Have you written yours yet? These letters
do affect public opinion, especially if there's a lopsided ratio in favor of one side or the other. We need to show our Democratic senators that they will be supported in a filibuster.
This is 343 words, which is a bit long, but within my local paper's limit.
(letter in the extended copy)
Senate confirmation hearings begin this week considering Samuel Alito, President Bush's choice to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Alito is the wrong choice to succeed Justice O'Connor because of his outrageous views on privacy, civil rights, and executive power. He also lacks credibility as he tries to distance himself from past statements.
For example:
- In 2004, Alito would have authorized the inappropriate strip search of a 10-year-old girl (the girl was not a criminal suspect). Thankfully, he was writing in the dissent.
- In 1985, Alito proudly touted his membership in the "Concerned Alumni of Princeton", a group that opposed admission of women and minorities (barring that, they favored a quota system for males). Now he claims "no recollection" of membership in the organization.
- When he was confirmed in his current post on the Third Circuit, Alito pledged that he would recuse himself from cases involving Vanguard mutual funds. He broke that promise, and ruled in favor of Vanguard in a civil case.
- Also in 1985, Alito wrote the government "should make clear that we disagree with Roe V. Wade". However, nearly 70% of those surveyed in a Wall Street Journal poll felt that Alito should not be confirmed if he would vote to make abortion illegal.
- Alito's approach to executive power is troubling. He once argued that the Attorney General should enjoy blanket immunity from lawsuits, including lawsuits arising from the illegal wiretapping of American citizens.
To my conservative friends who were outraged (as I was) at the Kelo eminent domain case, please take a look Alito's record. He has a pattern of favoring state and economic interests over those of ordinary citizens in his rulings. I doubt he would have a problem with the Kelo decision.
The stakes are very high. By replacing the moderate Justice O'Connor with an extreme right-wing ideologue, Bush will tip the court dangerously against many of the freedoms we hold dear. Please call Senators Gregg and Sununu today and let them know that you oppose Alito's nomination.
What do you all think? This should be published tomorrow.