JUDGE STEPS IN TO HELP SAVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM

Detroit Free Press ^ | 04/07/2004 | Rochelle Riley

[JesseHousman]

If you want to save the nation's largest African-American history museum, you call someone who can command not only attention but dollars.

So, officials at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History called Damon Keith, senior judge on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, two Fridays ago. He summoned two dozen Detroit businessmen and businesswomen to his chambers the next morning. And before they left that March 27 meeting, the judge had $1 million in pledges and a commitment that those business leaders would approach other executives to help maintain the museum.

[JesseHousman]

...Damon Keith, senior judge on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals...

Here come the judge; here come the judge.

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[Paul Atreides]

Gee, what a shame he couldn't do anything about that historic black monument that Bubba knocked down in order to build his double-wide library.

[Little Ray]

Can you say "extortion?" I knew you could...

[Tax Government]

I wonder whether it is unethical for a sitting judge to solicit contributions. It probably is, and certainly should be.

I like the museum, and hope it survives. But...

Let's try a test. The next time a sitting judge is asked to solicit contributions, let's substitute the former congressman of your choice, and see if the result is different.

[boris]

"Can you say "extortion?" I knew you could..."

It certainly has the "apperance of impropriety."

[ladylib]

Why do you think it's extortion? You don't think civic-minded people can meet and support a cultural institution that's important to them and their city?

How do you think things get done in this world?

[Modernman]

I wonder whether it is unethical for a sitting judge to solicit contributions. It probably is, and certainly should be.

Judges can be involved in charitable organizations, so long as they don't do so in their official capacity. They aren't allowed to solicit contributions for political campaigns, though (other than their own, of course).

[Little Ray]

Doncha think its a little suspicious that a JUDGE called them in and said "pony up?" If Christy Coleman or Rod Gillum had called them in and asked, I would not have a problem. But a sitting judge who may have power of the legal and financial well being of these fellows calling them in smacks of extortion.

Personally, I think the lack of memberships, etc. shows just how important this museum really is.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

The Detroit Institute of Arts, a premium musuem with very important pieces of art, has almost half of it's galleries closed due to budget cuts.

The African Museum, a monstrosity of empty space, is given extra funding because that can't stay anywhere near their budget.

[mtbopfuyn]

Why do you think it's extortion? You don't think civic-minded people can meet and support a cultural institution that's important to them and their city?

Hmm, let's see. These very same AA businessmen couldn't have cared less about their civic duty to the museum proven by their previous lack of support, however when a judge calls them into his chambers, their wallets suddenly fly open. What would you call it? Tea and cookies?

[joebuck]

"Why do you think it's extortion? You don't think civic-minded people can meet and support a cultural institution that's important to them and their city?"

If a sitting US District Court Judge (appointed for life) called me into his chambers on less than one day's notice and then strongly suggested that I might want to contribute to his pet organization......yeah, I'd feel that I'd was being shaken down and I'd probably cough up to avoid problems in the future. Or I'd cough up with the idea that this judge now "owes me one."

[ladylib]

You're right. My brother is on the board of our town museum so I asked him a little while ago if the judge did the right thing and he said absolutely not. Judges are not allowed to solicit funds.

[Tax Government]

The judge solicited money in chambers for a private organization.

That, itself, should be prohibited, as it gives the state's imprimatur to whatever non-official acts the judge may do.