ALITO HEARINGS CONTINUE WITH ANSWERS TO TOUGH QUESTIONS

Judge Samuel Alito continued the process of answering questions today as the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings went into their second day. Judge Alito made some strong statements concerning several subjects including abortion which he stated he would view with an open mind which is exactly how a Supreme Court Justice should view ANY case before the court and not pre-judge as the left suggests any conservative Judge will do when considering Roe vs Wade. Although I am a pro-life proponent and believe that abortion is not a Constitutional right, (the decision was based on the right to privacy clause which I believe was an inaccurate interpretation of the Constitution), it is the law of the land because of decisions made by the high court years ago and unless it is over turned any Judge should view it on a case by case basis. Another issue that Alito was questioned about was the practice by several current Associate Judges of reviewing decisions made in high courts in other countries and applying those decisions to United States law. Alito stated without hesitation that United States Constitutional law was the ONLY basis for making any decision on the court and while other country decisions were interesting reading they had no business being applied in our courts. Bravo Judge Alito. One important aspect that the left continually forgets when a Republican President nominates a judge for the court is that Constitutionally a sitting President has the right and authority to nominate who he wishes. That comes with winning an election and regardless which party the President represents he is the Constitutional authority for appointing judges with the, "advise and consent, "of the Senate. When Ruth Ginsberg was appointed by Clinton for example the Republican minority though disagreeing with her judicial philosophy did not stand in the way of her confirmation as the left is threatening with Alito. The Democrats have an illusion that they are the protectors of the court and it is their responsibility to filibuster and disrupt any conservative nomination. Appointing judges is an Executive privilege and not a Congressional responsibility. This does not mean that a judge should not be questioned but it does mean that political games should be put aside in order to advance a civil and quick confirmation process. As long as the nominee is qualified and Alito IS HIGHLY qualified with endorsements from both the left and the right as well as prominent legal organizations then his confirmation should be allowed to pass without filibuster or disruption as the left is threatening. Remember the up or down vote is a Senate rule and not a Constitutional mandate. The Senate's responsibility is advise and consent only. Tomorrow will be interesting as the left has already indicated more tough questioning of Alito. Today the Judge was on the mark and tomorrow should be similar.

Ken Taylor