Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thoughts on Equality

Recently, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8's ban on same sex marriage. Some people believe that since the majority of California citizens voted for Prop 8, then that makes it right. I don't see it that way, because the constitution protects an individual's basic rights under the equal protection and due process clauses, and that cannot be taken away by a vote.
If the Civil Rights Act of 1965 had been "put to a vote," instead of put into law, it too would have been voted down like Prop 8. The majority isn't always right and they shouldn't always rule.

Ted Olson, a conservative, and former Solicitor General for the Bush administration has filed a suit in California federal court seeking to overturn Prop 8. Read about it here: http://www.americablog.com/2009/05/bush-solicitor-general-ted-olson.html

How ironic that Prop 8's affirmation occurred on the same day President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. His decision is viewed as progressive. I'm glad he chose a woman, and someone who has an inspiring life story, growing up in a housing project in the Bronx, going on to Princeton University (graduating 2nd in her class) and then on to Yale Law School. Sotomayor graduated Summa Cum Lauda, and has more experience (almost 17 years) than any U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominated in the past 75 years. And yet many Republicans are kvetching (what else is new?) and questioning her intelligence and qualifications. She has said that as a Latina she brings a different perspective to the court. Some R's are calling her a racist over that remark. Glenn Beck refers to her as "that Hispanic chick lady" but that's not racist. I don't recall anyone questioning Samuel Alito's intelligence because he's a white male. I think the people calling her racist and questioning her intelligence are the racists. And the dimwits. Here's a great source for information about the Supreme Court http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/

So we have our first African-American President and our first Latina heading to the U.S. Supreme Court and this moves us light years towards equality. Finally. But we are taking a step backward regarding gay rights and individual rights as humans (Prop 8, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in our military). Separate is not equal. And the racist reaction from the Right to Sotomayor's nomination tells me that women and Hispanics are still not viewed as equal to the white males who are accustomed to running America.

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

"If the Civil Rights Act of 1965 had been "put to a vote," instead of put into law, it too would have been voted down like Prop 8. The majority isn't always right and they shouldn't always rule."

Amen.

Anonymous said...

Glenn Beck is a moron. I think Olson is putting principles and the law before pandering to the wingnuts and the religious right.
That's a good sign. Great post!

one more thing... I am somewhat disappointed in Obama because when he was campaigning he seemed more pro-gay rights.

Anonymous said...

"The majority isn't always right and they shouldn't always rule."

Agreed! It shouldn't be up to everyone else to tell a small group of people how to live. It simply doesn't affect them, therefore they deserve no say. Marriage is not a privelege, just ask the people who've been divorced!

Bill Villa said...

"If the Civil Rights Act of 1965 had been "put to a vote,"

[Clarification] ... we should have said "popular vote" or ballot question, like Prop 8 was. Certainly the Civil Rights Act was voted on and put into law by the House and the Senate. But if you had polled the American people in 1965 on whether or not they wanted the Civil Rights Act passed into law, we believe it would have been shot down. Or maybe lynched.

Anonymous said...

When President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, he allegedley predicted, "there goes the South," and he was right. Starting with race-baiting Nixon in '68, and on through W in 2004, the formerly staunchly Democrat South voted as a "Red State" block. Until a black man brought most of the South back home to the Democrats in 2008. Only in America, baby.

Anonymous said...

Civil Rights Act was 1964. Voting Rights Act was 1965. I'm not kvetching (nice post) just klarifying :)

Bill Villa said...

Anon 1:09 (whatta kvetcher), you are krect and we stand krected.

1:00, such a delicious irony.

On a related subject, can you imagine a President today (even Obama) 'doing the right thing' for Gay Rights on a Federal/National level (vs 'letting the states decide') like Kennedy/Johnson did for Civil Rights and Voting Rights, knowing full well they'd lose the South over it. Yeow. Makes for one challenging benchmark, re: statesmanship, as it relates to equality.

Anonymous said...

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experiences, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." (Sonia Sotomayor)

"I would hope that a wise white man, with the richness of his experience, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than an Hispanic woman who hasn't lived that life." (Any white nominee)
Her comment is not perceived as racist, but any white nominee saying the same thing would be turned away in a heartbeat. We'll see what happens.

Kathleen W. said...

These are my sentiments exactly. Civil rights are just that, rights, not a democratic decision.

Angie Villa said...

Anon 12:35 I agree, and thanks.

Anon 12:37 Yes, the minority should be protected from tyranny of majority.

THanks for clarifications BV, and anon 1:09

Anon 7:44 I don't see Sotomayor's comment as racist. That's ridiculous. She's making the point that her perspective is different because of her life experiences. If she can make a better decision based on her own experiences then that's a plus. Just as a white male might be able to make a better decision based on his experiences. THat's why there should be diversity on the court.

And this reverse racism crap is twisted bs. Minorities have been discriminated against for years, and anyone who has not walked in their shoes has no right to judge.

Anonymous said...

"She's making the point that her perspective is different because of her life experiences."
She said "better", not "different". C'mon.

"Just as a white male might be able to make a better decision based on his experiences."
But if a white male made the comment, he'd be summarily dismissed.

"And this reverse racism crap is twisted bs."
All see what they want to see based on their biases. She's no different. If Sotomayor's granted a pass on this, then standard meritocracy criteria will have been disregarded in order to achieve some perverse compensation for past wrongs done.
Simply giving blanket preferences to women seems much too ham-handed an approach if the point is to micro-distribute opportunities fairly.
"Minorities have been discriminated against for years, and anyone who has not walked in their shoes has no right to judge."
No one can walk in another's shoes, so this comment is meaningless IMHO.

Bill Villa said...

"(Sonia Sotomayor) We'll see what happens."

She's in :) and sadly, there's nothing you and your NeoCon Buddies can do about it.

Angie Villa said...

Anon 7:18 What's wrong with saying she may be BETTER qualified to make certain decisions based on her life experiences, just as any white male judge may be? And there are no preferences being given, she is highly qualified for the job.
What's MEANINGLESS,and racist, and sexist is to be twisting the truth to try to disqualify her.

Bill Villa said...

Mrs. Dottie, if a person of color ever dares to imply that he or she may be "better" at something than a white person, this makes them "uppity" and racists really hate this. "The Greatest" boxer of all time Muhammad Ali used this "uppity" thing to his advantage. He yowled he was "The Greatest" (he was right) and racists in droves bought millions and millions of tickets to see him get his block knocked off. To the consternation of racists everywhere, this never happened.

Angie Villa said...

Kathleen W, your comment got put in my spam, and I forgot to check my blogger dashboard for comments, so I did not get to publish it till this morning. Thanks for commenting, your blog looks really great!

Bill Villa said...

Kathleen W, love your blog too and your profile humor! "Human trampoline" got me laughing. We have a 7 year old who still uses me this way. Thanks for reading!

Anonymous said...

Too bad equality doesn't extend to people of color in the minds of people like that previous commenter. He or she should know that racists are fast dying off and are only "imaginary friends" anymore.

Bill Villa said...

Well said, anon 9:36. A hobby of mine is deciphering the "code words" racists like Glenn Beck and Rush and Hannity and O'Reilly use. See if you can spot the abundance of racist code, here ...

Anonymous said...

"sadly, there's nothing you and your NeoCon Buddies can do about it."
A condescending ad hominem response is not an argument. This is a matter of law and the law is intentionally inherently dispassionate. Logic must remain plain and clean especially in matters of jurisprudence.

Aditionally, you imply that I'm a neocon. An intellectually anorexic assumption. A justice at the highest level must meet standard criteria as mentioned in prior post. This Sotomayor comment smacks of supercilious bias. Period.

And I think you know she's not "in". She's nominated.

Lastly, and most importantly, please explain to me how a white nominee could pass muster with this miror image Sotomayor comment,
"I would hope that a wise white man, with the richness of his experience, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than an Hispanic woman who hasn't lived that life."
No personal attack. Just logic. Otherwise this becomes hack soapbox criticism and the forum is diminished. No "uppity" Ali asides please... and thank you.

Anonymous said...

"A hobby of mine is deciphering the "code words" racists like Glenn Beck and Rush and Hannity and O'Reilly use."
It's your hobby. Why not point out the racist code words and reference the same as used by the TV personalities you mention?
Thanks

Bill Villa said...

"This Sotomayor comment smacks of supercilious bias. Period."

Well (yawn), you seem pretty positive there, loony "anonymous" (wink wink) NeoCon, doubt I can change your closed mind. So let's be civil (wink wink) and agree to disagree on this.

P.S. She's in :)

Angie Villa said...

RE: anon who has told us "A condescending ad hominem response is not an argument."

You just called our opinions "intellectually anorexic" and "hack soapbox criticism"

You sound like someone who can dish it out but can't take it. And your highfalutin language doesn't disguise your personal attacks on us.

who are you to deem our forum "diminished?" Boy, you sound a lot like the Blahg Nazi.

By the way, Sotomayor's comment is not the first from a SC judge to sound "biased." I've heard quotes from Alito that expressed his bias. No one ever had a problem with that. They are humans with different life experiences.

I can't waste any more of my valuable time with you, so let's just agree to disagree. And thanks so much for commenting.

Bill Villa said...

Mea Culpa, I forgot to caption a previous visual ...

House Minority "Leader" (wink wink) John Boner.

Angie Villa said...

READERS! This is so exciting ...

Based on data gathered from our new, *district court-approved Sitemeter(R), we can tell you that the anonymous comment posted here at 10:20am was posted in our opinion by Mike Molovinsky founder of "KvetchFest" and the argumentative comments telling us how we should be running our blog are coming from, yep, you know who.



*district court-approved in Wind Gap PA, only

Bill Villa said...

Okay, now that we've chased the (jealous?) trolls away, let's resume our topic's terrific conversation ...

Concerned Citizen said...

WORTH REPEATING DEPARTMENT (and pardon my going "OT")

Bill & Angie (from your previous column,"Appeal For Justice") I am very eager to know what the Lehigh County Commissioners Chief Clerk finds out in his or her research into "Debbie Garlicki's New Job" in DA Jim Martin's office and whether or not that "P.R" plum job was created especially for Ms. Garlicki, who for years pulled her punches on Mr. Martin as The Morning Call's court reporter. Quid pro quo? Or is that Pay To Play? Very eager to find out....

Bill Villa said...

"Concerned," we're eager to find out as well and we'll have a full report here, and it'll be an exclusive, of course, since all the other local (United NeoCon) blogs are "ignoring" (wink wink) this story. Stay tuned to LVS ...

Anonymous said...

Sam Alito, when nominated to the court, spoke of his experience with bigotry against Italians. guess he's a racist, too.
and Thurgood Marshall "schooled" the Court on what it's like to be accused of driving while black. guess he's a racist, too.
BTW, it's not a crime to admit that courts impose policy. It's being realistic. that's what judges do. when a judge interprets a law, he/she sets policy, as a byproduct.
We don't need any more WASPs.
PS: she's in.

Anonymous said...

Hey, just a thought. Those comments above (that run on and on and on) appear to be nothing more than attempts to annoy and harass and serve no useful purpose (in my opinion, your honor).

Bill Villa said...

Ha! Good One. But would a DJ in Wind Gap agree w/ you (I doubt it). Anywhere else (outside of NorCo) .. sure.

Anon 2:21, bulls-eye.

Anonymous said...

Where'd Molovinsky go?

Anonymous said...

He's prepping for "KvetchFest!"

Bill Villa said...

Okay people, we're starting to veer "OT." But I can tell you that Mike Molovinsky hasn't been back here since being snared posting anonymously by our court-approved Sitemeter earlier today. On average, Gladys peeps in our windows here like every 15 minutes looking for something to kvetch about. Good riddance, and thanks Sitemeter!

Angie Villa said...

On the other hand, our new court-approved Sitemeter says that O'Hare spends more time slithering around THIS blog than his own, in our opinion, your honor ;D

Anonymous said...

Sotomayor is indeed a wise Latina woman. Want proof beyond a reasonable doubt? She's a Yankee fan!

Anonymous said...

As a native of South Bronx, Sotomayor's hidden home-town bias became manifest in her love for the New York Yankees, judicially favoring her "Bronx Bombers" over teams from all other cities. No kidding! When ruling to end the 1995 baseball strike, she sided with the player's union against team owners (who sought parity among all teams with a talent-sharing salary cap). Instead Sotomayor created bias in favor of rich teams who can afford to buy up all the good free agents. So when the New York Yankees hogged 4 titles and 6 pennants in the 8 years after her ruling, with payrolls averaging three times most other team salaries, you can blame or credit Sotomayor for creating that competitive imbalance! I understand why Yankees fans might celebrate her promotion to the Supreme Court, but baseball fans from all other cities should complain loudly against her confirmation!

Bill Villa said...

Done deal, she's in.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on successfully carrying out one of your civic-minded projects: getting Glenn Kranzley fired! This is why LVS is #1! You are sooo fabulous!

Bill Villa said...

Merci, yes, we know.

Bill Villa said...

Here's our next U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at Yankee Stadium w/ her nephews (the "old" Yankee Stadium where the Yankees won an unprecedented 26 World Championships and geez nobody's even a close second to their 26 count 'em 26 World Championships)

Bill Villa said...

... and 39 American League Championship Pennants ...

Bill Villa said...

Readers, our court-approved Sitemeter(R) has tagged this vile comment as having been posted by Father Alex Joseph, Washington, D.C., in our opinion, your Honor ... and may peace (and our Sitemeter) be onto you, Father Alex :) tsk, tsk, looks like some Purgatory time for you ...

------------

"You beat it, parse it, bastardize it, flatulate it and add just the perfect amount of effluence to it. That's why your 'b'log is #1 with a bullet. And that bullet is intended for anyone who even modestly disagrees (doesn't move in 100% lock-step, hand to the sky) with you. Aaand... I have it on good authority that Obama is wink wink, nod, burp, chortle, guffaw, 51% white! Yipes! That can't be right. What's next? What's he gonna do, shop at the Gap? Plus he was raised by white people! White people!!!! But he's the first 'b'lack president? What a world? Black is white, right is wrong! Too bad lady S is not a 'B'latino! Je ne sais pas, n'est pas?!?" -Father Alex Joseph

Anonymous said...

W-O-W. His superiors should be appraised of this....

Anonymous said...

This person wants to be a priest? Catholicism isn't this desperate....is it?

Anonymous said...

This person wants to be a priest?
Father Alex Joseph

Uh, he is already! Duh!

Anonymous said...

Even your lord and savior Obama admits that the "wise Latina woman" comment was a mistake.
But the Villas say no big deal. After all, she's wise, and a member of a minority! That's all that really matters! Obama disagrees, but like "Father", the Villas "know best".
Maybe that "reverse racism crap is" NOT "twisted bs"!?!
Are there enough !!!!! to adequately express a Villasm?

But she's in, right? (trouble, that is.)
Good luck liberal lock-step ditto-heads. (At least Rush has the ability to cogitate.)
Twist this, post this, then give yourselves a couple "attablogs!".
BTW, "you're welcome" for teaching you the Yankee bias thing.
Here's a suggestion... learn to THINK on your own.
Here's a second bit of advice...EVOLVE!
Opposable thumbs rock... ass, as opposed to this site which sucks... same.
Great luck and "sayonara", or more pointedly "adieu" as they (and you) say in Gay Pareee!
Yours truly,
Father Alex,
or whoever you think I am.
Geez... maybe I'm Pope Benedict, AKA Joseph Ratzinger (the Anti-Villa) conservative, donch no?

Bill Villa said...

Alrighty then.

Thank you, Father Alex, for proving all our points about racism, inequality, and rolling around on the floor foaming at the mouth.

Readers, we hope you love our new, *district court-approved Sitemeter(R) as much as we do :)

* district court-approved in Wind Gap PA, only

Anonymous said...

Would you recognisze the truth if it hit you on the head like some smashed "Who" guitar?
Doubt it!
You're too fashmeggled! See you at
...
kvetchfest
...
Or here
...
same thing
...
same place,
same
...
IQ drain.

Concerned Citizen said...

"hit you on the head"This is a direct physical threat. I'd file a harassment charge and a PFA (protection from abuse).

Bill Villa said...

Readers, between last evening and a short while ago, the Washington D.C. IP# that it is our opinion (Your Honor) is Father Alex Joseph has been spotted on our blog five (5) times by our *district court-approved Sitemeter(R). During this same time period, the IP# that it is our opinion (Your Honor) is Bernie O'Hare has been spotted on our blog seven (7) times. Additionally, there have also been other visitors to our blog during this same time period. While it is our opinion that the comments referenced above were posted by Father Alex Joseph, Washington, D.C. (including the comment "signed" by Father Alex), these comments could have been posted by Bernie O'Hare or another of the visitors to our blog during the referenced time period since many of their respective times "on" our blog > overlap. See, this is where Sitemeters can be sorta unreliable. Nevertheless, we stand by our opinions, Your Honor.

*district court-approved in Wind Gap PA, only

Concerned Citizen said...

"{blog visitor time} > overlap. See, this is where Sitemeters can be sorta unreliable."

Bill, was Wind Gap PA District Justice Adrianne L. Masut aware of this on May 19?

Anonymous said...

Breaking The News: Sadly, only "about 22" kvetchers showed up at "KvetchFest." So what, like a dozen, in reality? Also no media. This should be called "KvetchBust!"

Angie Villa said...

I wonder how many of those 22 were security?

Bill Villa said...

Readers (FYI), our new *district court-approved Sitemeter(R) tells us (in our opinion, Your Honor) ...

* Mike ".3%" Molovinsky spent 10 minutes on our blog at 3:00am this morning via stealing his neighbor's wireless internet connection ("Brantford, Canada") which Mikey has admitted on the blogs to doing occasionally (like when his neighbor's sleeping possibly? Then it's not stealing, right Mikey?)

* Father Alex Joseph, Washington, D.C., changed his IP number (but we can still tell it's him :) but we can't tell you how ;)

* the "Unknown" IP address we're positive is O'Hare (Your Honor) is on our blog like almost all the time

* The person from "Bangor" checking in here regularly all of a sudden could (could) be O'Hare's boss's girlfriend who works for ... (ready for this) ... Wind Gap District Justice Adrianne L. Masut

* district court-approved in Wind Gap PA, only

Bill Villa said...

(almost forgot)

Our new *district court-approved Sitemeter(R) tells us that 2 different lurking trolls from The Morning Call/Tribune Company check our blog on average a half-dozen times a piece each day. It is our opinion, Your Honor, that one of them is John Micek (John's perpetually comment-free "Capitol Ideas" blog is always jealously chasing us in vain in the BNN Ratings and whenever we mention (here) about being banned & blocked at all Morning Call blogs, John immediately emails us denying it and of course he's lying).

We believe (in fact, we're positive, Your Honor) the other one is Paul Carpenter who then sends links to Glenn Kranzley and Jim (burp) Martin but we could be all wrong about this ...


* district court-approved in Wind Gap PA, only

Bill Villa said...

"{blog visitor time} > overlap. See, this is where Sitemeters can be sorta unreliable."

Bill, was Wind Gap PA District Justice Adrianne L. Masut aware of this on May 19?

---------

Ooh, astutely excellent question, "Concerned Citizen," and I know where you're going w/ this ... but we'll all have to wait for the "reveal at the appeal." Contact me back-channel if you like and I'll discuss it w/ you ...

Anonymous said...

Villas: For some reason, those other blogs and their contributors can't seem to go a day without attacking you guys. I'm no district court judge, but couldn't that be considered harassment? Shouldn't you guys complain to the district attorney, or even better, the state attorney general?

Bill Villa said...

Hmm, what to do ... well, I do know crooked & incompetent (in our opinion and personal experience, Your Honor) Lehigh County DA Jim Martin (and he knows me) so maybe I'll contact Jumbo Jimbo about this?

All kidding aside, interestingly, Bernie O'Hare's dad was DA of Northampton County for many years and all indications are that DA O'Hare Sr. is still very, very highly regarded in NorCo :)

Stay tuned for the "Reveal at the Appeal."

Anonymous said...

It's who you know!

Anonymous said...

Bill, question, as part of his "prosecution" of you on May 19 in super-O'Hare-friendly Wind Gap PA, Northampton County, did O'Hare prove (beyond a reasonable doubt) to the magistrate that you were the only visitor to his blog on 9/29/08? And/or, if there were other visitors to his blog that day, how did O'Hare prove (and again, beyond a reasonable doubt) that it was you making those alleged 500+ comments and not one or more of LV Ramblings' other visitors, especially if the visit times of one or more visitors overlaps. Just because your "IP number" may have shown up on O'Hare's sitemeter on 9/29 (and I'm assuming he showed that to the magistrate) that doesn't prove you were posting any comments. Bill, I'm confused as to exactly how O'Hare proved you guilty (beyond a reasonable doubt) of anything regarding this alleged "500+ comments" incident.....

Anonymous said...

Villas, love your new sidebar feature of Father Alex! Best way to get pesky cockroaches to vamoose? Shine the bright lights on them! I read his Troll Parade musings and wow, what a village idiot this cretin creep is.

Anonymous said...

Father Alex needs to go to confession.....

Anonymous said...

"O'Hare's boss's girlfriend who works for ... (ready for this) ... Wind Gap District Justice Adrianne L. Masut"

You cannot be serious?!

Bill Villa said...

(working backwards)

Anon 9:22, I'm totally serious. It's in the transcripts which I own, exclusively.

Anon 9:02, agreed, w/ tubby's penance being a trip to Weight Watchers.

Anon 8:44, merci, and, Sitemeter(R) says the wayward padre saw it at 12:05:38am this morning so we've taken it down now that it has served its purpose

Anon 6:45, O'Hare testified that he has, on average, around 1,000 visitors to his blog, daily. Other than stating that it was his "opinion" that I posted those 500+ comments on 9/29, O'Hare did not present any Sitemeter documentation, of any kind, to prove his "opinion." I was "convicted" on O'Hare's say-so alone ... although ... there may have been others who had a say-so in this matter too (wink wink) in my opinion.

Stay tuned for the "Reveal at the Appeal."

Bill Villa said...

"Bill, I'm confused as to exactly how O'Hare proved you guilty (beyond a reasonable doubt) of anything regarding this alleged "500+ comments" incident....."

There's really no confusion. It's crystal clear. O'Hare didn't prove anything. For some reason, in Wind Gap, he didn't have to-- even though proving someone is guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, is the legal requirement for a criminal conviction everywhere else. We covered this phenomena in a previous post, if you'd like to visit (or re-visit) it ...

Esq. said...

Here's another example of O'Hare just recklessly "saying so" and not providing any proof whatsoever...his luck's going to run out on this crafty "legal strategy"...

Bill Villa said...

Readers, our *district court-approved Sitemeter(R) tells us that Mike Molovinsky just spent an hour and 5 minutes on our blog, in our opinion, Your Honor.

* district court-approved in Wind Gap PA, only

Bill Villa said...

... and we see that Father Alex just checked back in (again!) for 2 minutes and 36 seconds (in our opinion). Mrs. Dottie and I sincerely (wink wink) hope his seminary's healthcare plan will cover the treatment he needs so desperately for an obviously profound, and likely debilitating, internet/blogging addiction.

Bill Villa said...

Readers, due to overwhelming back-channel demand, we have re-installed Father Alex Joseph as a sidebar-featured bad guy on our blog, enjoy ...

Anonymous said...

Where's the site meter ya'll are mentioning over and over here? Can you have an invisible site meter? Where is it?

Bill Villa said...

Hello "Monkey Momma," a.k.a. IP Address 216.164.205.# (RCN Corporation), in our opinion ...

our new, district court-approved (in Wind Gap PA only) Sitemeter(R) is located on our right sidebar, second to last item. Just look for the "Sitemeter" logo, ya'll!