Q&A on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor

But let justice well up as waters,

and righteousness as a mighty stream — Amos 5:24
וְיִגַּל כַּמַּיִם, מִשְׁפָּט; וּצְדָקָה, כְּנַחַל אֵיתָן — עמוס ה:כד

To whom do I turn for brilliant analysis of matters legal-political in the U.S. (and often beyond these topical and geographic borders)? My own private consultant who proudly claims her immigrant "fishmonger" roots has garnered a mile-long list of honors, including teaching the rule of law in China, serving as Director of the National Association of Women Judges, and holding memberships in numerous bar associations. My housemate during our twenties, she has been an Associate Justice in a state court system the past two decades. And, she cooks superb dishes featuring Kimchi, the national Korean pickled cabbage dish.

Me: Your opinion on the nominee are most welcome.

She: Hi, T. From all I read in the New York Times and hear on NPR [National Public Radio], it is a brilliant choice both legally and politically. Apparently she is not a flaming liberal who would rekindle the culture wars but she would clearly be a counterweight to Scalia/Roberts/Thomas/Alito. And to choose a Nuyorican is a political masterstroke. I had originally mistakenly thought that she was a decade older than she actually is and age is definitely a factor where it's a lifetime appointment and those geezers tend to hold on too long, but fifties is a good age to go on the Court. I hope her diabetes stays under management so that she will be with us for a long time. Hope you are well. Off to the legal salt mines. Love,