DiFi's Role on Judiciary in the Roberts Nomination - Her Opening Statement

[kerrygoddess]

DISCLAIMER - I get that DiFi is not well loved here at DU, but for the Roberts nomination, she is the sole woman on Judiciary and the sole woman defending woman's rights. Her opening statement today was very powerful and I hope people here will respect that...

Dianne Feinstein’s Opening Statement on the Roberts Nomination
Spet 12, 2005

I was able to obtain a copy of Dianne Feinstein’s Opening Statement from her Press Office. As the only woman on the Judiciary Committee, I feel that her opening statement is of great importance to all the women in America, as she alone represents the views and concerns of women in the process of this nomination.

Opening Statement (Prepared Remarks) of Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings Nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to be Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court

Introduction

It is clear that Judge Roberts is brilliant and has a strong legal background. However, as the Senate evaluates Judge Roberts for the position of Chief Justice, I think it is essential to determine whether he will be a leader who can generate consensus and find compromise, as well as embody the mainstream of American legal thinking.


Importance of the Chief Justice

Clearly, to succeed at this enormous charge takes more than a soothing tone and calm demeanor. The person who occupies the seat of Chief Justice needs to see that justice is provided to all Americans –men and women of all races and creeds, rich and poor, weak and powerful, Democrats and Republicans, young and old.

In the new term, the Court will hear cases concerning:

· the standard of review for abortion cases;

· the constitutionality of an Oregon law which permits physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill, but legally competent individuals;

· price fixing between oil companies.

In addition, many other important issues are just over the horizon, including the rights of enemy combatants; the so-called federal “partial birth” abortion ban; and whether Congress has the authority to protect our nation’s environment through legislation. The new Chief Justice will play a pivotal role in directing the Court and in the outcome of these and other future cases.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=525

[eleny]

1. I applaud her for talking about the abortion issue

Now, let's see how she votes. that's the bottom line. She can sink or she can swim with her constituents.

[kerrygoddess]

2. We all need to let her know...

That her voting against Roberts is important. We need to let all of them know.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. did this morning

the aide was very rude and I was about to tell him you work for ME A-Hole! Held my tongue though

[kerrygoddess]

7. Interesting... when I called today

they were very nice. I called DC office.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Wanna take odds on her vote?

I say she votes to confirm

[kerrygoddess]

8. I don't think that any of the Judiciary will pass Roberts

I honestly don't. Especially from I hear from Kennedy.

[ProudDad]

4. I sent her this

Please have Sen. Feinstein read this. This is why we must fight the right-wing with everything we have. This includes opposing Mr. Roberts.

From Bill Moyer's address this week at Union Theological Seminary in New York concerning the theocrat takeover of the republican party:

"As I look back on the conflicts and clamor of our boisterous past, one lesson about democracy stands above all others: Bullies—political bullies, economic bullies and religious bullies—cannot be appeased; they have to be opposed with a stubbornness to match their own. This is never easy; these guys don’t fight fair; “Robert’s Rules of Order” is not one of their holy texts. But freedom on any front—and especially freedom of conscience—never comes to those who rock and wait, hoping someone else will do the heavy lifting. Christian realism requires us to see the world as it is, without illusions, and then take it on. Christian realism also requires love. But not a sentimental, dreamy love. Reinhold Niebuhr, who taught at Union Theological Seminary and wrestled constantly with applying Christian ethics to political life, put it this way: “When we talk about love we have to become mature or we will become sentimental. Basically love means…being responsible, responsibility to our family, toward our civilization, and now by the pressures of history, toward the universe of humankind.” "

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050909/911_and_the_sport_of_god.php

[kerrygoddess]

6. Wonderful!

Thank you! She knows what's at stake. She was awesome today.