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She did it! She has finally beaten all odds and is now the newest member of the US Supreme Court! The Senate confirmed her in a 68-31 vote. The Judge who permanently has her foot in her mouth (and maybe in other places too), has been appointed!

Sonia Sotomayor, a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit since 1997, was a “qualified” candidate for the Supreme Court and will most likely do a great job. She just has a problem of saying stupid things, but who doesn’t?

Not everyone has the same sympathy that I have for Sotomayor.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has a different feeling about Sotomayor. “In America, everyone should receive equal justice under the law. This is the most fundamental test for any judge, and all the more so for those who would sit on our nation’s highest court, where a judge’s impulses and preferences are not subject to review. Because I’m not convinced that Judge Sotomayor would keep this commitment, I cannot support her nomination.”

He continues to say, “This particular nominee comes before us with an impressive resume and a compelling life story. Yet the question that we must ask ourselves today is whether we believe Judge Sotomayor will fulfill the requirements of the oath that’s taken by all federal judges to ‘administer justice without respect to persons.”

In my previous article on the confirmation of Sotomayor I stated that the Senate should appoint, “the most qualified individual for the job, which would have been Sonia Sotomayor if it weren’t for her foot being crammed firmly in her mouth on one fateful evening in 2001.” I stand firmly by this statement.

The Senate today accepted someone with a past that is checkered by hints of bigotry and outlandish statements. Sure, they didn’t nominate and accept Sarah Palin, or someone equally irresponsible, but they came close. This is why I can’t decide whether I like Sotomayor or not. She has made hateful, stupid and lasting comments about other sexes and races. However, she seems to be articulate and intelligent and appears to have learned a valuable lesson even if these comments were degrading and will still pose an issue for her.

But some old white men don’t care, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. “The confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States is an inspiration to not only millions of young women and Hispanic Americans, but our nation as whole.  Judge Sotomayor has proven that she will be a Supreme Court Justice who respects precedent and the rule of law and will be a fair arbiter of justice to all.  She has exhibited intelligence, candor, eloquence and grace not only during this confirmation process, but throughout her entire career.”

The judge certainly has exhibited plenty of candor in her statements, but the grace was lacking. In her most infamous quote she proudly stated: “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”

The appointment has been made and the judge is now confirmed. In hoping for the best we have no choice but to adopt the wait-and-see attitude. She might prove to be a beacon of hope for all who come to America. Alternatively, she may fail to provide the equal justice that so many in that courtroom and in America seek.

Sen. McConnell added that “This (providing equal justice) is the most fundamental test for any judge, and all the more so for those who would sit on our nation’s highest court, where a judge’s impulses and preferences are not subject to review. Because I’m not convinced that Judge Sotomayor would keep this commitment, I cannot support her nomination. I yield the floor.” (related links)