Judicial Nominee, War Veteran
Leslie Southwick Maligned During Confirmation Process
WASHINGTON,
July 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Senate Democrats are blocking the
nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick for the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit. Rated "unanimously well-qualified" by the
American Bar Association, Judge Southwick sought an age waiver to
serve in Iraq, requesting to be sent to the most dangerous area. Yet
liberal groups have smeared Judge Southwick with unfounded
accusations, and a few Democrat senators are repeating them.
"Judge
Southwick is a brave, considerate, intelligent American hero -- just
the type of person that we need on the federal bench," stated Wendy
Wright, President of Concerned Women for America. "Yet liberal
special interest groups have unfairly smeared a good man -- a war
veteran -- for doing his constitutional duty of upholding the law
and serving in the war.
"Some Democrat
senators have followed their lead, in effect spitting on the
reputation of this honorable judge and Iraq war veteran. Is this
what other Iraq War veterans will face when they return home? Will
their sacrifice, courage and honor be besmirched by people who put
their interests above the welfare of our country?"
Despite nearly
7,000 cases Judge Southwick ruled on during 12 years on the
Mississippi Court of Appeals, his critics found only two opinions to
criticize.
One involved a
state employee's one-time use of the "n-word." The court denounced
the use of the word, however, recognizing the limits of the law,
ruled that the state cannot apply an "arbitrary, across-the-board
rule" in determining how to discipline that employee.
Judge
Southwick's deeds speak louder than the slurs against him. LaVerne
Ednae, an African-American attorney in a prominent Mississippi law
firm, stated that Judge Southwick gave her an opportunity as a law
clerk when few would. She said, "He saw that I was qualified for the
position and granted me the opportunity. … It did not matter the
party's affiliation, culture or stature. What mattered is what the
law said, and Judge Southwick worked very hard to apply it fairly. I
have no doubt that he is fair, impartial and has all of the other
qualities necessary to be an excellent addition to the Fifth
Circuit."
Southwick's
detractors also complain of the court's use of the term "homosexual
lifestyle." Yet Bill Clinton used "homosexual lifestyle" while
announcing his "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg concurred with the majority decision in Lawrence v. Texas
which addressed the "homosexual lifestyle."
Concerned
Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's
organization.
