Posted on 07/17/2009 5:04:40 PM PDT by knarf
Good Afternoon to All:
The following is a letter I felt compelled to send to my Senators regarding the Sotomayor nomination.
A. If you agree with these statements, please contact your senators and let your opinion be expressed.
B. If you disagree with this, please contact your senators and let your opinion be expressed.
In a perfect world, I would hope the Senators vote against confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the High Court. Alas, this is NOT a perfect world and I fear the judge will, in fact, be confirmed. At least I can have a sense of satisfaction from expressing my concerns and providing the basis for them to the elected officials who have been charged with the responsibility of safeguarding our republic.
As many have expressed over the past months, "We call, we write letters, and still the beat goes on!".
The following is a letter I felt compelled to send to my Senators regarding the Sotomayor nomination.
A. If you agree with these statements, please contact your senators and let your opinion be expressed.
B. If you disagree with this, please contact your senators and let your opinion be expressed.
In a perfect world, I would hope the Senators vote against confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the High Court. Alas, this is NOT a perfect world and I fear the judge will, in fact, be confirmed. At least I can have a sense of satisfaction from expressing my concerns and providing the basis for them to the elected officials who have been charged with the responsibility of safeguarding our republic.
As many have expressed over the past months, "We call, we write letters, and still the beat goes on!".
.Dear Senator (Shaheen / Gregg):
In a Foreword to the 2007 book, The International Judge, Judge Sonia Sotomayor says it is worthwhile to “learn from foreign law and the international community when interpreting our Constitution…” She also says it is important to “learn from international courts and from their male and female judges about the process of judging and the factors outside of the law that influence our decisions.”
Sotomayor recommended The International Judge as a resource “of the politics and pragmatics of developing an international rule of law and of institution-building and offers some captivating portraits of the pioneers who work tirelessly to bring these institutions from their incipience to their maturity.” The “institutions” she refers to are “young international courts” and “international tribunals.”
Just two months before being tapped to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, Judge Sonia Sotomayor indicated she considered the rulings of foreign and international courts as persuasive when interpreting the U.S. Constitution. She would even look to public opinion polls of "the world community" to guide her thinking. That's what she told the Puerto Rican chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union this April. Judge Sotomayor informed the island's assembly of lawyers that it is perfectly proper - indeed, laudable - to cite foreign and international law to determine what American law means. "International law and foreign law will be very important in the discussion of how to think about the unsettled issues in our own legal system," she declared.
She went on to align herself with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg in "believing that unless American courts are more open to discussing the ideas raised by foreign cases, by international cases, that we are going to lose influence in the world." (Speaking at Ohio State University , Justice Ginsberg had recently alleged - and lamented - that the Supreme Court's influence around the world had waned. She attributed this to its failure to regularly utilize foreign law in its opinions. "You will not be listened to if you don't listen to others," Ginsberg admonished.)
During her confirmation hearing, Judge Sotomayor referred to the Constitution as a guide. I was taught that the U.S. Constitution is THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND.
Judge Sotomayor’s stated position that the U.S. Constitution is in need of foreign or international rulings in order to determine the meaning of American law makes the Constitution subservient to the international rule of law. Although I believe her opinion of the Constitution has disqualified her from the High Court, the safeguard for our nation is the U.S. Senate. Judge Sotomayor has demonstrated BY HER OWN WORDS that she cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of making judicial rulings based upon THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND – The United States Constitution. Could Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice one day look favorably on imposing international law on Americans?
I respectfully remind you of the oath you took upon entering the United States Senate:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
You are now being called upon to act in the best interest of our country. Please do not let us down.
Respectfully,
Sorry to be so negative, but. Chances this letter will be read by staff: 30%. Chance this letter will be read by the Senator: 0%. Chance this letter will be responded to: 20%
Sorry.
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