Posted on 04/24/2005 10:02:02 PM PDT by IleeneWright
BAR PRESIDENT DENOUNCES ATTACKS ON JUDICIARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2005 CONTACT: Francine Walker, The Florida Bar TELEPHONE: 850/561-5666
STATEMENT OF KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR
TALLAHASSEE -- The tragic and high visibility case of Terri Schiavo has resulted in an unprecedented and unjustified attack upon our judiciary. Regardless of anyones personal or political feelings about the Schiavo case, this is a critical time for Americans to recognize the vital role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law and the importance of the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
It is in times like these that we should recognize that our judges, on a daily basis and not just in high profile cases, have the duty and responsibility to protect the rights and liberties afforded to all of us by law.
Judges have no control over which cases come before them and they will inevitably be involved in deciding difficult and unpopular cases. When presiding over a case, judges make rulings based solely on the Constitution and other laws, and not their own feelings or personal beliefs.
While we may disagree with decisions and actions of public officials including judges, it is entirely unacceptable and unfair for our judges to be criticized and even vilified when no judicial basis for such criticism exists. Unfortunately that is what is happening as emotions heighten in the Terri Schiavo case.
Florida newspapers are now reporting that Circuit Judge George Greer has not only been accused of murder and terrorism by congressional leaders in Washington, but has received death threats and was pressured to leave his church.
Societal dilemmas should never be confused with constitutional responsibilities. Floridas legal profession knows from polling that Floridians want nothing less than a fair and impartial judiciary.
Judge Greer is an ideal representative of the type of judge citizens want to hear their case. His rulings are based on laws, not emotions and not politics.
Indeed, his rulings have been repeatedly reviewed and scrutinized by many different courts on many different occasions. We must continue to have confidence in our legal system and expect our judges to act with the knowledge and integrity required of their position.
Judges are limited by duty to responding to such unfair criticism. But Floridas editorial boards, community leaders and the 75,000-member Florida Bar are not. The Florida Bar joins many of the states major newspapers and democratic advocates in denouncing the unwarranted attacks on the judges and courts which serve everyone in this great country.
About The Florida Bar: The Florida Bar is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers. With more than 76,000 members, the Bar serves as an intermediary for attorneys, the courts and the public. Headquartered in Tallahassee, the Bar is a unified state bar by rule of the Supreme Court of Florida.
Membership in the Florida Bar is a necessary component of Supreme Court regulation for all lawyers licensed to practice law in Florida. The foundation for the organization is built on a philosophy of equity and ethics.
Through its programs and services, the Bar supports this philosophy with four pillars that function as the mission of The Florida Bar: providing public service, protecting rights, promoting professionalism and pursuing justice.
The US has more lawyers than the rest of the world combined. ..........And Democrats love it.
These days Florida specializes in protecting pedophiles to guarantee their access to victims, and the Florida Bar is an accessory to this.
Credit where credit is due.
Nothing wrong with Florida having lots of lawyers.
With its overpopulation, eventually the Floridan Aquifer WILL go dry, you know.
Then the state will collapse into the ocean.
Hell, let's hope MORE lawyers move there. : )
Hey check this out!
http://www.courtzero.org/bravegovernment.html
LOL I *LOVE* it! Thanks!
RICO CHARGES: Against SOMEONE! The WEB of lies and deception in Pinellas Park is ASTOUNDING!
The fact that they felt the need to say all this shows that they feel that their unlimited and unrestrained power is being threatened.
The US House should subpoena Greer to Washington and ask him what authority did he think he had to squash subpoenas issued for Terri by the US House of Representatives and by what authority did he deny Terri her civil rights, guaranteed to her under the US Constitution.
ABSOLUTELY!!!
Well, I would accuse Greer of murder and terrorism.
He forbade natural feedings after ordering the assisted feedings stopped by a medical procedure. He had no authority over natural feedings under Florida law. His case that Terri died of her disease process would have been better if he had allowed natural hydration and nutrition.
He pitted the guns of County LEOs against those of State LEOs when he heard that DCF was on its way to pick up Terri.
What good would that do? Congress gave him the power to nullify their subpoenas.
Well, I absolutely agree 100%.
But it's ridiculous to actually state as FACT, that CONGRESS (DELAY...I'M SURE) made these statement! I've not heard these statements come from anyone in Congress, have you?
She should be sued for libel!
But, perhaps some enterprising DA or State Assistant Atorney General or whatever, could take a look into bringing charges against Greer!
Thanks for the ping, IleeneWright~!! Who do these people think they are - little gods?
Answer--> They sure do and it's disgusting.
Phil,
I will just 'betcha that Judge Greer put them up to this!
This didn't jsut come from the Florida Bar, Greer is behind this. Remeber that very nice flatering Florida newspaper article that gave the "Greer" side.
Greer is behind this, trying to shore up his image. Remeber how I said that the Supreme Court Justice who wrote the Roe v Wade decision read every single letter sent to him (in those days no e-mail)? I read this on a documentary on the CSPAN website.
Greer wants his reputation back, he wants validation, he can't stand the rejection.
To bad for him! He could have voted on any number of motions, and didn't do it. WHY did he never schedule the Schindlers hearing for divorce? He jsut would never put it on his calendar. Why did he not order additional testing in the face of over 30 Medical Affidavits saying she is NOT PVS, more testing was needed, that a new medical diagnosis was created since he ruled in 2002, that being semi conscious state? Yes in many many instances he did not ever rule fairly. Now he wants us all to forget?
We should all just, carte blanche, "Respect the Judiciary" ? Fat chance, I will never forget and I will continue to remind Greer of his rulings for as long as I am able to locate him. It won't be harrassment, but he will continue to hear form me for as long as he is able to be found.
Funny you should bring up the AARP. They too supported the so called husband's right to kill his wife. What a worthless bunch of morons.
like pathetic unions the florida bar takes dues from all members and pays for democrat politicians. The 40 percent of lawyers that are repubs are told to go to hell.
Just another reason to hate lawyers and unions.
Conservatives complain all the time about this within the florida bar and the bars leadership just continues this practice.
Lawyers, what pieces of crap.
The thing is, this did not happen for Terry and she was killed despite not being on any life support system. We have three people to thank for this, Judge George Greer, George Felos and Michael Schiavo. IMO, these men murdered Terry Schiavo. I wonder why it is that "right and wrong", didn't trump the legalities? It was wrong to kill Terry, even though Judge Greer made it "legal".
Ping.
"His rulings are based on laws, not emotions and not politics."
Ruling without comment in the Schiavo case is based on law and NOT emotions or politics?
His rulings are based on politics and arrogance, not laws and not justice and not due process.
And in the absence of legal vision (Greer is literally blind), not on "viewing" videos or ever meeting Terri face to face. Ever.
bump!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.