Can Senate Republicans filibuster Elena Kagan?

Elena Kagan has never served on a Bench before, her entire professional background is academia and government, her beliefs are out of the accepted "judicial mainstream"; our Republican allies in the Senate must oppose her Nomination. But, can we successfully filibuster her Nomination in the first place?

Believe it or not, but Senate Republicans have once before blocked an Elena Kagan nomination to the United States Courts of Appeals judiciary. It was back during the Clinton Administration when she was nominated to serve on the District of Columbia Circuit, and Senator Orrin Hatch never scheduled a hearing, effectively ending the nomination process before it began.

Things were different back then: 55 Republicans were in the United States Senate, and control was not an issue, compared to now; only 41 Republicans grace the hall of the US Senate, hurting our chances of filibustering anything, let alone anyone.

What about when she was nominated to serve as Solicitor General, did Senate Republicans put up fight? Yes they did demonstrate substantial opposition to her nomination. But, can we do that again, only this time more effectively? I don't know.

31 Republican Senators opposed her nomination to be Solicitor General back in March of 2009, 6 Republican Senators supported her nomination, and 3 Republican Senators were not present for the vote. All present Democratic Senators supported her nomination, not a big surprise there; as she was confirmed 61-31 in the end.

It's true that the Senate was voting on her Nomination as Solicitor General, and not as a Justice to the Supreme Court. It's also true that Senate Republicans did not have enough votes to block anyone back then, and now they do. However, besides for switching the votes of Senator's Kyl, Coburn, and maybe Orrin Hatch, a enough of our caucus will support her Nomination; unless something drastic occurs between now and then.

In conclusion, Senate Republicans did filibuster Elena Kagan in the past, and Senate Republicans have supported Elena Kagan in the past, but I don't believe they will filibuster her this summer, though they have the newfound power to do so.

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Obama to Nominate 'Apology Czar'

WASHINGTON- Following in line with appointing an internet czar, pay czar, and car czar, President Obama today announced his intentions to nominate a so-called 'apology czar.'

As with other czars, this nominee would be in direct contact with the President, making certain jobs easier. In this case, the apology czar would map out where Obama would go and what he would apologize for.

In a press release, the White House detailed specific responsibilities of this new post: "The man or woman accepted to this position would coordinate proactively with groups that deserve an apology from the United States. Each group can apply for an apology via email, letter, or text message.

"Any people, nation, or ethnic group will be thoroughly investigated to verify what America did to it and when. If it is found that our nation sufficiently hurt or by any means insulted the applicant, a structured attempt to apologize to them will be planned. Regardless of the matter, the President will always apologize in person."

"Things are looking good," said Greg Scott, a secretary for President Obama. "We've already had dozens of requests. I mean, we've got a request from North Korea, Nazis who survived World War II, and poor people who want more benefits."

Speaking to the media on Thursday, President Obama made his case for Henry Harrison, whom Obama plans to nominate. "Henry is clearly the best man for this job," the President began. "He can get on his knees and beg forgiveness. Seriously, he can gravel and kiss ass like the best of them, and that's exactly what we need.

"Can he apologize to Hugo Chavez? No problem. Can he apologize to Mahmud Ahmadinejad? With ease. Heck, Henry here is so good at apologizing, he can apologize to himself!" The crowd at hand erupted in laughter, but fell dead silent when it became apparent that the President wasn't joking.

The nominee is slated to come in front of Congress this coming July.


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Sotomayor: Gun Ownership "Unconstitutional"

Obama's Supreme Pick
Nathan Figler
American News Inc.
May 26, 2009

President Obama has made a bold choice to replace Supreme Court Justice David Souter with Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Ms. Sotomayor, if confirmed, would be the first Hispanic Justice and would be only the third woman on the Court.

Sotomayor's resume is impressive, including a 1993 ruling in favor of a homeless man beaten by NYPD officers and her landmark decision in 2002 regarding terrorism suspects. In that case, she determined that suspects captured on the battlefield must receive all rights afforded to American citizens under the Constitution. Her controversial decision was later overturned by an Appellate Court, but still influenced current policy.

Sotomayor is a graduate from Princeton University, where her legal theses included Race in the American Classroom, and Undying Injustice: American "Exceptionalism" and Permanent Bigotry, and Deadly Obsession: American Gun Culture. In this text, the student Sotomayor explained that the Second Amendment to the Constitution did not actually afford individual citizens the right to bear arms, but only duly conferred organizations, like the military. Instead of making guns illegal, she argues that they have been illegal for individuals to own since the passing of the Bill of Rights.

Ms. Sotomayor's story is certainly one of success over adversity. Despite growing up in the projects, she has risen to become one of the most well-respected legal minds by the American left. Before joining the appeals court, Sotomayor was a legal consultant for the NYCLU.

Even with her meteoric rise, the nominee still believes there is work to do. In a 1999 interview with a local author, Sotomayor stated that she believed that the United States, "...may never truly be fixed. Racism and economic warfare still crush the dreams of countless second-class citizens. The unfair dimensions of our culture are staggering. You cannot succeed if you are born poor; you simply cannot."

The nomination is expected to go before the United States Senate where Republicans may give a strong fight against what may be considered "judicial activism."