Judge Damon Keith, civil rights legend and scourge of Nixon, dies aged 96

The Guardian ^ | 4-29-2019 | Associated Press

[Jaysin]

Damon Keith, a grandson of slaves and figure in the US civil rights movement who as a federal judge was sued by Richard Nixon over a ruling against warrantless wiretaps, has died. He was 96. Keith died on Sunday in Detroit, the city where the prominent lawyer was appointed in 1967 to the US district court, according to the Swanson Funeral Home. Civil rights legend George Lakey on how progressives can win Read more He served more than 50 years in the federal courts, and before his death still heard cases about four times a year at the 6th US circuit court of appeals in Cincinnati. A revered figure in Detroit for years, Keith captured the nation’s attention with the wiretapping case against Nixon and attorney general John Mitchell in 1971. Keith said they could not engage in the warrantless wiretapping of three people suspected of conspiring to destroy government property. The decision was affirmed by the appellate court, and the Nixon administration appealed and sued Keith personally. Damon Keith introduces Bill Clinton at the funeral of anti-segregation campaigner Rosa Parks in 2005. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Damon Keith introduces Bill Clinton at the funeral of anti-segregation campaigner Rosa Parks in 2005. Photograph: Paul Warner/WireImage The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the judge prevailed in what became known as “the Keith case”. Keith revisited the civil liberties theme roughly 30 years later in an opinion that said president George W Bush could not conduct secret deportation hearings of terrorism suspects. Keith’s opinion contained the line: “Democracies die behind closed doors.” A similar phrase, “Democracy dies in darkness”, is now the slogan of The Washington Post, which has credited Keith. The big picture: Kwame Brathwaite captures the ‘black is beautiful’ movement

[Jaysin]

"He served more than 50 years in the federal courts, and before his death still heard cases about four times a year at the 6th US circuit court of appeals in Cincinnati."

Appointed to the 6th circuit by Carter and still hearing cases.....another part of his legacy bites the dust.

Now if only the rest of the active Carter appointees would follow his lead and.......retire!

[Jaysin]

formatting fart....sorry

[Bishop_Malachi]

Keith’s opinion contained the line: “Democracies die behind closed doors.” A similar phrase, “Democracy dies in darkness”, is now the slogan of The Washington Post, which has credited Keith.

_______________________________________________________-

Apparently the wisdom of the slogan only applies if Republicans and/or Conservatives are in power. The political Left can conspire all they want behind closed doors aided by the fawning sycophants of today’s MSM.

[OttawaFreeper]

Yes, he seemed to be pretty silent about how Obama and his people treated Bob Woodward and also regarding the antics of the IRS under that administration as well.

[Bonemaker]

“Now if only the rest of the active Carter appointees would follow his lead and.......retire! “

Now if only the rest of the active Carter appointees would follow his lead and.......croak!

[Vendome]

before his death still heard cases about four times a year at the 6th US circuit court of appeals in Cincinnati.

A real work-a-holic
..

[fieldmarshaldj]

A premier example of why left-wingers should NEVER serve in any judicial capacity. They are a threat to the Constitution and rule of law in taking it upon themselves to serve as tyrants issuing edicts to suit their personal agenda.

[Midwesterner53]

Detroit was a beautiful, modern American city before judges like this did their dirty work. See ya Judge.

[FrdmLvr]

“Detroit was a beautiful, modern American city before judges like this did their dirty work. See ya Judge.”

Very true. Don’t laugh but Detroit was called The Paris of the Midwest at one time.

[riverdawg]

“Don’t laugh but Detroit was called The Paris of the Midwest at one time.”

Now, sadly, Paris is the Detroit of Île-de-France.

[robowombat]

A revered figure in Detroit for years, Really?

[Jaysin]

I didn’t want to say it!

[Impy]

He had senior status since 1995. That’s a cushy form of semi-retirement where the judges get full pay but can take a reduced case load.

“Senior” Judges vacate their seats. For whatever reason (presumably cause GOP Senators blocked some awful pick) Clinton didn’t get to replace him and he was replaced by Bush in 2005 after “The Gang of 14” deal allowed Bush to get his pick in over the objections of Michigan’s rat Senators.