Comments on: Justice Politicized Is Justice Undone

By: Walter

Walter — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:23:39 +0000

Ed,

Have you read the case? Delay is trying to get off on a technicality. And the fact that the judge would not even allow the dissent to be read is pretty damning. Maybe the judge is neutral, but why not recuse yourself and leave no room for anyone to question your ethics?

By: Long Memory

Long Memory — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:25:27 +0000

Ah, Republicans playing by the rules. I remember it well. It brings a lump to my eye and a tear to my throat when I think of how sacred the rules are to the GOP. Pardon me, I need to go find a tissue.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:20:42 +0000

For decades the democrat party has used its positions and appointments to undermine the intent of the law and further their party’s aims while the republicans continued to play by the rules. At some point my natural inclination is to applaud singular instances by republicans to act in kind. There should be no bias in any legal action but neutrality comes after the defeat of those who wish to subvert our laws.

By: Long Memory

Long Memory — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:17:06 +0000

Just for the Republicans in the audience, here’s the Wikipedia list of lower profile targets of Ronnie Earle, with their party affiliation. I’m sure y’all can do the math.

Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Yarbrough (Democrat – 1978).
State Treasurer Warren Harding (Democrat – 1982).
Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox (Democrat – 1985).
Texas House Speaker Gib Lewis (Democrat – 1992).
Texas State Rep. Betty Denton (Democrat – 1995).
Texas State Rep. Lane Denton (Democrat – 1995).
Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) Members David Bradley (Republican), Bob Offutt (Republican), and Joe Bernal (Democrat).
Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle (Democrat – 1982). (Yes, after his campaign filed required campaign finance reports a day late, rather than recusing himself and seeking to have a special prosecutor appointed, Earle actually brought charges against himself. He managed to secure a conviction and paid a $212 fine.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:15:58 +0000

Ronnie Earle is a shakedown artist. Just ask the fine folks at Sears and Bacardi.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:12:22 +0000

I don’t see that the statements are any conflict of interest — Waldrop made them before he was a judge, on a different case. He was being an advocate for a client, which is not an impartial role, and that doesn’t mean he has any bias on the bench.

If that were the standard, virtually no attorney that had practiced criminal law — either prosecution or defense — could ever serve as a criminal judge. After all, they’ve all made statements, as part of their job, advocating the position of their client or the state.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:04:25 +0000

Check out conflict of interest issues in West Virginia, which the U.S. Supreme Court may weigh in on: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/washington/12scotus.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=west%20virginia&st=cse&oref=slogin

By: Walter

Walter — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:23:34 +0000

Mike,

I think the statements are what makes it a conflict of interest not the party affiliation…

By: jnw32

jnw32 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:21:50 +0000

I agree with Mike. If you didn’t want this politicized, then Earle should have recused himself first.

By: Spamboy

Spamboy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:00:04 +0000

Slate Magazine recently touched on conflict-of-interest issues involving elected judges: http://www.slate.com/id/2201960/.

I agree with most of the article, although every election I abstain from voting for judges because it seems just wrong.