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"I think we are achieving racial balance in the appointment of judges," he said. "I would say that it inevitably leads to more understanding of cultural and social problems of the Asian community."….

"achieving racial balance"? Is that now the Primary Directive of our Court System? It seems like "diverse" has become more important than "qualified".

BTW, summer, I think your articles are great, so please don't take any of this as a slight toward you, I just have to rant sometimes.

Dakmar, Believe I am taking your rant really well! I just want to understand what you are saying and your concern, as I know you are trying to make what you believe is a valid point. I think now what you are perhaps upset about is that you are perceiving "diversity" is the sole goal of the judicial appointment. But, I did not read it that way either. I just thought: 'We here in Florida really ARE a diverse state; and, when a highly qualified person makes the grade, it is great that such a person can move up. And, if the person is Korean, or whatever, wonderful.'

But, I want you to know that before I wrote this, I went back and read through ALL of Gov. Bush's appointments to the bench. There are plenty of people of ALL colors -- including white. Men and women.

And, that is why I ended with my point about Pickering. Because the NYT article makes me wonder if Pickering, who is white, is the one who is being discriminated against by People for the American Way, since his own homestate -- full of blacks -- believes he is highly qualified. Why should a highly qualified person be denied? White, Korean or black? The complaints the opposition has to Pickering seem to go back centuries, while the rest of Mississippi has moved on, as has Pickering. What's the real reason for the delay???

But, your point is well taken -- appointments should not be made based on the ethnic origin of a person. That is why I think these appointments by Gov. Bush are great -- he chose people highly qualified. And, when you look back over the number of judges he has appointed -- and he has appointed quite a few -- you really find well qualified people throughout -- from all ethnic backgrounds. They were well chosen because of their backgrounds. And, they happen to look like Florida. That's good too, in my view. Did I make any sense here?? :)