To the Point
Barack Obama and the Highest Court in the Land
President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court, a Hispanic woman with 17 years of experience on the federal bench. Supporters emphasize her legal credentials and her common touch. Opponents call her "an activist judge." We hear both sides. Also, North Korea followed up on yesterday's nuclear test with more saber-rattling today, and the California State Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8, the voters' ban on gay marriage.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenPresident Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court, a Hispanic woman with 17 years of experience on the federal bench. Supporters emphasize her legal credentials and her common touch. Opponents call her "an activist judge." We hear both sides. Also, North Korea has followed up on yesterday's nuclear test by firing two short-range missiles today. We hear about reaction at the United Nations and get some assessment of what North Korea's leaders might be thinking. On Reporter's Notebook, California's State Supreme Court has upheld a ban on gay marriage. At the same time, it's upheld gay and lesbian marriages performed before Proposition 8 was passed by the voters.
Banner image: Nominee for Supreme Court Justice, Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, thanks US President Barack Obama (R) at the end of her address in the East Room of the White House. Photo: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesBarack Obama and the Highest Court in the Land
President Obama this morning nominated Sonia Sotomayor to replace David Souter on the US Supreme Court. The daughter of Puerto Rican parents with a total of 17 years' experience on the federal bench was nominated to the US District Court by President George H.W. Bush, and promoted to the Federal Court of Appeals by Bill Clinton.
Read the story23 minNorth Korean Missile Test
Yesterday's nuclear test by North Korea got an angry response from the United Nations Security Council, even including China and Russia.
Read the story20 minCalifornia Supreme Court Rules on Proposition 8
In May of last year, the California State Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. In November, the state's voters banned the practice by passing Proposition 8 . In the meantime, 18,000 gays and lesbians were married. Today, the Court issued two controversial decisions .
Read the story7 min
