Gulf Oil Drilling Ban

It has been widely reported that the District Court Judge who struck down the Obamaadministration's first attempt to place a moratorium on oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico may have been unduly influenced.  Normally I would praise a judge who stands up to an administration that oversteps but I am not sure the administration did in this case. I can't be sure because Judge Feldman (not related) holds stock in oil industry companies and those companies would be adversely effected by the ban.  This is a case where the Judge must recuse himself.  The stench of corruption makes it impossible to know if the ruling was based on law or personal gain.  See HERE for AP story.

Routine Drug Trial in Chicago

The Chicago Tribune reports in a July 28, 2010 story that U.S. District Judge James Holderman was removed mid-trial by Judge Posner of the second circuit court of appeals, ostensibly for hostility to prosecutors because Judge Holderman had ruled certain evidence inadmissible.  While I applaud Judge Posner's efforts to bring accountability and professionalism to the ranks of the Immigration Court Judges I must question this latest decision.  Judge Posner's actions have the appearance of collusion.  I am don't think it will be hard to find many, many cases where trial judges were hostile to the defense, but remained on the bench for the duration of the trial.  This apparent bias in favor of the prosecution is unseemly.  See HERE for Chicago Tribune Story.