"More Bad Judges"

Jack Newfield of The Nation has a piece about the Bush administration's latest crop of federal judicial nominees. Needless to say, he does not approve, concluding:

Bush is trying to transform America through lifetime judicial appointments for this biased batch and their clones. The bottom line is that the reckless Bushies are willing to violate computer privacy and vandalize the Bill of Rights to expedite this transformation. George W. Bush was appointed President by the Supreme Court after losing the popular vote by more than 500,000. Now he is trying to use the courts to legislate a mandate the voters never gave him by abusing the power of appointment and ignoring the Constitution's "advise and consent" clause.

You can read the whole thing here. (via How Appealing)

Comments

[Warren]

My name is also Warren and I am a reporter covering this and have links to this site in my report. Whoever is the former police officer please do not refer to "Richard Warren" as "Mr. Warren" but rather Richard. It is confusing my friends and readers and they think I am this same "Mr. Warren" you are threatening. They were concerned you might be another jewish sniper about to snap. Oops did I slip and say he was a jewish pawn shop broker from Reno ? My bad, that was supposed to be kept from the public.

Thanks,Warren

[Carol]

Mack has an active ebay site selling diamonds. Prices range from $3000ish to $1,200,000. His feedback score is 98.2. The name of the ebay store is ucdealshere.

[Cindy G.]

I must admit that when the news first came out about the shooting, I got on line and read about Judge Weller. From what I read.... What a Jerk!!! You have to admit that.

Darren Mack is a murdering Jerk!!! Also he is very dumb. He took his complaints about the Judge to New's 4 a couple weeks ago. The media can't fight his battles for him. He should have appealed the order in court.

In my opinion Judge Weller did not have the 3 Mack children's best interest in mind when he made his order. He was just flexing his power.

Darren Mack proved yesterday that he is a crap father. Yes Darren had a raw deal, but nothing compared to the raw deal he left his kids. He left his 3 children a horrible legacy that will follow them for generations.

SHAME ON JUDGE CHUCK WELLER, BUT EVEN MORE SHAME ON DARREN MACK. I would sentence Chuck Weller 10 years and for Darren Mack the death penalty.

[Carol]

It is my understanding that Mack only had one child with Charla, he was step-father to the others, therefore the low child support. He was married before, had a child with that woman, and fought the system back then over supporting that child. What a guy.

[querry]

Ok...so lets get this right...Darren Mack a third generation business owner at Reno kills his wife? and the judge. Chuck Weller has been shot and is in the hospital. The second shooting is possiby the wife.

Judge Weller supposedly awarded the wife $900 a month for child support and $10,000.00 a month spousal support. So I guess the money is the motive.

Judge Weller supposedly has taken the same actions against many other citizens coming before him.

So Darren Mack will be charged with one count of capitol murder and one count of attempted murder plus numerous counts of other crimes related to the events. Death Penalty case for sure.

Darren Mack will pursue a defense that the judge was a corrupt and was stealing his third generation business . He will also charge that his former wife was stealing his third generation business. He will say " I had no recourse... I was being robbed ...legally.

This case has all the right stuff. A man against the powers that be... the right defend your home and business... the Right to Bear Arms...

Looks like this case is going to be front and center...

[NEP]

As the ACFC has done we condemn this shooting.NEP has always advocated a peaceful approach to reforming our family courts. Darren Mack was not a member of NEP, he did attend a couple of our support group meetings. His case involved a great deal of money and custody issues. We believe that the current system of having a "winner" and a loser" in family court is the problem. A parent should not have to "win" the custody of their child. Both parents have an inherent right to custody of their children. This is what is best for children. For this reason we advocate for a presumption of joint custody upon divorce. If one parent is unfit then the other side must prove it beyond a reasonable doubt before that parents rights" can be taken away. This will go a long way to reducing the tension and animosity that is generated in the family courts, and hopefully prevent a tragedy such as this from ocurring again. Ask yourself, who benefits from ongoing litigation and animosity in family court? Follow the money.

[Angela]

after reading some of the views on the events yesterday with Chuck Weller and this Darren Mac, this does not surprise me in the least. Yes Darren has committed a crime Weller was shot but ultimately once again they are not the ones that will suffer the most, it will be those children. Those children have had there mother and father both now taken from them. I have been listening to the radio for the last day and it brings feelings and anxietyies of my incounters with this particular judge within the past months.Yes becuase of my actions in the past as well as my ex husbands that is why we were there, I take resposability for that however when two people cannot agree to any exstent we are to turn to the court system for guidance within the laws.In my case which has been on ghoing for years now, my case was then assigned to Wellers court. I have to say that when a judge is assigned new cases he out to look over what is being set in front of him...he had not...he was unaware of the fact of numerous TPO's against my ex, the jail time for beeting an ex-girlfried the attempted suicides, the drug use, police reports many many diffrent things...I have full legal and physical custody of my children and have had from day one!When my ex decided that he wanted to try and be the "Good Father" again with new girlfriend the issue was pushed and I was to start letting them see there father...after all the evidence that I put in front of him, the interviews that CASA did with freinds family WCSO, none of this seemed to matter to Weller, not even the interviews with the childrens schools showing that the children starting failing in school.... none of this mattered, why not?I am there becasue of my children, no other reason....but yet me wanting to protect my children from this man that has repeatedly shown he is not stable, over time given visitation and when I asked when my children are with there father and something happens to them becasue of his affiliation with certain groups his comment to me was well, its my ex's constitutional right to have his children around whom ever he wants and if there is an issue involving there well being we will deal with it then....what is a mother suppose to do?I dont know Weller personally and I dont ever want to.....I dont ever want to stand in his court room ever again either....he is not for/about the kids. I dont want to ever hear him tell me that it is not up to my children if they do not want to go to there fathers, they are children and they will do what they are told!Its not about the children folks its not, think about it. Do your research before you elect someone you may have to stand in front of one day....

[Big_Daddy]

While what Darren Mack did(alledged if we wish to remain PC)is unforgivable, please think of his family and the family of Charla Mack when you are posting ignorant comments. The Mack family, while being one of the "haves" mentioned above, has suffered through more tragedy than anyone deserves. The loss of a father in a plane crash, a grandparent to a drunk driver, Darren's mother and brother must now deal with the storm this has wrought and Charla's family will now have to suffer her loss. The children have lost both a mother and father.

[Curious]

Thanks for the reality check Big_Daddy. My condolensces go out to all family and friends effected by this tragedy. They will have many difficult days ahead due to the actions of others. Hopefully, they will one day again find peace and happiness.

[John Rink]

Picture a fire breathing dragon getting fat gobbling up children, yours included. You kneel before the dragon and plead with him to eat no more children while also promising that you will do nothing but peacefully protest. Who among you believes that dragon will starve itself just because you ask it to?

[demesq]

I cannot believe you people. The vast majority of you are keyboard warriors who don't have a clue as to what is going on, the facts, or what you are talking about. No wonder mobs are so dangerous. Let's get some facts on the table as clearly as possible on a number of points, then I have to get back to work.

1. Richard Warren: You don't know what you are talking about at all when it comes to appeals, the reason for filing same, etc. It matters very little how many appeals were filed. What matters is how many times the Supreme Court said that the Judge made the correct decision, or not.Furthermore, you don't have to have squat to file an appeal other than the money to pay an attorney and the ability to make a BS argument as to why the judge did something wrong, etc. All this garbage that you are throwing out is simply not sticking to the wall at all. Again, you don't know what you are talking about.

2. As to Nope at June 12: Yes, thank you, as a matter of fact, my being a former police officer DOES qualify me to give my OPINION that I thought that Warren was GETTING CLOSE to illegal activity with his rantings. Do you see the distinction now? But if you had bothered to read the rest of my comments, the fact that I am a LAWYER and a Judicial Officer aka JUDGE also adds a little bit of weight to my qualifications to leave my OPINION. Right, wrong or whatever, if you think that the First Amendment allows you carte blanche authority to run your mouth and to say whatever you want, then you better think some more. Nothing could be further from the truth. Look back to 9/11 as a HUGE reason for that and I am not just talking about the Patriot Act. Various state laws have changed on that issue also. Frankly, I don't like that at all. Still, I can't do much about it if I am locked up and being questioned by the Feds about why it is that I think that it is okay for some Family Court judge THAT I READ ABOUT on some website to get shot in the chest, especially when I don't have ANY first hand knowledge about the underlying case supposedly leading to it at all.

3. Unless Mr. Warren was one of the litigants to any of the cases that he is wailing and pontificating about, then he does not, again everyone, and a one, and a two, and a three, KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. If you don't know the facts, then you aren't qualified to even give any sort of decent opinion. It is just so much hot air coming from the south end of a northbound horse.

As this has now deteriorated into a bunch of people complaining about the judge, when they have never had a case with this judge, and when it is quite common for the losing party to blame everyone but themselves (as a couple of writers aptly mentioned, everyone is at fault, except for themselves) I am going back to work and you keyboard warriors can go back to saving the galaxy and jousting at your windmills. Enjoy.

PS: Ironically, I found this site after doing a search on the Judge after I found out that he had been shot. While a bunch of you now have opinions about what a jerk he is, based on the musings and rantings of others, I drew no such conclusions at all, but then I have education, training and experience in this area. See what happens when you take the time to learn about things before making up your mind? Mind you, after doing a lot more investigation and research into the Judge I could eventually come to the same conclusion as have those of you currently shooting from the lip. The benefit, however, in such a situation is that I would have something tangible and factual to back up my opinion. Have a nice day. demesq

[shame_on_you]

NEP people, You will never admit that a father can be "unfit". Carla Mack knew her ex was unfit, but the courts didn't help her, did they? She is now dead. The daughter is left alone to be raised by relatives. Darren Mack was an unfit father! No "good dad" would ever consider taking the life of a child's mommy! No matter how much he hated her, he was NOT thinking about his daughter...he was thinking only of himself, as many father's do.Yes, moms do to, but we are not talking about a mom here - Yet another strike against "your side" NEP. If Darren Mack attended some of your meetings, I am sure his rage against Char was clear- did any of you help him to seek counseling? No, you probaly egged him on! FIGHT,FIGHT,FIGHT for your rights... isn't that your motto? This mans life was spiraling out of control. He was in backruptcy, long before his marriage ended. Charla recently asked the courts for a psycological(sp) exam of Mr. Mack and it was denied - BY Judge Weller! It is all public record. In this case NEP, "Joint Custody" was not in the best interest of the child involved, as ANY person who has it in them to "kill" is NOT a good canidate for "Joint Custody" and apparently Char knew this. Some of us don't just "fight in court for custody" just for the sake of fighting or because we hate our former spouse, some of us have REAL concerns about the other parent. The courts never listen to that parent and encourage a custody dispute. Maybe the law should be: We all get serious counseling before a custody award will be addressed! Maybe every kid involved in divorce should go live in foster care while the folks have there heads examined! I am sure this little girl, who just lost both her mommy and daddy would agree on this one! Now, she has lost both of them. NEP people, you say you want equality, yet your group is made up of mostly angry fathers, some of who might be considered "unfit" fathers! Get a clue!Read your posts! Some of these members sound "unfit" to be be anyones parent let alone a human being!

[Carol]

RE:SHAME-ON-YOU,VERY WELL PUT. I couldn't agree more.

[get back on your meds]

Sounds like you just made your point. You're just 'itchin' to fight. Get some help.

[killemall]

Yesss..... 1 down...

[Blondie]

I think it is interesting to see how someone's opinion can be the complete opposite of someone else's. You have people saying that Judge Weller is biased against women, and more people saying that he is biased against men. I think that no matter what happens in a courtroom, one side is bound to lose. They will search for someone else to blame because they feel that they have been treated unfairly. That's just the way it is.

[Sundown]

To George: You're 100% correct about the parents causing the strife at home where their children live. It's not the judges or lawyers who should be blamed for these selfish parents who won't work out their problems and issues for their children's sake. If you can't share the burden and make sacrifices for your own flesh and blood, then don't have children, or better select a mate that will be a good provider and parent to begin with. Being a lawyer and judge is not easy, they're only human and do their job the best they can.

[blondie]

sundown, i completely agree with your standing on this issue. The judges aren't the ones to blame, when the parents cause all the problems that end up hurting the children even more.

[Angela]

Nobody EVER said life was fair!

[blondie]

Life isn't fair. it's full of mistakes and tears and regrets. That's just the way life is. People make mistakes, but then learn from them and better their future. Tears are shed, but they are drid by a helping hand. Regrets are felt, but you learn how to deal with them and not make the same mistakes in the upcoming future.

[Angela]

for those of you that say its the parents fault I agree with you, however when there is a problem you either fix it or leave it alone, yes?

[Angela]

someone once asked me a question......If you knew you had cancer and you knew it was going to kill you would you leave it alone or would you try and get ride of it?

[blondie]

you have to fix the problem or the child will be mentally affected for the rest of his/her life. you really do not have a choice in the matter if you are deciding in the best interest of the child.

[blondie]

Cancer and children are two different things.

[small world]

Yesterday's events are truly tragic. I've lived in the Truckee Meadow's area for 36 years. I have been acquainted with both men (Weller & Mack), and found both to be very fine men. Darren was a guy with a great personality. I never met anyone that had anything bad to say about him. I would've never suspected that he was capable of such a horrific act. Darren's father, may he rest in peace, was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Not what we've come to know as the typical pawn shop owner. He was one of a kind. When Judge Weller was practicing law here in town I had a consultation with him about trying to gain custody of my son. At the time I'd been divorced for 10 yrs. and my ex was living with an ex-felon that had a drug and alcohol problem. They had a very violent and tumultuous relationship. My son, who at the time was 12 yrs old, used to tell me what was going on at home and how he would rather be living with me. Also, his grades in school were reflecting the trouble at home. I told Chuck all of this. Although I found him to be a pleasant enough individual, his advice was not what I'd expected from a lawyer that I was seeking to have represent me. I'll just say that his advice to me was sympathetic to her, instead of my child. To make a long story short, I ended up retaining another attorney. After the hearing I was awarded custody. Needless to say,when Chuck was running for family court justice I couldn't beleive that he had suddenly become an advocate for father's rights. Believe me when I tell you that he gave me no such indication of that when I spoke to him, in fact he told me that he believed quite the opposite. I will tell you that he said that he thought it was best for a child to remain with it's mother unless there was accusations of physical or sexual abuse being made by the child. Knowing that my choice in the election was an easy one and it wasn't Chuck Weller.