By Staff
I can't put my finger on just what it is exactly … but after almost a week of nonstop Senate confirmation coverage of Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor, I think I've developed a bit of a judge-crush.
Maybe it's the fact that her last name sounds like it could be a fabulous restaurant – what do you want to do after work tonight? Drinks at Sotomayor!
Maybe it's her New York roots, a street credential that ensures that she has seen her share of the judicial underworld, the criminal cases, the headline grabbing decisions and the constant battle for balance between life and law.
Maybe it's her outfits.
I really don't know.
But I haven't been this interested in matters of the court since 'Judging Amy' reruns were taken off the TNT morning schedule.
The first round of Senate confirmation hearings such as what Sotomayor has been enduring this week, that I can remember were those of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, otherwise known as 'Anita Hill-Gate.' Controversial, yes. Interesting, not so much. The lesson learned? Sexual harassment is bad – but not bad enough to keep you from one of the highest and most powerful positions in the country.
Good to know (insert emphatic eye roll here).
When Chief Justice John Roberts was chosen by former president George Bush, I yawned at his, quite frankly, creepy squeaky clean demeanor as he flashed sparkling grins at Washington heavyweights who looked down on him with 'good ol' boy' pride. He reminded me of a warped version of a past era. Like he was found in some remote town that hadn't left the ideals of the 50s. All he needed really was a pair of those black rimmed glasses. Critics and media tried to ignite his conservative views on abortion, but what, really, did they expect from a conservative nominee?
Interesting? Not at all. Controversial? Barely. Lesson learned? Was there?
Now we have Sotomayor who, when nominated by President Barack Obama appeared as though she might be soft spoken and humble, but when she addressed eager members of the press and Senate, no doubt drooling with the anticipation of grilling her on every sound bite they could find, there was something secure in her voice, something unwavering.
Or maybe it's this…
The "newyourican" judge of the South Bronx who has decided on cases spanning such subjects as martial arts weapons, affirmative action and major league baseball presented a philosophy that seemed to confuse so many in Washington, it made me nervous.
In response to her comments on life experiences, those southern drawl senators questioning her seemed to stare back at the judge in utter confusion and awkward ignorance…
Kind of like how members of the press were looking at Sarah Palin when she rambled through an absolutely incoherent speech, that made high school English teachers across the country flinch, announcing her retirement only to jump into some baggy overalls and go fishing.
They pressed her to explain the term, apparently as lost on "life experiences" as much as Bill Clinton was on the phrase "sexual relations" and words like "is" and "the."
Personally, I would hate to think that those we, as a country, nominate and elect into office to hop along to Washington and govern don't understand the value of life experiences. Or the point of them.
We rely on our judges to execute the ability to interpret law and apply that law in cases in which it has been thought to be broken. We ask of them to deny their own opinions and their own emotions for the greater good.
But while her culture and her heritage was immediately exploited upon her nomination as just a stereotype – the first latino justice! – she has reminded us all that our culture and our heritage is what makes each of us who we are.
In that knowledge, it is easy to see that if all those involved in these hearings were to be stripped of their titles and their jobs – a person would still remain where Sonia Sotomayor sits, while those looking down at her, might not know who they are.
And the continuous fight over the phrase "life experiences" resonates as I realize that I don't believe I've had enough of them. And just as Sotomayor is unafraid to find inspiration in television, the streets of New York and her parents – maybe with as many life experiences as possible we might just find ourselves with "the determination to defy the odds," as Sen. Al Franken said Wednesday – and unable to forget just who it is we are.
Interesting. Controversial. Lesson learned.