Conference mocks trial lawyers

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON - A White House conference on the economy turned into a forum for bashing trial lawyers Wednesday as President Bush and his allies demanded congressional action to limit lawsuits.

Surrounded by a panel of enthusiastic supporters, Bush said lawsuits against businesses and manufacturers are a drag on the economy and must be reined in. He called for a new system to deal with asbestos-related cases, and new limits on medical malpractice cases and class-action lawsuits involving groups of plaintiffs.

He chuckled and nodded as panelists at the two-day conference aired their contempt for trial lawyers.

``What you have today is business on one side, and you've got the trial lawyers on the other side. . . . You've got deep pockets colliding with shallow principles,'' Robert Nardelli, the chief executive at Home Depot, said to laughter from the audience and the president.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10429599.htm?1c

[Gman]

1. They talked about the need for asbestos liability "reform"

a.k.a. The Omnibus Halliburton Stupidity Relief From CEO Cheney Act.

They are going to legislate Halliburton's asbestos liability away if it's the last damn thing they do.

[slor]

No surprised they laughed...

the whole forum was a big bad joke...on the American taxpayer.

[slor]

2. No surprised they laughed...

the whole forum was a big joke...on the American taxpayer.

[LynnTheDem]

3. Did they mock BUSH'S appointed Martinez???

Martinez...former president of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.

"I have been a trial lawyer, and I'm proud of the work I did,' Martinez said.

NOBODY does hypocrisy and idiocy like the rightwingnuts. Especially bush.

[rodeodance]

4. "Bush's ...plan pretends that taking away the legal rights of America

will reduce health care costs.resident He unashamedly advocates legislation that would protect insurance-industry profits and prohibit any punishment for the makers of dangerous drugs like Vioxx, while penalizing your mother for being abused in a nursing home or your daughter for having her baby killed by medical malpractice,'' said Todd Smith, the group's president.

``That's not an economic plan. It is yet another giveaway to the insurance, drug, HMO and nursing-home industries.''

The hourlong session on ``the high costs of lawsuit abuse'' was one of several panels examining various aspects of Bush's second-term domestic agenda. With nary a word of dissent, the panelists -- all selected by the White House -- endorsed the president's plans to partially privatize Social Security, permanently extend his first-term tax cuts and limit lawsuits.

Vice President Dick Cheney warned about the looming financial problems of Social Security, declaring that ``younger people are understandably concerned'' about receiving benefits.......

[annabanana]

5. not "tort reform"..."rights restrictions"

"Corporate Coddling"
reframe, reframe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=252&topic_id=654&mesg_id=654

[WyLoochka]

6. Brazen, bald faced lies

Lawsuits are not a drag on the economy and they do not drive up the cost of medical care.

But yes indeed there are "two sides" - the people vs the corporatists.

Both "sides" are entitled to representation by lawyers. Up to this point in history at least. What the already, all powerful corporatists want is for ONLY their "side" to have effective representation.

Why is it our side does not take after the corporate lawyers and bash, trash and ridicule them?