Random Thoughts

I read recently of a new Gallup Poll that said that more Americans were identifying themselves as "Pro-Life) (the story on Yahoo News is here). What are the implications of this with what is an apparent shift in the country's belief in the issue of Abortion? Why is it that Liberals who jump on the chance to list public opinion as a reason for change are not embracing this poll as evidence that the extreme position on abortion should be reconsidered? For example – Liberals list all the support for gay marriage as a reason for this social change to be adopted – why not apply the same standard to what seems to be a shift toward the pro-life position?

Why isn't the opposite of pro-life pro-death?

Gas prices are steadily rising – a recent story on the Fox Boston website notes that gas is "up 9 cents from last week and 34 cents over the last month." And that gas has risen for seven straight weeks. Why isn't the public clamoring for Obama's intervention the way they were for Bush's back when gas prices were on the rise? Why no investigations into "big oil" and their profits?

WBZ radio has a story that is entitled "Bill would let MA doctors say "I'm sorry"". It is interesting that in this day and age, medical staff are so worried about litigation (medical malpractice lawsuits) that they are refraining from offering condolences to patient's family members. The story states in part "Doctors have long expressed frustration that showing any compassion toward patients or their families - especially after a death following an operation or treatment - can be used against them in a medical malpractice lawsuit." Does anyone else see this as so very sad?

I was watching the news (I am not sure which one it was) but the local talking heads were discussing Obama's newest Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Sotomayor has stated in a speech that "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life.". Does this woman realize what her role would be if she went to the Supreme Court? It would be to interpret the intent of the Constitution, not to apply her own specific empathy to a certain case. This is not a good pick.

Second thought about Sonia Sotomayor. I have heard again on news shows that Republicans are loath to vote against her because she is Hispanic and they do not want to alienate the Hispanic community. As Ann Coulter points out in her most recent column, Miguel Estrada (a Hispanic attorney) was nominated for a spot on the Federal Appeals court. Coulter notes that Estrada's nomination was blocked "…solely on the grounds that he is Hispanic and was likely headed for the Supreme Court -- according to Senate Democrat staff memos". Why weren't democrats worried about alienating the Hispanic community?

Final thought – why do the media feel that Hispanic community is so tightly vested in the fate (or future) of Sonia Sotomayor? Is the potential of her not being named to the Supreme Court somehow ratchet back race relations to some bygone era? This is identity politics at its worst.

Outspoken Roman