R. Samuel Paz

The stalled confirmation of R. Samuel Paz to be a U.S. District judge proves once and for all that the difference between Republicans and Democrats is biological: The former are vertebrates and the latter are invertebrates. There can be no other explanation. The chutzpah of U.S. senators who voted to confirm Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court now blocking theconfirmation of Paz, who has spent his entire professional career suing police to enforce the U.S. Constitution, is alarming.

Paz’s detractors in law enforcement, who complain that his many lawsuits against police show that he is not qualified to be a federal judge, fail to recognize that his success in winning those cases is evidence that the police whom he sues have violated the Constitution. That very fact is what qualifies Paz for confirmation.

Very few enforcers of our Constitution have been put on the federal bench, and that is a sad fact that now needs to be addressed.

STEPHEN YAGMAN

Venice

*

Having been in law enforcement for the past 15 years, I am well aware of Paz’s reputation within the community.

Paz is known to have an agenda of both political and financial import. He has made his fortune on the backs of cops. His own actions clearly illustrate his contempt for law enforcement. He is proud of his reputation and is not likely to change his views. Do we want someone sitting on the federal bench who puts his own political and personal biases above the best interests of all people (including cops)? I think not.

I nearly laughed out loud when I read the quote from Paz, wherein he opined that Sen. Barbara Boxer had considered his nomination because “She sees it necessary to have some balance on the court.” Since when is “cop-bashing” and “cop-busting” an indication of balance?

MIKE BORNMAN

Valencia