One thing is clear from the Sotomayor hearings:

[madaboutharry]

Senators serving the American people are not as nearly as smart as they think they are. Judge Sotomayor is their intellectual superior. This has the feel of a classroom where the Senators are getting schooled, rather than a hearing room.

[mwb970]

1. I thought about that when Sessions was questioning her.

But it applies to most or all of the others as well.

[Hepburn]

2. I thought that during the morning session of these hearings...

...how patient she is while teaching some of the dumb-fucks on the committe exactly what the law is.

:hi:

[dmr]

28. I think she could teach the Supremes a thing or two

I was thinking this morning that I can't remember the last time I've watched a more effective SCOTUS nominee speak so legally well.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's obvious the law isn't about some dusty and forgotten law books stuffed on a book-shelf. Compared to past nominees, she has the applicable experience, knowledge and expertise they didn't/don't, and it shows.

I love watching her take notes. Smart woman.

[panader0]

3. I'm quite impressed with her smarts.

The repubs, not so much.

[BlooInBloo]

4. Hatch wasn't *too* bad idiot-wise. Grassley is just a fucking idiot.

[Parker CA]

5. She has repeatedly corrected Grassley on his questions and assumptions. She's very, very impressive

with the amount of information and knowledge she just puts forth off the top of her head. This is awesome.

Feingold now up!

[Hepburn]

9. She seems to be briefed on nearly EVERYTHING...

...and when she feels she is not, she does not hesitate to say so. No bullshit artist ~~ and well-informed.

I like her a lot. Her performance before the committee has been outstanding, at least so far.

[Parker CA]

14. I caught it a bit late, so I haven't seen her admit to not knowing an answer, but that says A LOT

about anyone. She's very measured and thoughtful. I'm really enjoying watching this. First time I've ever watched these kinds of hearings.

Knowing she'll be on that bench is a good feeling. Now, if only we could get a couple more like her!!

[JDPriestly]

24. You can't brief someone to get this result. It is the culmination of her life work.

1. She was born with the gift for ordering thoughts in a logical way. That's the way her brain functions.
2. She has a talent for language, loves words and enjoys differentiating subtle nuances in their meanings. She probably began reading and possibly speaking early and probably read a great deal as a child.
3. She learned from her parents' example to work very hard at whatever she was doing. (She said this to the Committee.)
4. As an infant, she learned to focus. She was probably rewarded with affection for focusing on what was going on around her.
5. In early childhood, she received a lot of love from her family and teachers.
6. She was not sent to school until she was emotionally, physically and mentally mature enough to pay attention and understand what was going on. As a result, she enjoyed learning.
7. She was rewarded for being a good student.
8. Her family encouraged her to put her education before other interests.
9. Her teachers and school directed her toward opportunities that would permit her to develop all of her abilities.
10. She did not have any children. She did not have the responsibility (and distraction) of caring for children and a family of her own.
11. She lived in a big city in which she was exposed to all kinds of choices and possibilities.
12. She attended the best institutions for her higher education. In the schools she attended, she encountered for the most part teachers who were dedicated to their students.
13. She never expected to succeed at everything. Therefore when she met failures and setbacks she was not overly discouraged.
14. She recognizes that, while she worked hard to achieve what she has achieved, she owes her success to many people who have supported her throughout her life.
15. She is thankful for good her fortune and blessings in life.
16. She is realistic about the challenges that life brings.

I hope that every parent in American looks to the life of Justice Sotomayor and asks, "How can I provide the environment that my child needs to fulfill his or her dreams and to become all that he or she can become?"

Some of us do take on the responsibilities and make the sacrifices required to raise a family. We will never sit on the Supreme Court. We will never receive public recognition for what we do. But what we do as parents determines whether our children can fulfill their promise in life. Justice Sotomayor was so right in thanking her mother.

[dmr]

27. Excellent post!

[redqueen]

6. God Almighty is that an understatement.

[misanthrope]

7. Most politicians aren't as bright as folks wish...

...their gift is getting people to vote for them and being able to quell ethics in favor of "playing politics," not knowledge.

And deep inside, most are insecure, looking for external gratification to feed their lack of self-esteem.

[Taverner]

8. Judgeship requires at least a BA and a JD

Senatorship requires a pulse

[JuniperLea]

11. An invisible pulse is best...

She has a killer poker face.

[JerseygirlCT]

22. Although Thomas is ample proof that the paper is all that's required

intelligence or qualifications are debatable.

[Taverner]

25. True...

[JuniperLea]

10. She is running circles around them...

She's smarter, quicker, and has an incredible memory for detail! And she's cool... butter wouldn't melt in her mouth cool. That must drive them nuts on its own... they so wanted her to be an emotional woman tied to her hormones and feelings and empathy and all that. Clearly she is tied directly to the rule of law, which is a good thing, and try as they may, they can't turn that into a bad thing. The more they try to make her look dumb, the dumber they look. I have no doubt she sees that... I hope there's a little chuckle deep inside her... she deserves the last laugh:)

[Hepburn]

12. And it is a joy to watch....

...particularly with Sessions and Grassley! :evilgrin:

[JuniperLea]

20. Sessions is such an ass!

I swear he is going to accidently wear his white hood to the senate one day... he is creepy! I love this so much!

[malaise]

13. 100% correct

Men are trying to be smart but are not being clever.

[county worker]

15. Sessions was a fool.

He would say something like, "In a speech you said A and yesterday you said B. Which is it A or B?" Sotomayor would answer, "Look at my record. I have always done B." The he would say, "We are very troubled that you said A and that in the future you will do A."

She answers, " I will do B as I have always done." He says, "Why do you want to do A?"

[Cognitive_Resonance]

16. Yes, they are lightweights by comparison. nt

[orwell]

17. Bear in mind...

...she is not an ordinary judge. She has a highly experienced and accomplished legal mind and calm demeanor. It is no accident that she has graduated with honors at every school she attended.

There are smart Senators as well. But politics more often rewards cunning and political organization over raw intelligence.

I think what we are witnessing is the superiority of intelligence and wisdom over political posturing.

I wish we could see it more often.

[JerseygirlCT]

23. OOO! You said that word!

"wisdom".

You commie pinko, you!

[lapfog_1]

18. The smartest person sitting at the inquisitors table is

Al Franken

[BrklynLiberal]

19. Most likely. He graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1973 with a bachelor of arts

degree in political science.

[JerseygirlCT]

21. Case in point:

Kyl busy trying very hard to get her to say something stupid, says (as she refuses to answer fuzzy questions and looks for clarification) "I didn't mean to infer that you said..."

I was yelling at the television. Idiot! Imply. Imply is the word you want, you dingbat.

[Control-Z]

26. Yes. I was thinking the

same. She has to couch things in language they can understand.