that phaeup sound nice, but empathy towards one, is it not prejudice towards the other? there are always litigants on the other side, and they deserve to have their cases decided on the law. and whatever else empathy might be, it's not law. so i think law -- empathy, that standard, a preference standard is contrary to the judicial oath. this is what a judge declares when they take the office. i do solemnly swear that i will administer justice without respect to persons and do equal right to the poor and the rich, and that i will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me. so i think that's the impartial ideal. that's the ideal of the lady of justice with the scales, with the blindfold, which we have always believed in in this country and which has been the cornerstone of american jurisprudence. so what i've seen thus far in judge sotomayor's record, and presumably some of her views are the reason president obama selected her, cause me concern. that the nominee will look outside the law and the evidence in judging and that her policy