Comments on: Supreme Fatism & Sexism

By: La Wade

La Wade — Sun, 17 May 2009 11:45:08 +0000

Resign from what, Lord Matt? The people quoted as making fat-biased comments are all blog commenters, not anyone in any actual position to influence the next choice of nominee. I mean, I suppose that “jackiej” could be Patrick Leahy’s preferred online alias, but I doubt it.

The author of the article is, I think, a bit deliberately misleading about this, because he mixes in the hateful blog comments with less inflammatory public statements by actual judges and journalists. But if you read carefully, you’ll see that no legal scholar, political figure or member of the media actually says anything about fatness being a consideration.

By: Lord Matt (girth watch)

Lord Matt (girth watch) — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:31:56 +0000

How bigoted can you get? Damn. That’s some hard core discrimination going on there. That happen in the UK and you’d see people being asked to resign. (shakes head)

By: Una In A Million

Una In A Million — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:54:44 +0000

It’s obvious whoever wrote that is either a moron or has a weird sense of humor? Either way no one worth a damn would take it seriously.

By: KateG

KateG — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:19:42 +0000

Yeah, what everyone else said. Plus, for those unfamiliar with Above the Law, the comments on that site are always terrible and often offensive. It’s a legal gossip web site, sometimes with interesting topics, but I think people comment to be funny or sound intentionally outrageous. No one takes them seriously.

By: CassandraSays

CassandraSays — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:50:14 +0000

Well I’m a member of the small-ass club and I have to say, this right here? Is a perfect example of why I support fat acceptance despite not actually being fat myself. First of all, this kind of shit warps our entire culture by ensuring that we consistently refuse to promote the most qualified people, which is bad for everyone. Secondly, could the sexism with which it’s applied be any more obvious?

Personally I have no interest in fucking anyone on the Supreme Court. It’s not their job to be fuckable, their job is to be really really smart and well versed in the law.

I agree with Slothful, Greedy, Villainous Fat Stereotype – send this crap back to 4chan where it belongs.

By: Slothful, Greedy, Villainous Fat Stereotype

Slothful, Greedy, Villainous Fat Stereotype — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:26:38 +0000

I hope someone eventually plants a size 13 boot up that “Scough” guy’s narrow ass. Really, if you have nothing relevant to add to the discussion and are just there to stir shit, just stay on 4chan because they’ve got enough antagonism bullshit there that they’re wallowing in it.

(I should specify that I am not calling out anyone with a narrow ass who actually HAS contributed positively to the discussion.)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:01:23 +0000

The topic of picking a new Justice was presented on C-SPAN this morning. All of the callers basically said the same thing – who cares about gender and appearance? Pick the individual who will do the best job on the Court.

By: midatlantic

midatlantic — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:51:11 +0000

I have been saddened to see the level of unfair criticism levelled at potential female nominees to the US Supreme Court. ‘Fatness’ or other issues of unattractiveness is part of it, but I’ve seen criticisms that certain female judges are not as intelligent as the male equivalents or that they are too opinionated and not deferential enough.

Can we live in a world where we look at the actual work of these judges rather than sneer at their appearance or be outraged at their refusal to treat male colleagues as the be-all and end-all.

To give everyone some hope, please note that four of nine of the Canadian Supreme Court justices are female. My former (male) law professor was the justice Minister who brought the numbers up to near-parity. It can be done! And while Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin does look very nice in an evening gown, she also kicks legal butt, as do her sister judges, who are of various shapes and sizes.

By: Sparkle Pants

Sparkle Pants — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:35:53 +0000

Today has been good and bad for me with regard to weight. Good in that it’s international no diet day! Kate and Marianne reached #1 at Powell’s! Bad in that I had to back away from a potential online confrontation with a total stranger about fat health. AND THIS JUST TAKES THE TACO.

By: JupiterPluvius

JupiterPluvius — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:16:38 +0000

Because all the male SCJs are buff to perfection?

Hell, the SC should be all-girl, because women as a group live longer than men as a group.