Comments on: Polygamy Question Highlights EEOC Nominees’ Senate Hearing

By: MiddleOfTheRoader

MiddleOfTheRoader — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:25:03 +0000

Chai Feldblum is one of the most non-dogmatic, open-minded, progressive intellectuals. Although there is no doubt that she is somewhat “left of center”, that reflects the President’s own philosophy, and those views are far from radical or extreme left. Anyone who has met Feldblum and heard her speak over the past several years is well aware that she is among the very few people “left of center” who has been willing to engage in dialogue, appear before, and subject herself to questions from people and organizations with very different views. For example, how many people with her views would appear before the Family Research Council or Republican activists — as she did. Further, those who know her also realize that her openness to accommodate religious beliefs of others is not only an intellectual exercise for her, but it is also part of her core beliefs. The arguments against her are based on taking her past words out of context, or upon her signing a somewhat vague petition that has been interpreted as supporting polygamy (the petition did NOT explicitly propose polygamy) — a petition that she admits she should have read more carefully and that does not reflect her own views which are limited to legal recognition of two-person relationships (opposite sex or same sex). She would be an excellent addition to the EEOC and will be a strong voice for rational, intellectually-based interpretation and application of the law.

By: FlexSF

FlexSF — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:54:54 +0000

Who cares about polygamy? People should be able to live how they want and the government should tax everyone equally. Nobody should be expected to live their lives to please the government!

By: PG

PG — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:43:34 +0000

So at the point she knew she was being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation? That doesn’t come off as very sincere, unfortunately. And it’s not as though the petition was some sort of chain e-mail that went unpublicized until recently.

By: Chris Geidner

Chris Geidner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:46:29 +0000

According to Ben Smith, she asked earlier this month for her name to be removed.

By: PG

PG — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:38:31 +0000

Hmm -- at what point did Feldblum ask for her name to be removed? Before or after the petition was published as a full-page ad in the NYTimes?