Sessions is Thumbs Down on Sotomayor

Only one GOP Senator on the Judiciary Committee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, voted to send Judge Sonia Sotomayor's name to the full Senate for confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the committee’s leading Republican, said just before the vote that he was compelled to oppose the nomination because in some important cases the judge’s decisions were “unacceptably short” and showed a “liberal, pro-government ideology against the individuals asserting their constitutional rights.”

"In speech after speech, year after year, Judge Sotomayor set forth a fully formed ... judicial philosophy that conflicts with the great American tradition of blind justice and fidelity to the law as written."

For the record, here are some of Sen. Sessions notable floor votes, according to the Red Room Website. They presumably show his blindly objective view of crucial constitutional issues.

• Yes on constitutional ban on flag desecration. (June 2006)


• Yes on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (June 2006)


• No on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (June 2002)


• Yes on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (October 2001)


• No on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (June 2000)


• No on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (March 1998)


• Yes on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (October 1997)


• Rated 20% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (December 2002)


• Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (December 2006)


• Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (December 2006)

Or perhaps the distinguished gentleman for Alabama believes certain types of folks, such as women, gays, and ethnics, do not deserve a place at the American table. He holds interesting views on racial equality and related issues, according to this May 4, 2009, article in Washington Monthly.

Restaurant Follies

Saturday night I'd identified a Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in Philly called Mediterranean 2000 for a post-film dinner. Called to verify they were open and asked about the cuisine. Heard "yes yes yes" in response to several questions.

Upon arrival saw a sign identifying it as a Portugese restaurant. Portugal is a long way from Greece. Pull out the GPS and identify a nearby place called the Holy Land. Okay, that sure sounds like the type of food we're looking for. Pull up in front of that establishment and there's a new sign that reads "Kosher Japanese Sushi."

It is about 8:30 p.m. and no food has been consumed for five or six hours. Surrender to the inevitable, pull into a strip mall and stroll into Copa Banana. This is one of three area locations. An experience with the South Street branch earlier in the summer left a bad taste in my mouth. Thought a mandatory tip of 17% regardless of the number of people at a table was robbery.

After sampling a few menu items, including a perfectly juicy bacon cheeseburger with Spanish fries on the side, decided to drop the robbery charges and go with the flow in the interest of good eats.

Stupid is as Stupid Does

As much as I think the Prez is doing a solid job under difficult circumstances, his recent remarks regarding the Prof. H.L. "Skip" Gates Jr. incident were a rare example (hopefully) of shoot first and ask questions later. The police report makes it clear that Gates, perhaps because he had an unpleasant journey back to Boston or perhaps because he has a massive ego, flared up very quickly in the presence of the police.

A few other reputable media outlets noted that Gates also had a reputation during his academic tenure in North Carolina for being a prickly personality who was quick to take offense.

Bottom line lesson here for all of us is to breathe deeply and count to 10 before mouthing off about things that we don't know for sure are fact or fiction.

Good Eats Update

Have been remiss lately regarding three recent outings to interesting eateries in the South Jersey area.

First was Sweet Jenny's in Barnegat, N.J., a combo diner, restaurant, ice cream parlour and minigolf course right on State Highway 9. Had a very good pulled pork BBQ sandwich with the precisely correct amount of vinegar. My fellow diner indulged in a pastrami on rye. The pastrami was exceptional. Suspect they have a Grade A meat supplier in New York City or perhaps Philly.

The Banana Split Super Sundae was far too much for two folks to consume. This is also a child friendly place, which depending on your appreciation for rambunctious munchkins could mean a happy or hellish dining experience.

Next stop is the Dining Car in the heart of Northeast Philly right on Frankford Ave., one of the main drags. Featured on Guy Fieri's DDD Food Network show, the crisp chicken croquettes (no filler) were served over fresh mashed potatoes and covered with a light gravy.

Rave reviews were also offered regarding the perfectly broiled flounder. A slice of vanilla cheesecake was another winner. There are also dozens of pies, cakes and pastries available for purchase in the vestibule. Note that the Dining Car only accepts greenback dollars. No checks or plastic. An ATM machine is available on site (with a reasonable transaction fee).

Finally, in the same neck of the woods is the Three Monkey's Cafe, with a large outdoor patio adjacent to beautifully renovated late 19th century bar. It's complete with painstakingly restored woodwork, an oversized hand-carved bar, vintage mirrors, a tin ceiling, period fans, and various monkey portraits and multiple objets d'art.

The menu offers variety sufficient for most casual diners (e.g., fish, beef, pork, chicken, salads, appetizers), but you are advised to save tummy space for the Monkey Bread dessert. Yum-o!

Mindless Opposition

The Senate GOP is still playing dumb and coy about the Supreme Court nominee. If an obviously experienced and qualified judge with a solid track record is unable to garnish no more than a handful of votes from the minority caucus, this does not bode well for future nominees.

Since the 1970s several nominees were defeated or blocked because they were clearly unsuitable by measure of competence and experience or radical viewpoints. Too bad one of the poorer selections, Justice Clarence Thomas, slipped by the gatekeepers.

State of the Union

I'm continuing to be alternately amused and confounded by the current crop of Republican dinosaurs who do not realize they are on the verge of extinction.

They're singing that same old song about

• big government evils,
• the sanctity of the family, and
• the virtue of thrift

after more than two decades of expanding the size and scope of the federal government, cheating on their spouses, and allocating funds for earmarked projects in amounts that would embarass an entire fleet of drunken sailors.

That being said, columnist Frank Rich examines just one facet of this ongoing rampant idiocy in this recent piece.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/opinion/19rich.html?em