Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor had another one of her decisions overturned today. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that white firefighters in New Haven were discriminated against because of their race. They were not allowed to receive promotions even though they scored highly on a placement exam.
The city discarded the exam results because no African Americans tested high enough to earn a promotion to lieutenant or captain.
Interestingly, the city supposedly acted to avoid a lawsuit from the minority firefighters. Yet, their unfair decision led to a lawsuit by the white firefighters, who claimed that they were discriminated against. They cited the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits intentional discrimination.
This is just another nail in the coffin of affirmative action policy, which discriminates against whites to give employment and other preferences to minorities. We will see what type of national impact this ruling has and what it does to the affirmative action policies in other cities.
In this country, the best procedure is to reward only the most qualified people, regardless of race. The U.S. should strive for a color blind society as Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed about four decades ago.
Race based preferences only create a backlash among whites who are overlooked due to the color of their skin. We cannot fight discrimination by practicing more discrimination.
Thankfully, the Supreme Court is now on the side of fairness instead of racial inequality.In recent years, the justices have been consistently deciding against the policy of affirmative action. In fact, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor believed that in due course affirmative action would no longer be needed. I believe that day has arrived.
For Sotomayor, this decision could not have come at a worse time. She is only a few weeks away from the start of her confirmation hearings. Republicans say more time is needed to review 300 boxes of records linked to the judge. The GOP claims that President Obama and the Democrats are trying to rush the confirmation through the process to insure a positive outcome.
As today's Supreme Court decision clearly indicates, Sotomayor has a checkered history as a Judge. Her track record is not as impressive as advertised. It merits a full examination by the U.S. Senate who will hopefully do their jobs fairly and impartially and not be influenced by partisan politics. A Supreme Court nominee is too important to this nation to be confirmed through a tainted process.
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Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m.weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Here's the point noladude is making. Point out political crooked dealings by a white politician, it's just that. Do the same towards many black politicians, they'll claim that they are victims of racial discrimination. Equality means recognizing that people of all colors have the same good AND bad points. We are no differnt in all the ways that matter. Written by kpf
on 7/1/2009
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"Noladude "******************************************************************
Are you saying that Ray Nagin surpassed you because of affirmative action? Come on Let's hear for poor over 35 white guys in America. What a sorry lot. Written by Al
on 6/30/2009
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This was a great decision and much overdue. It is time in this country to drop Affirmative Action, quotas, drop the hypens, and all be AMERICANS. Justice should be blind. This country was founded on the rule of law. No preference should be given because of race or status in life. Empathy has no place in the law. All should be equal before it. Yes, most have been overturned by the Supreme Court at one time or another. The problem with this is that there seems to be a pattern. With this case she did not even allow for the firemen to have a hearing but dismissed. Written by Sharon
on 6/30/2009
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Finally. Now everyone can be treated as equal. But it is unlikely to stop Nagin and his cronies and black minister supporters from screaming discrimination every time their wrongdoing is brought into question. Written by Noladude
on 6/30/2009
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Politics or reason aside, it appears to be rather obvious what is at the crux of the matter...... and that is why it was overturned, as will the nomination or wutever they call it when they try to stack the judical deck.... Written by
on 6/30/2009
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It irks me when the side that lost the last presidential election whines about Supreme Court appointees. You lost the election, end of story. Both parties are guilty of this. It is so useless and predicitable it is hardly worthy of mention. More of a chance for grandstanding by members of congress than anything else. Written by kpf
on 6/30/2009
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Jeff, you're a real sucker. The judge will be confirmed no matter what you think. Please explain the tainted process? It's politics, and all the judges are there for that reason. Written by Al
on 6/30/2009
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Alito had a decision made by him previous to his joining the Supreme Court overturned by the Supreme Court as well.
Imagine that, someone who is being nominated to replace a liberal member of the court had the conservative members of the court disagree with her in a court decision that was 5-4.
Shocking. LOL Written by Daniel Z
on 6/29/2009
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Justice has been accorded by this decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. For too long this nation has been in the throes of a reverse discrimination resulting in many outstanding people being bypassed in the name of political correctness. Now let this nation continue to strive forward and let us seek the cream of the crop in all the fields essential to the future of this nation. Do not accept those that are less able but chose those who are best. However, make your choice on the basis of their ability - not their sex, their age, their ethnic background, their religion, etc. With the best will come the best. I think we have seen how critical this has become as this nation now labors under the assualt of a financial debacle controlled by those who sought power and not to do that which was right. Unfortunately that continues until now. A change must be made for the future of this nation and its citizens. Written by RhettsWife
on 6/29/2009
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Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor had another one of her decisions overturned today. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that white firefighters in 
