Activism Change

Judge suffers from self inflicted wound.

Question:

"Actually, I agree with the decision to remove the 10 Commandments form the court room, but I think it was terrible for the judge who gave the order to accept an award and then publicly comment on the matter.  He should have just kept up a chorus of "no comments" until he retired and he could write a book on the whole affair." I think he was due some recognition, considering that he had put his family and himself in physical danger because of his judicial decision.  Don’t forget he lived in an area where his decision was considered blasphemy by a large majority of his neighbors.  He went through hell.   We need to know about this type of event, and in this case, give public accolade, since his decision turns out to have been a very courageous one – whence: Profiles in Courage. Those who insist that this is a Christian country and that there should be no separation twixt Church and State reminds one of countries where this *is* the case, and where subsequently most of the rights we cherish, simply do not exist. That’s why I think it’s so important to keep events like these in the public consciousness.  I don’t begrudge this judge’s little public moment in the least.  We need more like him, and more public moments like these. Nex

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : : ANN 5-31-97 : : OpEd : :   Circuit Court Judge Charles Price, Montgomery, Alabama has just : made a terrible decision outside the courtroom. For a ruling in his court : Judge Price has accepted "The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award" at : the JFK Library in Boston from members of the Kennedy family. : :   A 5-31-97 UPI story reportedly states "The award is given annually : to an elected official who shows political courage in the face of strong : opposition". AP reportedly quotes Judge Price as saying "courage comes : from the soul, if you have the strength to do what is right". In his : acceptance speech he spoke of his admiration for civil rights leaders who : convinced his generation they could set about to "putting the country on : the right track" and used quotes like "courage is the sum total of a mans : principle". He also quoted Hemmingway "courage is grace under pressure" : and alluded to his desire to be seen in that light. : :   Reality however is quite to the contrary. By accepting any award, : in this case a blatantly political award for his ruling in a case, Judge : Price has demonstrated an extraordinary lack of sound judgement, courage, : grace or strength of character. His acceptance of the award calls into : question the legitimacy of the controversial decision which in effect : ordered another Judge to remove the "Ten Commandments" from prominent : display in that judges courtroom. : :   The decision itself is not the issue here. That will be determined : by the appellate process as well as in the political and social arenas. : The issue is one of propriety and independence. That a sitting Judge has : accepted an award (has been rewarded) for his ruling on any case betrays : the principle of judicial independence. His subsequent banal and self : aggrandizing comments betray the political nature and motivation of the : decision. To make judicial decisions with such motivations and in such a : manner is wrong, period. : :   The actions of Judge Price also provide "grist for the mill" to : those who decry judicial activism and scant cover for those who deny the : existence of such a problem. His actions further provide Americans with a : disturbing insight into the minds of judges who according to so many of : their critics from both the left and right have "lost their way". : :   Just as the independence of the Washington Press Corps has been : compromised by their notorious habit of socializing with the rich and : powerful in and out of government, Judge Price’s decision and independence : has been compromised by accepting an award for his ruling. This holds true : regardless of the decision and is not terribly difficult to comprehend. : Judge Price’s failure to do so must be viewed as ignorant at best and : malfeasance at worst. : :   We can only hope that Judge Price in any attempt to "unring this : bell" does not follow further in the footsteps of other "political : leaders" from the two principle parties by trying to "return" the Award. : He has done enough damage already, having forever tainted his decisions : and the results of his court. : : : William Reichenbach   : Editor          ANN : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Activism in the furtherence of the Constitution is not activism with a slant. It is you who very obviously have an agenda, sir. Nex

Actually, I agree with the decision to remove the 10 Commandments form the court room, but I think it was terrible for the judge who gave the order to accept an award and then publicly comment on the matter.  He should have just kept up a chorus of "no comments" until he retired and he could write a book on the whole affair.

Response:

: : : ANN 5-31-97 : : OpEd : :       Circuit Court Judge Charles Price, Montgomery, Alabama has just : made a terrible decision outside the courtroom. For a ruling in his court : Judge Price has accepted "The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award" at : the JFK Library in Boston from members of the Kennedy family. : :       A 5-31-97 UPI story reportedly states "The award is given annually : to an elected official who shows political courage in the face of strong : opposition". AP reportedly quotes Judge Price as saying "courage comes : from the soul, if you have the strength to do what is right". In his : acceptance speech he spoke of his admiration for civil rights leaders who : convinced his generation they could set about to "putting the country on : the right track" and used quotes like "courage is the sum total of a mans : principle". He also quoted Hemmingway "courage is grace under pressure" : and alluded to his desire to be seen in that light. : :       Reality however is quite to the contrary. By accepting any award, : in this case a blatantly political award for his ruling in a case, Judge : Price has demonstrated an extraordinary lack of sound judgement, courage, : grace or strength of character. His acceptance of the award calls into : question the legitimacy of the controversial decision which in effect : ordered another Judge to remove the "Ten Commandments" from prominent : display in that judges courtroom. : :       The decision itself is not the issue here. That will be determined : by the appellate process as well as in the political and social arenas. : The issue is one of propriety and independence. That a sitting Judge has : accepted an award (has been rewarded) for his ruling on any case betrays : the principle of judicial independence. His subsequent banal and self : aggrandizing comments betray the political nature and motivation of the : decision. To make judicial decisions with such motivations and in such a : manner is wrong, period. : :       The actions of Judge Price also provide "grist for the mill" to : those who decry judicial activism and scant cover for those who deny the : existence of such a problem. His actions further provide Americans with a : disturbing insight into the minds of judges who according to so many of : their critics from both the left and right have "lost their way". : :       Just as the independence of the Washington Press Corps has been : compromised by their notorious habit of socializing with the rich and : powerful in and out of government, Judge Price’s decision and independence : has been compromised by accepting an award for his ruling. This holds true : regardless of the decision and is not terribly difficult to comprehend. : Judge Price’s failure to do so must be viewed as ignorant at best and : malfeasance at worst. : :       We can only hope that Judge Price in any attempt to "unring this : bell" does not follow further in the footsteps of other "political : leaders" from the two principle parties by trying to "return" the Award. : He has done enough damage already, having forever tainted his decisions : and the results of his court. : : : William Reichenbach   : Editor          ANN : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Activism in the furtherence of the Constitution is not activism with a slant. It is you who very obviously have an agenda, sir. Nex

Response:

ANN 5-31-97 OpEd         Circuit Court Judge Charles Price, Montgomery, Alabama has just made a terrible decision outside the courtroom. For a ruling in his court Judge Price has accepted "The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award" at the JFK Library in Boston from members of the Kennedy family.         A 5-31-97 UPI story reportedly states "The award is given annually to an elected official who shows political courage in the face of strong opposition". AP reportedly quotes Judge Price as saying "courage comes from the soul, if you have the strength to do what is right". In his acceptance speech he spoke of his admiration for civil rights leaders who convinced his generation they could set about to "putting the country on the right track" and used quotes like "courage is the sum total of a mans principle". He also quoted Hemmingway "courage is grace under pressure" and alluded to his desire to be seen in that light.         Reality however is quite to the contrary. By accepting any award, in this case a blatantly political award for his ruling in a case, Judge Price has demonstrated an extraordinary lack of sound judgement, courage, grace or strength of character. His acceptance of the award calls into question the legitimacy of the controversial decision which in effect ordered another Judge to remove the "Ten Commandments" from prominent display in that judges courtroom.         The decision itself is not the issue here. That will be determined by the appellate process as well as in the political and social arenas. The issue is one of propriety and independence. That a sitting Judge has accepted an award (has been rewarded) for his ruling on any case betrays the principle of judicial independence. His subsequent banal and self aggrandizing comments betray the political nature and motivation of the decision. To make judicial decisions with such motivations and in such a manner is wrong, period.         The actions of Judge Price also provide "grist for the mill" to those who decry judicial activism and scant cover for those who deny the existence of such a problem. His actions further provide Americans with a disturbing insight into the minds of judges who according to so many of their critics from both the left and right have "lost their way".         Just as the independence of the Washington Press Corps has been compromised by their notorious habit of socializing with the rich and powerful in and out of government, Judge Price’s decision and independence has been compromised by accepting an award for his ruling. This holds true regardless of the decision and is not terribly difficult to comprehend. Judge Price’s failure to do so must be viewed as ignorant at best and malfeasance at worst.         We can only hope that Judge Price in any attempt to "unring this bell" does not follow further in the footsteps of other "political leaders" from the two principle parties by trying to "return" the Award. He has done enough damage already, having forever tainted his decisions and the results of his court. William Reichenbach   Editor          ANN

Response:

Filed under: Judicial Activism

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