From AMERICAblog: "Dallas gay leaders are a-okay with Miers serving on the court" Seems others are hearing some of the same things I did in regards to Harriet Miers. I agree completely that this is the best we could ever hope to do from a Republican President and I am still firmly in her court.

¶ 10/07/2005 01:09:00 PM //

Harriet Miers apparently submitted a report to the house delegates for the ABA that said:

"Supports the enactment of laws and public policy which provide that sexual orientation shall not be a bar to adoption when the adoption is determined to be in the best interest of the child. Sections of Family Law and Individual Rights and Responsibilities." [hat tip David Drum]

Just because a lawyer argues on behalf of a client on any issue, does not mean a lawyer personally believes that point of view. John Roberts had in his background as a lawyer work which also was gay supportive. Conservatives used the "not necessarily his opinion" defense to deflect criticism within their ranks. Is it simply coincidence that both of Bush's nominees have seemingly worked in support of gay rights in the past or is it evidence that Bush truly isn't as socially narrow minded as he is often portrayed? Obviously President Bush realizes the impact on the future of this country both of these choices will have for many years to come. He did the FMA "dance" to get elected knowing full well that its chances for going any further than rhetoric were slim. Gay marriage has rarely left his lips since the election except when really pressed on the issue from the far right. I have always thought he was much more a centrist and political opportunist than people gave him credit for. Now that he doesn't have to worry about re-election, maybe he has nominated people that really are what they seem without either side's spin... an intelligent man who believes in equality and a good friend who is from all accounts very bright and at first blush, also seems to favor equal rights for all americans.

¶ 10/03/2005 01:54:00 PM //

Unlike some of my more knee-jerk bretheren who seemingly expect everything President Bush does to be a sign of the apocolypse, I am quite delighted with the nomination today of Harriet Miers for Supreme Court Justice. True, she has very little paper trail but from the scuttle butt I hear out of north Texas, she seems possibly to be very in the mold of O'Conner, a Justice I admire. I also have to admit to a smile or two at seeing the uber right wing's knickers more than just a little in a twist. A couple of ramblings this morning have centered on the points that she is a 60 year old unmarried woman and a close, personal friend of George W's. These to me, have some interest. A blog I follow closely, Gay Patriot had this to say:

"After all isn’t every strong, single woman with no kids a lesbian?"

He was referring to the left's reaction and estimating that it wouldn't be long until someone made this leap of logic. Lesbian status or no, being 60 years old and never having married does bring up some fascinating questions. What we have before us is either a 60 year old virgin or (at least at some point) a sexually active un-married woman. I couldn't give less than a care about whether or not she is a lesbian although I will admit to a few well placed calls this morning to Dallas A-List sisters who lean rightward asking if anyone had ever seen her say... maybe... at the Moon for a little night out with the girls or at some of the better parties. But, this is a woman who would have spent her twenties in the late 60's early 70's era of free love. While certainly not everyone had the same experiences through that time frame, I find the thought refreshing that she just might not have been as uptight as some of the more conservative of our species would like. And, if she isn't certified nunnery ready, then it will be refreshing to have someone sit on the bench who could possibly understand the complexities faced by today's women in the areas of birth control, responsibility and yes, choice. Also, having supported Lloyd Bentsen at one point in her life with at least her checkbook, says to me that she has possibly experienced the world from different points of view. Others such as Power Line have talked widely about the fact that even though to most people Harriet Mier is an unknown quantity:

"The only positive spin I can think of is this: President Bush knows Miers well"

Some are using this statement to streghthen her conservative creditentials. I too think that the one person who knows exactly what kind of Justice she will be is George W. Bush. I just don't think this makes her as socially conservative as some folks would like. I base this largely upon the fact that I don't think George W. is all that socially conservative. I mean he talks a good soundbite, but then what politician doesn't. I feel most of his more arch conservative utterances are more political expediancy than actual heartfelt belief. Look at his life. He himself has acknowledged that he had a wild youth until his conversion, which I am quite sure, was sincere and hearfelt. However, those "youthful transgressions" he is so quick to talk about, at least in general also give him insite into how the fair bulk of America lives. Most of us aren't red, blue, black or white but live in the lovely world colored some shade of purple and gray. President Bush has acknowledged having gay friends. He has a pretty good record of diverse appointments, though some are a little too hard edge ideologue for my tastes. I think he is much more centrist at heart than either side likes to believe and I truly feel this nominee reflects that centrist philosophy. That my friends, is why I am "wild about Harriet."

¶ 10/03/2005 10:26:00 AM //

You are a Social Liberal (60% permissive) and an... Economic Moderate (41% permissive) You are best described as a: Centrist Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

¶ 10/03/2005 07:13:00 AM //