Posted by:
Phantom Shadow
(
)
Date: February 09, 2012 12:00PM
In reading articles about the latest 9th Circuit Prop 8 ruling I noticed a failure to mention one important fact about the dissenting judge. Many thanks to David Parker for taking the time to write this letter and supplying the missing information. Was there ever any doubt how judge Smith would vote on the issue?
"Feb. 9 Readers' letters from Mercury News readers
"Dissenting judge has conflict of interest
"During the course of the Proposition 8 appeal, supporters of the ballot measure argued that trial Judge Vaughn Walker should have recused himself because he had a personal interest in the outcome of the trial and decision.
"The Mormon church spent millions of dollars in support of Proposition 8's passage. While the supporters may be leading the charge for an "equal playing field," they failed to disclose that one dissenting vote in this case had a personal interest in this matter; specifically, Judge N. Randy Smith, a George W. Bush appointee and devout Mormon. And yet, they don't cry foul?"
David Parker
San Jose