voting of the judicary committe…10-8. Exactly on party lines. And, the sad thing is, this administration will tout this confirmation as bi-partisan because of the three democrats who support the confirmation. I’m sorry, but when you nominate someone for a lifetime tenure to the highest Court in the land (the ONLY Court that represents a check on Presidential authority) you should have a VAST majority of votes in favor of confirmation. That’s me being idealistic, but that’s also me being an American with a great deal of faith in our constitutional principles. I hope Kerry tries a filibuster even if the Reps will override it. It will send yet another strong message as to how this administration has not only alienated the rest of the civilized world, but also most of its own country as well. I think as Dems it’s our job to make sure the message gets out.
Even if the fillibuster is overridden by Republicans by votes or the nuclear option it is important not to “go quietly into the night.” Not to sound cliche or anything, but we can’t not put up a fight, especially when we know what Alito could do with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.