By Mike
Emotions and many senators were high on Wednesday as the nomination of Samuel Alito was questioned yet again by the the Senate Judiciary Committee; this time, however, Martha-Ann Bomgardner, Sam’s wife, took the brunt of many of the attacks. At least she sat through many of them.
One such attack on Samuel Alito’s character concerned his involvement with a Princeton Alumni group, which focused its attention on creating a less diverse environment at Princeton. Alito claimed to have no such connection to the group. However, in his application to work for former President Ronald Reagan Alito clearly refers to his membership in the group known as the Concerned Alumni of Princeton University, or better yet the inJustice League. His only comment on this was, “If I had been involved actively in any way in the group, I’m sure that I would remember.” Nice save Sammy.
Another attack was made by Senator Lindsay Graham. She asked, “Are you really a closet bigot?” Alito promptly denied the allegation, after which Graham replied, “No sir, you’re not.” Now thats hard-hitting questioning; way to stick to your guns Lindsay.
Many Senators were troubled by the inconsistencies in his viewpoints, most notably the 1973 case of Roe v Wade which effectively legalized abortion. Alito has simply stated that it was an important case, and would not label it as law and solid precedent.
In any case, Alito’s views have been seen as too far right for the Supreme Court, and I tend to echo that view. What difference would his confirmation make? We may never know.
Jan 11, 2006 • OP-ED, Politics
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By Mike
On the eve of the Orange Bowl between Penn State and Florida State, the ever resilient Joe Paterno was asked about the suspension of a Florida State linebacker, A.J. Nicholson, over an alleged sexual assault. Paterno replied, “There’s some tough — there’s so many people gravitating to these kids. He may not have even known what he was getting into, Nicholson. They knock on the door; somebody may knock on the door; a cute girl knocks on the door. What do you do?”
“Geez. I hope — thank God they don’t knock on my door because I’d refer them to a couple of other rooms,” Paterno continued. “But that’s too bad. You hate to see that. I really do. You like to see a kid end up his football career. He’s a heck of a football player, by the way; he’s a really good football player. And it’s just too bad.”
The National Organization for Women, or NOW, has demanded that Paterno step down from his post of 40 years stating that his comments were deemed inapporpriate and claiming that his statements endorsed rape and sexual assault.
Paternor replied by telling ESPN.com, “Most people know me. I am what I am, I had no intention … it was taken out of context. Having said that, they have every right to do what they want to do.” He also stated, “If my kids calls for [my resignation], if my squad calls for it … but when people don’t know what they’re doing are looking for publicity or trying to give publicity to their cause or looking for some sort of scapegoat, no, it doesn’t bother me.”
Penn State officials have said that Paterno made the statement in the larger context of bowl game distractions, rather than an endorsement of sexual misconduct. However advocates from NOW have continued to volley verbal assaults on the venerable Paterno.
Hopefully the situation can be resolved for the old ball coach, and I’m not entirely convinced that his statements were intended as NOW claims, but we’ll find out soon enough.
Jan 11, 2006 • Sports
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By Larry
Yes, I know everyone has already used that title.
In his newest book, A Million Little Pieces, James Frey tells us the harrowing story of his life as a drug addict/alcoholic and as a criminal in the midwest. Part of the story takes place in Benton Harbor/St. Joe, Michigan.
The newest feature on thesmokinggun.com is an expose of the “facts” surrounding the author’s life/book. The article claims Frey fabricated events and lied about his connection with the deaths of two St. Joseph High School girls. The article also raises questions about his criminal record.
thesmokinggun.com is an investigative website that guarantee’s all of it’s content to be “100% authentic.”
James Frey is also the author of My Friend Leonard, another non-fiction book, about his former cell mate, a mob boss, in a Minnesota prison months after A Million Little Pieces ends.
A Million Little Pieces is currently being made into a feature film.
To read a review of A Million Little Pieces from Slate.com click here.
Jan 10, 2006 • Literature and Fiction
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