Posted on 07/16/2004 11:34:15 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE
Last week we let you know about Leon Holmes's nomination to federal district court. TXCC supported his confirmation by the Senate, and thankfully he was confirmed 51-46.
As we reported last week, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison voted "No" on confirming Dr. Holmes.
Since then, Senator Hutchison has written to Texas Christian Coalition to share her thoughts on her vote, and she has asked us to share them with you. You can read the text of her letter below, or click here for a PDF file.
http://www.texascc.org/PDF/Dr.%20Holmes.pdf
We are grateful to Senator Hutchison for taking the time to communicate with all of us. We hope you will find this letter informative.
July 7, 2004
Fellow Texans,
I take seriously my responsibility to advise and consent on individuals nominated for lifetime appointments to the bench. Federal judges do not answer to the people after they take office, and when we Senators make a mistake, the results can be devastating. The U.S. appellate court ruling removing "Under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance is just one recent example.
Since President Bush took office in 2001, I have voted to confirm 197 of his 198 nominations that have reached the Senate floor. I am gratified that he has seated a number of judges with a conservative background, because none were appointed during the eight Clinton years. I am particularly pleased when a nominee has strong religious underpinnings, and I believe the Administration of justice benefits greatly as a result.
A previous message implied that my vote against confirmation of Leon Holmes was based either on his abortion position or his religious views. This is not correct. When his statements and writings about equality of women came to light during Senate deliberations, I undertook a serious, independent inquiry, hoping that he could convince me that he was committed to equality for women. After considering his writings, his statements, and interviewing a number of people who knew him, I met with Dr. Holmes and had a frank discussion with him. I ultimately concluded that he was not so committed, and I could not support him for a lifetime appointment.
I'm proud of my strongly conservative, pro-family voting record in the Senate. Of 37 votes rated by the National Right to Life Committee, for example, I have only one vote scored "wrong" by that organization. I have consistently been a leader in bolstering traditional values. I have steadfastly opposed gambling and its expansion in Texas. Last year, I was among the first Senators to publicly endorse a constitutional amendment making marriage solely between a man and a woman. Next week, I will again take a leadership role when the Senate attempts to enact a Federal Marriage Amendment. This amendment, when ultimately passed, will protect states such as Texas from federal court challenges to our definition of marriage, and will prevent activist judges from redefining the traditional institution of marriage according to their own views. I’m convinced there is little we do in the U.S. Congress more important than preserving and strengthening our core social unit, the traditional family.
I appreciate the outpouring of messages and prayers I have received recently as we considered these issues so vital to our society. And I'm grateful that the Christian Coalition gave me this opportunity to communicate with you.
Sincerely,
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Not convinced.
I'd like to know SPECIFICALLY what she objects to. Because from what I've read, the judge was targeted (in this area) simply because he affirmed what the Bible said about authority in marriage.
If thats her sticking point, then Sen. Hutchison is in the "Are you now or have you ever been a Bible-believer?" crowd.
Dan
Texas Ping!
Kay Bailey Hutchinson is a post modern "Christian" who thinks she can reject the parts of the Bible that she doesn't like. I saw her interviewed after her vote and she said she did not approve of the judge and his wife writing an article promoting the Scriptural view of the husband-wife relationship. The Bible teaches that the husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is Head of the Church. In her superficial understanding of this concept, she sees this as disrespectful of women. Instead of excusing her vote, she should just admit that she knows better than God how families ought to be run.
If we are going to starting pissing on people because they interpret the Bible minimally different than ourselves, they we will become fascists and be no better than the AFL-CIO or NOW gang orthodoxies.
In the scope of things, this is a non-issue. Move on to something actually important. We got the judge, she knew we would. End of story. Let Senators do what they need to do up there as long as they are getting us what we need here (non-liberal judges, lower taxes, less regulation, etc).
OR maybe she was feeling lonely and has started spending her time with the other Two RINO Female Sinators!
RINO Collins and Snowe.
Dan
The Bible and the Bull's-Eye on the Baby
PS -- cool screenie. Luther-an, or Luther-fan?
In this case She doesn't just believe in a slightly different interpretation, She simply doesn't believe the Bible. It really is that simple.
She can go suck an egg.
BUMP
Exactly.
bump !!
Tempest in a teapot, IMHO.
bump !
I sent her a message essentially telling her she lost my support since she did not support Holmes. We need judges that obey the constraints of a republican form of government. Legislators legislate, judges do not legislate.
I agree. We could be stuck with four years of the Kerry adminstration if we don't get out the vote and win those toss up states. President Kerry would be a nightmare - he would cancel out all of Bush's judges with his liberal ones.
Although she did vote with Carol Moseley Braun against the UDC when they were both in the Senate.
What is her position on illegal alients and protecting our borders?
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