THE ISSUE: The confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor as the 111th United States Supreme Court Justice.
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Now that Sonia Sotomayor has been confirmed by our partisan Senate, it’s time to put down the bows and arrows and embrace what is a remarkable triumph by a fellow New Yorker (“Congratulations, Sonia,” Editorial, Aug. 9).
However, let’s hope That, despite her history of several reversed opinions, Sotomayor remains even-handed and fair.
Theodore Miraldi
The Bronx
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It is truly a proud moment for all women to see Sotomayor being sworn in as the 111th Supreme Court Justice.
She has worked hard and undergone many sacrifices to be the best she can be.
She came from such humble beginnings, and she is a good role model for all young women.
She is an example what young girls can aspire to be if they apply themselves.
Eva P. Bedell
Glen Oaks Village
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Sotomayor will almost assuredly become a reliable member of the liberal wing of the Supreme Court.
She will also forever be a footnote in American history as the first Hispanic Supreme Court judge.
While I wish her a long and productive tenure, I can’t help but wonder if the Democrats would have given a courteous reception to a Republican nominee who stated over several years that white males are better able to render justice than Hispanic females.
Paul Bloustein
Cincinnati
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It is a great honor that has been bestowed upon Sotomayor, but only time will tell whether she will carry the torch well.
Opinions of Supreme Court Justices are hard to predict.
In the 1950s, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed Earl Warren as a safe and secure “conservative” justice, and he turned out to be anything but that.
Sotomayor would not have been my choice to sit on the court, but she is there now, and I wish her well.
Whether she becomes a woman of lasting judicial impact and authority remains to be seen.
Tom Cahill
Manhattan
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Congratulations to Sotomayor. The cheers coming from the Hispanic community can be heard all over.
I don’t recall cheers coming from white males when John Roberts was confirmed.
But, then again, he’s not a wise Latina.
Brad Morris
Astoria
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Although Sotomayor may be an important presence regarding Hispanic issues on the Supreme Court, she may also have a significant influence in other areas as well.
Since she is a lifelong diabetic, she may be sympathetic to healthcare and disability issues.
Since she is a single woman, she may be more apt to lend an ear to women’s issues.
Since she is a successful product of affirmative action, she could help reinvigorate the topic while on the court.
Being only 55, Sotomayor may have a big impact on the court for years to come.
Kenneth Zimmerman
Huntington Beach, Calif.
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The purpose of the Supreme Court is to apply the Constitution, not to celebrate culture and overall life experiences (“Salsa-Beat Salute for Sotomayor,” Gerson Borrero, Aug. 9).
Sotomayor’s track record is clear — it shows judicial usurpation instead of judicial jurisprudence.
Gerson Borrero writes that “it will only be a matter of time before they [the 31 Republicans] realIze how much damage they have done to the GOP’s efforts in the Latino community.”
In other words, he thinks politicians should have given Sotomayor their vote in return for Latino votes at the polls.
Elio Valenti
Brooklyn
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It is unfortunate that Borrero, a writer from “El Diario” feels “anger” towards the Republicans.
Perhaps that writer should understand that those of us who oppose Sotomayor do so because we believe that her record is mediocre.
Sotomayor seems to rely on empathy more than the Constitution.
Alice Lemos
Woodside