Kennedy's Shame

"I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart: but the saying is true 'The empty vessel makes the greatest sound". -- William Shakespeare

Well, the Alito confirmation hearings have begun and already Senator Ted Kennedy has embarrassed himself and his party.

To begin with, he has demonstrated that he is so focused on trying to destroy Alito's character, and in the process, Bush's presidency, that he doesn't even know the appointees name.

In his first statement Kennedy announced, "In an era when America is still too divided by race and riches, Judge "Alioto" has not written one single opinion on the merits in favor of a person of color alleging race discrimination on the job. In fifteen years on the bench, not one."

Before I address the obvious false accusation here let me make an observation:

It is my opinion that the mispronunciation of Alito's name was intentional, and I'll tell you why I think so. But first some background.

Has anyone noticed in movies and TV shows that whenever one character seeks to show utter contempt and disrespect to another, and gain a measure of psychological intimidation, that they always call the object of their disrespect by the wrong name? Think about it.

I direct you to the best example I can think of which is the old sitcom, "Bewitched". If you remember, the premise is that a mortal man, named Darrin Stevens, married an immortal witch named Samantha. Samantha's mother, Endora, didn't like Darrin and continually called him any other name than Darrin. Names like Darwin, Darrel, and Dum-dum, etc. It was her way of demonstrating disrespect.

I myself, when I managed a telemarketing office many years ago, would tell my staff not to worry about accidentally calling someone by the wrong name or mispronouncing their name. My reasoning was that it tends to unconsciously intimidate them, and gives you the upper hand at the outset. It is a psychological advantage.

The butchering of Alito's name by Kennedy was intentional. As was my choice of this unflattering picture of Kennedy.

Now, let me address Teddy's direct. He alleges that Alito never issued a single ruling that favors people of color. This is patently absurd. Let's take a look at Alitos alleged racial bias:

* In Zubi v. AT&T Corp., 219 F.3d 220 (3d Cir. 2000), Judge Alito dissented from the majority's holding that a man who claimed he was fired because of his race could not sue in federal court. According to Judge Alito, the plaintiff was entitled to sue because a longer statute of limitations applied. The Supreme Court later vindicated Judge Alito's dissent. See Jones v. Donnelly & Sons Co., 541 U.S. 369 (2004).

* In Goosby v. Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc., 228 F.3d 313 (3d Cir. 2000), a race and sex discrimination case, Judge Alito reversed the district court's decision to grant summary judgment to the defendant employer. The Third Circuit ruled that the plaintiff, a black woman, had introduced enough evidence to call into doubt the employer's explanation for why she was given lower-quality assignments.

* In Smith v. Davis, 248 F.3d 249 (3d Cir. 2001), an African-American probation officer brought a claim of race and disability discrimination in violation of Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Judge Alito joined a unanimous decision to reverse the lower court's grant of summary judgment for the defendant employer.

* Judge Alito's dissent in Sheridan v. DuPont, 100 F.3d 1061 (3d Cir. 1996) (en banc), is a principled balancing of the interests of employees and employers, and the Supreme Court later vindicated it.

* Judge Alito interpreted the Supreme Court's holding in a previous case as requiring that a Title VII plaintiff who produces certain evidence ­ i.e., that the employer's stated reason for the employment decision was false ­ should "usually" but not necessarily "always" be permitted to go to trial.

* The Supreme Court agreed with Judge Alito's Sheridan dissent in Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc., 530 U.S. 133 (2000). Reeves was a unanimous opinion signed by Justice O'Connor ­ whose seat Judge Alito is poised to take.

* In Bray v. Marriott Hotels, 110 F.3d 986 (3d Cir. 1997), Judge Alito would have affirmed the trial court's ruling for the employer because the plaintiff, an African-American woman, had failed to meet her burden of proof under relevant Supreme Court precedent.

* Marriott explained that it promoted a white female instead of the plaintiff because the white female had a higher objective employee rating, had superior experience, and had participated in more seminars and training sessions.

* Judge Alito argued that discrimination claims require evidence of actual discrimination, not just evidence that an employer failed to comply with its own internal procedures.

* Judge Alito has held that prosecutors' efforts to exclude African-Americans from juries is unconstitutional discrimination.

* In Jones v. Ryan, 987 F.2d 960 (3d Cir. 1993), an African-American defendant was convicted in Pennsylvania court of robbery and criminal conspiracy; at trial, the prosecutor used peremptory challenges to exclude three African-Americans from the jury. Judge Alito joined a unanimous opinion holding that the prosecutor had discriminated against the potential jurors on the basis of race, and granting the defendant habeas relief.

* In Brinson v. Vaughn, 398 F.3d 225 (3d Cir. 2005), an African-American defendant was convicted of first-degree murder in Pennsylvania court and sentenced to life in prison. The prosecutor had used 13 out of 14 peremptory challenges against African-American potential jurors, and Judge Alito held that this pattern raised an inference of discrimination.

Kennedy knows these facts, too. He is just banking on the ignorance of the American people. He has learned the Liberal agenda well.

Liberals think we are stupid!

Ted Kennedy has once again demonstrated that he is not the least bit interested in facts, only in denigrating and disrespecting Conservatives.

Here's a bonus quote:

"It's quite amazing; he's the grand inquisitor, and he's never answered a question about Chappaquiddick since 1968".
-- Fox News Legal Contributor Liz Trotta, on Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA).

I think it's time for Teddy to consider an alternative line of work. Perhaps He could get a job as an instructor for the YMCA, teaching swimming. He seems to be proficient in that.

Mary Jo Kopechne, as usual, could not be reached for comment.