[left: Edward Kienholz, Illegal Operation, 1962]

Dianne Feinstein emailed me today, letting me know she voted against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Per my request, I’m sure.

But on the issue of confirming John Roberts to be Chief Justice, Dianne’s still mum. “I’ll make my own decision. I’m weighing a lot of things,” she said to the LA Times.

Which is why I called her.

The exchange was brief, very to the point. I dialed (202) 224-3841, asked to be transferred to Dianne’s office, told the woman who picked up that I’m asking Dianne to oppose Roberts. The phone person said, “Thanks, I’ll let her know.” End of call.

According to The Disgruntled Chemist, who also called, Dianne won’t comment on her position before the actual vote. Meaning that Dianne may not have decided yet. Meaning you should call, ASAP.

Why? The main reason (and there are others): Roberts is pretty clearly anti-choice. He co-wrote a legal brief that said ‘Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled’ and dismissed a fundamental liberty as the ‘so-called “right to privacy.”‘

I’m disappointed that more liberal bloggers aren’t taking this issue seriously. I’m still pissed at Dailykos for calling women’s concerns about Roe v. Wade a “pet cause.” According to Dailykos, building the Dem party — without making abortion such a central issue — is more beneficial to “their causes.” Really… Isn’t women’s rights over their own bodies kind of, like, important for women’s rights as a whole? (**Update, 10/1/05: Congresswoman Maxine Waters said best what I was trying to articulate here: “If you can’t make decisions about your life, your body, then the other decisions really don’t matter very much.”)

Of course, Dailykos at least still opposes Roberts, which is better than the LA Times — They wrote an editorial supporting him — without ever even mentioning women’s rights!

Sadly, no one really doubts that Roberts will be confirmed. Of the 18-member Senate Judiciary Committee which votes on this tomorrow morning, 10 are Republicans — and at least one Dem, Patrick J. Leahy (the Committee’s senior Democrat, from Vermont) has already announced his betrayal. After that, the Senate will vote as a whole — and Republicans hold 55 of the Senate’s 100 seats. And Dems have already said they won’t filibuster.

Still, is it too much to ask our Dem senators to make a statement to stand up for women’s rights? Other Dems (not on the Judiciary Committee) who have sided with Roberts: Max Baucus (Mont.), Tim Johnson (S.D.), Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Jeff Bingaman (N.M.). And Mary Landrieu (Lou.) too has hinted at defecting. The traitors!

Those who are definitely with us:
Edward Kennedy (Mass.), a Judiciary Committee member
Harry Reid (Nev.), Senate Minority Leader
Barbara Boxer (Calif.) — Yey! I voted for Boxer!!
John F. Kerry (Mass.)
Jon S. Corzine (N.J.)
Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)

Dianne is the only woman on the Judiciary Committee, and so the only woman who will vote twice on the nomination. I hope she stays with us.

**Update, 9/23/05: Dianne did indeed vote no — Yey! Of course, she was in the minority — one of only five (all Dems) of the 18-member panel to vote no. 3 Dems voted yes: Leahy (Vt), Feingold (Wis), and Kohl(Wis). Fletch, what’s up with your senators? The full senate will debate next week — 2 more dems, Obama (Ill.) and Clinton (NY) have said they’ll vote no.

**Update, 9/29/05: Roberts was confirmed, with half the Dem senators voting yea. For a recap, visit Packed in Saccharin.

On a lighter note, I’m a girl, and I’m girly (via Packed in Saccharin). And I’m proudly pro-choice.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

Filed in: feinstein roberts supremecourt judiciarycommittee california democrat feminism health losangeles prochoice roevwade

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