Regarding Elena Kagan and the survival of the American system

Miguel Estrada was nominated in 2001 by George W. Bush for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Although clearly qualified and confirmed by the Judicial Committee, the nomination was blocked by Senate Democrats in a 2003 filibuster. The reasons given were various, but none of them made any real sense.

In a Friday letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Miguel Estrada spoke of the Elena Kagan nomination, saying of his long-time friend, "She's clearly qualified for the court and should be confirmed. Obviously, she's a left-of-center academic who never would have been picked by a Republican. But no one can doubt her intellectual accomplishments."

Estrada displays the qualities that makes him a gentleman, and proves he would have been an excellent choice for a judgeship. He speaks volumes of truth and hopefully sets a tone that will lead to a return to reason. Speaking of the Kagan nomination, Estrada says, "If such a person, who has demonstrated great intellect, high accomplishments and an upright life is not easily confirmable, I fear we will have reached a point where no capable person will readily accept a nomination for judicial service."

Clearly Estrada would have made a fine judge, but partisan politics shot him down. Tit for tat politics has tattered our country's political system. Every perceived slight must be avenged regardless of the damage it does to the country as a whole, and the pundits fill their bank accounts egging it on.

Pundits and bloggers of both wings could learn something from Miguel Estrada.

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