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 anyone’s 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. Florida’s 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 Florida’s editorial boards, community leaders and the 75,000-member Florida Bar are not. The Florida Bar joins many of the state’s 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.
Hopefully I'm WRONG! But I have a FUNNY feeling that I'm NOT!
I say we inundate her inbox with our ill-informed and -uneducated OPINION on her "statement"! lol
I LOVE this part: Florida newspapers are now reporting that Circuit Judge George Greer has not only been accused of murder and terrorism by congressional leaders in Washington
Oh PUHLEEEEEEZE! Just like the game TELEPHONE! Now DELAY has accused Greer of MURDER AND TERRORISM? She does think we're MORONS! lol
Terri PING
RICO charges should be brought against the FL Bar.
Gads. That's a lot of people that produce pretty much nothing of value.
It sure took her long enough to complain .. but timing is everything. How convenient she brought this up just when congress is getting ready for the filibuster fight in the senate. Hmmmmm??
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.
Yes, it is so much easier to set into law procedures to kill us if we become an unwanted if we will just shut up, honor the judge handling down the unfair death sentence and let them go about their business of building the super society where the Felos of the world get to ignore the God others serve and enjoy watching the weak die.
Get over yourselves judges/lawyers - we will not tolerate murder of American citizens by whatever law you allow panels to put into place.
Her screed only reinforces our beliefs about the courts.
She said "protecting rights" but you notice it does not specify whose rights.
Apparently in Florida it is the right of the judicial system to commit murder on a defenseless woman.
Greer will be judged for what he did.
TERRI RELATED *ping*
I thought you might be interested in this!
ROFLOL THANKS! I *needed* that! lol
I could not agree more!
"this is a critical time for Americans to recognize the vital role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law"
Really? I was never aware of a law that needed to be maintained that authorized our government to be an accomplice in the murder of innocent, handicapped Americans. Not until Greer decided to create one.
Any Judge that went along with this decision and did nothing to try to stop it should be replaced. Enough of the arrogant judges that want to change our constitution to the detriment of our citizens.
Floriduh Bar Ping
Florida Motto: Send me your weak, frail, elderly - and we will give them 'rest' ROFLOLPMP!!! I *LOVE* IT! lol
ABSOLUTELY! Apparently, they feel compelled to tame the masses? Educate us, insult our intelligence and hopefully we'll begin to BEHAVE again?
More CYA from Floriduh.
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