This is judicial corruption at it’s worst, and these men should be impeached or prosecuted
By louisehartmann
Last week – Common Cause petitioned the Department of Justice to look into possible improprieties on the part of Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia for not recusing themselves from the Citizens United decision. Both Justices had headlined speaking events at political strategy sessions hosted by the billionaire Koch brothers – brothers who certainly benefit from the Citizens United decision. Now – thanks to reporting from Think Progress’s Lee Fong – we can throw Justice Samuel Alito into the mix too. Last year – Alito was the headline speaker at a fundraising event hosted by the Manhattan Institute – a right-wing think tank funded by big corporations like Exxon and CIGNA. So here we have 3 Supreme Court Justices headlining political fundraising events for organizations and corporations that benefited directly from the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision last year. This is judicial corruption at it’s worst, and these men should be impeached or prosecuted.
Comments
#2
@Gerald #1 A friend was called to jury duty in a drug possession trial. He was asked if he could find guilt or innocence based on the law and he replied, "no."
When asked why, he replied, "drug laws are used against the poor."
Asked to elaborate, he replied, "if you're rich, you can do anything you want."
Boom; outta there.
#3
Thom,
Public Financing of Campaigns: There's a key piece of public financing systems that will counteract Citizens United and it's often overlooked. It's the additional matching funds provided by the system to candidates who are targeted by independent expenditures by corporate America and other wealthy special interest groups. I know these groups can now spend unlimited sums, and that it will now be more difficult for public financing systems to completely match such large sums...but they don't have to! They just have to provide enough money for the targeted candidate to get the word out about what they stand for, and who's supplying all the money being used to target them. I'm not naive. I know public financing by itself can't fix everything. But it's one of the crucial reforms we need, a reform that will help counteract the Citizens United case, and a reform which that case does not make pointless but rather more urgent. Please mention it more often in conjunction with your excellent explanantions of how private money undermines our democracy.
#4
It's typical of you lefties to find clever ways not too fullfill your duties as a juror. That's why you'll never be succesful at changing anything. The only thing you do well is complain and blame.
#5
The proper question is, "for whom does the justice system work?"
My friend wasn't evading jury duty. He was answering the question honestly.
A jury could not be empaneled in Montana recently because the prosecution could not find enough people who would render a verdict on the law in a marijuana case.
The fact that there is a class of people who are too rich to go to jail should be informative. Bernie Madoff is in jail because he ripped off rich people. Jeff Skilling is in jail not because he erased his employees' 401ks, but because he defrauded stockholders.
Think about it.
#6
This is so bleeping outragous !!! The massive corruption by republican fascists barely goes unnoticed!
I'm so damned mad I could scream. Come on, people. Aren't you friggin mad as hell?
#7
We only need 2 impeachments. One for Scalito and one for Thomas. This whole government is appearing more like a ruse with our Capital a stage set. Time for us to set things right. Organize.........organize.......unionize..........unionize and GROW!
#8
I sit as a Judlge pro-tem in several jurisdictions. It is CLEARLY UNETHICAL for these Justices to participate in any decision involving known parties, as described. It belies the "appearance of fairness" from the first. Any first-year law student knows that undermines all respect for the entire judicial system. I believe they should have recused themselves, per the ethical Canons of every jurisdiction or bar association I know of, or face appropriate charges including impeachment. Their actions, as described, clearly evidence plain spoken and obvious disrespect for the entire judicial system for all involve in it. It is an insult, and a severe one, to the integrity of the Judicial Branch of our government not to recuse yourself from cases such as Citizens United.
#9
I think there are four that can and should be reomved from the bench. We can not have Supreme court judges legislating from the bench. Those justices are creating a conflict of interest, just being in the same neighborhood as fund raisers, or lectures and so forth. It/they need to be stopped.
#10
I don't call that complaining or blaming. It is in fact, taking a principled stand. I was called to jury duty recently, but excused due to being disabled. Had I been chosen, I would have done the exact same thing as Tohm, except I would NOT have told them in advance. Justice in this country depends on how much you can afford. Think O.J.
#11
Is it really suprising considering the score of extreme Supreme Court decisions rendered in the last 5 or 6 years against workers, unions, consumers, investors, injured folks and others that were contrary to decades of legal precident. Our courts throughout the country are now so packed with extreme right wing handmaidens of corporations and the rich and powerful that we no longer have a system of justice but a system created to protect the status quo. How can any true American have any respect for our Supreme Court. I believe it was Justice Breyer who was asked during an interview if it troubled him that so many people turn to the courts for help. He stated many times that it's much better, that instead of taking the law into their own hands, people must have the confidence that when they petition the courts for redress of their disputes and grievances, they will be treated fairly and impartially. That is no longer the case in much of our country. We have already lost our trust in our legislatures to solve problems. If Americans can't trust our justices system, then we do not have a democratic society.
#12
FDR Justice Black set the standard here. When his law partner presented a case before the court, the Justice didn't recuse himself. Established a clear modern president that only the Justice can decide whether or not he will recuse himself.
#13
What I cannot understand is how these corporate "persons" can exist being given some of the rights of us real persons but not others - like the right to vote. If that corporate "person" got the right to vote, then the people who own that "person" would have more than the one person = one vote! Plus it is illegal to own a person! Right? Right?
#14
Add Clarence Thomas to the list. All 4 justices need to be investigated and impeached. The Constitution was not founded on 2 sets of laws. Don't you think that those who rule on the law need to be exemplary examples of the law?
Congagal
#15
I think it is a great idea to put ALL the politicians that take ANY money from ANY organization on trial for corruption. The jails and courts would be filled with Republican and Democrat criminals. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. ALL DONATIONS MUST BE MADE PUBLIC and ALL LOBBYISTS need to go.
J
#16
When Clarence Thomas was accepted into the Court after his trial regarding Anita Hill I lost some faith in the Supremes. Up to then I felt that would be THE place to receive justice. I have lost more faith because Thomas did not show his wife's earnings for several years now which is illegal. If he does not get his hands slapped for that I'll know he has friends in higher places than I can imagine. And what of how young people view unethical behavior? When corporations were made persons that just about did me in. What chance do we have against not just unethical decisions but totally wrong ones? I've seen many a corporation inside and outside. I have yet to see a person there. It's a building with people inside. These wrongs need to be righted IMHO. I can no longer trust the Supremes with decisions made on anything they rule now. My faith is shattered. No way should money buy a politician into any office. WE THE PEOPLE are to vote or did I sleep through something? No money should influence who gets to be wherever. I am seeing and hearing about corruption more and more, and it's making me mad and very sad, We must keep at our representatives to get these wrongs made right.
#17
LINCOLN FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.: 130 N RADNOR-CHESTER ROAD, RADNOR, PA 19087 Control Number: 196907-118 : Active Entity Type: For-Creation Date: 7/7/1969 Creation State: CT Other Names 11/8/1993 CIGNA SECURITIES INC 6/1/1998 CIGNA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC. 12/12/2000 SAGEMARK CONSULTING, INC.
CIGNA was a Lincoln veil. Kryder and other underground securities are used by multiple claimaints at once which has accounted for both the phenomenal growth of some concerns, and the phenomenal disappearances of wealth which crop up overnight and have to be paid for by the government or out of peoples' pensions.
It was originally named CG Equity Sales Company, and admitted as a foreign corporation to do business as a securities broker in Indiana by Secretary of State William N. Salin, of Beers, Mallers, Backs, and Salin, and Maxfield, of counsel. Remember that Salin purchased most of the Farmers and Merchants banks in Indiana and now owns the largest privately owned bank in the state.
The Indiana Articles were signed and notarized in Connecticut on 6/11/1969.
The same day TEXAS AMERICAN OIL CORPORATION : 300 W WALL 400 , MIDLAND, TX 7970: 196906-203 Creation Date: 6/11/1969 Inactive : 10/30/1989: Original Creation State: DE , created an entity in Indiana.
The state of domicile was CT, where the Secretary stamped and filed Articles 5/12/1969 and according to NIC
1969-05-13 K-W MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS & ESCROW, INC. located at SEATTLE, WA was established as a Domestic Entity Other. (Kaufmann Wolf)
07/28/1967 Moorhead and Bordner signed a last Annual Report for the Kryder Company; "next meeting of shareholders to be 07/01/1968 "; Report stamped filed 8/1/1967
CG was authorized to sell securities in CT 8/3/1967.
07/01/1968 Koch Fuels consolidated.
#18
This should be grounds for impeachment and prosecution. The disillusioning reality is that nothing of the sort will take place. This is just one more evidence of the rule of the corporatocracy. This is just one more reason that I feel helpless, though I have been an activist of the door-to-door variety for progressive causes for years. We got President Obama into the White House, but he seems helpless to call to the attention of the American public the nature of the real underlying issues. It all seems like squashing the piss ants while the elephants (literally) tromp all over us.
#19
I think Thomas should be investigated and removed. He used to go hunting with Cheney when Cheney was President.
Also, I believe that during his Supreme Court hearing years ago he evidently lied because now there are several other women who said that he sexually harrassed them like he did to Anita Hill.
What good is a Supreme Court Judge or any Judge who cannot tell the truth unless it benefits himself?
He needs to go. These are my opinions.
#20
A"person" can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment by the Federal Courts and some State courts.
I have yet to see any corporation (oe LLC) punished with more than a slight fine and sometimes these are reduced by "corporate judges" to insignificant slaps on the wrist.
If Corporations are "Person" let's establish a universal draft during wars and draft them!
#21
@Gene Savory #2, I have many serious concerns about our judicial system, such as BP, Halliburton, the five Mafia criminals on the Supreme Court, the CIA and their assassin squads, Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, and many others who have been and are being investigated.
#22
There is noting supreme about our current Supreme Court and no one seems inclined to do anything about it. We have no protection from those who are suppose to protect us. I thought President Obama might be the answer but he doesn't seem to have the courage or clout to do anything about any of the crimes against our country. Makes me sad.
#23
Follow the money folks - it corrupts completely! It's a great feeling to make Millions, than Billions. Then you can buy Politicians, Representatives, Senators, heck, whole countries! Does anyone actually believe that once someone has reached this level of greed, avarice and power mongering, that it will be freely given up? It's like a drug, but a more sinister one - millions suffer, and when the balloon explodes or implodes, so do the lives of millions who are nearby.
To this day I still do not understand why thousands of these Bankers and Wall Street Criminals are not in Prison!
Down in Mississippi, 2 African-American sisters were sent to Jail for 25 years (Maybe More) for stealing $11.00 - that's 11.00!!!!!! Think about that for a minute!
Justice has color - White and Green! If you are white and have a lot of green greenbacks, you do NOT go to prison in this country! The poor, the homeless, the dis-enfranchised - these are the people who go to jail (Free Labor after all!).
25 years for stealing 11.00 - nothing for stealing 1-2 Trillion $$$; almost creating another great Depression; and causing 20-30 million people to lose their jobs!
Where is Justice here? Yes, there is a great divide between the rich and the poor and a different Justice System depending on the color of your skin and how rich you are. Anyone who denies this and argues differently either must be from Mars, recently released from a Looney Toon farm, or a paid lobbyist for the Rich!
There are at least 3 BOUGHT Supreme Court justices, and they need to be investigated and/or impeached. Follow the money and I guarantee that it will lead directly from the doorsteps of these judges to the doorsteps of those who have bought them - and I assure it will NOT be the doorsteps of the poor, the homeless or the un-employed!
#24
Change of Composition
On January 22nd, this came to mind, concerning the gun problem:
A change of composition in the Supreme Court, either through packing the court or impeaching Slimey Scalia, and soon we'd be able to reinstate the original intention of the 2nd Amendment envisioned by the Framers. A fair court would not ignore the first half of the amendment and reinstate the concept of a well-regulated situation to bring it back in line to where it has been for 200 years--something we need to have happen so as to live up to purposes stated in the Constitution like "provide for the common defense." The common people should be defended and protected against crazed gunsters. Other civilized nations do that--why not US?
It occurs to me that we could right a few more injustices perpetrated by our inJustices Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Roberts if that came to pass. Just one removal through impeachment will empower us to have that person replaced by a fair and qualified Obama appointee, although two removals will sidestep the filibuster that will be mounted in the Senate. (And you could bet there would be such a filibuster regardless of any "gentleman's agreement"-- the right has finally gotten the right-wing "conservative" activist court of their wet-dreams). The most important decision to right is the Citizens United, corporate personhood travesty--and I'd wager Thom would agree.
#25
Rioting Egyptians (et al) may be setting a good example of how to rebel against the corrupt ruling elite. I guess things in the US haven't quite yet gotten bad enough that will move people into the streets. Of course, we have to start with what we are doing already: vehemently speaking out against the corruption. But I doubt that just speaking out or even trying to work withing a corrupt system in trying to change it will get us much headway.
#26
The fabric of the present nation is so woven with crime and corruption in the highest places we cannot save ourselves, except by exposing the cowardice and shame of lawyers and judges who have delivered us into a hell hole, as Tampa was once called. Whatever one believes, it does feel like a good time for a Righteous Judge to make the scene.
#27
Justice of the supreme court is one of the most prestigious and influential offices in our government. The actions of the supreme court affect the lives of millions of people for multiple generations. That there would even be the mention of the possibility of such unsavory behaviour by the holders of such an esteemed office is deplorable. Having three members involved in such blatant misuse of this esteemed office is an absolute travesty. They should absolutely be investigated thoroughly, and if guilty, impeached, and prosecuted to fullest extent of the law. Such a disgraceful betrayal of the public trust is unspeakable.
#28
bicyclingjroad, I agree with you, isn't it disgusting, people getting out of jury duty by telling the truth when asked question about how or what they may think. I on the other hand would lie, if selected set through the trial, and then if warranted, vote to release these nonviolent people.
Our prisons are more than full with these types of nonviolent offenders. No matter how you slice it, legislating morality is next to impossible. An industry has been created around this flawed idea and the money spent combatting this would go much further in treating it.
#29
Re: Judicial Corruption article.
It is too little, too late. We are already past the turning point and have become a fascist state so corporate control of all the government and both political parties is complete. We must just pretend all is OK and continue as we have as long as possible. I really wish I am wrong, but afraid not.
#30
I'm very disheartened, puzzled, and a bit angry that the "loyal opposition" seems to only apply to Republicans anymore! Where did the backbone of Democrats go, why do they sit back & let go of all the abuses & crimes committed by the previous administration, including such blatant & self-confessed ones as wiretapping w/o warrants, & using torture, only to have the new GOP congress threaten to do all kinds of witch hunting, armed only with vague accusatory rhetoric?
Why have a black president & attorney general not done anything to correct the decades long racist enforcement & incarceration of young black males, via drug laws, something that has devastated black communities & families? What's it gonna take guys?
How can any one, Democrat or Republican, with any sense of justice & fair play, stand silent as these Supreme Court Justices shred the Constitution, and in the case of Alito & Roberts, be guilty of lying, under oath, to the Senate, in their testimony during their confirmation hearing? Yet they do, the right wing demanded Earl Warren's impeachment ardently & vocally for years, yet today, when impeachment of these liars is warranted, nothing but deafening silence....
Seems the only way we'll ever get out of this morass is a real sweeping out of congress, get rid of all the dead weight, and replace them with some willing to truly represent the people! The Tea Party got a whole slew of their candidates elected, why can't the progressives?
#31
Thom - You mean impeached AND prosecuted ...right?
#32
Because The Tea Party is created and funded by global Elites like the Koch Brothers and Progressives are not....
#33
No, the Tea Party is made of people who know how to get things done. Progressives only know how to blame and complain, as exampled by what is spewed out on this site. If you want to accomplish something, join a Tea Party.
#34
Are you blaming progressives and complaining about this site, perchance?
#35
I'm a doer, I don't waste my time blaming anyone. Perchance!!!! A progressive using an archaric adverb.
#36
What are you doing here?
It would be interesting to study if conservatives used more old-fashioned language and progressives used more modern language.
Or if there was any difference in the language used by those who clearly are corrupt and those who are clearly not.
#37
First I don't believe anyone is clearly corrupt or clearly not. I may be nieve, but I believe most people are good decent folks. It's hard work, honesty and a little luck that makes a succesful (as defined by western culture) person. What language as person uses or speaks is irrelevant. If you want to persuade someone to follow you, it's not done by telling them how dumb they are, or how their values are all wrong. It's selling 101. Show a feature, and a benefit to the feature. I've been reading these blogs for about a month, and I don't see any features or benefits to being a progressive. All I see is an attempt by progressives to tear down conservatives. By the way, I'm not a member of the Tea Party, and I don't consider myself to be a conservative.
#38
How else do you explain those politicians who are forever flip-flopping, if they are not being corrupted by whoever is offering them bribes of money or power? I'm not talking about those who genuinely change their minds once in a while, as a result of presuasive evidence or arguments.
What do you see as the features and benefits of being a conservative, a progressive, or whatever you are?
#39
What you say about bribes and power doesn't make sense to me. It sounds too conspiratorial. You need to lighten up, and follow you're inner voice, and stop believing in politicians who by your own definition are going to let you down. You're setting yourself up for failure.
The features of being me are 1. I'm happy. 2. I'm successful. 3 I'm not beholding to anyone. The benefits are: 1. I'm creative. 2. I'm healthy. 3. I don't have to have a label to know who I am.
Let me suggest a book to read "Even Cowgirls get the Blues" by Tom Robbins. Here is a quote from one of the characters in the book, Jellybean Bonanza. "Politics is for peope who have a passion for changing life but lack a passion fo living it."
#40
You are fortunate to be happy, successful and healthy. Long may you remain so. I doubt if many people are truly not beholden to anyone. No man is an island, and all that.
Your quote may be true of those who treat politics as a spectator sport, but not those who are active.
What makes you happy to be here in the forum?
#41
No, the Tea Party is made of people who know how to get things done. Progressives only know how to blame and complain, as exampled by what is spewed out on this site. If you want to accomplish something, join a Tea Party.
So why are you wasting you precious "Tea Party" time reading these "Progressive Blogs Then?
#42
I don't know if happy is the word I would use to be here in the forum. I first came because Thom Hartmann and I share the same last name. other than that, I don't believe we have anything in common. I can't understand a fasinaction with politics. I can't take is seriously, hence I know how to live my life. Read what is written here in these blogs. I can sum up what is written in one short sentence. Democrats are good, Repubicans are bad. How can you take that seriously? Life is too short to waste worrying about such nonsense.
#43
What you say about bribes and power doesn't make sense to me. It sounds too conspiratorial...
Idealists live their lives by what they read in books or conjure up in their minds: Realists live - and sometimes lose - their lives living in the real world.
If you haven't looked outside lately, do so. The real world is a very messy place. Some of it good, some of it bad and some of it just downright evil.
The Idealist always explains it away and create idealistic Utopias. The Realists always meet it head on and deals with the messiness, oftentimes to the detriment of their health or life.
The Idealist inspires hope - the Realist actually gets it done.
What is the point of all this? if you can imagine it, humans can do it and have done it. From the greatest good to the ultimate Evil. So do not be surprised that there may be a few plotting in back rooms to ultimately enrich and benefit themselves at the expense of millions of others. In fact this has happened many times in human history: The extermination of 6 million Jews in Germany - My Lai massacre in Vietnam - 1 million Cambodians murdered by the Kamer Rouge in Cambodia - 1000s of "supposed" withches burned at the stake by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages (not to mention the hundreds of thousands of "supposed" Heretics also tortured and burned alive) - The Russian purges and Gulags where maybe 20 million died, brutally so - The Chinese Communist purges which ended the lives of Millions - on and on throughout human history. Even in the Old Testament, there are passages where one group of people would inavade another groups village and systematically murder all of its inhabitants, except for a few who were kept as slaves.
Human nature is not a pretty thing. It is at times Sublime: but unfortunatley, for Society and Nations, it is at other times brutally Savage.
Conspiratorial is the least of it!!
#44
Try listening to Thom, you might find that politics is worth paying attention to after all.
#45
Malcom X would have made a better president.
#46
It now appears to be typical of you "righties" to mak truluy boorish blog comments. Add complaining to the list of things "righties" do well. This reminds me of the days the poor smokers complained about their rights being infringed because they could no longer put there noxious exhaust into my air.
bicyclingjroad, you were probably always a cry baby. Am I correct?
#47
Were NAZIS bad, bicyclingjroad? If the answer is yes, well, guess what group is closely associated with the main Republican Party?
#48
This is judicial corruption at it’s worst, and these men should be impeached or prosecuted
There was a mis-spelling in the piece above. It should read "This is judicial corruption at it's worst and these men should be impeached and prosecuted.
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January 27, 2011
I was asked to sit as a juror in a criminal case. In determining if I would be selected for duty, I had to answer questions before the jurist. I said that if the criminal case was a blue collar trial, I will automatically vote not guilty and if the the criminal case was a white collar trial, I would automatically vote guilty. I was asked why would I vote that way? I said because white collar criminals never spend time in prison whether they are guilty or not guilty. As you would guess, I was not selected to be a juror. Since that experience I have never received any notification to serve as a juror.