Patrick Leahy, Sotomayor Misquote: Leahy Misrepresents Sotomayor

Senator Patrick Leahy gave Sonia Sotomayor an opportunity to explain one of her now infamous remarks, and in doing so Leahy chose to misrepresent Sotomayor's own words - leaving out that stuff about her capability in a court of law to reach "a better conclusion than the white male."

Patrick Leahy
 

The exact Sonia Sotomayor quote, in a 2001 speech, and then in another 7 instances is:

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.

But if you were watching the Leahy-Sotomayor exchange, as was I and the Washington Examiner was, you noticed that Leahy specifically left out the racial and ethnic point of her comment. As the Washington Examiner said, "one way to lessen the impact of Sonia Sotomayor's "wise Latina" comment is to misquote it."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.: "You said that, quote, you would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would reach wise decisions. ... So tell us, you've heard all of these charges and countercharges, the wise Latina and on and on. Here's your chance. You tell us — you tell us what's going on here, Judge."

Senator Jeff Session (R-AL) set the record straight when it was his turn at the microphone:

I would suggest that the quotation he [Leahy] gave was not exactly right of the wise Latina comment." Sessions then read the correct quote. It was only then that Sotomayor said her remark "fell flat" and "left an impression that I believed that life experiences commanded a result in a case, but that's clearly not what I do as a judge.

Of course, it is exactly what she meant. It was what she intended and it was exactly the impression that she hoped to leave with the audience on those occasions when she spoke the words. Sotomayor explained [paraphrased - but a very close paraphrase] that when she was speaking to women lawyers or young Latino lawyers or students, she intended to inspire them, to show that their life experiences could enrich the legal system, and that they should believe that they could become anything they wanted to become. So the question is, what does a white man's conclusions have to do with inspiring other women? The answer is that she intended to inspire them through encouragement that a Latino woman's conclusions are better than a white man's conclusions.

It is not difficult if you cut through the misrepresentations of Leahy's and Sotomayor's part, and then apply a slight bit of common sense. Jim Kouri at examiner.com has some interesting comments about Leahy, his warnings to the GOP and his legacy as "Leaky Leahy," when it comes to "top secret communications," (in other words - government secrets). It is worth reading, and being reminded who so many of these powerful Democrats are somewhere inside their shallow souls. Are you contacting your Senators?

Whether Republican or Democrat, whether you think you know how they will vote on Sotomayor or not, give them a call today, another tomorrow, send an email, send a fax, give them another call.

Vigilant Freedom Newsletter

Cross Posted from Wake up America The Email I received calls for action, yet again. When we have taken action, the most recent example being the immigration reform idiocy, we have been heard, LOUDLY. It is time to be heard again.

YOUR URGENT ACTION REQUESTED. The “John Doe” amendment still has a chance, and your calls to your Senators and House members TODAY can help. We think this will be settled one way or another by COB TODAY - tomorrow at the latest. Many of you have your own blogs or organizations. An alert to your readers or members today is crucial. We have a chance here but we need to keep the message reaching Congress to support “John Doe."

Thanks for your help on this urgent request! Regards, Christine Below is some suggested language for an email alert to your friends, members or readers: In Washington, a House-Senate conference committee on a homeland security bill is considering whether to include a measure to protect, from lawsuit, Americans who report suspicious behavior.

The so-called "John Doe" measure comes in response to a lawsuit by six imams who were booted from a plane that was about to fly from Minneapolis late last year because they were acting very suspiciously, refusing to sit in their assigned seats, asking for metal seat belt extenders, and speaking loudly and disparagingly about the United States.

The imams plan to sue not only the airline but the passengers who reported their behavior -- a step that, if successful, could have a chilling effect on whether other Americans come forward to report such behavior or whether they decide that doing so isn't worth the legal fees. Without this protection, Americans would have no reason to follow the motto of law enforcement agencies: "If you see something, say something."

Separately, the "John Doe" legislation passed both the House and Senate by overwhelming margins. But key Democrats are trying to drop it from the homeland security bill, which would kill it. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson isn't enthused about it, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy spoke against it on the Senate floor.

The conference committee is meeting and will make a final decision on this vital legislation in the coming days. If you agree Americans should be encouraged to report suspicious behavior, if you agree they should not be intimidated by the threat of a lawsuit that could bankrupt them, now is the time to act. Call or e-mail your own Senator and your House member. You can find their contact information at http://www.congress.org - just enter your zip code.

Tell them to insist that the conference committee include "John Doe" protection in this bill. And after calling or e-mailing your own Senator and House member, contact Congressman Thompson and Senator Leahy. Also contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin. Don't leave Americans who do the right thing by reporting suspicious behavior out in the cold. Don't let Americans be intimidated into keeping quiet. In the war on terror, there's too much at stake for all of us.

Related: They Prove Once Again they Don't Care About Keeping Us Safe: UPDATED, They Killed It. Quick Update on the John Doe Amendment .