These people have some nerve, they question Kagan, meanwhile Scalia & Thomas had dinner with the lawyer opposing Obamacare the night before the calender was announced! Give US a break! Get Real!
Conflict of Interest? Justices Scalia, Thomas Dine with Obamacare Opponents
Submitted by Mark Berman Opposing Views on Nov 15, 2011
This sounds like a textbook case of conflict of interest: two Supreme Court justices were the featured guests at a dinner sponsored in part by the law firm that will argue against the health care law before the Court. Here's the thing, though -- apparently it is not a conflict at all.
The Los Angeles Times reports that last Thursday justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas attended the annual dinner of the Federalist Society, which is dedicated to advancing conservative causes.
Nearly two dozen firms sponsored the event, among them several high-profile anti-Obamacare advocates including Paul Clement's law firm, Bancroft PLLC. Clement himself will argue against the law during what is expected to be a landmark hearing next March.
The conservative Scalia and Thomas have apparently been attending these dinners for years, and there is no ethics law that says they can't.
In fact, the Times points out that Supreme Court justices are exempt from the Code of Conduct by which lower court judges must abide which states, "A judge may attend fund-raising events of law-related and other organizations although the judge may not be a speaker, a guest of honor, or featured on the program of such an event.“
Even though no rules were broken, ethics experts say this doesn't pass the so-called "smell test."
“This stunning breach of ethics and indifference to the code belies claims by several justices that the court abides by the same rules that apply to all other federal judges,” said Bob Edgar, the president of Common Cause. “The justices were wining and dining at a black-tie fundraiser with attorneys who have pending cases before the court. Their appearance and assistance in fundraising for this event undercuts any claims of impartiality, and is unacceptable."
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/health-care/conflict-interest-justices-scalia-thomas-dine-obamacare-opponents
Senate GOP wants answers on Kagan and ACA
By JENNIFER HABERKORN | 11/18/11 6:37 PM EST
Senate Republican leaders on Friday demanded that Attorney General Eric Holder respond to requests for information on whether Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan has any conflict of interest in the health reform lawsuit the court will take up this spring.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68723.html#ixzz1e9T69QqT
DO SOMETHING!
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