Debate over Sotomayor essential for final decision

June 8, 2009 —

Decision of a lifetime – Whether one supports the president and praises his every move or rejects his stances and purchases a calendar counting down to a November four years in the future, it is guaranteed that the commander in chief will pack his belongings and vacate the White House after eight years. This isn’t the case for a U.S. Supreme Court justice. That’s one decision that can’t easily be undone, which is why thoroughly examining nominees is an American duty.

Gracing front pages and dominating headlines in recent weeks is U.S. Supreme Court justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor, a New York native of Puerto Rican descent whose nomination by President Barack Obama for the lifelong position has turned the federal district court judge into a household name overnight.

Why then are Jon, Kate, and their eight hogging all the readership when the most controversial ruling the pair probably ever made most likely resulted in a timeout and no cookies before bedtime for a week?

Wrongful it would be to accuse every American of being apathetic toward this important nomination, but we as a nation don’t exactly have the best track record, considering our tendency to cast more votes for an American Idol than an American president. Maybe if an NBA official with “I heart LeBron” tattooed on his chest were appointed to ref the finals ‘til death do us part, a few more pens would start moving.

All right, so it’s been established that not every American can probably ID Sotomayor, or any Supreme Court Justice for that matter. But to avoid a worn out, 400+ word wag of the finger, let’s acknowledge those who have a vested interest in the nomination.

If Facebook is good for anything, it’s intelligent discussion. Those who post links to articles on Sotomayor to increase awareness and initiate debate deserve gold stars as opposed to their quiz results-sharing counterparts who are more concerned with discovering the answer to the eternal question: “If I were a sweater, what kind of sweater would I be?”. Kudos to the enlighteners of public discourse, on and offline. You give the average American a better name.

Next, let’s hear it for investigative reporters, political analysts and congressmen and women on both sides of the aisle. A salute to the digger-upers of the dirt? Yes. Because this nomination is far too important to pass without being beaten into transparency. Sotomayor knew when accepting the nomination that every ruling she’s made and sentence she’s uttered would be studied at every angle and be subjected to public scrutiny. Considering the nature of the position — i.e., the whole lifetime membership aspect — this is no time to leave any questions unanswered.

The term “reverse racist” has snuck its way into everyday political diction. A recurring sound byte from past speeches has Sotomayor supporters defending a poor choice of words on the nominee’s behalf, while the opposition worries the judge holds core beliefs that could be detrimental to our democratic law system.

So let’s have this debate. Let’s carefully consider facts and put an end to vicious rumors. When the dust clears, one person will have been appointed. Everything said now will help determine who that person is.