We understand that SCOTUS justices are not subject to any standard of ethics, we don't agree with that fact, but for now we accept it, especially given that those who have the power to change it, won't. (Looking at you Durbin and Biden) But dammit all, Loose F'king Cannon is subject to the ethics rules that apply to all other federal judges. And she is the last person who should be allowed to claim some website glitch as an excuse for failing to report. Durbin, if he had a f'king spine, would open an inquiry TODAY into her disclosures and find out what else she is hiding. Of course, if he had a f'king spine he'd also open a proper inquiry in Kavanaugh, but that's the subject of another rant. Aileen Cannon does not belong on the federal bench. She sure as hell shouldn't be in charge of a criminal case involving her Lord and Master. She needs to be recused, then removed, then disbarred.
Can Jack Smith use this information to finally ask the 11th Circuit to boot Cannon off the documents case? Her brazen and blatant bias is so damn obvious. But I haven't seen a damn thing about this in the mainstream media.
The rot is deep. Follow the money behind Supreme Court corruption with this interactive map that shows the different kinds of favors that Justices and their spouses get and the billionaires paying the bills and the favorable decisions they get from the Court in return.
This sorry tale highlights the, or a, central flaw in our capitalist system: money can buy virtually anything—- political office, judicial decisions, influence, bridges to nowhere, RVs, you name it. OJ Simpson hired the best lawyers money can buy, including Alan Dershowitz, whose name will magically appear in almost any legal proceeding of consequence. (I have a bet with my wife that he will worm his way into the Trump case eventually, once he’s satisfied that he personally won’t be tarred with the Trumpian brush.) “W” Bush was an argumentative, stubborn, less than mediocre student at Harvard Business School, according to a B School professor. But Harvard didn’t dare turn down a Bush, being just as greedy and venal as any other corporation or “institute of higher learning” when it comes to money and reputation.
Like our biological imperative to store fat, greed is an ancient and deeply primal need, related to survival. Our system legitimizes greed. But If it is to survive the onslaught of money from conservative plutocrats, we need fewer freedoms and more regulations. Yes, that’s anathema to Republicans and two of my former (pro-Trump) friends, who hate “regulations “ and believe that wild eyed free enterprise and perks for the rich and influential will solve everything. It will in fact spell the emergence of an autocracy and the end of our noble experiment in democracy. Trump is giving us a foretaste of what could happen. The inept, inexperienced, bumbling Aileen Cannon is one of his many willing accomplices.
I'd put it a little differently: unfettered capitalism is the central flaw in our democracy. Democracy is a political system. Capitalism is an economic one. They run on separate tracks but still connect with each other. But the point is the same: "money can buy virtually anything," and that includes elections and candidates.
A fish stinks from the head. And a failing society stinks from its elite. It was no accident that we chose Donald Trump for President at that particular moment in our history. Trump, or someone like him, was inevitable.
This is last days of Rome stuff, folks: The Romans cut off Cicero's head and hands and nailed them to the door of the Senate. We haven't done that to anyone yet, but our President and his party did attempt to overthrow our democratic government. Time is late for our republic, folks. Wake up, We the people have to take control of our government back.
And we, the taxpayers, have paid for ALL of IT. George Mason U, Cato, Heritage, Federalist, Concord Fund—-ALL exist as tax exempt entities aimed at overthrowing this democracy. They ARE NOT “educational” centers. They are money-raising, brainwashing institutions. The founders and members of the Libertarian Fascist party are traitors and should be indicted; their assets should be seized and Big Oil, Big IT, particularly, should be nationalized. Next time they meet, it should be on a prison ship where they can delay and deny charges of treason for as long as they’d like.
Well that’s because Leonard Leo set things up that way. He established 40 shell companies, listing them all as 501 3c which are “charitable” organizations. One is owned and run by none other than…Ginni Thomas! All of the companies pay each other millions of laundered money. Leo is clever but he’s corrupt as hell and that’s why Sen. Whitehouse has been going after him for at least 5 years.
Many countries learn from the bitter lessons of the past. The brave “traitors” who declared independence in 1776, and most of the colonists they represented, simply wanted freedom from the harsh, arbitrary taxes and backhanded treatment from and by the 800 lb. gorilla of the day, England and King George III. The country that rises from the ashes of this one should incorporate the essential lessons of the Founding Fathers but add more restrictions on individual wealth and personal freedoms and more cynical watchdogs on organizations and enforceable standards of ethics for the courts. No life terms for justices! My god, what an invitation for despotic behavior. Mandatory government service, in some form, for all able bodied males 18-20, with sensible deferments; perhaps a voluntary analog for females. Yes, I sound like a socialist, as I’ve often been accused of being, but I’m not a communist, and there are important differences. I only mean that enforceable limits should be set on individuals and organizations. The state does not own all the property and market forces still hold sway (ie, no “ Five Year Plans” like those of the old USSR, which provided some ludicrous examples: thousands of women's high heeled shoes delivered to a remote Siberian village where they were not only not worn but not recognized). Of course: if you work hard and succeed, enjoy the fruits of your labor. But no one needs four trophy houses and a condo in Aspen and a garage full of Lamborghinis.
There it is again: greed. Our built-in poison pill. If he is elected again, (a) we are doomed, and (b) we deserve what we get. The ignorant rabble won after all.
This school is a public university. It, however, seems to have been taken over by right-wing billionaires via huge contributions expressly dedicated to further their interests. Those funds can only be used within the parameters set by the donors; they are NOT unrestricted. I have seen this type of donation before, usually used to finance a professor's chair to further right-wing views.
I suggest you read up on George Mason U. In “Democracy in Chains” by Nancy MacLead. Their economics and law schools were tightly designed as a Libertarian, brainwashing mechanism through hands-on direction from James Buchanan and Charles Koch. It’s no coincidence, either, that their campus sits in close proximity to the Capitol.
The problem is that so many federal judges lack any integrity and view their office as a political and not a judicial appointment. And with the political manner of their appointments no wonder. MAGA whines that Judge Merchan is biased and has to be removed because he's a dem, now dems are complaining that Cannon should be removed on the same basis. It's not going to happen. I don't see the seminars as a bribe, these judges already held these views, its just reinforcing. And they're all so arrogant, dismissing disclosure requirements as a "bookkeeping error," like their leader, the Groppenfuhrer, they have no respect for the rule of law. We would be better off with a S.Ct. comprised of humble state court judges who try hard instead of these superior intellects who've been catered to since law school and come to see it all as their just due. Until the S.Ct. realizes that it's lost the respect of the public nothing will change, and that's never going to matter to them. Power corrupts.
Thank you, Lucian. I’d missed this story. Glad NPR helped jog her memory. But I’m curious what the form disclosed. Perhaps I’ll search the Court’s website and see whether the Judge’s belated information is publicly available.
As with so many scandals and prosecutions in our country, the Devil is in the cover-up. Donald would not be on trial in New York without the attempted coverup. Nixon may well have served out his term but for the cover-up. It would be useful to have more articles linking the ethics violations of prominent leaders to the coverups they attempted which landed them in the soup.
We understand that SCOTUS justices are not subject to any standard of ethics, we don't agree with that fact, but for now we accept it, especially given that those who have the power to change it, won't. (Looking at you Durbin and Biden) But dammit all, Loose F'king Cannon is subject to the ethics rules that apply to all other federal judges. And she is the last person who should be allowed to claim some website glitch as an excuse for failing to report. Durbin, if he had a f'king spine, would open an inquiry TODAY into her disclosures and find out what else she is hiding. Of course, if he had a f'king spine he'd also open a proper inquiry in Kavanaugh, but that's the subject of another rant. Aileen Cannon does not belong on the federal bench. She sure as hell shouldn't be in charge of a criminal case involving her Lord and Master. She needs to be recused, then removed, then disbarred.
Amen!
Well said, Peter!! I'm in complete agreement.
Agreed, Peter. Well said!
Ditto to earlier replies, Peter!
Yes!
ABSOLUTELY!
Can Jack Smith use this information to finally ask the 11th Circuit to boot Cannon off the documents case? Her brazen and blatant bias is so damn obvious. But I haven't seen a damn thing about this in the mainstream media.
The rot is deep. Follow the money behind Supreme Court corruption with this interactive map that shows the different kinds of favors that Justices and their spouses get and the billionaires paying the bills and the favorable decisions they get from the Court in return.
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/06/27/follow-the-money-behind-supreme-court-corruption-alito-barrett-clarence-thomas/
Pro Publica won the Pulitzer for its articles exposing Clarence Thomas. Cannon needs to go just like Thomas needs to recuse and retire.
I had done a few follow-the-money infographics on the blatant corruption of Clarence Thomas using the ProPublica article and other sources.
"Supreme Conflict Of Interest: Clarence Thomas To Rule On Homeless After Luxury Vacation With Real Estate Billionaire"
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/04/21/supreme-court-to-rule-if-homeless-can-be-punished/
Excellent!!!
This sorry tale highlights the, or a, central flaw in our capitalist system: money can buy virtually anything—- political office, judicial decisions, influence, bridges to nowhere, RVs, you name it. OJ Simpson hired the best lawyers money can buy, including Alan Dershowitz, whose name will magically appear in almost any legal proceeding of consequence. (I have a bet with my wife that he will worm his way into the Trump case eventually, once he’s satisfied that he personally won’t be tarred with the Trumpian brush.) “W” Bush was an argumentative, stubborn, less than mediocre student at Harvard Business School, according to a B School professor. But Harvard didn’t dare turn down a Bush, being just as greedy and venal as any other corporation or “institute of higher learning” when it comes to money and reputation.
Like our biological imperative to store fat, greed is an ancient and deeply primal need, related to survival. Our system legitimizes greed. But If it is to survive the onslaught of money from conservative plutocrats, we need fewer freedoms and more regulations. Yes, that’s anathema to Republicans and two of my former (pro-Trump) friends, who hate “regulations “ and believe that wild eyed free enterprise and perks for the rich and influential will solve everything. It will in fact spell the emergence of an autocracy and the end of our noble experiment in democracy. Trump is giving us a foretaste of what could happen. The inept, inexperienced, bumbling Aileen Cannon is one of his many willing accomplices.
I'd put it a little differently: unfettered capitalism is the central flaw in our democracy. Democracy is a political system. Capitalism is an economic one. They run on separate tracks but still connect with each other. But the point is the same: "money can buy virtually anything," and that includes elections and candidates.
Important distinction. Thank you
Follow the money. Whether it's corruption of our elections or corruption of our federal judiciary, money is always at the root of it. Sad.
A fish stinks from the head. And a failing society stinks from its elite. It was no accident that we chose Donald Trump for President at that particular moment in our history. Trump, or someone like him, was inevitable.
This is last days of Rome stuff, folks: The Romans cut off Cicero's head and hands and nailed them to the door of the Senate. We haven't done that to anyone yet, but our President and his party did attempt to overthrow our democratic government. Time is late for our republic, folks. Wake up, We the people have to take control of our government back.
Superb and chilling and accurate comment. (Palmer.)
It's late - do you know where your democracy is?
And we, the taxpayers, have paid for ALL of IT. George Mason U, Cato, Heritage, Federalist, Concord Fund—-ALL exist as tax exempt entities aimed at overthrowing this democracy. They ARE NOT “educational” centers. They are money-raising, brainwashing institutions. The founders and members of the Libertarian Fascist party are traitors and should be indicted; their assets should be seized and Big Oil, Big IT, particularly, should be nationalized. Next time they meet, it should be on a prison ship where they can delay and deny charges of treason for as long as they’d like.
Well that’s because Leonard Leo set things up that way. He established 40 shell companies, listing them all as 501 3c which are “charitable” organizations. One is owned and run by none other than…Ginni Thomas! All of the companies pay each other millions of laundered money. Leo is clever but he’s corrupt as hell and that’s why Sen. Whitehouse has been going after him for at least 5 years.
Let’s make sure we give the Sith Master, Koch, his due. He was hands-on organizing George Mason U.
Bastard!
Sheldon is one of my senators, he has been extraordinary at nailing Leo and Thomas very publicly, a key step on the road to making them radioactive.
Many countries learn from the bitter lessons of the past. The brave “traitors” who declared independence in 1776, and most of the colonists they represented, simply wanted freedom from the harsh, arbitrary taxes and backhanded treatment from and by the 800 lb. gorilla of the day, England and King George III. The country that rises from the ashes of this one should incorporate the essential lessons of the Founding Fathers but add more restrictions on individual wealth and personal freedoms and more cynical watchdogs on organizations and enforceable standards of ethics for the courts. No life terms for justices! My god, what an invitation for despotic behavior. Mandatory government service, in some form, for all able bodied males 18-20, with sensible deferments; perhaps a voluntary analog for females. Yes, I sound like a socialist, as I’ve often been accused of being, but I’m not a communist, and there are important differences. I only mean that enforceable limits should be set on individuals and organizations. The state does not own all the property and market forces still hold sway (ie, no “ Five Year Plans” like those of the old USSR, which provided some ludicrous examples: thousands of women's high heeled shoes delivered to a remote Siberian village where they were not only not worn but not recognized). Of course: if you work hard and succeed, enjoy the fruits of your labor. But no one needs four trophy houses and a condo in Aspen and a garage full of Lamborghinis.
There it is again: greed. Our built-in poison pill. If he is elected again, (a) we are doomed, and (b) we deserve what we get. The ignorant rabble won after all.
And the ignorant rabble will be just as disappointed as the rest of us if he is elected. But they will still blame the dems, I fear.
This school is a public university. It, however, seems to have been taken over by right-wing billionaires via huge contributions expressly dedicated to further their interests. Those funds can only be used within the parameters set by the donors; they are NOT unrestricted. I have seen this type of donation before, usually used to finance a professor's chair to further right-wing views.
I suggest you read up on George Mason U. In “Democracy in Chains” by Nancy MacLead. Their economics and law schools were tightly designed as a Libertarian, brainwashing mechanism through hands-on direction from James Buchanan and Charles Koch. It’s no coincidence, either, that their campus sits in close proximity to the Capitol.
Exactly. Restricted "Donations" with an agenda. GMU was nothing before Koch and others.
🤬🤬🤬
Something’s quite rotten in the…
State of Florida for sure…worse than Denmark, me thinks!
Yikes
Cannon is a product of the University of Michigan Law School, apparently they have a separate curricula equivalent for a "home schooled" law degree.
Somebody has to be at tThe bottom of the class.
Jesus!
The problem is that so many federal judges lack any integrity and view their office as a political and not a judicial appointment. And with the political manner of their appointments no wonder. MAGA whines that Judge Merchan is biased and has to be removed because he's a dem, now dems are complaining that Cannon should be removed on the same basis. It's not going to happen. I don't see the seminars as a bribe, these judges already held these views, its just reinforcing. And they're all so arrogant, dismissing disclosure requirements as a "bookkeeping error," like their leader, the Groppenfuhrer, they have no respect for the rule of law. We would be better off with a S.Ct. comprised of humble state court judges who try hard instead of these superior intellects who've been catered to since law school and come to see it all as their just due. Until the S.Ct. realizes that it's lost the respect of the public nothing will change, and that's never going to matter to them. Power corrupts.
The fact that they do this crap so openly begs the question what do they do that no one knows about.
It'll go on till there's a code of ethics with teeth. Or a law, dammit.
Yet.
You mean to tell me that a Federal judge didn't bother to comply with the law? Oh, say it isn't so! I'm shocked... shocked, I tell you!
Is Cannon related to Leona Helmsley? Are laws, like taxes, for little people?
Thank you, Lucian. I’d missed this story. Glad NPR helped jog her memory. But I’m curious what the form disclosed. Perhaps I’ll search the Court’s website and see whether the Judge’s belated information is publicly available.
If it walks like duck, quacks like a duck…..it’s probably a rotten egg
Un-be-fricking-lievable! The grift never ever ends. Oy vey ist mir.
As with so many scandals and prosecutions in our country, the Devil is in the cover-up. Donald would not be on trial in New York without the attempted coverup. Nixon may well have served out his term but for the cover-up. It would be useful to have more articles linking the ethics violations of prominent leaders to the coverups they attempted which landed them in the soup.