Sotomayor hearing for U.S. Supreme Court: opening remarks address judicial philosophy

July 14, 1:38 PMMiami City Buzz ExaminerRobbin Swad

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U.S. Appeals Court Judge Sonya Sotomayor (AP Photo/2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Ron Jordan Natoli Studio)

I may not be as wise as a certain Latina judge, but hey--I can admit when I'm wrong. About a month and a half ago, I alluded to some concern regarding the nomination of  Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Many a truth is spoken in jest

Turns out that any apprehension concerning Sotomayor's judicial philosophy was apparently unwarranted because what Sotomayor previously said was actually kind of-- a joke? Sotomayor whose "hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”-- also has an injudicious flair for humor.

During Sotomayor's Supreme Court Justice Hearings on Monday, Sotomayor specifically addressed her formerly admitted biases by newly explaining that 

 “In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It’s simple: fidelity to the law,” Sotomayor said. “The task of a judge is not to make law, it is to apply the law.”

Alright. Maybe there is still the tiniest spark of concern about Sotomayor:

Sen. Charles Grassley (R., Iowa):

“Judge Sotomayor, you are nominated to the highest court of the land, which has the final say on the law. As such, it’s even more important for the Senate to ascertain whether you can resist the temptations to mold the Constitution to your own personal beliefs and preferences. It’s even more important for the Senate to ascertain whether you can dispense justice without bias or prejudice."

Tuesday-- Sotomayor continues to explain her judicial philosophy in the following comments:

• "I want to state up front unequivocally and without doubt, I do not believe any ethnic, racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judgment."
• "I do not permit my sympathies, personal views or prejudices to influence the outcome of a case." 
• "I think the system is strengthened when judges don't assume they're impartial but when judges test themselves to identify when their emotions are driving the result."

And now for my personal favorite:

"Life experiences have to influence you. We’re not robots to listen to evidence and not have feelings. We have to recognize those feelings and put them aside. … But there are situations in which some experiences are important in the process of judging because the law asks us to use those experiences."

Perhaps someone could explain to Miami City Buzz Examiner where the law asks judges to use life experiences in the process of judging. I admit my own non-Latina wisdom is lacking in this area. Fortunately, however, when I was growing up-- I did read Nancy Drew stories. Surely that must count for something.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in his opening remarks during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings:

"When Sonia Sotomayor was growing up, the Nancy Drew stories inspired her sense of adventure, developed her sense of justice, and showed her that women could and should be outspoken and bold." 

For more Sotomayor Confirmation Hearing opening statements, click here.