Judge threatens sanctions over gov't wiretapping

AP via SFGate ^ | 5/22/9

[SmithL]

San Francisco, CA (AP) -- A federal judge is threatening to severely sanction the Obama Administration for withholding a top secret document he ordered turned over to lawyers suing the government over its warrantless wiretapping program.

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco has ordered Justice Department lawyers to court June 3 to tell him why he shouldn't award damages to the now-defunct Oregon arm of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation.

[SmithL]

Walker, Vaughn R.

Born 1944 in Watseka, IL

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of California
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on September 7, 1989, to a seat vacated by Spencer M. Williams; Confirmed by the Senate on November 21, 1989, and received commission on November 27, 1989. Served as chief judge, 2004-present.

Education:
University of Michigan, A.B., 1966

Stanford Law School, J.D., 1970

Professional Career:
Law clerk, Hon. Robert J. Kelleher, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1971-1972
Private practice, San Francisco, California, 1972-1990

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

[rahbert]

I can tell the judge why - because the islamics are a threat
to the nation and all means should be used to smite them.

What kind of a traitor is this judge anyway?

[sickoflibs]

What happens if WH ignores the order?

[domenad]

Basically the judge will award damages and OB will have bought his way out of a jam. That’s what I’d do.

[CholeraJoe]

I suppose the judge could issue an order to seize government property and sell it to satisfy the damages.

[xcamel]

Stench from the bench...

[PJBankard]

"What happens if WH ignores the order?"

They won't. They are a bunch of Leftists, they don't care about National Security.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”I suppose the judge could issue an order to seize government property and sell it to satisfy the damages.”

Nancy Pelosi’s jet?

[Thud]

The feds are appealing Walker's underlying decision, and he has denied their request for a stay of enforcement. I suspect the feds are "slow-rolling" things as this looks like Walker's standard impatience with government foot-dragging.

What is interesting is that the lefties aren't screaming about the Obama administrations pretty obvious stone-walling of a federal district judge's ruling adverse to the government in a national security case.

I.e., this one is a pretty straight judicial branch vs. executive branch separation of powers fight, with the judicial branch infringing on the executive branch's turf.

[MrB]

Muslims aren’t a threat, conservatives are!
At least, that’s the new focus.

[antiRepublicrat]

Where’s your transparency now, beeeyotch!

[airedale]

The state’s Senators have a big voice in who gets appointed as a judge in their state. this judge would have to have been approved by both Feinstein and Boxer otherwise they’d have put a hold on the appointment.

[Thud]

Judge Walker is a fine judge. He has no patience with foot-dragging. IMO he is wrong on the law here, but his honesty, impartiality and integrity are exemplary. I wish we had more judges like him.

[Chode]

do I really have to say it???

[sig226]

tell him why he shouldn't award damages to the now-defunct Oregon arm of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation.

'cause it's defunct?

[SunkenCiv]

A federal judge is threatening to severely sanction the Obama Administration for withholding a top secret document he ordered turned over to lawyers suing the government over its warrantless wiretapping program. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco has ordered Justice Department lawyers to court June 3 to tell him why he shouldn't award damages to the now-defunct Oregon arm of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation.