A tale of two justices

All Princetonians should be proud that Judge Sonia Sotomayor ’76 (Notebook, July 15) has been confirmed for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. It is interesting to note that she has received an honorary degree from Princeton and Justice Samuel Alito ’72 has not.

It’s also noteworthy that Justice Sotomayor sits on Princeton’s board of trustees and Justice Alito does not. Is this because she is a liberal Democrat and he is a conservative Republican, or is there some other more subtle reason?