NightLine is saying USSC Justice Scalia is violating judicial ethics

Left Wing Hate Website ^ | 1-23-2006 | Thanatos

[Thanatos]

I was wondering how long it will take for the "Main Stream Media" to attempt to tie every conservative in Washington DC and beyond to the the "Lobby Scandal" surrounding Native American Indian Lobbiest Jack Abramoff. Although the "Main Stream Media" is trying to tie Abramoff to the GOP only, they forget that Democrats are the #1 Native American Lobbist target, but I digress..

ABC News Nightline is saying that because Justice Scalia went to Colorado instead of attending the Roberts swearing in ceremony, he is violating Judicial Ethics laws. NightLine is supposed to air the story tonight on ABC Stations airing NightLine.

Here is the Announcement from ABC News:

Here is the Video of the Announcement:

EXCLUSIVE: Supreme Ethics Problem? What Was Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Doing at this Tennis Outing? Jan. 23, 2006 — - As John Roberts was being sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, his colleague Justice Antonin Scalia was playing tennis at a legal seminar in Colorado courtesy of the conservative legal group, the Federalist Society. According to the invitation also obtained by ABC News, members were invited for "a rare opportunity to spend time both socially and intellectually" with Justice Scalia.

For the full report, watch "Nightline" at 11:35 p.m. ET. As lobbying scandals consume Capitol Hill, ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross turns his attention to the high court. While there are ethics rules in place for lower federal court judges, there is no explicit code of ethics for the nine Supreme Court justices. Some practices have in turn come under scrutiny, such as accepting trips from groups with political and judicial agenda and gifts from private parties who may at some point have business before the court. Critics call for greater scrutiny of such practices, especially in light of ethics investigations underway in other branches of the federal government.

[msnimje]

Somebody needs to let ABC know it is not a crime to be Conservative.

[UB355]

Too stupid, keep it up MSM.

[Kellis91789]

I guess it is just plain wrong for a Supreme Court Justice to spend time around a group of Constitutional Law scholars.

Go figure.

The Constitution is now a "political agenda." WTF ?

[jw777]

I'm sure Ruth Ginsburg has been seen at ACLU, Planned Parenthood and other assorted functions! Two of the most powerful lobbies in politics.

[LOC1]

Not really a good idea to anger a sitting supreme court judge who has lifetime tenure. No doubt there will be some issue that comes before the court which might tip against them.

[Conservative Goddess]

Ah yes....the much maligned FEDERALIST SOCIETY. Why clearly it IS wrong for a Supreme Court Justice to rub elbows with those who actually dare to study the words of the FOUNDERS.....and who cling to old, outmoded, originalist views of The Constitution. The horror of it all.

/sarc

[conserv13]

No, being conservative is not a crime, but don't you think it is more than a little rude to Roberts that Alito was the only one not present at his swearing in?

[msnimje]

No, being conservative is not a crime, but don't you think it is more than a little rude to Roberts that Alito was the only one not present at his swearing in?

WHAT?? I saw Roberts swearing in live and there were hundreds of people there including 7 sitting SCOTUS Justices, the Widow's of two others, several Senators, etc. etc.

I am quite sure the Chief Justice is mature enough to understand and appreciate the prior commitments of Justice Scalia.

There have been many Justice Sworn in with no one else there. This is a childish and specious argument.

[Fenris6]

Nightline is still on? LOL.

[Thanatos]

Update 1-25-06: Well, they did it, here is the response of the ABC Story by Greg Pierce of the Washington Times, I think it is a good rebuttal:

Stop the presses
ABC News reporter Brian Ross reports that Justice Antonin Scalia missed the September swearing-in of John G. Roberts Jr. as the new chief justice of the United States because Justice Scalia had a prior commitment to attend a legal seminar sponsored by the Federalist Society at a resort in Bachelor Gulch, Colo. Mr. Ross, the network’s chief investigative reporter, apparently was eager to pin something scandalous on the justice in his story at www.abcnews.go.com. He came up with this: “One night at the resort, Scalia attended a cocktail reception, sponsored in part by the same lobbying and law firm where convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff once worked.”