the buzz log

First, the Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, was pilloried by some on the right who called her a "reverse racist." Then, the Latina judge from the Bronx faced more criticism for being part of an exclusive women's club. So rather than letting that little gem become yet another comment-bomb during the confirmation process, the nominee quit her membership with the Belizean Grove.

According to the AP, Sotomayor admitted to being a member, but had defended her participation in the all-women's club because it did not practice "invidious discrimination," since men attended events and no man had ever wanted to join.

She might have added that the elite women's club was a response to the elite men's Bohemian Club, the one that the ex-presidents join. On its website, the female version bills itself as: "A constellation of influential women who are key decision makers in the profit, non-profit and social sectors." And yes, they do travel to Belize.

The Belizean Grove dropout can comfort herself with this: Although she can't be a part of her women's club, if she gets through the confirmation process, she'll be a part of the most exclusive group in the land: the Supreme Court.