Uppity Wisconsin

As the GOP makes clear that it will not let go of its racist foolishness as it plays to its white base, the New York Times reports that "four of the panel’s seven Republicans invoked the 'wise Latina' reference."

Good, this should certainly help the White Party make some inroads into the Latino population.

From one of the good guys, Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl, who has the crazy idea that compassion is within the bounds of judicial policymaking, and in echoes of Robert Jackson that the law can afford to be just:

Kohl's Opening Statement on the Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing of Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Judge Sotomayor, let me also extend my welcome to you this morning and to your family. You are to be congratulated on your nomination.

Your nomination is a reflection of who we are as a country and it represents an American success story that we can all be proud of. Your academic and professional accomplishments - as prosecutor, private practitioner, trial judge and appellate judge - are exemplary. And as a judge, you have brought a richness of experience to the bench and to the judiciary which has been an inspiration for so many.