# YAY! The Republicans are standing up for the little guy. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 1, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309 "2009-06-01T02:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/21 "2009-06-01T15:01:18Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” > > i.e. Will she be fair to rich, white guys? More importantly, will she be fair to working class whites of either gender? Or had you forgotten that we exist? Or even worse, do you really believe that “white privilege” bullshit? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/22 "2009-06-01T15:02:04Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > They don’t need it. They have had their way for a long time. The activist judges that Bush put in just entrenched their powers. Apparently you guys don’t really understand the concept of a Judge. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/23 "2009-06-01T15:02:09Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > From the article: “_Can a woman who says her views are shaped by her Puerto Rican heritage and humble beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes?_” Sure – if a man whose views are shaped by his WASP heritage and prep-school beginnings can be, why not? ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/24 "2009-06-01T15:07:41Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > If the candidate has a history of racist actions of any kind, that should be brought up. [She does.](http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2009-05-31-firefighters_N.htm) > [@BigT](#): > > We’ll never get it exactly right, but I think we have a duty to try and keep racists out of positions of power. As our society as a whole is against racism. Yes, we must hunt down those horrible racists wherever they are. That’s absolutely our highest priority at any given time. Look under every bed, in every closet, and behind every bush. Make sure you get those big, bad racists. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/25 "2009-06-01T15:11:41Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > [She does.](http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2009-05-31-firefighters_N.htm) Wrong. > [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Yes, we must hunt down those horrible racists wherever they are. That’s absolutely our highest priority at any given time. Look under every bed, in every closet, and behind every bush. Make sure you get those big, bad racists. Run out of straw yet? ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/26 "2009-06-01T15:16:43Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Wrong. > > Run out of straw yet? Do you have anything of actual substance to say? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/27 "2009-06-01T16:09:15Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Of course, because only a _racist_ would want people treated in an egalitarian manner. Of course. White fear is not about wanting people to be treated in an egalitarian manner. White fear is about protecting white empowerment. Many of the responses to Ms. Sotomayor’s one comment (which supposedly suggests that there is a possibility a Latina might know better) have had white fear at their core. Not a desire for egalitarian treatment of all people: on the contrary, a desire to protect the “fairness” that principally benefits rich, white people. People like Rush Limbaugh don’t want to see people who aren’t white have the same opportunities as people who are. Maybe Rush isn’t really racist, who knows? But in the very least, he lacks the empathy to realize the myriad ways that “white privilege” is very, very real. > [@Lonesome Polecat](#): > > More importantly, will she be fair to working class whites of either gender? Or had you forgotten that we exist? Or even worse, do you really believe that “white privilege” bullshit? Are you really that naive? > [@Liberal](#): > > Now, if you frame your question something like this: “Will she be able to interpret law as it applies to the case at hand regardless of the race or class of the individuals involved?” The answer, given her record, is an obvious yes. Exactly, and there is no evidence to the contrary. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/28 "2009-06-01T16:17:45Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > You want to have to explain to me how benefits to people centuries ago gives cause for denigrating people\* who share characteristics with them now? “Sharing characteristics” means sharing the same overwhelming financial and political power, and the same inability (all too often) to understand or even begin to contemplate the needs of different groups of people. Ms. Sotomayor hasn’t denigrated anyone. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/29 "2009-06-01T16:20:56Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Apparently you guys don’t really understand the concept of a Judge. Apparently you don’t really understand the concept of activism. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/30 "2009-06-01T16:23:42Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Apparently you don’t really understand the concept of activism. No, I get it just fine, apparently you don’t. If a judge is antagonistic to rich white men when the law is clearly on their side, then that person should not be a judge in the first place. There is no valid counter argument. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/31 "2009-06-01T16:26:22Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > If a judge is antagonistic to rich white men when the law is clearly on their side, then that person should not be a judge in the first place. Nor vice versa. Yet, remarkably, it sometimes happens anyway. Imagine that. > [@](#): > > There is no valid counter argument. You’re arguing “should” rather than “is”. Not the same thing at all. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/32 "2009-06-01T16:48:10Z")
Can a man who doesn’t say his views are shaped by his Anglo-ameircan upbrinigng and priviledged beginnings make fair decisions when it comes to all races and social classes? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/33 "2009-06-01T16:49:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Nor vice versa. Yet, remarkably, it sometimes happens anyway. Imagine that. Yes, and that’s wrong. > [@](#): > > You’re arguing “should” rather than “is”. Not the same thing at all. A Judge should be judged on ‘should’ when being confirmed. But in terms of is there IS no valid counter-argument. There are counter-arguments, just not valid ones. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/34 "2009-06-01T17:10:56Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Really now, in saying that her background has an influence on her decision making, she’s just being refreshingly honest. I’d have gone with “blindingly obvious,” myself. I mean, isn’t _everyone_ influenced by their background? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/35 "2009-06-01T17:14:15Z")
It certainly looks like the Republicans’ days of drumming up outrage based on out-of-context quotes and innuendo are coming to a middle. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/36 "2009-06-01T17:34:17Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Do you have anything of actual substance to say? You go first. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/37 "2009-06-01T17:41:48Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Many of the responses to Ms. Sotomayor’s one comment (which supposedly suggests that there is a possibility a Latina might know better) have had white fear at their core. I disagree. “Because of my gender and ethnic heritage, I am capable of making better decisions than someone of a different gender and different ethnic heritage.” (paraphrasing, of course) That’s a very troubling statement from a judge, regardless of which gender or ethnic heritage they are. Its not as if one particular gender or ethnic heritage combination renders that statement palatable, while other combinations make it offensive. It’s racist and sexist no matter what. And not because of “white fear”, as you say. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/38 "2009-06-01T17:42:46Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > [She does.](http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2009-05-31-firefighters_N.htm) [She doesn’t.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappas_v._Giuliani) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/39 "2009-06-01T17:46:14Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > “Because of my gender and ethnic heritage, I am capable of making better decisions than someone of a different gender and different ethnic heritage.” (paraphrasing, of course) Generally speaking, a paraphrase ought to resemble the original statement in some way. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309/40 "2009-06-01T19:57:42Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > “Because of my gender and ethnic heritage, I am capable of making better decisions than someone of a different gender and different ethnic heritage.” (paraphrasing, of course) Your “paraphrase” meaningfully alters the original. What you say she said, ain’t what she said. You’re setting up a nice little straw man there, with your mendacity. > [@](#): > > That’s a very troubling statement from a judge Well, it’s a good thing that’s neither what she said nor meant. The rest of your post is irrelevant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yay-the-republicans-are-standing-up-for-the-little-guy/498309.md?page=3)