It's almost comical to watch the faux pearl clutching and hand-wringing over the "empathy" criterion for the selection of an associate justice of the SCOTUS. A judge should possess the very human quality of empathy. "Empathy" does not mean "bias."

I wonder if the right-wing went apoplectic when the first President Bush described Clarence Thomas as having "great empathy" in his remarks nominating Mr. Thomas to the Court. Somehow, I doubt it.

Quote
I have followed this man's career for some time, and he has excelled in everything that he has attempted. He is a delightful and warm, intelligent person who has great empathy and a wonderful sense of humor. He's also a fiercely independent thinker with an excellent legal mind, who believes passionately in equal opportunity for all Americans. He will approach the cases that come before the Court with a commitment to deciding them fairly, as the facts and the law require.
(emphasis added)
President George H.W. Bush
July 1, 1991
Link to source

Last edited by Chuck Howard; 05/27/09 05:27 PM.