Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Now Senator, remember that RI is unique and diverse in it's citizenship. Some people may feel as you do about what you call "the Roberts right-wing flank'' of the high court for its decisions on abortion, gun rights and other issues, but not all feel that way. Some of us are a bit more conservative than you, but by no means are right wing exremests. There can be some middle ground
But you represent all Rhode Islanders, not just those that have one point of view. Your harsh words are uncalled for and by bashing a sitting Supreme court justice who is not involved in these Judiciary hearings at all, you show how much of a lemming you really are. Too bad we have to put up with your whining BS for 6 years. Shame on RI voters.

But Whitehouse has no problem with the left-wing of the court, how it decided there was a constitutional protection for abortion. I guess he doesn't consider that made up. And what is Whitehouse talking about gun rights, he doesn't even know what gun rights are. Too him gun rights are the government's right to take them away. I guess he disagreed with Hellar. Why bother having hearings when they already have their mind made up?

Bravo to Sheldon Whitehouse for a superlative performance. He balanced the annoying and unduly harsh remarks of all the Republicans on the committee. His articulate and poignant comments were in stark contrast to the trite and often confusing double talk of the Republicans who seem to favor twisting the law when it suits their viewpoints, but not for those whose opinions are not the same.

The hearing clearly demonstrated the closed mind of all the Republicans and their hypocritical views like "we believe in the rule of law" and then look the other way when Dick Cheney breaks the law. It just confirms that Conservatives are hypocrites in everything that do; on family values as their leaders engage in extra martial sex, on compassion for their fellow man as they regularly vote to cut key programs, and on and on.

It's amazing how liberals like Mr. Whitehouse think that no one else can have or expound a belief unless it is in accord with his own. Silence, silence those who don't agree with your socialist agenda. Silence morality at all cost, heh, Mr. Whitehouse and friends?

Shelly,

She is a racist! You support terriorst! You both need to go away.

"The Roberts Right-Wing Flank?" Hilarious! That must be part of Hillary's "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy." Like Whitehouse and poster Richard, Democrats and Liberals, in particular, don't deal in facts, they deal in perceptions. Richard makes the claim that Dick Cheney "breaks the law" but refuses to specify what law he has broken. I'm guessing his response would be "well, you should know what law! We all know what law!"

I love how Sheldie claims the "Right-Wing Flank" has disregarded womens' health while by banning late-term abortion. Ridiculous! How about the baby's health, Sheldie?

But no fear Sheldie, the lemming Rhode Island electorate will continue to vote the likes of you in idiots that they are.

Hey, Kilroy. Cheney broke the law on torture and lied about it and now he has been caught in a covert CIA action which had no federal authorization granted by his office other than the non legal delegation from Georgie, the Boy Emperor.

But more important, Kilroy, you are so typical of right wing wackos with your closed-minded opinions. It not only what they believe but HOW they believe that makes this an apt description of you and them and this is apparent in all they say; their attack on Sotomayor, their criticism of President Obama, etc. The close mind person is one who has difficulty in separating the message from the authority. Obama derives his authority from his mandate election to the Presidency as a Democrat. Right wing wackos reject this authority and therefore, reject everything he says or does. They make this rejection without even bothering to carefully read or listen to the actual Obama position.

The close-minded persons also show no ability to differentiate the views of people who hold belief systems contrary to theirs. This is particularly shown in posts here, where anyone, for example, criticizing Cheney, Republcans is labeled as a "liberal" lumping everyone who is left of center as being all "liberals".

At the same time, the close mind shows little differentiation of views within their own belief systems. Hence, you are either for against Sotomayor, it's black or white in their world. Dogma is their refuge because that's the standard response to the "threatening" world they see.

Studies have shown that being close-minded can also be found in those on the left, but the characteristic is found most often on those of the conservative persuasion.

Finally, being close-minded is contrary to creativity; the two behaviors are mutually exclusive which explains why conservatives over the last 80 years have produced very little innovation in government.

Look for yourself in these words, Kilroy. You are as old fashioned as your screen name.

Senator Whitehouse was not "silencing" his Republican colleagues, he was responding to them when it was his turn to speak, and adding his own views. There are these rules in the Senate, that the members get to take turns speaking, and stuff. And they get to ask witnesses questions, too. It is pretty neat, like in a democracy.

I get the feeling that if Charles Manson was chosen, the Rhode Island democrats would nod, and give their tribal approval just the same, praising Obama for a such a diverse choice.

I read Whitehouses comments, and I was right. About gun rights he had issue with the Courts findings, saying it was a declaration of gun ownership rights the court had not decided in over 200 years. So he doesn't believe you have the right to own a gun. He apparently doesn't know what the "right to keep and bear arms" means.

Kilroy - you paint with such a broad brush. Not fair and you're not correct either.

What an unqualified embarrassment Mr. Whitehouse is! He came across as a sniveling, snarky, petulant spoiled brat who has been feeding at the public trough his entire life. The sole purpose of the Supreme Court is to interpret the Constitution as it was originally written, not determine how one would like it to read through the prism of one's own experiences. That's what's at stake here. Originalists vs. activists, and the writings of Madison and others leave absolutely no doubt about the role of the Court. It must be an EQUAL branch of government, not superior. That's why this nomination is so important. Whitehouse needs to go. Right wing flank? What a fool.

hey shellie is it ok if the repubs. bring sotomayers family to tears during these hearings.? leahy shumer and the rest of that LEFT LEANING FLANK had no trouble brining MRS. ALIOTO TO TEARS.

Politics does seem to bring out the ugly in people. White men have an inherent preference for other white men as colleagues. It's outmoded and elitist in a world comprising all races and both genders. Let all views be represented. America is the melting pot. There are American experiences women have that men just don't. Justice is for all.