Robert Bork. Clarence Thomas. Brett Kavanaugh.
Please, let's not add Judge Amy Coney Barrett to that list. At a time when it's easy for me to be critical and jaded about nearly everyone who pops up into public view, this woman stands out to me. I find her to be the single most impressive person in the news 2020. She is extremely intelligent. There was no doubt in my mind at all that during the Senate Confirmation Hearings this week, she was the smartest person in the room. Answering all questions extemporaneously, without notes. She was poised and kept that poise, even when asked nonsensical and offensive questions about white supremacy and sexual misconduct.
She is a woman of family and of faith. While both of those things cut against the grain these days for a segment of our society, for me they don't. Instead, I see them as speaking to a woman of virtue and integrity. Sure, some apparently religious family types are in reality creepy jerks, but I got no sense that this lovely, charming, intelligent woman is a jerk of any kind, including creepy.
I heard testimony from a sight impaired woman who was a law student at Notre Dame who was not only effusive in her praise and endorsement of Judge Barrett, but who told how when faced with obstacles related to her vision impairment in law school, how the Judge, then professor, took ownership of her problem and quickly facilitated a solution.
A mother of five children by traditional means, Judge Barrett adopted two kids from Haiti and is giving them the advantages of a good family. Some people questioned her motivation in doing so. Ridiculous but true.
Amy Coney Barrett is a person everyone can wish to see their kids and grandkids grow up to be. Teachers can look at every student and hope they can someday be the next Amy Coney Barrett. I'm a huge fan. She is an excellent nominee to follow the beloved Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She should be confirmed this week without delay.
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