[syriacus]

Do we look at Americans as Americans or as groups? Do we treat them as Americans or as groups? Those are your only two choices - you have no other - so make your choice - just be honest enough to admit it.

Estrada is not being treated as a group by Bush. He is being treated as a human being.

And I think the Democrats are treating Estrada like an animal.

[nanny]

Tell me, if you will.....Don't you think Schumer seems to have it "in" for Estrada (in particular)? Does Schumer have a yearning to be on the Supreme Court, himself? Too bad he dropped out of practicing law...he would have had a better chance if he'd stayed in law. I'm glad I don't feel particularly threatened by Latinos who are Jesuit educated and conservative and smart.

You know, now you do probably have a point there - I am sure most of the lawyers in congress aspire in their own minds to the Supreme Court.

I am not excusing what the Democrats do when they behave in their usual way. But that is all they are doing here. I really don't care about them and their morals. That's too big a job. I do care about the Republican Party. It is the last hope for this country to return to some sanity and some togetherness. This kind of behavior just helps to make it less and less a possibility.

I appreciate that you get to say what you believe - that is a good thing - but I would like the same courtesy and so far, you have given me that. I just ask that you truthfully look at the way it has been handled and the way the Republican party has been 'courting' the Hispanic (what every the heck that is - someone tell me) vote. You can't deny that - it is there for all to see. That is racial politics. So was the Trent Lott situation. The President wanted him gone (as did everyone else in this country besides him and possibly his wife) - but to use racial politics to do it does not do this country any good. It only does it harm. YOu have to see that.

Mr. Estrada may very well be the most qualified man on the face of the earth - perhaps that is one of the reasons he is being opposed.

No one should deny their affiliations - but affiliations and race are two different things, I think. But the President of the US, when nominating, hiring, etc., HAD BETTER NOT use it as one of the reasons, or he is not being President of the US - but just another pandering politician.

Racial politics is bad - in fact, it is the main reason this country is in the shape it is today. The Republican party with Pres. Bush and the congress could go a long way to changing that - instead they are just adding to the problem.