Today, President Obama announced his nominee for the Supreme Court: Sonia Sotomayor. Of Puerto Rican descent, she was raised in a housing project in the South Bronx before going to college at Princeton and to law school at Yale. Her father died when she was nine years old and her mom worked full-time as a nurse, while raising her two children.
I don't know about you, but I'm really excited about this nomination for a few reasons: First, between Michelle and Barack Obama, Kathleen Sebelius, and Sonia Sotomayor, working moms -- or people raised by single, working moms -- are in positions of power in never before seen numbers! Secondly, for the past three years, there's only been one woman (one woman!) serving on the Supreme Court. And, if confirmed, Sotomayor will be only the third (the third!) woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And, third, Sotomayor will be the first Latina (the first!) to serve on the Court in United States history.
The National Women's Law Center released a statement after Sotomayor's nomination, detailing the importance of this nomination for women everywhere. Check it out here.
Later this summer, the US Senate will be voting on whether or not to confirm Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice. When that time comes, check back here for information about contacting your Senators. Remember, your opinion counts!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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A Letter To Justice (Sotomayor)
“…. An ordinary person, blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences” was a portion of your very own definition of yourself during your ever so eloquent acceptance speech with President Obama. Never, in my wildest dreams, would I believe that, as I stood before you during my oral Argument, that we shared such similar life experiences; both minority, women, raised in housing projects in New York, rising out of poverty and into prosperity; beating the odds and achieving the American dream through hard work, perseverance and the love of mothers that raised us, both, to be proud strong women.
Yet, as I stood, proudly, before you on that cold winter day in November, 2000 in the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, addressing numerous and detailed questions from 2 of your colleagues (Hon. Amalya Kearse and Hon. Robert A. Katzmann), I wondered why you were the only Judge that never uttered one word, nor question regarding my case Boone v. Jackson et. al. Were you that much brighter than the other 2 judges; or had her mind already been made up prior to taking your seat on the Appeals Court Panel!
Well, after hearing you, proudly accept the nomination to the Supreme Court, I began to question whether your words “I strive never to forget the real world consequences of my decisions on individuals businesses and government.” actually reflect your actions and should this be an issue addressed during your Confirmation inquiry?
For, these words, surely, do not reflect the actions you and these Judges took in deciding on fact issues and ruling against me and for your peer, Judge George Daniels of the 2nd Circuit District Court; or do they?
Despite your and your 2 colleagues’ admitting of the fatally and legally flawed Summary Judgment dismissal of my case by Judge Daniels you upheld his original decision.
Each and every legal issue ruled upon by Judge Daniels, I proved, without a law degree, was fatally flawed. Yet, you upheld his legally flawed original dismissal and dismissed my case, which cost my family and me over $100,000.
To “strive” is equivalent to a “try”…it is nothing but a failure. Therefore, in retrospect, perhaps your words do reflect your actions…you like many of your Colleagues throughout the Circuit Courts and Courts of Appeals throughout the nation, have failed and have, simply forgotten, in your own words the “real world consequences of your decisions on Individuals” (not businesses or gov’t). …Individuals whose creative works are stolen by multimillionaire defendants; resources which render many of these artists homeless or on the verge of homelessness, mentally exhausted and emotionally disturbed, and financially drained (if they could even afford to pursue these cases with an attorney). And, many of these attorneys are playing both sides of the fence.
Your ruling for big businesses (multimillionaire Defendants employed by Major Record Labels or Motion Picture companies) and against Individual Artists seems no longer to be coincidental; it is now the Rule rather than the exception. Denying us our basic, Seventh Amendment Civil right to a Jury trial of our peers when we allege infringement of our Copyrights is simply Unconstitutional and must be addressed!Using antiquated Copyright Laws (laws not updated in 100 years), ignoring precedent, and using one sided deposition testimonies in support of siding for big business and ruling on fact issues must be stopped!Is Justice’s appointment business as usual?
I sure hope not President Obama…we expect more form your administration!
And we continue to believe that, once these issues are bought to your attention, CHANGE, will be addressed, and Changes instituted to make the line in our Pledge of Allegiance a little more relevant and not simply rhetoric…”And Justice FOR ALL!
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