The Opus Dei SupremeWhen John Roberts was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Antonin Scalia was absent. Emergency surgery? A death in the immediate family? A Traffic backup?
Actually, he was playing tennis in Colorado at a swanky resort paid for by the Federalist Society, which was sponsoring a Meet with Tony pow wow for wealthy Federalists. Screwed up priorities? A social faux pas? He says his commitment to the Federalists could not be broken. You have to understand. These are important rich people that go to these resort seminars. You have no idea how many disruptions it would have caused if Tony had cancelled. Pavarotti, a fellow Italian and one I happen to love, used to back out of openings at the Met, the Lyric, San Francisco - - - Have you any idea what a box on Opening Night with a Pavarotti in the lead costs? Eventually, the Lyric, at least, stopped hiring him. But Tony is a center of influence all to himself, unlike opera singers, who must be ensemble players, unless they’re Kathleen Battle.
My guess is that Tony has gotten off to a bad start with his new boss, but when you can go duck hunting with the Vice while hearing a case to which he is a party – and then get huffy if someone questions your legal ethics or the appearance of a conflict – one needs acknowledge no higher authority.
From ABC: Supreme Ethics Problem?
3 comments:
This is ugly and putrid to the core. It indicates a gross conflict of interest, first of all, and it shows utter contempt for attempting to maintain any perception of moral authority. I have always believed in, and attempted to practice, leadership by example. There is no quicker way to lose the respect of your subordinates and destroy the legitimacy of your position than by violating rules that you set for them. These junkets and gifts the Supreme Court justices have received are a huge, collective thumb of the nose down the judicial chain of command and will not go unnoticed. Kudos to ABC for discovering Scalia's folly.
I guess they feel they're invincible - judge for life. Supposedly incorruptible. I still think of judges being like Andy Hardy's father - remember Micky Rooney and Judy Garland in the Andy Hardy movies? Probably not. You are a young thing.
I am working on a bicycle story BTW.
I'm looking forward to it!
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