Mr. President, Sotomayor and Firefighters

I should begin with the email that I ignored from the Obama Administration, which announced their pick for the Supreme Court Judge that will replace Justice David Souter yesterday. I was at work, I apologize. I figured, I am likely going to see it all over the six o’clock news so after work, I’ll check it out on my G1, as a pre-emptive means of gaining some background information on the decision prior to getting the full out analysis that every news station would provide as soon as I turned on the television.

Well, I worked late, and totally forgot to do that – I was stuck in 1984. Again. That’s another entry though.

I turned on the television and saw a clip of a relatively short woman next to the tall and lanky president when it occurred to me that – ohmygod – is she – what’s her last name?!

Sotomayor.

Sonia Sotomayor is President Barack Obama’s nominee for the open seat on the Supreme Court. I don’t claim to be well-versed in the vetting process or even those who currently should also be considered, but from a strategic point of view, President Barack Obama is brilliant. Applaud, Democrats of Congress, because ultimately, if you trust this man and the decision that he’s just made, you will see that the implications rest wholly in your favor.

I don’t know much about Sonia Sotomayor beyond the fact that she is a woman with an interesting judicial record, and a self-made latina woman. It would seem that Americans are open to trusting other Americans who weren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouths, and I can dig it. A friend of mine recently asked me why I felt the need to go to law school before going into public policy, because, after all, a lot of people are likely to believe that I'm credible and genuine BECAUSE I am not a lawyer. It was an interesting consideration, and a point worth making. This was a bold, revolutionary move by President Obama, who has proven again that we have to trust him and the ultimate decision that he makes. This strategic choice is a great addendum to his already stellar political repertoire in the four months that he’s been in office, and it is certainly going to ruffle some feathers of the Republican Party going forward. The Republicans have been courting the rapidly growing Hispanic population mostly because they translate to a large number of votes. The results of this tug-o-war will present itself during some crucial congressional elections next year. I have a hunch, though, that Obama may have scored heavily this time. Why? Simply put, a protest on behalf of the Republican Party could create some immediate backlash, further breaking lingering allegiances between the Republicans and the Hispanic population.

Some pundits are saying that everyone will closely monitor Sotomayor’s ultimate decision on the firefighter examination issue that is currently taking place in Connecticut. In sum, someone got the idea that since a large number of black firefighters are unable to pass the exam, and therefore unable to become firefighters, the test should be abolished.
It’s possible that much later in life, when I’m running some sort of campaign, someone will likely use the following statement against me, but I think this is the most senseless thing I’ve ever heard. The repercussions only add to the problem, not solve them. There will be dissonance between black and white firefighters, perhaps a lack in confidence by members of the community in these firefighters. Would we water down an examination for doctors, who are also in the business of saving lives? No. It appears to be a no-brainer to me, so I am perplexed by the scrutiny here. Some say that if this law passes, that it will demonstrate reverse discrimination. I’m not really sure what that means, but if I had to provide a conjecture, I’d say that it means that NOT having a test means the law is discriminating against whites in some capacity. I don’t agree with that, but I do think it is unfair. I think it's an issue of legitimizing a quota, which is also kind of a bad idea in this case.

I think a quick and dirty, and much more efficient way of solving this problem, is not by revising the test. If the test is fair and reflects the required knowledge and capabilities required to be a firefighter in Connecticut, then the issue must have something to do with the difference between those who take the exam and pass, and those who do not. What is a consistent weakness among potential firefighters who fail the exam? Does this correlate to the number of men and women who are unable to pass the exam? How will Connecticut help these men and women pass the exam with flying colors, become qualified, assist them and edify them professionally?
I’m not terribly concerned about the way in which law makers will handle this. I think the issue is easy to solve, and that perhaps it means spending more money, but we can’t dumb down a test to save lives, and this shouldn’t be a decision factor in deciding whether or not Sotomayor ultimately makes the cut.

If it does, then perhaps I’m unclear on the co-existence of civil rights and common sense.

Oh and P.S. – Arlen Specter isn’t so enthused about Sotomayor's nomination. Maybe he’ll make his own mistake and prove unworthy of the Democrats’ vote.

Ha, this entire event solves a lot of issues at hand for the next congressional election! Thanks again, Mr. President!