since I am sure that a candidate for judgship would not make up such a letter to 17 legislators, and to Mr. Rerras himself, describing such a bizarre confrontation.

The radical republicans' toxic misogyny and weird fixation on all things sexual is well known. This conforms to the recent legislation criminalizing miscarriages. I have come to the conclusion that the entire Republican crew of Virginia's House of Delegates, as well as those Republican Senators who espouse the same theology, are one and all certifiable.  Not only should they be replaced in their office, they probably should be caged and removed from rational, civilized slciety before they do more damage. I shall forward a donation to Dr. Northam today, along with my best wishes.

A woman with credentials such as Mary Commander should not be discounted. 

His use of the word "FemiNazi" outrages me, and reminds me of a former Senator calling someone the "M-word." 

Did Nick welcome Ms. Commander to the Real Virginia?

Hopefully, this time next year we will be calling him "former Senator" also.

"Rerras out of order on judge interview"
Rerras's lack of understanding of the democratic principles, laws of governing, is apparent as are his antiquated and poorly informed biases regarding health and mental health, disease prevention, and reproductive health. He certainly impedes progress and enlightenment. He is truly inadequate as a legislator, leader. Rerras is out of order on many issues.

A former governor once called the Virginia Judiciary the "Political Trash Heap of the Commonwealth." I don't ascribe to that sentiment, but I'm guessing that electing same-party judges isn't a practice exclusive to Republican majorities. 

Naturally, Republicans are going to nominate like-minded people with whom they are familiar.  I think it's only natural that a large portion of that subset of the legal population are also going to be known Republicans whose judicial temperaments are known quantities to the 'judge makers'.

The system isn't perfect, but I much prefer our system to the wild west system of choosing judges by popular election. 

"excusing it away" to me. Was that your intent? I hardly think anyone I can think of would have been this rude to a prospective appointee, or called her derogatory names.

Does everyone do this in your mind?

Actually when I lived in Florida, judges were elected in general elections.  They ran in non-partisan races and some very fine people were elected to the bench.  Certainly, they were no worse than what we have in Virginia.  And the average citizen was far saner than that senator. Even in Florida.

The important thing is to get the word out about Republican elected officials who take these positions should be voted out of office, and that can only happen when they are exposed for their obsession with controlling everything.  John Dean was right -- it's a personality disorder!

What she said was out of context....what she wrote was misleading?  Well Senator Rerras, what's your version? 

Keep up the good work Senator....don't let us stand in your way!

Isn't it kind of illegal to use party affiliation as a means of qualifications?

...it should be.

By the way, I checked Project Vote Smart, and here are Rerras' ratings on a few key issues:

Abortion: ZERO from NARAL Pro-Choice
Civil Liberties: ZERO from Americans United for Seperation of Church and State
Civil Rights: ZERO from Equality Virginia
Gender Issues: ZERO from the Virginia National Organization for Women
Labor: ZERO from the Virginia AFL-CIO

Wonderful, huh?

After reading the update link to VBDems which had the full text of Mary Commander's letter on Senator Rerras' interview, I tore up my original check for Dr. Northam and wrote a bigger one, and posted the following comment on VBDems:

  Senator Rerras' shocking and inappropriate comments reflect what can only be described as a medieval philosophy and a political viewpoint at odds with the American Constitution, which he has mendaciously sworn to uphold. Please publicize the letter widely, and support the election of Dr. Northam to replace Rerras.  Mr. Rerras should be returned to the eleventh century where he will feel comfortable.  I have forwarded a contribution to Dr. Northam's campaign and will urge everyone else to do so as well.

Make your checks out to Northam for Senate and mail posthaste to P.O. Box 9363, Norfolk, VA 23505.

From previous statements of our beloved Republican representatives that they have nothing but content for anyone that does not see the world as they do. Mr. Rerras was simply doing what he does best and that is to wnat everyone to be a little Rerras. I have no idea why the criteria for judgeship involves being a Democrat or Republican. The judges do not run for election in virginia like other states. They should be as non-biased as we can reasonably expect and no representative should call anyone much less a former judge a FEMINAZI. Rerras should have to walk the plank on this one along with many of his other racist friends in the state of Virginia.

Here's Mary Commander's letter to Rerras (from the VB Dems website): http://www.vbdems.or...

"February 4, 2007

Dear Senator Rerras:

We met on February 2, 2007 at your office in Richmond for what was
scheduled as an interview for the vacancies in the Norfolk courts.You made
it clear to me and to the one other candidate to whom I have spoken at the
outset of the meeting that your decision had been made before the
interviews. While I would have preferred not to make the pointless journey
to Richmond, that is not the point of this correspondence. I am writing to
you and the other members of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and the
members of the Norfolk delegation to raise serious ethical concerns and to
call for some appropriate action.

While I have only spoken to one other interviewee, we both were
subjected to a line of questioning that was well beyond the bounds of what
is appropriate. You admitted to me during the course of the interview-on
more than one occasion-that you knew that the questions were inappropriate
(to use your words, "not politically correct"). Specifically, even though
you conceded that you did not doubt that as a judge I would comply with the
law, you insisted on knowing my "personal philosophy" about abortion. Since
judges do not make law, are sworn to uphold the law and cannot advocate in
the political arena for changes in the law, my personal views should be
irrelevant. The relevance to you was made clear when I asked you directly
what qualities you were looking for in a judge, and the first quality that
you stated was "pro-life". That admission surprised me because you are so
open about looking for a judge whose personal views are in conflict with
existing law.

You also asked me how I personally felt about a minister referring to
Jesus Christ in giving an invocation before a public body. Again, this is
not a proper judicial qualification issue.

You expressed to me in a number of ways your lack of understanding of
the issues that do come before the courts and your lack of appreciation of
the qualities that are needed to be a good judge. You also have opinions
that are at odds with the law as it exists, yet for political reasons you
will not make a public move to change them. You told me that you would like
to eliminate the domestic violence laws that require the police to make an
arrest in certain circumstances. You could not do so, however, because
women's groups had pushed for the legislation, and if you made a move to
change it the "FemiNazis"(your word) would be all over you.

When I asked you what I could do to improve my chances for future
judicial openings, you told me to do two things. First, I had to "work on"
my "philosophy", which clearly meant that I had to advocate a pro-life
position. At this point, I do not advocate any position. I follow the law.
Secondly, you told me that I had to be involved in the Republican Party. I
told you that I had been a substitute judge for the past seven years and
thus, could not contribute to or participate in party politics. You said
that I should get my friends or relatives to do it on my behalf. I
interpreted this as a solicitation for monetary contributions.

Senator Rerras, I am not a troublemaker and certainly am not a
"FemiNazi". I am a lawyer with 25 years of personal experience in the
Virginia courts. I am the mother of a 13 year old daughter who deserves a
better world than we have given her. I am a concerned citizen of Norfolk
who was shocked, offended and embarrassed by our conversation. If I never
become a judge, I can live with it. I received the highest recommendations
from all of the committees, but I know that I never will be able to pass
your litmus test. My conscience, however, will not let me remain silent
about what you have done.

MARY G. COMMANDER"