Sotomayor's words must be condemned

In nominating Hon. Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, President Obama broke yet another promise to the American people. He promised hope and change and unity - but with Sotomayor, he brought anything but.

She has proved to be - through her words and rulings - one of the most divisive, racist, and sexist jurists this country has seen since before the Civil Rights Movement. It's hard to imagine the reaction from the Left if President Bush would've nominated or appointed or simply had dinner with someone who said, "I would hope that a wise White Man with the richness of his experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a Latina woman who hasn't lived that life."

Not only would that nominee or appointment or dinner guest be ridden out of town by folks pumping their pitchforks, but the cry for the president himself to resign would've deafened us all And yet, we don't hear much when President Obama's nominee says, "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a white male who hasn't lived that life." Sure, some people critique her, but, overall, Republicans have proved too nervous to respond. We don't want to be labeled "racist" for "attacking" a Latina. Or, more truthfully, we fear losing Hispanic votes.

Fear not, friends. She's overcome remarkable hardships and adversity in her life. She is tough and strong and wise, indeed. She can take getting called to the carpet on her beliefs. (And thinking we need to take it easy on someone because of race is racist in and of itself.) And Hispanic votes? Well, you have mine still.

We as a party need to condemn her hateful, divisive, sexist, and racist remark. Rafael Rivadeneira

Elmhurst