Supreme Court Justices Unethical Behavior
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Society -> subcategory Politics.
Unethical Behavior Among Supreme Court Justices?
Summary
We've all heard about the infamous lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the perks politicians receive from lobbyists in exchange for favors. However, the justices of the Supreme Court should be held to a higher standard. Appointed for life, they are expected to remain impartial and beyond the influence of special interest groups and lobbyists.
Article
While politicians often toe the ethical line, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia seemed to blatantly cross it with little concern. His demeanor echoed that of Leona Helmsley’s infamous remark about taxes being "for the little people." When questioned about his conduct, Justice Scalia showed a similar disregard.
Consider an instance when the Supreme Court was evaluating the Bush administration’s power to detain prisoners indefinitely. Just before the case, Justice Scalia embarked on a hunting trip with Vice President Dick Cheney, without spending a dime. When asked if this might be a conflict of interest warranting his recusal, Scalia dismissed the idea as absurd and remained on the case, ultimately ruling in favor of the administration.
Though his decision might have been unbiased, the appearance of impropriety made his actions questionable. His dismissive attitude towards legitimate concerns only compounded the issue.
Further controversy arose when Justice Scalia skipped Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s swearing-in ceremony. Instead, he was playing tennis and fly fishing at the Ritz-Carlton in Colorado, courtesy of the Federalist Society. Scalia explained, "I was out of town with a commitment I could not break."
ABC News reported that during one evening at the resort, Scalia attended a cocktail event sponsored by a law firm formerly associated with Jack Abramoff. Meanwhile, Justice Roberts has stated that he doesn’t recall being part of the Federalist Society, although he appears in their 1997-1998 directory.
The Federalist Society claimed the trip was ethical, reasoning that they had no pending cases before the court. While the organization might not, their 35,000 members could, raising potential conflicts of interest.
The Federalist Society aims to integrate conservative values into the judicial system, creating a network that extends to the Supreme Court. Founded in 1982, the group is influential in shaping legal thought, though it officially endorses no political party.
The real issue is that Supreme Court justices must adhere to the highest ethical standards. While we often face disappointment in the legislative and executive branches, we deserve integrity from our judicial system.
Accepting trips from groups with judicial agendas and gifts from parties with possible court business should be strictly prohibited. As Americans, we have the right to expect more from the guardians of our Constitution.
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