Judges today are expected to uphold those principals, not re-interpret them. They have already been interpreted. The framers of the Constitution laid it all down in black and white. You just have to look at their words. They did not leave wiggle room for subtleties and empathy and diversity of experience. Does this woman think she has more experience than Washington? Than Adams? Than Jefferson? I don’t think so. There is just one experience – The American Experience. It is sheer hubris to suggest these great men somehow missed the importance of taking into account the full breadth of the human condition, and being impartial and dispassionate in the face of that.

She thinks that just because she’s Hispanic, and a woman, the rules are different. If you expect to be a judge here in the U.S.A., you have to follow the rules. The rules don’t change for you. You can’t get all emotional over the way laws are actually applied. You don’t see any other nominee trotting out some sob story about being poor and oppressed, like that makes them a better judge.

Suppose a case came before the court regarding the legal status of tacos? Do you really think she could be fair and impartial? There is nothing in the Constitution about tacos. Washington never ate a taco. Tacos are, in the words of Wallace Shawn, In-con-ceeeevable. The Constitution is taco-blind.

If Obama and Sotomayor have their way, though, it’ll be tacos morning, noon and night.

Palin did that all by herself, just by opening her mouth. Don't even start comparing the two.

But not because of the CIA issue. More because of her capitulating, "moderate" actions.

Talk about a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Little Brother - I assumed chicken is electro.

...that "Cum Laude" was some kinda porno or sumpthin'.

Feel free to cite examples.

"he spent $1,000 on books, quit his second job so he could study eight to 13 hours a day and, because of his dyslexia, hired someone to read him the material"

I'll admit that I know nothing about the socio-economic status of all the parties involved. But I'm white and I could not afford to do all that...Quit my second job, shell out money for private readers and books and tutors.

Could the minorities on the flip side of this case afford to do that? Why not? Could it be that for generations, they got the short end of the educational stick? So now they could not afford to quit that second (or third) job? When did Conneticut allow black people to join the fire department, anyway?

I dunno. I am speculating, and could be totally off base here. But if even partially true, it does point to the continuing need for affirmative action. From birth on up.

I'll say right off that I totally agree with your premise that criticism based on intellect comes from both sides. No doubt about it.

However, the fear is not about intellect - It's about votes. Thomas continues to be a reliable vote for the right. Souter, for example (appointed by Bush I), did not turn out so well for the right.

If you haven't already, check out "The Nine" by Jeff Toobin. Although somewhat slated to the left, he confirms what has been often written - That Thomas is no great intellect - He's a rubber stamp.

As well as the Democrats themselves.

They're like little aborted chickies on the half shell

The reaction was even stronger when those prisoners would, hypothetically, be moved to a prison in the respondent's home state.

And when the question was whether or not to move those prisoners to the spare bedroom, the reaction was even stronger

Here's a question to ask: "Do you think that America has a responsibility to clean up the mess left behind by Bush?" or how about: "Which do you think is more dangerous: A convicted muderer-rapist or a 19 year old Iraqi who has never been charged with a crime?"

The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC last week got the signatures of 329 members of Congress, including key figures in both parties, on a letter calling on the administration to work "closely and privately" with Israel — in contrast to the current public pressure.

Is a great idea. Obama should pull Netanyahu aside, drape an arm over his shoulder, and let him know, in a hushed but stern tone, that Israeli actions are not acceptable, and as long as they continue, there will be no more money, no more military support, and in fact, the U.S. will act to support the Palestinians in the face of Israeli aggression. Then Obama should say "Have a nice day", and back out of the room.

Israel will then have the opportunity to look the hero, by initiating true peace.

Just my little fantasy.

Natural growth is a natural outcome of the natural course of human events. We just grow. There is no stopping us. You cannot get in our way. If you get in our way, you will die from natural causes.

It's only natural.

There are some pretty good modern treatments for OCD these days - You should get yourself some.

Is a financial fruit like a cash cow, but gay?

Not always. Sometimes we call it "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques"