Free Republic

She is short, powerful and understated. And at one time, she was underestimated. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made clear her perspective on some issues when she spoke Sunday at an Atlanta synagogue. It matters that women and minorities are on the high court — if only for the public get equal access to the bathroom, she said in one of the lighter moments of her talk. The court itself, while collegial, has entered a period of turbulence with a series of 5-4 decisions that started with Bush v. Gore, the decision that ended the 2000 presidential election...

The Texas Democratic Party on Thursday won a court order temporarily stopping the Texas Republican Party from replacing outgoing Rep. Tom DeLay on the November ballot. The Democrats sued the GOP in state court in Austin, arguing that Republican officials can't replace the Sugar Land Republican because he technically is still in the race. And if the courts agree that DeLay withdrew, party officials contend, state Republican officials couldn't select a replacement candidate to take on Democrat Nick Lampson in the fall. “The election would continue on — they just wouldn't have a dog in the hunt,” said Boyd Richie,...

Former Creek County District Judge Donald D. Thompson was charged Thursday with three felony counts of indecent exposure in the courthouse where he served almost 23 years. Thompson, 58, made his initial court appearance on the charges shortly before 5 p.m. and was released on his own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing March 22. District Attorney Richard L. Smothermon, the special prosecutor appointed by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, did not object to Thompson's release on his own recognizance. TULSA WORLD reports the indecent exposures are alleged to have occurred on May 13, Aug. 22 and Sept. 11, 2003, in...

Judge Accused of Masturbating Resigns Thu Aug 19, 8:25 AM ET OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Reuters) - An Oklahoma judge facing removal over charges that he masturbated and used a device for enhancing erections under his robes during trials said on Wednesday he would retire from the bench. Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson, 57, wrote to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry resigning effective Sept. 1, a move that will allow him to retire with a full pension. A former state representative and a judge for 22 years, Thompson was accused by state Attorney General Drew Edmondson of using a "penis pump"...