No, the First Amendment gives them carte blanche. Also, nothing in the article said the judge was sitting on their panel, only that he was in attendance.

Is there any evidence that this was the ONLY forum this judge attended?

So what? I want judges that are as up-to-date and well informed as possible. Any other professional would attend lectures, forums, conventions, and symposia to stay informed of current events in their field. Why do you have such a hard time with Justices doing the same?

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The voice in your head that says "you can't do this" is a LIAR!!!

So where is the lecture, forum, convention etc for Presidents? For Congressmen? There is a difference between ideology and professionalism, and these meetings do nothing to address their professional skills.

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The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so.

-- Hitler, April 11 1942

Except that they keep them informed of trends going on in their professions.

Face it, DM...you don't have an argument against this. You are simply arguing for arguing's sake. There's nothing this Justice did that was wrong except that he is a confirmed conservative.

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The voice in your head that says "you can't do this" is a LIAR!!!

It has nothing to do with him being a conservative or a liberal. I could care. I have a firm opinion that a judge should conduct himself with more concern for his position than to attend political conferences.

I don't see where going to the conference is any different than reading the information put out by the organization in terms of getting the information. The problem is the appearance of bias.

I'd have a problem with Kagen going to a NOW meeting.

It just doesn't sit well with me, and if I become a judge, I'm not going to political meetings.

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The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so.

-- Hitler, April 11 1942

I am glad we agree that's just your opinion.

And failure to continue one's education gives the appearance of ignorance.

Well bully for you then.

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The voice in your head that says "you can't do this" is a LIAR!!!

There is no failure to continue education by NOT going to these meetings. There is a failure of indoctrination. A justice can see the political landscape without being political.

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The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so.

-- Hitler, April 11 1942

He's not being political by attending the event for his own enrichment. And there is much more to be gained by taking part in an active discussion than reading about it later.

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The voice in your head that says "you can't do this" is a LIAR!!!

But a judge isn't supposed to be an active part of that discussion is he? I mean in terms of his role in the function of our government. His place is not to set policy based upon politics, but upon law.

We've already agreed to disagree on the basis of this argument. I don't know why we're rehashing it sixteen different ways.

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The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so.

-- Hitler, April 11 1942