Jane said it all here, but I’m risking a repeat:

Boy, does this sound familiar:

While conservatives say they know they have little chance of defeating Mr. Obama’s choice because Democrats control the Senate, they say they hope to mount a fight that could help refill depleted coffers and galvanize a movement demoralized by Republican electoral defeats.

“It’s an immense opportunity to build the conservative movement and identify the troops out there,” said Richard A. Viguerie, a conservative fund-raiser. “It’s a massive teaching moment for America. We’ve got the packages written. We’re waiting right now to put a name in.”

That’s exactly what NARAL did when Sandra Day O’Connor retired…

And when NARAL and others pulled their penny ante sideshow wimpery? We called them on it, day in and day out, for months on end. And took heaps of shit from Beltway insiders for being publicly honest about what everyone knew was privately going on: milk the base and cynically rebuild the coffers for the next election cycle PR, while doing nothing substantive about judicial nominees whose philosophies honestly threaten choice.

What are right wing bloggers and pundits doing about their version of frothing, fundraising hackery?

Playing along and hoping to reap some payback reward out of their lockstep shilling for the moneyed few.  Some of them enjoying it far too much, frankly. (more…)

Photo via SkipSteuart.

Today’s quote comes from Abigail Adams, in a letter which was a series of correspondence between her and John Adams.

I cannot say that I think you are very generous to the ladies; for, whilst you are proclaiming peace and good-will to men, emancipating all nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over wives.

But you must remember that arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken; and, notwithstanding all your wise laws and maxims, we have it in our power, not only to free ourselves, but to subdue our masters, and without violence, throw both your natural and legal authority at our feet.

Thought you would get a kick out of it. For any number of reasons, not the least of which that it’s always been clear that Abigail shared the pants in her family.

Judge Sotomayor’s sharp-tongued and occasionally combative manner — some lawyers have described her as “difficult” and “nasty” — raises questions about her judicial temperament and willingness to listen.

You want to know why those opposing Sotomayor keep raising this issue of "she’s a bitch on the bench?" (And how often have you seen this tack with a man.  Honestly.)

It’s because they know that a Heathers campaign is media catnip.

The titillating nature of junior high anonymous gossip mongering is so much more amusing and more easily understood by political reporters who don’t bother trying to comprehend legal intricacies. 

Having to wade through all those tedious legal opinions?  It’s hard work.  Forcing people to go on the record if they want to snipe?  Glenn’s been having a field day with this sort of idiocy, and for good reason.

It’s just easier to pass notes in class and knife someone in the back anonymously, isn’t it? (more…)

Actress Keira Knightley agreed to star in a PSA against domestic violence for a charity in the UK that helps victims of abuse.

It’s graphic, so be forewarned before watching.

Having worked on any number of these legal cases through the years, I can tell you that no type of case is more complex or difficult than domestic abuse.

Female members of Congress are banding together ito shine light on women’s issues in Afghanistan:Given what they perceive to be momentum for the cause, several lawmakers say they are ready to place social and economic developmental issues front and center in the debate on Afghanistan’s future.

How many people need to become homeless before Congress acts to help regular folks? Because unscrupulous, unethical business practices deserve a sharp rebuke: Women borrowers are overrepresented in the subprime lending market…Across the economic spectrum, women receive less favorable terms than similarly situated men on home purchase, refinance, and home improvement loans….