Progressive Democrat Issue 61: Fight for the Court, Oppose Alito

Continuing this from last week, I am taking this from the ACLU:

As the Senate begins hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court, the ACLU is taking an extraordinary step.

That is because this is an extraordinary time. Our President has claimed unprecedented executive powers and has shown a deep hostility towards protecting individual liberties and rights.

The ACLU opposes a Supreme Court nominee only when his or her record clearly indicates that the nominee is fundamentally hostile to civil liberties. With that context and standard in mind, we believe there is no choice but to oppose the Alito nomination.

We encourage each and every person in our country who cares about the future of civil liberties to urge their Senators to reject this nomination.

At a time when the President of the United States is defying the Constitution and showing contempt for the checks and balances essential to democracy, the last thing we can tolerate is a Supreme Court nominee who has a broad view of executive power and a limited view of the judicial role in checking that power.

A Supreme Court Justice with Judge Alito’s troubling record on civil liberties issues, including reproductive freedom and civil rights, would be the wrong choice at any point in time.

At this moment in time, a nominee with Judge Alito’s history of deference to authority and support for government power would strike a blow to the future of fundamental freedoms.

In this high-stakes climate, the Supreme Court must be a bulwark against incursions on our fundamental freedoms.

Judge Alito would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, considered a moderate voice and a critical swing vote on civil liberties and civil rights issues.

For example, in the case of American-born detainee Yaser Esam Hamdi, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said the Court has "made clear that a state of war is not a blank check for the president when it comes to the rights of the nation's citizens." We are deeply concerned that Judge Alito would not bring the same balance and moderation to the Court.

The ACLU and freedom-loving people all across America are fighting to uphold the Constitution and the Bill of Rights against a climate of disregard, and in some cases illegality, in the current administration.

Tell your Senators to Oppse Alito!

And, of course, write a letter to the editor saying why you oppose Alito.