Judicial misconduct complaint against Alito called a stunt (filed this wk)

[Wordie]

The article describes this complaint as part of a "last ditch effort" to block the nomination.

Judicial misconduct complaint against Alito called a stunt

By Charles Hurt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
January 21, 2006

...H. Gerard Heimbecker filed a judicial misconduct complaint earlier this week saying Judge Alito did not disclose his efforts to have the entire Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit -- including Judge Alito -- recused from hearing his appeals.

Republicans claim the complaint is a stunt, and say Heimbecker is known as a "serial litigator." A spokesman for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) questioned whether this was orchestrated by the "hard left." and predicted the strategy would fail.

...Mr. Heimbecker, however, describes himself as a conservative Catholic and a lifelong Republican. He is acting as his own attorney in pursuing the complaint against Judge Alito.

The judge "failed to be honest and totally truthful with the committee, for the reasons that he was protecting himself by not having to answer for his actions in covering up the actions of (another) judge," the former firefighter told the Associated Press yesterday.

After news of the complaint became public yesterday, Judge Alito wrote to Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, and advised him of the case. Also, a clerk on the 3rd Circuit wrote to say he had mistakenly overlooked the case because of a clerical error.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060120-111735-3626r.htm

[Erika]

1. Ah, the dirt against this prissy elitist is now coming out

Surprise. Surprise.

[Erika]

2. Delete. Dupe.

Surprise. Surprise.

[Rose Siding]

3. Surprise, surprise. Attack with no rebuttal of the charges.

SOP

[Erika]

4. Ah, it was just a clerical error

Yeah, sure.

[Wordie]

5. My, my...so much forgetfulness, hmmm?

...and so convenient, don't you think?

[TaleWgnDg]

6. The Washington Times is crap for "news" . . .

here's an AP wire story (not that AP is terrific but AP is heads above Washington Times reporting):

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/13673875.htm (Judicial misconduct complaint filed against Alito, by Mark Scolforo, Associated Press)

.

[xchrom]

7. thank you

[hang a left]

8. It is really hard to glean any specific information from this article.

snip>

He asked the 3rd Circuit to recuse itself because of what he described as a witness' relation to a judge and because he claimed the panel was biased and prejudiced against him in not forcing another judge to step aside.

snip>

I wonder what they are referring to when they say "relation"? Was it a relative, a business partner? That said, I don't know why the entire 3rd circuit would have to recuse itself, and not just this particular judge. If you could get just a little more information I think one could make a determination whether or not this guy is a paranoid with a bone to pick, or if his complaint actually has merit.

I'll reserve judgment.

[TaleWgnDg]

11. Well? That's no surprise. It's because

.
Well? That's no surprise. It's because "Heimbecker is acting as his own lawyer in pursuing the complaint against Alito(,)" thus Heimbecker doesn't word things as may be required in law.

What's being held out as "newsworthy" (here in this AP article and in the Washington Times articles or in any other so-called "news" reporting) is that somebody (here, a guy named Heimbecker) is pissed off at Alito (so he says) and whatever the hell reasonings he gives, rational or irrational, is/are deemed as "newsworthy," period. As well as the so-called "news media" is jumping all over themselves trying to be first in reporting this so-called "newsworthy" issue.

Pity the judge or magistrate who must sift through these pro se complaints! BTW, did you ponder why and how the so-called "news media" got *whiffed* of this court filing in the first place?

[hang a left]

9. I know the WT sucks but, in this case it's article has a little more

information.

Moving on...

Obviously something happened because a clerk is admitting there was an error. It would be nice to have a leeeeetle more information.

[acmavm]

10. Alito is one of those meek looking little pukes who really have the soul

mind, and heart of a Joseph Goebbels. He's just waiting for his chance.

[HuffleClaw]

12. 'a clerical error' my foot

kind of makes me wonder what OTHER little 'clerical errors' were made. this is the sort of thing the democrats need to be very very vocal about.