The Alito Nomination

Congress recoiled at the nomination of Harriet Meiers to replace Sandra Day O’Connor but that was before Duke Cunningham, Mike Scanlon and Jack Abramoff replaced the Three Tenors as the nation’s top vocalists

Now, Congress is scrambling to control the damage by returning hundreds of thousands of payola dollars to convince us they’re worthy of continuing office and, while Congress sinks deeper into the corruption slime daily, while J.D. Hayworth argues that only $2,250 of the $150,000 he received from the tribes was tainted, while the White House spin machine furiously justifies each and every visit and phonecall with Abramoff‘s clients, while the Justice Department strains to justify the President’s breaking the law, while Pat Fitzgerald continues his investigation of Karl Rove’s role in outing a covert CIA operative, while Scooter Libby awaits trial for lying to a Grand Jury, while Tom DeLay contends he’ll retain his leadership position after he clears up some misunderstandings at home, the Senate is poised to open its confirmation hearings on Judge Samuel Alito.

Many consider this business as usual in the nation’s capital -- lying, corrupt politicians sitting in judgement of another lying, corrupt, spying politician’s nomination and I have to confess, it does appear that Washington has come to that.                 The President's Listening

The Rightwing Media is breathless from countering the “Liberals” charges of improprieties on just about everyone’s behalf, including Judge Alito’s. Even Rush, who’s has weighed in on the unimpeachable moral character of Bush and all Republicans save for a few bad apples, is certifying Judge Alito’s suitability.

I have to agree that there’s overwhelming evidence that Judge Alito meets all the contemporary requisites for a job in Washington -- he has lied in previous confirmation hearings, has worked against programs that remove barriers for minorities and the underprivileged and has not stepped aside in judicial proceedings wherein he had a personal vested interest. In short, he fits right in.

However, if you’re as interested in cleaning up the Washington mess, I’d suggest the rejection of the Alito nomination is a good starting point.

Judge Alito’s record raises questions about his personal commitment to the truth and his professional commitment to impartiality in his interpretation of the law. His record also shows a strong belief in the constitutional supremecy of the Executive Branch -- a plus to supporters of the Nixon and Bush White Houses and, I suppose, even among Rightwing Reaganites who believe in the infallibility of the President.

Though the Constitution establishes three independent and co-equal branches of the Federal Government, Judge Alito is on the record as strongly objecting to "usurpation by the judiciary" of the powers of the president. And, he supports the "supremacy" of the elected branches over the judiciary. Those views were recorded in 1985 and he’s recently dismissed them with, “I was just a 35-year-old seeking a job," in the Justice Department. However, five years ago, in an address before the Federalist Society, Judge Alito’s endorsement of presidential power and his criticism of the Supreme Court for undermining it made it clear that his philosophy hasn’t changed since 1985.

Despite documentation to the contrary, Judge Alito has offered no explanation for touting his membership in Concerned Alumni of Princeton which sought to discriminate against the enrollment of female, minority and handicapped students at the university, nor has Alito or the White House offered a convincing explanation for his ruling on a case before the 3rd Circuit Court in which he had a financial conflict of interest -- despite Alito’s assurances during his confirmation proceedings that he would recuse himself in just such a matter.

In spite of his professed “absolute impartiality“, as a 3rd Circuit Court Judge, Alito has consistently sided with the government against its citizens, even when his fellow judges have told him he was off-base.

Elaborations on these issues are all over the Internet and I’d urge you to read them. Then email Senator McCain and Senator Kyl and let them know how you want them to vote.

This is YOUR first opportunity to begin the cleanup in Washington!