NYT- Ohio Groups Question Justice's Trip on Utility Jet (Rehnquist)

[maddezmom]

By MICHAEL JANOFSKY

Published: May 15, 2004


WASHINGTON, May 14 - A power plant company based in Ohio with a dozen cases in federal courts is flying Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist to Columbus so he can deliver a speech on Saturday at the dedication of a judicial center.

The cost of using the corporate jet, which belongs to American Electric Power, one of the nation's largest utilities, is being covered by money raised from a $75-a-plate lunch after the speech at the center, the new home of the Ohio Supreme Court. But environmental groups in Ohio are expressing concern over the propriety of a Supreme Court justice's being accorded favors by a company that has so many active cases, including one that goes to trial next year involving accusations that its plant operations in Ohio violated the Clean Air Act. Environmentalists say the case could reach the Supreme Court.

The idea that A.E.P. is bending over backwards to get the chief justice to Ohio for this speech is offensive," said Sandy Buchanan, executive director of Ohio Citizen Action, the state's largest environmental group. "It could signal a potential conflict of interest, and it's a favor that would not be afforded to the average citizen."

Mike Eckhardt, policy director of the Ohio League of Conservation Voters, said the trip reflected "suspect behavior'' by Chief Justice Rehnquist, adding, "You'd have to consider that it would make him not an impartial justice" in any case involving the power company.

~snip~
more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/15/politics/15trip.html

[WillParkinson]

1. If anyone thinks that a Supreme Court Justice can be bought off like that

Well, they obviously don't know that the price has to include at least a duck hunt.

[maddezmom]

2. yeah and a pajama party with uncle dick...

;)

[truthisfreedom]

3. patterns, patterns, patterns. take notes. take names. kick ass.

write Kerry.

[dbt]

4. Rehnquist needs some more stripes!

The kind Johnny Cash sang about so eloquently.

:evilgrin:
dbt

[salin]

5. The arrogance astounds me

he didn't even take note or care about the controversy around Scalia's paid by the industry and cavort with cheney conflict of interest charges. Even if this (taking big freebies from industry groups and corporations) was viewed as okay in the past because they all did it... the controversy around Scalia SHOULD have raised a red flag about being more discriminating/careful and that the lack of doing so would sooner or later tarnish the Court (which a few justices have demonstrated concern about). This incident demonstrates an arrogance that is stunning in the message that it sends to the people who pay his salary.

[Jester_11218]

6. He needs to be impeached

This government has no checks and balaces left. They all do what ever they want with no fear or retribution.

We are living in a very scary time. Very scary.

[Bluebear]

7. What, the US airlines are not secure??

>Security issues and Rehnquist's knee problem made a commercial flight impractical, said Ohio Supreme Court spokesman Chris Davey<

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040515/ap_on_go_su_co/rehnquist_flight_1

[DemoTex]

8. So, was it a Gulfstream-V or a King Air 90? Either way, it stinks!

The cost is more than three times the most expensive round-trip ticket between Washington and Columbus.

Not germane at all! Did he have a sip of their likker? Was a corporate exec along to whisper sweet suggestions into his ear? Again, tell us what kind of airplane it was and I'll tell you if $3800 comes close to covering it. As for his knee, he needs to invest in a pair of knee pads (given the nature of his court).