Will Racist Comments About the President Impact Lifetime Federal Judge Appointments? (on Blogcritics)
SHOULD RACIST COMMENTS TOWARDS THE PRESIDENT INPACT THE LIFE TIME POSITIONS OF FEDERAL JUDGES??
Bloggers/Readers, do you have a feeling that we are going back to the dark ages?? The Senate just voted down a bill that had the potential to control the rights of woman to have input in her own reproductive system. It would have given her employer the authority to decide what was proper for a woman’s health care. I think this is very scary because it is the white conservative men who are pushing these archaic ideas. But, it is not over because the House may push a similar bill causing even more turmoil for woman. If this is not enough, now we have a Chief Federal Judge from Montana, who has sent out a vile racist e-mail that demeaned the President of the U.S.
The Federal Judge Richard Cebull, was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001. He even sent the racist e-mail from his judicial chambers in the federal building. He even admitted the contents of the e-mail was racist and made the statement to his e-mail recipients “It was a bit touching and I want all of my friends to feel what I felt when I read this. Hope it touches your heart like it did mine.” How can we continue to have a person like this on the Federal bench??
The e-mail is titled “A Mom’s Memory”. ‘ A little boy said to his mother, Mommy, how come I’m black and you’re white?? His mother replied, ‘don’t even go there Barack!! From what I can remember about that party, you’re lucky you don’t bark!!’ “Again, he says he was TOUCHED!!! Cebull continues to state he is not a racist, so why was he touched?? How can he try to dial back such an unprofessional, asinine and inappropriate e-mail posting?? In my opinion he is a racist and the fact that President Obama is black, it touches his racist heart and offends his standards. And what does it say about the recipients, his brother, his old buddies and acquaintances?? Are their hearts touched also??
Even Cebull’s explanations have a racist tinge and hard to believe. He says he didn’t send it out as a racist, although that is what it is. “I sent it out because it’s anti-Obama”. That it was some how a political statement. I am sure Cebull understands it is against the judicial code of conduct to engage in political activities in his chambers. How many employers in today’s society will fire employees for using work stations for this kind of activity. Does he hate this President so much because of his policies or because of the color of his skin??
It reminds me of the photo of the President and his family, depicting them as Chimpanzees, that was sent out by a Republican politician in California. She also tried to justify what she did by saying it was a joke and was not a racist act.
Cebull is a Federal Judge who should be removed from the bench for his actions. How can he be trusted to hear cases involving blacks and minorities, with his being touched by such a vile text. He will say he can be impartial in his judicial decision but his actions speak louder than words. But the fact is, he can’t be removed because he has a life time appointment. Yes, he will be on the bench until he dies. We will have to live with all of his decisions and judgements while he is on the bench.
There was a case in Arizona where a city police officer took a photo of his smiling high school son and some of his friends, holdings guns and a T-shirt with the photo of President Obama with bullet holes. The police officer posted the photo on his Facebook with a picture of him in his police uniform. ” I am not a racist” he also said. Isn’t it amazing that people who hold position of trust and responsibility, can engage in repulsive conduct that bring into question their judgement, character and intelligence. The police officer has been demoted and suspended. Unfortunately, the judge will still be sitting on the bench because of his life time appointment.
It is very difficult to remove a federal judge from the bench. Impeachment is an option but not probable. I know from experience federal judges have to adhere to a code of conduct. Canon 2-of the code states: a judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities. Canon 2A- of the code states: an appearance of impropriety occurs when reasonable minds, with knowledge of all the relevant circumstances disclosed by reasonable inquiry, conclude that the judges honesty, integrity, responsibility, temperament or fitness as a judge is impaired. Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible conduct by judges. This prohibition applies to both professional and personal conduct. I think Cebull actions violated both codes of conduct.
In my book, “The Two Edged Sword”, there is a chapter where I detail my reasons for eliminating life-time positions for federal judges and the supreme court. These judges not only become too powerful, but some, not all, developed the attitude of being one step below a higher power and untouchable. I hope Cebull makes the right choice and steps down. He has brought disrespect to the federal bench.
Bloggers/Readers keep communicating and making your voices heard.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:55 am
I believe that the best thing for this judge to do is step down. He knows what he did was wrong, and there is no excuse.