Young Poor & Angry Press

President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice this morning at a press conference in the West Room of the White House. Judge Sotomayor,54, would replace retiring Justice David Souter on the bench of the highest ranking American court.

Sotomayor, who is now bearing the brunt of much Republican dismay, is currently serving on the bench of New York’s 2nd Circuit Court Of Appeals in Manhattan, one of the most demanding circuits in the country. She was appointed to this position in 1998 by President Bill Clinton (D).

President Obama believes that Sotomayor has a “common touch” and a knowledge of real life law, being the only trial lawyer in the Supreme Court if elected. The knowledge and touch in which the president speaks of does not come without real life experiences.

Judge Sotomayor is a first generation American born in Bronx, NY to parents who emigrated from Puerto Rico in the 1940’s. Her mother and father hoped for the best for their two children in a “country of opportunities”. However, they found themselves in the Bronx projects behind Yankees stadium.

“Hopefully being a lifelong Yankees fan won’t be held against her” -President Obama

Her mother, who she admires greatly, was a nurse in the Army Corps of Nurses and worked two jobs to provide for her children. Judge Sotomayor, who attended Catholic School during her primary years, yearned for more and was inspired by Nancy Drew novels and the “Perry Mason” TV program. She went on to graduate top of her class with a B.A. from Princeton University in 1976 and a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1979. After graduation she worked at a private law firm and Assistant District Attorney in NYC until 1991. In 1991 President George H.W. Bush (R) appointed her to the Southern District of New York’s, U.S. District Court.

Sotomayor’s nomination does not come without speculation from the GOP. Republicans, believe that she is “too liberal” and an “activist judge”. The nomination of Sonia Sotomayor is a genius move by the Obama Camp. The GOP, which is falling apart rapidly, can not withstand a blow of this magnitude if Republicans in Congress vote against her confirmation. Unfortunately for the Republican party, Sotomayor is the first nominee who is Hispanic and only the third woman to be granted this opportunity. She was also appointed to the U.S. District Court by a Republican President. If the GOP goes after this candidate, they will see the communities, who they are hoping to gain in future elections, run further away from the party.

(Update: Supreme Court rules in favor of Prop 8. Deeps discrimination against gays constitutional)

Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press
Reporting from San Francisco — The California Supreme Court will rule this morning on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage.

The decision will be made public at 10 a.m. at the courthouse in San Francisco and on the court’s website.

By a 52-48 margin, voters approved the measure reinstating a ban on same-sex marriage after the state Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling last May, approved such marriages. Left in limbo were about 18,000 couples who got married in California between May and November of last year.

The seven justices could uphold Proposition 8 and also allow the 18,000 marriages to remain valid; they could uphold the same-sex marriage ban and void the marriages; or they could throw out the measure and legalize gay marriage.

The case for overturning the initiative is widely viewed as a long shot. Gay rights lawyers had no solid legal precedent on their side, and some of the court’s earlier holdings on constitutional revisions mildly undercut their arguments.

But gay marriage advocates captured a wide array of support in the case, with civil rights groups, legal scholars and even some churches urging the court to overturn the measure. Supporters of the measure included many churches and religious organizations.

The legal fight over same-sex marriage in California began in San Francisco in 2004, when Mayor Gavin Newsom spurned state law, and the city began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Long lines of couples showed up to marry and celebrated within view of the court with rice and champagne.

Those marriages sparked a national debate about gay rights and made the marriage question a political issue in an election year. Dozens of states later adopted constitutional amendments to bar same-sex marriage.

Those gay couples who wed in San Francisco later had their marriages rescinded by the California Supreme Court, which ruled that a city could not single-handedly flout state law. But the court said supporters of marriage rights could challenge the ban in the lower courts.

The legal fight moved to San Francisco Superior Court, where a judge struck down the marriage ban as unconstitutional. A Court of Appeal in San Francisco later overturned that decision on a 2-1 vote. The state high court eventually took up the case, which culminated in a May 15 ruling last year declaring gays could marry each other.

Before last fall, California was one of only two states — the other was Massachusetts — to permit same-sex marriage.

Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine have since legalized it, and lawmakers in New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire are considering bills of their own.

California’s historic 2008 ruling, written by Chief Justice Ronald George, repeatedly invoked the words “respect and dignity” and framed the marriage question as one that deeply affected not just couples but also their children. California has more than 100,000 households headed by gay couples, about a quarter with children, according to 2000 census data.

As soon as the ruling was final, thousands of gay couples showed up at city halls around the state to marry, and many flew in from elsewhere for California weddings. While the wedding business was brisk, opponents mounted a heated campaign with the help of churches and conservatives to overturn the court’s action.

Even if the court upholds Proposition 8, a key portion of the court’s May 15, 2008, decision remains intact. Sexual orientation will continue to receive the strongest constitutional protection possible when California courts consider cases of alleged discrimination. The California Supreme Court is the only state high court in the nation to have elevated sexual orientation to the status of race and gender in weighing discrimination claims.

maura.dolan@latimes.com

The pace at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival reached feverish heights during its second week. It seemed like parties, premieres and stars doubled in presence everywhere along the French Riviera.

Sunday night, Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar, whose previous credits include “The Others” and the original Spanish version of “Vanilla Sky”, premiered his new historical drama “Agora”. Rachel Weisz, who stars in the film, looked absolutely stunning in a strapless forest green Valentino gown with a high slit up the leg.

Oscar-winning Spanish actress Penelope Cruz was noticeably absent at Monday morning’s press conference to publicize her new film, the musical “Nine”, directed by Rob Marshall. Harvey Weinsten of Miramax Pictures mentioned that Cruz had “some sort of food poisoning”. In any case her beautiful costar, Oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard, replaced Cruz as she was being treated by a doctor. “Nine” will open on November 2009 with such talents as Daniel Day-Lewis, the legendary Sofia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson and singer Fergie.

Feeling restored, Cruz hosted the Domino Charity Tournament at the Cannes House Villa later in the night. She arrived in a beautiful floor-length white vintage Chanel gown paired with a white tuxedo jacket. First time Domino player Paris Hilton came with beau du jour Doug Reinhardt. Also attending were Elsa Pataki and Orlando Bloom, with stunning model girlfriend Miranda Kerr in an orange cocktail dress. Rumor has it that during their time in Cannes the Australian actor proposed to her, as we have seen pictures of Kerr wearing a new diamond ring. Cruz stayed at the event for only 45 minutes and later retreated to rest for the premiere of her new Almodóvar film the next evening.

Across town the Chopard Awards Ceremony, which honors up-and-coming talent, took place at the Martinez Hotel. Seen there were Hillary Swank, wearing a metallic origami -inspired Armani Privé gown, and Marion Cotillard with her boyfriend, actor Guillaume Canet.

Later, Chopard celebrated the awards at its Trophy Party which took place at the Baoli Club. Celebrities, such as new LÓreal spokesmodel Evangeline Lilly, in Valentino, and model Eva Herzigova, wearing black Roberto Cavalli with detailed cut-out bodice, enjoyed the party.

Major elegance and beauty was also seen at the premiere of the film “Ne Te Retourne Pas”. This time Italian screen siren Monica Belluci and French actress Sophie Marceau doubled the glamour by wearing scarlet gowns by Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, respectively.

Tuesday morning, Penelope Cruz again struck gold at the photo call for her film “Broken Embraces”, wearing a nude strapless and draped Dolce and Gabbana gown and Christian Loboutin heels. Later in the night she chose a lavender embroidered Marchesa gown for the premiere of the film, where she arrived with Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar.

The highlight of the evening was the arrival of Brad Pitt with Angelina Jolie, wearing Ferragamo, for a 60-crew-member dinner of Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” at Michelangelo restaurant, where actors Rob Pattinson and Emile Hirsch made a late entrance. Rob Pattinson drew enormous amounts of paparazzi for a photo call earlier in the day to promote the sequel to Twilight.

On Wednesday night, Cannes reached its frenzy for the premiere of “Inglorious Basterds” as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet. She looked absolutely ravishing in a nude creation by Versace Atelier with a dangerous high slit up her leg. Also looking fantastic were Diane Kruger, who costars in the film, in a Marchesa gown and Rob Pattinson in a Dolce and Gabanna tuxedo. Dita von Teese looked immaculate and glamorous as always in Christian Dior. I’m not quite sure if I fancy the Balmain dress Sharon Stone chose to wear.

The after party of the film was a total hit and it seems that Jolie might have had too many celebratory vodkas from the look of some images from the night. Paris Hilton, who has attended more parties than any actor or celebrity at Cannes, caused quite some scandal as well when she decided to dirty dance with Doug Reinhardt at a party she was hosting. A lot of tongues, underwear and get-a-room moves were captured by cell phones and paparazzi alike.

Later in the week the star studded Aids Benefit Amfar took place. Arriving at it where hostess Sharon Stone, wearing stunning black Christian Dior; actress Eva Green, who missed completely with hair and makeup for her fuchsia Indian inspired Christian Dior; Elsa Pataki in beaded Armani Privé; Hayden Panettiere (who could’ve used some gloss on her lips) in Marchesa; Eva Herzigova (looking worn out from all the previous partying since her arrival at Cannes) in red Dolce and Gabanna; Rob Pattinson once again in a Dolce and Gabanna tuxedo; supermodel Claudia Schiffer (still needing her teeth whitened) in black Dolce and Gabanna; Marion Cotillard in a Dior gown (the color of which was quite unflattering); and Robin Wright Penn, who had been looking extremely lovely during all events until this one. The same day that her husband Sean Penn announced his decision not to move on with divorce papers, she missed the mark in her choice of dress. Actress Diane Kruger looked beautiful in Chanel and participated in the auction show as did Rob Pattinson, who managed to get two fathers to pay $25000 each for a kiss on the cheek for their daughters from the sexy Twilight actor.

Even in tough economic times, good money was raised benefiting the Aids research charity Amfar. Until next year, this is it for the Cannes report.

Last article we figured out if we were warm or cool and the implications for hair color.  Today, I am going to go into more depth in the warm tones.  If you are warm, you are either a sun or an earth (Color Me Beautiful calls these spring and autumn).

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