The Far Right Now Goes After Judge Who Declared NSA Wiretapping Unconstitional

I'm all for full disclosure, but the case of conflict they cite here is teeny (almost microscopic) compared to the many conflicts of much greater interest that even just associate justices Scalia and Thomas as well as former Chief Justice William Rehnquist chose to ignore in their own cases. Judicial Watch has always gone after anyone NOT a far right Republican, so I find them terribly tainted.

From USA Today:

WASHINGTON — A judicial watchdog group contended Tuesday that Michigan U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, who last week struck down a federal warrantless wiretapping program, may have had a conflict of interest in the case.

Judicial Watch, a conservative-leaning group based in Washington, issued a news release calling attention to Taylor's apparent membership in a local foundation that gave $45,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan in recent grants. The ACLU of Michigan was one of the parties to the case challenging the surveillance program that was begun after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The lead challenger was the national ACLU.

"This potential conflict of interest merits serious investigation," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said.

Taylor noted on financial disclosure reports filed in 2004 and 2005 that she is a trustee and secretary of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. That group says on its website that it has given a total of $45,000 in recent years to the ACLU of Michigan for programs serving gay men and lesbians. Taylor could not be reached Tuesday.

Tuesday's complaint adds to attention that some legal groups have focused on the judge and her approach in the case, rather than the ruling itself.

Northwestern University law professor Steven Lubet, who has studied judicial ethics, said, "It certainly is close enough that she should have disclosed it."

And there is far more that requires serious deliberation than this; including the NSA wiretapping itself!