[speechlesstx]

(1) Independence of judgment presupposes freedom of thought.

The constitution trumps independence of thought.

[NeedKarma]

The constitution trumps independence of thought.

That not the intent of the statement. I read "Independence of judgment presupposes freedom of thought" to mean letting go of your biases.

[Wondergirl]

The constitution trumps independence of thought.

You'd better read the posted statement again -- and think about what it says and means.

[speechlesstx]

For both of you since you don't seem to get it, the reasoning Wondergirl posted is just a bunch of philosophical mumbo jumbo. Independence of thought is great and empathy is a wonderful thing, but in the legal system they are all subject to a standard, the law. In this case that standard is the constitution of the United States, which is not a living, breathing, malleable to your feelings or mood document, nor is it subject to international law. It is the supreme law of this land. The ONLY relevant thing here is the constitution. Checkmate.

[excon]

The ONLY relevant thing here is the constitution. Checkmate.

Hello Steve:

I again, state that the right wing Supreme Court Justices have the same bias and empathy that ANY HUMAN INDIVIDUAL has. Their empathy, however, lies with the cops.

It's PROVABLE. I can bring up case after case, as I've done before, and I'll do again, if these right wingers keep insisting that THEIR bias is Constitutional - cause it AIN'T.

What WOULD be cool, is for them to admit that ALL the rulings that have ever been, and ever will be, has been based upon A HUMAN INTERPRETATION of the law. When HUMANS interpret the law, the PUT their own experiences into the decision. Right wingers ARE humans, are they not?? Don't answer that.

excon

[NeedKarma]

Nah, I hang around judges and lawyers. Your constitution or stated laws do always not cover all situations, that why judges write *judgements* and they include verbiage that include their interpretation of situations.

[Wondergirl]

For both of you since you don't seem to get it, the reasoning Wondergirl posted is just a bunch of philosophical mumbo jumbo. Independence of thought is great and empathy is a wonderful thing

Tsk, tsk. AGAIN, you did not track well when you reread my post. It's "independence of judgment," not "independence of thought." And isn't your hope for "independence of judgment"?? Seems like that's what you've been saying.

[speechlesstx]

Right wingers ARE humans, are they not??? Don't answer that.

Most of us are indeed human, yes. Ex, I don't deny we all have biases but that has no bearing on my point which is there is an ideal we should seek in a justice, impartiality, and a standard they are subjected to, the constitution. No?

[tomder55]

All I am hearing from the Right is that Sotomayor wouldn't rule fairly because she would be empathetic. Tell me I'm hearing wrong. (Empathy does not make one partial.)

I don't know what you are hearing from someone else My Concern is that she proclaimed more than once that she would make "BETTER" Decisions because of her ethnic and gender experiences . That is rubbish and even Obama claims she misspoke.

[speechlesstx]

Tsk, tsk. AGAIN, you did not track well when you reread my post. It's "independence of judgment," not "independence of thought." And isn't your hope for "independence of judgment"???????????

You can't argue my point so you nitpick, well done.

[Wondergirl]

You can't argue my point so you nitpick, well done.

Nitpick?? Big difference between those two terms -- independence of thought and independence of judgment and how they relate.

[scott_1976]

For both of you since you don't seem to get it, the reasoning Wondergirl posted is just a bunch of philosophical mumbo jumbo. Independence of thought is great and empathy is a wonderful thing, but in the legal system they are all subject to a standard, the law. In this case that standard is the constitution of the United States, which is not a living, breathing, malleable to your feelings or mood document, nor is it subject to international law. It is the supreme law of this land. The ONLY relevant thing here is the constitution. Checkmate.

The constitution is a joke in the federal goverments eyes now can't you see? Our rights and freedoms are stolen everyday and most people turn a blind eye or even favor losing them! I for one am becoming very ashamed of this country and the ignorant masses so willing to give up freedom to feel that they are secure. Land of the free no longer are we!

[cozyk]

The constitution is a joke in the federal goverments eyes now can't you see?? Our rights and freedoms are stolen everyday and most people turn a blind eye or even favor losing them! I for one am becoming very ashamed of this country and the ignorant masses so willing to give up freedom to feel that they are secure. Land of the free no longer are we!

Give up our freedom? No longer the land of the free? I haven't felt any of that. The only lack of freedom I've seen are the people trying to rid us of "freedom of choice" and that freedom for any two consenting adults to marry thing. That is taking freedoms away right there. And don't throw the old gun control thing at me. Gun control is not gun banishing.
It's gun good sense. gun good judgment, it's keeping guns out of the hands of idiots that have shown to be a danger with a gun.

[scott_1976]

Give up our freedom? No longer the land of the free? I haven't felt any of that. The only lack of freedom I've seen are the people trying to rid us of "freedom of choice" and that freedom for any two consenting adults to marry thing. That is taking freedoms away right there. And don't throw the old gun control thing at me. Gun control is not gun banishing.
It's gun good sense., gun good judgment, it's keeping guns out of the hands of idiots that have shown to be a danger with a gun.

Their was murder long before guns but the second amendment is long gone so why bother. As for "freedom of choice" I am not against abortion but I don't like it when people try to pretty things up. Abortion is killing an unborn baby plain and simple. When a pregnant woman is killed and her "fetus" dies as well, the killer can be charged with two homicides. If a girl goes and gets an abortion she is not killing, she is practicing her "freedom of choice", both babies are dead no matter what you call it. Call it a fetus instead of a baby, call it "freedom of choice" if that is what makes you sleep at night. I really don't care who wants to marry who, I for one think marriage should be purely spiritually and the government has no place in it. Government is to big!

[Wondergirl]

Give up our freedom? No longer the land of the free? I haven't felt any of that.

You haven't flown anywhere and seen your manicure kit and makeup bottles thrown into a bin because you might overwhelm the flight crew or build an explosive in the plane's bathroom? You haven't seen old people in wheelchairs made to stand up and/or painfully take off (and have to put back on) their shoes because the heels might be packed with explosives? No terrorists were ever arrested, but tons and tons of passengers were inconvenienced and even shamed. Meanwhile, the door between the cockpit and passengers sits blithely open during a flight.

[scott_1976]

You haven't flown anywhere and seen your manicure kit and makeup bottles thrown into a bin because you might overwhelm the flight crew or build an explosive in the plane's bathroom? You haven't seen old people in wheelchairs made to stand up and/or painfully take off (and have to put back on) their shoes because the heels might be packed with explosives? No terrorists were ever arrested, but tons and tons of passengers were inconvenienced and even shamed. Meanwhile, the door between the cockpit and passengers sits blithely open during a flight.

Said perfectly!

[speechlesstx]

Nitpick???? Big difference between those two terms -- independence of thought and independence of judgment and how they relate.

I stand corrected Wondergirl, feel better? Forgive me for typing from memory instead of copying and pasting my thoughts.

[scott_1976]

"It's about a new politics – a politics that calls on our better angels instead of encouraging our worst instincts" --Barack Obama

Obama is no better or worse than Bush... they are liars plain and simple. They will sell the future of your children, grand children, and great grand children to get what they want!

[cozyk]

You haven't flown anywhere and seen your manicure kit and makeup bottles thrown into a bin because you might overwhelm the flight crew or build an explosive in the plane's bathroom? You haven't seen old people in wheelchairs made to stand up and/or painfully take off (and have to put back on) their shoes because the heels might be packed with explosives? No terrorists were ever arrested, but tons and tons of passengers were inconvenienced and even shamed. Meanwhile, the door between the cockpit and passengers sits blithely open during a flight.

Oh yes I have. I've flown a good bit. I know why we have to take precautions, I know the guidelines for what you can carry on the plane, and I've never had anything thrown out. Since 9/11 we have had to be more careful about assuming that everyone that gets on a plane is just there for the transportation. I would rather be inconvenienced and be safe. Imagine what a supposedly wheel chair bound passenger could smuggle on board.
I don't see this as a lack of freedom, just a necessary evil.

I can't speak to the cock pit door being wide open. I haven't seen that, but maybe I missed it. At least we know now that if someone did get to the cock pit, their choice of weapon would be severely limited.

[cozyk]

"It's about a new politics – a politics that calls on our better angels instead of encouraging our worst instincts" --Barack Obama

Obama is no better or worse than Bush....they are liars plane and simple. They will sell the future of your children, grand children, and great grand children to get what they want!

That's the most ignorant thing I've heard in quite a while. Seems like you hate this country. Why don't you just leave.