Posted on 04/07/2011 12:58:49 PM PDT by SmithL
The now-retired federal judge who struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage shared his reflections with reporters for the first time Wednesday, saying that the trial should have been televised and that he never considered stepping aside because he is gay.
"If you thought a judge's sexuality, ethnicity, national origin (or) gender would prevent the judge from handling a case, that's a very slippery slope," former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker told reporters in a conference room at the San Francisco courthouse where he served for 21 years.
"I don't think it's relevant," he said.
Walker, 67, who retired from the bench at the end of February, also said he thinks his ruling was correct and he hopes higher courts review the case on its merits.
He discussed the case in his first meeting with reporters since he announced his retirement in September.
A former corporate lawyer who was appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush, Walker proved to be an independent thinker - a libertarian who advocated decriminalization of drugs and issued groundbreaking rulings limiting government power and expanding individual rights.
His most prominent ruling was his August decision overturning Proposition 8, the November 2008 initiative that amended the state Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage.
After a 12-day trial that included testimony by gay and lesbian couples and experts on the history and purpose of marriage, Walker ruled that Prop. 8 discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation and gender and did not benefit heterosexual spouses or the marital institution.
The measure's sponsors have asked a federal appeals court to overturn the ruling, but the court has questioned whether the sponsors have legal standing - the right to represent the state's interests - after then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown declined to appeal.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
If the case gets pushed back from the appellate level, it will be to somebody else’s court, at least.
It’s absurd for him to talk this way when his gay bias is in plain view. But again the whole gay world is absurd.
Sigh, courts aren’t supposed to be the place to promulgate new policies, they are the place to see that existing policies are followed fairly. Trying to change policies that rightfully reside in the political sphere ought to get a judge impeached. In practice that never happens.
Being a sodomite didn’t disqualify him; being a mindless liberal did.
<<<<<<< “If you thought a judge’s sexuality, ethnicity, national origin (or) gender would prevent the judge from handling a case, that’s a very slippery slope” <<<<<<
No. What is really a slippery slope, you worthless amoral judge, is legitimizing homosexual marriage, opening the legal door for every other kind of “love” and sexual practices, including farm animals.
I'm only mystified why he made this public when the jury is still out. He has to know that it can only hurt the case, especially if he stands to gain from it by eventually "tying the knot."
proof positive that NO judge/ Military Officer/ Mere politician/nor ANY entrusted with a position of trust —ought be trusted especially if they are suspected of -or declared of a certain sexual orientation.To believe such a one could avoid using their position of trust to advance what they believe in and / or believe by reason of orientation is acceptable is insanity.Benedict Arnold was another case.His orientation to vainglory led him to commit Treason —a hanging offence back in the day.Escaped/or aided in his escape to England where he remained free but soon wore out his welcome.It is ever the case what a man is in his heart he can only pretend to be otherwise. Walkers opine against Prop 8—and any legal opine involving Religion or Morality is now suspect and ought be overturned....tainted by his queer orientation—and deception.
You can bet with DADT lifted, the JAG offices will become full of fags.
I believe you read it correctly ,Sir.I suspect there are many there already FAC—but find it necessary to control their passions somewhat until this takes full effect.I would submit to any discipline rather than serve under a sodomite.
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