While reading this discussion of Judge Alito and his membership in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton, I tried to remember where I was in the initial draft lottery of 1969. My lottery number was 266. I can still remember the relief, particularly when the highest number taken in the draft was 195.
The Judge appears to be disavowing his membership in that misogynistic racist outfit (scroll down to questions from Senator Leahy):
This is a group that received attention because it was put together but it resisted the admission of women and minorities to Princeton. They were hostile to what they felt were people that did not fit Princeton's traditional mold: women and minorities.Now, two prominent Princetonians -- one, Bill Frist, who is now the majority leader of the United States Senate -- in a committee roundly criticized CAP; Bill Bradley, who had joined it and then found out what it was, left it and roundly criticized it.
And yet you proudly, in 1985, well after -- well after the criticisms of this -- in your job application proudly put that you were a member of it, a member of Concerned Alumni of Princeton University, a conservative alumni group.
Why in heaven's name, Judge, with your background and what your father faced, why in heaven's name were you proud of being part of CAP?
ALITO: Well, Senator, I have wracked my memory about this issue, and I really have no specific recollection of that organization.
In 1985 the Judge was 35. Putting that membership on his résumé was no casual oversight. And in all the prep he and the White House have done for these hearings, he suddenly can't remember what that organization stood for?
I don't buy it. And if he lies about that, what else is he lying about?
Posted by Linkmeister at January 11, 2006 10:43 AM | TrackBacknot taking anyone's side here, Linky. I try really hard not to get too political.
but I will say this - way back in those days there were a LOT of organizations that did not allow women to belong -
I would say "women or minorities" except that in those day women WERE a minority.
to some extent we are still considered so today.
the women's movement that so many talk of today began in the 70's and 80's - the first women's dv shelter wasn't opened until the 80's.
Until then - nobody cared about - or at least talked much about - what women were and were not allowed to do - it was simply the way things were.
things change - people change - organizations change. I would be more worried if he were STILL a card carrying member today of any such group - if he still attended meetings and such.
and, yes, I know that the FIRST women's movement was back in the day of Susan B. Anthony and others. I am thankful that they led the way.
well, I probably should not say much at all because I tend to stay out of political discussions.
Now, grandbabies!!!! THOSE I can talk about in spades. ;-)
>..
Posted by: barbara at January 12, 2006 11:49 AM