Kerry: American People Must Know Roberts' Record on Civil Rights

[Mass]

Let's compare Kerry and Byrd. Not a surprise to me, but it could surprise more than one on GDP.

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=241368

On civil rights record, questions can't be answered without documents

Washington, D.C. -- As the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings on Judge John Roberts to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, and news reports today indicate that materials on the Roberts' civil rights record may be withheld from Congress, Senator John Kerry issued the following statement:

"Our country has traveled an incredible journey in the fight to guarantee civil rights to all Americans. From the days when Thurgood Marshall took Brown vs. the Board of Education to the Supreme Court through the present, an important part of this battle has taken place in the federal court system. The American people should know whether John Roberts will protect their consitutional rights if confirmed as a Justice to the Court.

I hope that both Judge Roberts and the Bush Administration will release all documents related to his professional record, including memoranda written during his time in the Justice Department. These documents should be released to the Congress in their entirety. The Senate has a challenge to meet its constitutional responsibility in the months ahead, and we can not do our duty if either Judge Roberts or the Bush Administration hides elements of his professional record. The Senate,and the American people, need to know the truth about Judge Roberts' record to make a proper judgment."

[JohnKleeb]

1. The way some people are talking, theyre acting like all dems caved

Kudos to Kerry, I agree wholeheartily with his approach to Roberts. I like the Thurgood Marshall reference too, my favorite SC justice.

[Mass]

2. There is a thread on GDP where people confuse Senators present

in the hearings this morning with Senators active on the Rove and DSM issues.

Also funny is that they blast the DLC while they say that Dorgan is great.

[JohnKleeb]

3. Its funny

Dorgan's very underrated, great guy though.

[globalvillage]

4. I just wish someone

would point him and Levin to a good stylist.
It's not like they can't afford a decent haircut.


Just sayin.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Dorgan wears a rug

I believe, so thats probably why, thank god I got Kerry like hair hahhaa.

[globalvillage]

6. Well, he should have had it professionally installed.

It looks awful.

[JohnKleeb]

7. Ha do I look like I determine that?

[Mass]

8. Here is another statement by Kerry about the death of Arthur Fletcher

I dont have a link. This comes from the congressional record on the senate website. It is only relevant because he was the father of affirmative action.

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, we should all take a moment today to honor the life and the work of Arthur Fletcher. Considered ``the father of affirmative action,'' he advised four Presidential administrations and never missed an opportunity to advance the interests of underserved people throughout the Nation. Today, Mr. Fletcher is being laid to rest, after a distinguished life of public service.

As an affirmative action supporter, Mr. Fletcher identified with Abraham Lincoln's legacy and felt that in order to make the greatest changes he needed to work from inside the political system. He was appointed by President Nixon to be the Assistant Secretary of Wage and Labor Standards. From this position, he developed ``the revised Philadelphia Plan'' which became the blueprint for affirmative action plans, creating a framework for employers to use in hiring. He continued to advise three more presidents: He was the Deputy Urban Affairs Adviser for President Gerald R. Ford, an adviser to President Ronald Reagan, and the Chairman of the Civil Rights Commission between 1990 and 1993. During his service in these administrations, Mr. Fletcher never shied away from addressing the most challenging opposition as he worked to expand equality and opportunity.

Mr. Fletcher is probably best known for the phrase, ``a mind is a terrible thing to waste'' which he helped develop while serving as the executive director of the United Negro College Fund, however his influence was more far reaching. For example, Mr. Fletcher personally helped finance the lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which successfully sought to desegregate the Topeka public school system.

His interests seemed to know no bounds as he played football for the Los Angeles Rams and then became the first African American player for the Baltimore Colts. He ran for high public office, including President of the United States in 1996, always to advance the virtues of affirmative action.

As a lifetime advocate Arthur Fletcher himself was a story of affirmative action, not only working for the advancement of others but blazing a trail for others to follow of hard work and determination. His contributions to American society have benefited millions and raised the lifestyles of African Americans and all traditionally underserved people across our country. His family can take pride in the great strides that our country has made as a result of his hard work.

My deepest sympathy goes out to his three children, his many grandchildren, and of course his wife Bernyce Hassan-Fletcher. His legacy lives on in all of us who believe in the struggle for racial and gender equality and who continue to fight for equal opportunity for all. He will be greatly missed.

[JohnKleeb]

9. Thats a great statement

Mr. Fletcher was a republican I know but he was a great man, proof that athletes arent just mindless jocks but thoughtful people, Fletcher lived an amazing life, I read that he was in General Patton's army in the second world war and was decorated, he also wasn't afraid to be critical of his own party too, he once said that Reagan was the worst president on civil rights. He was also of course the father of affirmative action which is a good thing, AA's a hard topic to debate for me but I can see the merits in it for sure.

[politicasista]

10. Nice statement

I remember JK saying during the BET interview last October that he practices Affirmative Action. At least he knows about the issue while Zippy and people like SC Justice Clarance poo-poos it.

[sandnsea]

11. Fascinating

One of those ashamed to be white moments, I wan't familiar with this gentleman and I most definitely should have been. This is a patriot.