An open letter to Senator Kennedy
Usually, I avoid writing on the political issues of the moment, as whatever words I can supply are swamped by the flood of words on the blogosphere. Nevertheless, some issues piss me off so much that I feel compelled to write. Below is a letter I sent to my state's senior Senator regarding the nomination of Samuel Alito. If you feel as strong as I do, please consider taking action.
Dear Senator Kennedy,
I am writing to urge you, in the strongest possible language, to vote against Judge Samuel Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court. I have been following the Judiciary Committee hearings closely, and I am profoundly troubled by his answers. At every step, Judge Alito seems to support unlimited executive power. The current Bush Administration has tended to obliterate constitutional checks and balances wherever possible: by ordering warrantless searches in clear violation of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, by ignoring the writ of habeas corpus, and by instituting “signing statements” that vitiate Congress’ will. Given that tendency, it is extremely unwise to place anyone on the Supreme Court who would support further Presidential usurpation of power. Indeed, my wife and I are considering having children, and I truthfully fear for the life that they might have if this country drifts further down this path, which seems to lead to nothing less than despotism. There is nothing in Judge Alito’s judicial philosophy to assuage such fears, but instead proudly proclaims his allegiance with the “unitary executive” theory.
Please vote against Judge Alito in the Judiciary Committee. Moreover, should Judge Alito make it to the Senate floor for a vote, I urge you to lead a filibuster by Senate Democrats to block this dangerous nominee. I understand that the political reality of the Senate’s composition, especially the possibility of the Republican majority using the so-called Nuclear Option, makes a filibuster a risk. Nevertheless, certain moments in history are so crucial that one must simply stand up for what is right, regardless of what our fallible foresights suggests the consequences might be. Now is such a moment.
Your humble constintuent
