Thread: A Latino on the high court NAVARRETTE

A Latino on the high court

By Ruben Navarrette
2:00 a.m. May 6, 2009


As someone who knows what it's like to make history, President Obama should understand intuitively that – with the retirement of Justice David Souter – it's time for him to whip up another batch by putting a Latino or Latina on the Supreme Court.

With all respect to Justice Benjamin Cardozo, a New Yorker of Portuguese heritage who was nominated to the high court by Herbert Hoover in 1932, Latinos are eager for a more recent example of someone who actually identifies with being Latino.

America's largest minority has a reputation for patience and passivity, but now isn't the time for either. Hispanics are due a Supreme Court justice, but they can't count on either liberals or conservatives in Congress to make that a priority. So they need to raise their voices and demand that a president who received two-thirds of their votes recognize their place in society and correct a terrible oversight.

The good news is that Obama doesn't have to sacrifice quality in the process. These days, there are plenty of highly accomplished Latinos in the sorts of positions that typically lead to a Supreme Court nomination.

Of course, there are those who still get squeamish over the idea that “identity politicsâ€

Why is it always hispanic ? Why not an Asian ? They are never considered .

Originally Posted by Hawk

Why is it always hispanic ? Why not an Asian ? They are never considered .

I don't think there are any Native Americans on the court either.

Whoever it is, I hope that they have paid their taxes and can prove their citizenship!

Now, Obama has plenty of choices of qualified Hispanic candidates to help him break that barrier.

I am sure that there are alot of qualified people from all different ethnic backgrounds. WHY SHOULD OBAMA SELECT FROM A LIST OF HISPANICS ONLY?

Will there now be people marching in the streets waving Mexican flags demanding ah illegal alien by put on the court ?

Since most Latinos are Catholic, do you think Obama could at least appoint a Latino who opposes abortion and gay marriage?

Yeah I know, fat chance.

Originally Posted by Bowman

Since most Latinos are Catholic, do you think Obama could at least appoint a Latino who opposes abortion and gay marriage?

Yeah I know, fat chance.

Apparently not all catholics oppose abortion and same sex marriage:

I am a prochoice Catholic | National Catholic Reporter
Feb 26, 2009 ... I wasn't always a prochoice Catholic. During college I attended the .... First, at this point, whether I do or dont support abortion is ...
ncronline.org/blogs/young-voices/i-am-prochoice-catholic - 86k - Cached - Similar pages

Catholic Answers Special Report: Gay Marriage
OUR SPONSORS. Please support our sponsors. CATHOLIC QUOTES ..... 60 But even more conservative advocates of gay marriage such as New Republic editor Andrew ...
www.catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp - 95k - Cached - Similar pages

The Catholic Church, Homosexuality and Gay Marriage
The Catholic Church opposes gay marriage and the social acceptance of ... "We offer general support for a federal marriage amendment to the U.S. ...
www.americancatholic.org/News/Homosexuality/default.asp - 30k - Cached - Similar pages

California Catholic Daily - Banished priest now full-time ‘gay ...
More recently, on March 18, Dignity USA joined Call to Action and New Ways Ministry – “three groups that support gay rights in the Catholic Churchâ€

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Apparently not all catholics oppose abortion and same sex marriage:

Yes I know! Just look at Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, Arnold Governator, the list goes on. These are supposedly important issue for the Catholic, but the Pope does nothing about these high profile politicians who act contrary to Church teachings. I guess they bring in money for the Church, and as we know that is more important than principle.