Former Solicitor General of the United States (Paul Clement); has quit his firm of King & Spalding. Clement resigned in protest of the fact that he arranged for King & Spalding to spear head the House Republican's and John Boehner's lawsuits pertaining to same sex marriage. (See Law.Com story ( here)). Yet, after beginning his battle against same sex marriage King & Spalding came under pressure from Gay rights groups; for the obvious bias of the firm's position. As denoted by the Law.Com story - Clement takes jabs at King & Spalding;vowing to keep up the fight. Along with the picture from his new firm Bancroft (that another Bushie founded in 2004) Clement states;
Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general under President George W. Bush, responded by scolding the firm for abandoning House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and others in the Republican leadership. Clement said in a news release that Bancroft "offers its clients premier talent, without all the baggage of a mega firm."
Meanwhile, clear across the country, CA US District Judge Vaughn Walker is being sued of sorts. This is purportedly because Proposition 8 supporters who demand a ban on same sex marriage; have concluded that Judge Walker's "potential" desire to marry his own same sex partner - makes him biased.
It would seem to me, that Judge Walker, if those facts are true; would be the only one who "could" adjudicate the case. It is absurd for those wanting a ban on same sex marriage - to insist on having a judge that is from their side of the fence; whilst rejecting any judge who is from the opposite side! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
UPDATE -- Eric Holder Defends Paul Clements position.
This afternoon, the WSJ Law Blog has the following story ( here); denoting the fact that Attorney General Eric Holder speaks out in defense of former Solictor General Paul Clements actions. The WSJ Law Blog quotes AG Holders remarks - that;
“Paul Clement is a great lawyer,” said Holder. “He has done a lot of really great things for this nation.”
In representing Congress in the case, Holder said of Clement” “I think he is doing that which lawyers do when we are at our best. I don’t what happened between him and King & Spalding, I’m not casting blame. … But I think those who are critical of him for taking that representation, that criticism I think is very misplaced.”
The picture above, of Judge Walker, is from the Wall Street Journal Law Blog; which has been following the case on Prop 8 and the critiques of the various groups extensively. You will find many links to previous coverage in the WSJ Law Blog's story "Prop. 8 Ruling Challenged on Grounds of Judge’s Sexual Orientation" ( here). The Law Blog story points out the absurdity of questioning the judge's "personal" views - as the good journalist Ashby Jones quotes venerated remarks and denotes that;
Chad Griffin, board president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which is fighting the ban in court on behalf of two same-sex couples who want to marry, said the proponents of Proposition 8 “are grasping at straws because they have no legal case.” He added: “They’re attacking the judge because they disagree with his decision.”
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Irvine School of Law, said that no U.S. court had ever ruled that a judge’s personal identity was sufficient reason for disqualification. “I think it is offensive to say that a judge can’t hear this case because he is gay or lesbian,” he said. “By that reasoning, a black judge couldn’t have heard challenges to segregation law.”
In keeping with the rules of full disclosure; many in the past have called me a homophobe. My 2 oldest daughters do not speak to me because of what they "believe" my thoughts are on the subject. It just shows you how far the great divide can be and how real biased thinking can destroy civility and the pursuit of happiness.
For many reasons most of my family does not talk to me. Many of my half brothers and sisters consider me a black sheep. Those that don't, still will not speak to me because I choose not to hate my father (who left when I was 10 and did not see me again until I went to find him when I was 18).
All of them I can do without and am actually happy that they want nothing to do with me. We could make our own small country town and there are plenty of in breeder mindsets among them. But my one brother, who is actually a son of my mom's 3rd husband (both my mother and father were married 4 & 3 times respectively); - where my brother did call me to cuss me out one day. He said;
"brother, I know you love your kids and even though you married into Robyn; you always loved her as one of your own" and I said Yes. Then he continued and said "but I never did think you would be such an asshole as to abandon her because of her choices"
Perplexed greatly and wondering where the hell he was coming from - I asked him what the hell he was talking about. He replied "Just because Robyn is marrying another woman - and you don't agree with that - is no reason for you to disown her".
You will have to forgive me - but I cracked up and had to laugh loudly.
My wife and I of 20 years were divorced. All my kids moved back to NJ with her, away from me in CA. They did not like my nanny who turned into a girl friend (at the end of the day - I didn't like her either); and my wife let the kids eat & drink & drink.
But the real funny thing is - those other view points purportedly so just and so fair - actually were biased and had totally got it wrong. For when my daughter and I last spoke, she and her "Husband" with their children were out here at DisneyLand; where we all went together.
I had no idea - whatsoever - that she had divorced him; much less any inkling or hint that she was no involved in a lesbian relationship and considering getting a same sex marriage. They are so good at keeping secrets from me; that they began to put words in my mouth and banter about what I said and thought profusely - InCorrectly!
When my brother realized this - he simply said
"Oh - I guess we are the assholes"!
That seems to be the point in these cases. Paul Clement wanted the national firm of King & Spalding to become the Washington DC sledge hammer for the Bush & Boehner right wing; without discussing everything - with everyone first!
The totally incongruous banter of those pushing for Prop 8, that Judge Vaughn Walker "might" be biased, because he is "potentially" gay; is the same erroneous finding of facts and conclusions of such - that my brother and children have made. It is a pot calling the kettle black premise. You cannot say I want a straight judge to judge my straight v gay issue; any more than they can say I don't want a gay judge adjudicating the issue.
Absurd is absurd does
-Should we seek a Siamese Twin dual sex judge still joined?
My kids will most likely never see this - and yes I am a straight male; but that does not mean we cannot all get along and do what is the correct conclusion. I can not force my ideals upon you - no more than you should be allowed to force your ideals upon me. We have much more important things to worry about; than this! I am growing older every day and deeply regret that my daughters hate me without just cause. It is a travesty of justice; the same as this whole argument above!
Robyn was always made to feel like my own, from the very start; even though my ex and her family always treated us as lower class black sheeps.
She was and remains - what she was from the 1st day I saw her - gay or straight;
When I would say to her - "Robyn - who are you"
she would always respond with a great - pleasing - smile
and say -- "I am Daddy's Princess"!
Man - do I miss her so!