Posted on 09/16/2005 7:42:21 AM PDT by nwrep
Sykes, Diane S.
Born 1957 in Milwaukee, WI
Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Nominated by George W. Bush on November 14, 2003, to a seat vacated by John L. Coffey; Confirmed by the Senate on June 24, 2004, and received commission on July 1, 2004.
Education: Northwestern University, B.S., 1980
Marquette University Law School, J.D., 1984
Professional Career: Law clerk, Hon. Terence T. Evans, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1984-1985 Private practice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1985-1992 Judge, Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin, 1992-1999 Justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court, 1999-2004
Race or Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
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STATEMENT OF NATIONAL ABORTION FEDERATION ON JUDGE SYKES:
The National Abortion Federation opposes the nomination of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Diane Sykes to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The Seventh Circuit covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Diane Sykes' statements and actions as a judge raise serious questions about her ability to fairly adjudicate questions of reproductive rights that will come before her.
Before joining the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Sykes served as a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. In 1993, Sykes presided over a case stemming from a protest outside of a Milwaukee reproductive health facility. Two protesters blocked access to the facility by binding their legs with welded pipes to the front of a car and had to be removed by firefighters with blowtorches. They were charged with disorderly conduct and found guilty.
Sykes chose to sentence the defendants to 60 days in jail, thirty days short of the maximum available penalty, despite the seriousness of their actions.1 More disturbing were her comments to the defendants at the sentencing:
"I do respect you a great deal for having the courage of your convictions and for the ultimate goals that you sought to achieve by this conduct."
She also characterized their actions as "positive efforts" and called their motives "pure."2 In response to recent questions of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sykes amazingly stated that the defendants were "not violent, assaultive, or threatening."3
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Diane Sykes says Holy Spirit must be part of life
MILWAUKEE — In an address to the St. Thomas More Society Feb. 20, Judge Diane S. Sykes shared a personal experience, which went beyond secular law to that of Christ’s law. Sykes, who was appointed last fall to the U. S. Appeals Court, Seventh Circuit, which includes Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, spoke after the annual Red Mass to members of the legal profession.
I like her. She would absolutely be filibustered. Let's get in Priscilla Owens. When Ruthie is gone, Diane can replace her.
Well, nothing not to like here, so far and she's only 48.
IIRC Thomas was 45 when he was appointed.
I hope GWBush chooses a person to be a good ACTIVE originalist vs just some woman lawyer.
I have found even a conservative woman lawyer has a bit of a feminist streak. (ie conservative but member of some leftist women lawyer association which advocates quotas)
all I am saying is qualifications FIRST, we do NOT want another O'Connor or Ginsberg.
Sykes is a great darkhorse candidate. I'm afraid that Brown, Stein, Clement, et al. are too exposed. A filibuster is almost a given with them. Sykes might be a better gamble...
Sorry - I meant Edith JONES, not "Stein"...
I don't think Ruthie will retire until a Democrat is in office.
"A filibuster is almost a given with them."
Great! That's what I want so Lindsey Graham and Mike Dewine can back out of their compromise, like they said they would if the fillibusters start again.
I'd prefer Priscilla Owen to Edith Jones because the Dems may have some legitimate ammunition (e.g. "sleeping lawyer" opinion) against Jones.
I still prefer Brown. I don't care about the threat of a filibuster. The republicans need to remember that we are in charge and we will be the ones reminding them.
"I don't think Ruthie will retire until a Democrat is in office"
No, she will die.
"I don't think Ruthie will retire until a Democrat is in office"
No, she will die.
Just what I was thinking. Rehnquist wasn't going to retire, either.
The SCBP (Supreme Court Beauty Product) will soar when she replaces Ruthie.
I like Maura Corrigan from Michigan. Former Michigan Chief Justice, appointed by Gov. Engler. True conservative, Catholic, and the gay rights people hate her.
I like Justice Sykes a lot. I had the chance to meet her on several occasions when she was on the Wisconsin Sup. Ct., and she is truly a genuine woman and very intelligent. However, she does not have the credentials for the job. Plus, she will get nailed over her law degree. Marquette isn't even considered the "better" of the two law schools in state of Wisconsin.
ummm...and don't forget that she used to be married to Charlie Sykes - Milwaukee's right-wing morning talk show host.
I just spoke to one of my young jurists (just graduated from DePaul) who will some day serve on at Federal court level, or court of appeals the following canidates are his choices for open USSC seat.
We agree it will be female. I personally do not think it will be the Atty Gen'l. He has too much administration smell to be selected. If the Atty Gen'l is selected in my opinion he will be cannon fodder for a 2nd choice female canidate.
His comments
I like Diane Wood – out of 7th Circ. Texas alumn. Great antitrust jurist. If not Posner or Easterbrook, then Wood. But, Sykes seems good, too. Haven’t really read any of her opinions.
Very good point;
I have found that virtually ALL women lawyers have that trait.
That should not be a surprise.
I think Ann Coulter may disagree with that.
That is why I said VIRTUALLY all. Nothing is 100% we are all more than our gender, race, etc.
You are confusing qualifications with political philosophy. Both Ginsberg and O'Connor were qualified to sit on the SCOTUS. The problem is that they are on the wrong side of most issues.
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