I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to be amused...or upset...or just shaking my head at the pathetic. But I think I'll take Door #3, please.
Let me state the foregone conclusion that seems to be getting lost on the punditry, some bloggers, and a few in the mainstream media:
Welcome to the Supreme Court, Madame Justice Sotomayor.
Yeah, you heard me right. JUSTICE Sotomayor. It's a done deal by the August recess...and she'll be confirmed by more than 70 votes.
Let me say again: it's a done deal. That's for all you out there claiming that JUSTICE Sotomayor doesn't have the intellectual chops to be on the Supreme Court...despite the fact your OWN intellectual prowess demonstrates you failed 3rd Grade math.
And really, it's the math that is telling here. And why that whole Arlen Specter (WhateverPartyGetsMeReElectedin2010-Pennsylvania) switch a few months back was a big deal. 58 Senators on the D side, 59 once we get Al to roll into town. Honestly think cloture isn't a freakin' given at this point? That the Maine sisters of Snowe and Collins won't be shutting down debate within minutes of JUSTICE Sotomayor's confirmation vote on the Senate floor?
So, to all the conservatives out there just foaming, fuming, stamping your feet over this appointment: Tough. And get real! What's the old saying? Oh yeah...elections have consequences. Face it, this was the writing on the wall back in November. You knew, I knew it, the whole damn country knew it. You had your fun packing the courts with Federalists and trying to redefine our judiciary over the past 30 years...time's up. Now it's our turn put up a firewall to your revolution, may it rest in peace. If you want to go down in a ball of flames tarnishing an accomplished judge's name, hey, be my guest. That's sure to move the polls for you at least another 5-10 points...in the wrong direction.
And to my progressive friends wringing their hands over the appointment, because JUSTICE Sotomayor may not, in fact, not be Thurgood Marshall reincarnate? Chill. Teh stoopid really, really burns. JUSTICE Sotomayor isn't a wolf in sheep's clothing the way Souter was for the conservatives. In fact, Sotomayor's biggest and more important contribution to the Court in the immediate future is simply replacing Souter's vote on our side of the ball on the critical cases facing the Court. And frankly, that's enough for now.
I seriously don't know how much more manufactured outrage I can take...
especially over something that is a slam dunk.
Welcome to the Court, Madame Justice.