VOICE of Reason?

I picked up a copy of this weeks Village VOICE and couldn't believe my eyes when I read Nat Hentoff's article titled, New York Times v. Janice Rogers Brown. Maybe most of this periodical blinds me with its usual soviet approach to politicsso I was shocked to see something very well written and rational. I never have a problem with constructive criticisms, but much of the VOICE is only good for lining your litterbox or birdcage (and checking out what rockin' act is playing in the area!).

Hentoff attacks the NYTimes and their selective reporting to support the Senate Democrats who attack Bush nominees like Judge Rogers Brown and not fairly sighting cases where she has given strong and sound rulings and decents.

In People v. McKay (2002), Janice Rogers Brown was the only member of that court to denounce racist standards by which some police engage in stop-and-search operations:

"There is an undeniable correlation between law enforcement stop-and-search practices and the racial characteristics of the driver. . . . The practice is so prevalent, it has a name: 'Driving While Black.' "

In the case In re Visciotti (1996), Justice Brown was in dissent on the death sentence of John Visciotti, who had been convicted of murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery. She said the sentence should be set aside because of the clear incompetence of Visciotti's lawyer. (This makes her an "extreme right-wing ideologue"?)

In another case, In re Brown (1998), this purported enemy of civil rights and civil liberties went after the prosecutor in a capital case and reversed the death sentence of John George Brown because the prosecutor withheld evidence that could have been exculpatory.

It's really disappointing that Democratic Senators like Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. John Kerry use whatever means they can to get their way when the American people chose more Republican candidates than Democratic candidates this past election.
At John Kerry's site, he makes this nonsensical plea to Americans about his concern on the events in Washington. I listened to him and imagined Sen. Bill Frist saying the same thing and you know what? It makes more sense. Maybe Sen. Frist should say what John Kerry conveys word for word, but switching it to Democrats and I'm sure it'll be a lot clearer.