Supreme Court Justice

Last week, during George Lopez's HBO special Tall, Dark and Chicano, he forcefully warned all of the Republicans who voted against Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the Supreme Court: "To all of you who voted no, I'd like to take this opportunity to say: You'll never get the Latino vote now. You won't win a pinche pie-eating contest!" This got us thinking about the real-world ramifications of the Sotomayor vote in the upcoming 2010 elections.

With her left hand planted firmly on a Bible held by her 82-year-old mother Celina, Judge Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in on Saturday, Aug. 8, as the first Latina Supreme Court justice of the United States of America.

Jon Stewart took some time on The Daily Show yesterday to examine the statements made by U.S. Senators with regards to Judge Sonia Sotomayor's impending confirmation to the Supreme Court. He noted that it seemed impossible for anyone, Republican or Democrat, to get away from identity politics and acknowledge the fact that—while Sotomayor happens to Latina—she is also imminently qualified for the position she now holds.

As I said before, I still don't feel as though I've learned many new things about Sonia Sotomayor this week, even though her Senate confirmation hearings just ended. I have, however, learned more about the law and our constitution and that is all thanks to Sotomayor's measured, thoughtful and yes, "wise" responses to the questions posed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Supreme Court Justice David Souter's imminent retirement has given the Obama administration a chance to do something that has never been done before: Appoint a Latina to the Supreme Court. And chances are looking good for NYC native Sonia Sotomayor.