Posted on 01/12/2006 5:14:27 AM PST by OXENinFLA
Day 4: Hearing Resumes
This morning, Senators will question Judge Alito during a third round. They will then go into a closed session, to review the FBI background investigation on the Supreme Court nominee. Outside witnesses may be called to testify this afternoon, as well as the American Bar Association, to discuss its recommendations.
THURS., 9:00AM ET, C-SPAN
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Alito is great
is this guy reading the Boy Scout oath?
Old Joe Kennedy was a bootlegger during prohibition. The family money came from illegal booze.
Thank you :).
I wasn't sure if it was meant as something else.
Good testimony from the judge - his responses to questions from DEMs will be fun.
Terrific comments
Scotusblog
3:00: The Committee is questioning a panel from the ABA which includes Stephen L. Tober, Marna Tucker and John Payton.
3:01: Senator Kennedy is asking Payton what the ABA knew when about the Vanguard recusal issue. Tober explains that they will continue to monitor the proceedings on this issue.
3:02: Senator Hatch is thanking the ABA for their work on the nomination and reiterating that Alito acknowledged his mistake re Vanguard. Senator Hatch is asking Payton whether or not Alito had reason to recuse himself re Vanguard.
Payton find no fault in the way Alito handled the Vanguard matter.
3:05: Senator Feinstein askes if Tober has reason, since the start of the hearings, to change his views on the nomination. Tober says no.
3:06: Senator Sessions askes about the ABA interview process. Tober explains that he had 13 people involved in the field. They produced an 11 lbs report in the end.
3:07: Tober is discussing the ABA's ability to get confidential information about nominees with respect to integrity, etc.
3:08: Senator Sessions is reiterating that the ABA holds Alito in "incredibly high regard" and is thanking Tober. Senator Graham is echoing these thoughts.
3:10: Senator Graham says he is pleased with the ABA's recommendation despite the fact that it is about a process and not a outcome and mentions that in the future there may be ABA outcomes he would disagree with. Graham asks if Alito takes the highest approach to ethics.
Payton says that Alito's colleagues hold him in the highest regard.
Graham asks why Alito would hear the Vanguard case if there is nothing in it for him. Payton repeats that it was a mistake and there was no benefit to Alito personally.
Tober reminds us that reasonable people can make reasonable mistakes.
3:13: Senator Schumer is asking whether or not the ABA rating gets into judicial philosophy. Tober confirms that it would not. Only integrity, professional competence and judicial temperment.
Schumer is asking whether or not the ABA rating would indicate whether or not a nominee is "out of the mainstream." Tober says it would not.
3:15: The ABA panel is dismissed. The next panel includes Judges Becker, Lewis, Scirica, Barry, Aldisert, Gibbons and Garth, all former or current Circuit judges.
Senator Specter is explaining how this panel of Judges was formed. They were invited by Specter after a conversation with Judge Becker.
3:18: Judge Becker is beginning his statement.
Lol! That's great. Where'd you get that from?
I just assumed they both had tails already.
Becker does not identify Vanguard on his recusal list even though his wife owns Vanguard.
I think I'm gonna have to get cable tv hooked up in my bathroom. LOL!
I've read that though Rose Kennedy hadn't left MA for twelve years her estate was settled in Florida, avoiding MA estate taxes.
11 lb report
if you use regular copy paper, that's about 5 inches high.
Becker: Sam does not dissent often (average 2 cases per year).
The book Do As I Say details that Kennedy, despite the mantra that the rich SHOULD pay more taxes, few people have been as effective as Kennedy at avoiding taxes.
Their REIT is domiciled in Fiji but the family avoids IRS scrutiny.
Although Joe Kennedy's fortunte was between $300-500m, the family paid a paltry $134,330 in estate taxes which is an effective inheritance tax rate of .04%.
There's more. Way more. But you get the idea. Few people have avoided paying taxes like the Kennedy's.
Remember that he made it stick out? LOL
psst but they invest very very badly
LOL
WHOA! Did you see DiFi just now......she's NOT liking what this judge is saying. If looks could kill....
Her snot green beads are U G L Y........meow
Oh, forgot to add this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1400616/posts
Sen. Kennedy Makes Tax Gaffe
NewsMax ^ | 5/10/05 | AP
Posted on 05/10/2005 7:51:38 PM CDT by wagglebee
A published report says Senator Ted Kennedy has received tax breaks on his Washington home, even though he does not qualify for the deduction.
Kennedy's staff tells the Boston Herald that the senator never applied for the tax break and apparently received it in error. A spokeswoman says Kennedy plans to reimburse the District of Columbia government for the money.
A review of tax and real estate records by the Kansas City Star found that Kennedy was one of 22 senators who took the so-called Homestead Exemption in 2003 and 2004.
But the deduction is meant only for homeowners who call D.C. their principal residence, and Kennedy remains a Massachusetts resident.
He reportedly stood to save about $7,700 this year on the tax bill for his $4.5 million dollar Washington home.
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