This Day in African American History March 6

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1957  Ghana achieves freedom *On this date in 1957, Ghana became the first African nation to achieve freedom from colonial rule more... 1925   Wes Montgomery, jazz guitarist who influenced many. *This date marks Wes Montgomery’s birth in 1925 more... 1882   Virginia State University founded *Virginia State University was founded on this date in 1882 more... 1857   The Dred Scott case, an American turning point . . . *On this date in 1857, the United States Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott Case more... 1941   From Oakland to Pittsburgh, Willie Stargell *On this date in 1941, Willie Stargell was born more... 1797   An investor against slavery, Gerrit Smith! *Gerrit Smith was born on this date in 1797 more... 1838   An Ohio leader, Benjamin W. Arnett! *Benjamin W Arnett.. more... 1966   Maurice Ashley, raising the bar of thinking! *Maurice Ashley was born on this date in 1966 more... 1972   A basketball icon, Shaquille O'Neal! *Shaquille O'Neal was born on this date in 1972 more... 1947   A realist of jazz, Eric Gravatt! *Eric Gravatt was born on this date in 1947 more...

The Sotomayor Hearings

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This week, the Senate Juditiary Committee will begin the confirmation hearings to appoint Judge Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Here are the two things that you can basically expect:
1. A LOT of long winded speeches disguised as questions. Senators have a time limit & expect them to use ALL of it.
2. Republicans to try to tarnish Judge Sotomayor's reputation. This is the part I find funny. If you speak about how proud you are of your race, you are accused of being racist. If Justice Scalia decided to speak about how proud he is of being Italian, I wonder how many people would complain? Actually, a lot of people.
Racial politics is a blood sport. These hearings will just take it to another level. The republicans even have one of the white fire fighters who won an appeal on a case that Judge Sotomayor was judging testifying against her. That's the first time I've ever heard that being done.
Republicans will use these hearings as part of their Party of No strategy. They will twist every word that Judge Sotomayor has ever written or said to their advantage. Their reason is simple & twofold. First, it's payback to the democrats for all of the justices that George W. Bush nominated & the democrats tried to disgrace. Second, this is the republicans' only option because they don't have the votes to stop the judge's confirmation.
If you enjoy a lot of blowhards bickering with each other & destroying someone's reputation, then this is definitely your week. You hear Sotomayor explain "wise latina woman" so many times, it'll make your ears bleed. It'll keep the cable "news" networks busy & talking about something other than Michael Jackson FINALLY. It'll keep every so-called expert employeed for another week. In the end, though, she'll be nominated unless she didn't pay her social security taxes or something stupid like that. Personally, I think we'd all be better off with a steel cage grudge match between her & the republican senators. My money's on Sotomayor.

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