Sometimes students cut right to the quick of things. That's what we think about Nick Huggler, and his commentary in the Oregon State Daily Barometer, titled Justice should be blind, not a mystery:

Republicans love Estrada. They go nuts for Estrada. If there were a new state brought into the Union, perhaps Costa Rica, Senate Republicans might consider naming it Estrada. Miguel Estrada is the poster child for the Republican outreach to the Latino community....

The courts are not an idle political tool where the risk of a mystery justice can be taken. Courts are more and more actively coming to bear on environmental policy, the right to privacy, a woman's right to choice, the detainment of suspected terrorists and the guidelines of speech and democracy that guide this nation and protect its hold on freedom. It is important to know where an appointed justice will stand, regardless of what side of the aisle he played on before he was brought to the bench.

It is unconscionable that the administration would resist the requests of the senators. Judicial nominations are not the place for politics to be played, but are instead the place for full disclosure and an open discussion -- as we are hiring justices for life. Miguel Estrada should be the first to ask the White House to turn over his memos, and he should answer all of the questions posed to him.

In these times of tension, this is the first of many chances given to show some real cooperation in Washington and to do the government's business as it should be done -- with an eye on a better future and the chance to make the country better each day.

[link via How Appealing]