The Baltimore Sun editorial "Confirm Kagan?" (July 6) thoroughly and accurately depicts the vacuous current state of Supreme Court confirmation hearings, as manifested in Elena Kagan's recent hearing, but concludes that she deserves confirmation because Ms. Kagan possesses strong understanding of the law and her views are in the mainstream. Thus, the Senate should promptly confirm Ms. Kagan and move on to fill the 99 present lower federal court vacancies. The upper chamber can start by swiftly confirming the 22 judicial nominees whom the Judiciary Committee has approved, 13 of whom had no opposition, but on all of whom senators have placed secret holds.

Carl Tobias, Richmond, VA

The writer is a University of Richmond law professor.