Comment Re: How Do We Get

Cases Before Grand Juries?

By Kevin - kevinsbjornson@...

Thank you for your work to get constitutional amendments

to allow creation of grand juries not controlled by the gov.

However getting anything like that passed is problematical.

FIJA takes a different approach. They try to get things

passed, sure, but in the meantime they utilize what already

exists.

My understanding is that grand juries have the power to

issue indictments, without prompting by a US Attorney or

District Attorney.

Copies of proposed indictments could be passed out on the

public sidewalk in front of courts.

Kevin

kevinsbjornson@...

________________________________________________

Ron Branson Responds to Kevin:

Kevin

I am sure you have heard the adage that the best way to accomplish a task is not always the most apparent method. I often tell people that their problem is that they are thinking logically. There is no question about the power of the Grand Jury. As I have said, there is no earthly power that supersedes that of a Grand Jury. I was mocked by those in South Dakota who stated that Ron Branson believes the Grand Jury is the highest power in our government. I responded to their State Senator behind this argument that this is not a question of what “Ron Branson” thinks, but of what the Constitution states, “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury…” I asked this South Dakota Senator if he found it acceptable for the District Attorney, the Governor, a Senator, or the President of the U.S., or even the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court to substitute for the Grand Jury in this task. He remained mum on my challenge to him. Of course no one in government can fulfill the power of the Grand Jury. So your point, “My understanding is that grand juries have the power to issue indictments, without prompting by a US Attorney or District Attorney” is unchallengeable. But your problem is not with what the Grand Jury has the power to do, but rather how are you going to pull this task off.

There is nothing more guarded by the government than are Grand Juries. As a general rule, Grand Juries are select by the judges, advised, trained and counseled by the District Attorney, financially hamstrung by a meager budget lower than every other government agency in existence, the legislature has dictated that Grand Juries cannot investigate judges because that duty must be preserved exclusively to Judicial Commissions made up almost entirely of judges covering for their buddies. Grand Jurors receive a salary less than minimum wages, even less than a high school girl living with her parents and working after hours at McDonalds. No one is honored less than a Grand Juror in this nation according to the dictates of government. They are merely a lapdog (pronounced “watchdog”) fed by the very tyrants of government it is supposed to guard. Other than that, Grand Juries are the most powerful force in this nation.

You have suggested, “Copies of proposed indictments could be passed out on the public sidewalk in front of courts.” I can tell you that many have been brought up on charges by judges of “Jury Tampering” for merely passing out FIJA brochures in front of courts. One of them was a personal friend of mine I have known for many years. But, even if you could pass out proposed indictments in front of a court, do you really believe you could curb judicial immunity in this manner? I hardly think so! Most Grand Juries have never even heard of the doctrine of judicial immunity, much less have an unction to hold judges accountable for judicial immunity. These Grand Jurors are more likely to “lick” the feet of the judges that chose them, and to whom they believe they serve.

It’s time we get serious and wake up as an army of People and earnestly push to make judges subject to us the People through J.A.I.L.

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

Why the “People” Face Proposed Monetary Bail-Outs.

47 minute 'Money as Debt' animated documentary

 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9050474362583451279  

Is Your Pastor’s Sermons IRS Approved?

Seven California Churches are now being sued because their sermons do not meet approved standards of the Internal Revenue Service. One of the pastors which is known by us is Pastor Wiley Drake, First Southern Baptist of Buena Park.

We are informed that the nature of the complaint specifies, "These pastors have decided to thumb their noses at the Internal Revenue Service and at the whole concept that the church is a place where partisanship should be left at the door."

The complaints against these Churches were filed this week, and are welcomed by the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal group in Arizona which has now organized a Pulpit Freedom Sunday. The Defense Fund pledged to represent these Churches in federal lawsuits to overturn the 54-year-old federal ban that, the organization believes, has stripped Churches of their constitutional freedoms of speech and religion.

Defense Fund Attorney Erik Stanley said he was not concerned about the IRS complaints. Participating pastors, he said, will be sending copies of their sermons to the IRS as a follow-up to their Sunday addresses. "The goal was to make this pulpit initiative something the IRS could not ignore," Stanley said.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution sets forth, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The position of these Churches is that this constitutional mandate is very clear, to wit, “Congress shall make no law!”

Due to the benevolent thinking of government during the Johnson Administration, government thought itself to be acting in the best interest of society in converting the mandate of God into a government granted privilege by granting the Churches tax exempt status. However, Churches are not the subject of tax exemption since Congress is forbidden by the Constitution from determining what is an approved Church, or who may enjoy tax exemption.

The solid conclusion is that Churches cannot possibly be tax exempt since they are of necessity tax immune. Any other conclusion decides that the head of the Church is not Christ, but government. Further, it is undisputable that tax exempt status of IRC 501C(3) acclaims itself to be law, but Congress can make no such law, nor can it engage in a discussion of what is an appropriate religion. For government to open such a discussion is to automatically deprive itself of jurisdiction to address the issue. The fact is, there is no such thing as a 501C(3) tax exempt Church, nor has there ever been such a thing, end of discussion! Want proof?

“The general misconception is that any statute passed by legislators bearing the appearance of law constitutes the law of the land. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and any statute, to be valid, must be in agreement. It is impossible for both the Constitution and a law violating it to be valid; one must prevail. This is succinctly stated as follows:

    The General rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law is in reality no law, but is wholly void, and ineffective for any purpose; since unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment and not merely from the date of the decision so branding it. An unconstitutional law, in legal contemplation, is as inoperative as if it had never been passed. Such a statute leaves the question that it purports to settle just as it would be had the statute not been enacted.  -  16 Am Jur. 2d, Sec 177

-Ron Branson

Politicians

By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create

problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the

Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are

against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high

taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does. 

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to

vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives

does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal

Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 Congressmen, one President, and

nine Supreme Court justices! 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because

that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a Senator, a Congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an

excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget.   He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.  Who is the speaker of the House?  She or He is the leader of the majority party. The speaker and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in   IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats,  whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,'

'inflation,' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and no one else; and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

PS – While I find the above presentation interesting and noteworthy, I wish to add the following concept;

While Congress has the legislative power to remedy all situations, they cannot always be trusted. When Congress cannot be trusted, we have instituted the judiciary to hold Congress in check. However, when the Judiciary fails to hold Congress in check, we must have a forum over the Judiciary. This is where the doctrine of J.A.I.L. must uniquely fill its ultimate authority as the final word. Without J.A.I.L. the Judiciary will fail. Without a Judiciary the government will fail. So the logic is quite clear, We the People must have J.A.I.L. or all else fails!

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

Making Wise Investments

If you had purchased $1,000.00 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49.00 left.

With Enron, you would have had $16.50 left of the original $1,000.00.

With WorldCom, you would have had less than $5.00 left.

But if you had purchased $1,00.00 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214.00 cash.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.  It's called the 401-Keg.

A recent study found the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon.

Makes You Proud to Be an American!

The Judiciary: The Greatest Consumer Fraud in the World

July, 2007

Dear Clients, Friends and alleged honorable members of the Judiciary.

Years ago I discovered what more of 'the People' are discovering all the time. Our Third Branch of Government; our alleged honorable judiciary, is not only infested with liars, cheats, thugs and thieves, but this completely autonomous, self interested, and unaccountable institution is corrupt to such a scandalous degree as to present very real and present dangers to anyone caught in this Holodeck [1]. Americas justice system has become the greatest example of consumer fraud in the world.

Former Virginia attorney Linda Kennedy laments?  

"Until Americans are awakened by their own court-hardships, each will continue to repeat the words, like a parrot wanting a cracker, that America has the fairest courts in the world. Some have come to realize that this is not true as the justice system continues to advance, plundering American citizens at its whim.

"When you voluntarily go into court you will find (or have found) that many times you will lose even though the law is clearly on your side. After such loss, due to your sense of justice, you file subsequent lawsuits or complaints against judges, you appeal decisions, and spend time and other resources thinking of other legal strategies for recourse, etc. 

"Even worse, you become occupied for years on a course that costs you large sums of money and keeps you busy with very little to show for it except perhaps high blood pressure.  Most often however, you become even more outraged and impoverished than when you innocently started down this path many years before. 

"This is the "LITIGATION VORTEX"; where nothing is as it appears and where the plaintiff is never to be seen again - with money.

This has in fact been my experience. I have been encountering this scourge on society for more than a decade. THUS FAR it has cost me a MILLION DOLLARS or more. It has caused me to sacrifice the most productive years of my life and the love and presence of my only child.

NOW, it has apparently cost me my unblemished sixteen [16] year career in the securities business.

Since April 07, I have been unable to subcontract with a securities broker/dealer because of some absolutely VOID money judgments that were issued against me by courts that KNEW they were VOID when they issued them. Despite that they are VOID, and, that they derive from FRAUD BY THE COURT as long as they remain on my record I am not bondable … and thus not employable. In my efforts a few years ago to have them vacated and purged from my record, I was lured into the courtroom of Satan himself; NY Supreme Court Judge Tom VanStrydonck. For the next fifteen [15] months VanStrydonck subjected me to the most overtly lawless criminal prosecution and wrongful incarceration thought to be possible in a lawful civilized society. But, in the final analysis, America is not the lawful civilized society MOST citizens believe it to be.

THE BIG LIE

It is said that the first thing Hitler did when he came to power was to seize control of the courts. I submit to you that today's judiciary looks, acts and smells very much like Nazi Germany. In fact, they practice the same propaganda tactics; never admit a fault or wrong; never accept blame; leave NO ROOM for alternatives, AND, 'tell a lie big enough and often enough and the People will begin to believe it”.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

I have now publicized my abusive experiences on DVD and through a series of videos on www.Google.com and www.YouTube.com. I am pleased to report that they have now been seen by more than 1,400 viewers in the first month only. I hope you'll review themyourself, and forward the links to everyone you know who may be interested in seeing what contemporary jurisprudence in Western New York looks like. 

Click the following links or Search Google Video for " Judicial Fraud in Rochester NY". Start with the clip marked 'INTRO'.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4894944766194819666

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5190968303590217766

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2575578438673158662

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7017375406501557857

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4397144702826556602

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6731528499275353416

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6610179781799859580

But remember to HANG ON TO YOUR BREAKFAST.

K. Pat Brady

Fn1 http://www.wbflegalreform.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------

[1] From an article by Virginia attorney, Linda Kennedy. www.wbflegalreform.com

Psalm 58

by Isaac Watts

http://poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=180939

Warning to Magistrates

Judges, who rule the world by laws,

Will ye despise the righteous cause,

When th’injur’d poor before you stands?

Dare ye condemn the righteous poor,

And let rich sinners ’scape secure,

While gold and greatness bribe your hands?

Have ye forgot or never knew

That God will judge the judges too?

High in the Heavens his justice reigns;

Yet you invade the rights of God,

And send your bold decrees abroad

To bind the conscience in your chains.

A poisoned arrow is your tongue,

The arrow sharp, the poison strong,

And death attends where e’er it wounds:

You hear no counsels, cries or tears;

So the deaf adder stops her ears

Against the power of charming sounds.

Break out their teeth, eternal God,

Those teeth of lions dyed in blood;

And crush the serpents in the dust:

As empty chaff, when whirlwinds rise,

Before the sweeping tempest flies,

So let their hopes and names be lost.

Th’Almighty thunders from the sky,

Their grandeur melts, their titles die,

As hills of snow dissolve and run,

Or snails that perish in their slime,

Or births that come before their time,

Vain births, that never see the sun.

Thus shall the vengeance of the Lord

Safety and joy to saints afford;

And all that hear shall join and say,

“Sure there’s a God that rules on high,

“A God that hears his children cry,

“And will their sufferings well repay.”

Truth Stranger Than Fiction

It is commonly said that truth is stranger than fiction. I was invited as a guest to a free screening of the movie “Changeling.” It will be coming out soon to the public.

Do not let the strangeness of the title fool you as it is a “must see” which I would rate at least a 9 ½ on a scale of 1 to 10. It is based upon a true story and involves the 1930’s L.A.P.D.  The best I could describe it, it is an account of the People v. government, and vice-versa, with a major cover-up of paramount proportions. While one may be inclined to “thank God that such corruption was brought to light, and has now ceased,” I am inclined to state that an even bigger more subtle corruption is at play currently within our judiciary. As you now know as reported to you by J.A.I.L. a couple days ago, the entire judiciary of Los Angeles County was exposed as universally involved double-dipping, fraud, and all kinds of corruption, with every case involving the interests of the County of Los Angeles going down in flames. Adding to what we have already reported, it was Los Angeles County defense Attorney Fredrick Bennett who boldly boasted, “We’ve never lost a case against the County…” Indeed, this record is stated elsewhere to go back as far as 1988. Obvious, all these cases for the last twenty years involving the County of Los Angeles should be revisited for fraud. When I have brought suit in Federal Court against the County, Fredrick Bennett would appear and say to the judge prior to the “trial,” How’s your wife, and how are the kids, etc, giving me the impression that he just joined them last week in the park for a picnic. The corruption is so bad the county does not even attempt to hide it, even as defendants, walking up and bending over to the judge to whisper in his ear during the litigation.

Anyway, my purpose for writing is to tell you, if you have an opportunity, and wish to do so, you should see “Changeling.”

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

Internationally Renowned Judicial Reform Advocate to be Interviewed

Posted by: "Zena Crenshaw"

zcrenshaw@...    

Sat Nov 1, 2008 1:06 pm (PDT)

Sent by MARANZ Public Relations Company.
The next segment of "Change Of Venue" will feature Reverend Ron Branson who has long advocated the Judicial Accountability Initiative Law (J.A.I.L.) "to
remedy several deficiencies in judicial policing and accountability." The movement known as "JAIL for Judges", made great headway and international
notoriety when it reached the 2006 election ballot in South Dakota.

Branson says "in South Dakota we got the signatures (48,000+), and got South Dakota Jail on the ballot as Proposition E, and then a whole lot went wrong".

Tune in to hear this vitally important, pre-election interview: "The South Dakota Jail Initiative - Lessons Learned"

*Any activist trying to harness the "power of the people" needs to hear what Ron Branson has to say on that subject.*

Branson reports, "South Dakota judges, the State Bar, even the Legislature and the Attorney General opposed JAIL. Then came a lot of outside
opposition like multi-billion dollar companies pouring in money like water, and even retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor condemned JAIL in the Wall Street Journal".

*Don't miss the live interview!*

Get your "Change Of Venue"
November 3, 2008
11:00 a.m. CDT (Chicago Time)

*Learn More* <http://www.njcdlp.org./Change_of_Venue.html

Interview on BlogTalkRadio

By David Klarr – djour8142@...

At 10 a.m. this morning (11/3/08 – tomorrow is election day) I got off the air in an interview by Zena Crenshaw on the “Change of Venue” Radio Program. I am very pleased to have been invited as their guest, and thankful to Zena for this opportunity.

What I am hoping to see is the various and sundry “Judicial Reform” organizations forming a focus upon judicial accountability directly to the People in the forum of a Citizen’s Grand Jury. But the Citizen’s Grand Jury I am talking about is not the typical Grand Jury we commonly recognize, as they are judge-selected, District Attorney counseled, under-supported, under-paid, and advised that they have no jurisdiction to investigate judges. That is to be preserved to the “so-called” Judicial Oversight Commissions.

So long as this routine continues unabated, the People shall continue spinning their wheels in hope of an effective remedy someday. As the Scriptures puts it, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” II Timothy 3:7.

I have just started viewing the email responses, and below is my first comment on this radio program.

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

________________________________________________

From: David E. Klarr [mailto:djour8142@...]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 10:33 AM
To: JAIL4Judges
Subject: Your interview in BlogTalkRadio

djour8142@...

Past Propaganda Launched Against JAIL4Judges.  (Listen to Radio Program)

http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=6288938&m=6288939

Witness the warfare and perplexity over our nation’s judiciary (O’Connor Concerned About J.A.I.L.)

http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=6165651&m=6165652

September 27, 2006, 12:16 pm

SDO Decries “JAIL 4 Judges” and Other Attacks on Judiciary

Posted by Peter Lattman

Have you heard about this South Dakota ballot initiative to pass a state constitutional amendment that would eliminate judicial immunity? Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has, and in today’s WSJ she attacks it and other threats to judicial independence.

The amendment has been advocated by a national group called “JAIL 4 Judges.” If it passes, it would eliminate judicial immunity and enable a special grand jury to censure judges for their official rulings. Though the JAIL acronym stands for “judicial accountability initiative law,” writes SDO, “they aspire to something far more sinister — judicial intimidation.”

O’Connor says that at least three other states have launched efforts to rein in judges who have supposedly “run amok.” More evidence of efforts to police judges: (1) members of Congress pushing measures that would forbid judges from citing foreign law when interpreting the Constitution; (2) bills introduced supporting the creation of an inspector general to investigate and monitor the federal bench; (3) House legislation passed over the summer that would prohibit the Supremes from considering the whether the Pledge of Allegiance’s inclusion of the words “under God” violates the First Amendment.

Writes O’Connor:

While scorn for certain judges is not an altogether new phenomenon, the breadth and intensity of rage currently being leveled at the judiciary may be unmatched in American history. The ubiquitous “activist judges” who “legislate from the bench” have become central villains on today’s domestic political landscape. Elected officials routinely score cheap points by railing against the “elitist judges” . . . Several jeremiads are published every year warning of the dangers of judicial supremacy and judicial tyranny. Though these attacks generally emit more heat than light, using judges as punching bags presents a grave threat to the independent judiciary.

Permalink | Trackback URL: http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2006/09/27/sdo-decries-jail-4-judges-and-other-attacks-on-judiciary/trackback/

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Comments

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This is not merely an attempt to intimidate judges, it is part of an overall effort to constrain free speech, religion and conscience on issues of public concern, not seen in this country on this scale since the days of Joseph McCarthy.

Comment by Mark T - September 27, 2006 at 12:31 pm

While I am a strong supporter of “judicial independence,” the judges are bringing this upon themselves by, for example, granting qualified immunity to police. Simply, this is favoritism, allowing the police to get away with their crimes, such as “testilying” and assault and battery.

Comment by Daniel Quackenbush - September 27, 2006 at 1:35 pm

The sad commentary on our society is that we even have to have this discussion. I have great respect for anyone who dedicates their life to the law. But is disturbing that I have to teach my children that the law has nothing to do with right and wrong, only with who can argue their case in front of a judge that has no common sense.

Comment by BruceT - September 27, 2006 at 1:45 pm

Technical point: Justice O’Connor is SOC, not SDO.

Comment by Chris - September 27, 2006 at 2:06 pm

ignores her middle name and includes both the O and the C?

Comment by She has her own initials that she uses where she - September 27, 2006 at 2:33 pm

O’Connor’s comments reek of activism. We should put her in jail.

Comment by Robert Bork - September 27, 2006 at 6:32 pm

The citizens in the USA are extremely displeased with attorneys as a group, and many rightly see Judges as part of the same crowd. All too often judges at the state level (for example) move into and out of private law firms, which intensifies this impression. There are many other ways that judges wind up profiting by having maintained good relations with law firms along the way, whether they collect these benefits at the next election or in “retirement” from the bench.
So, due to the growth in firm-level economic power and the types of potential economic ties between judges and the private legal industry, trust that the judiciary is independent has been compromised.
Also, it is EXTREMELY obvious, again, mostly at the state level, the the “disciplining” of attorneys is at best woefully inadequate, and at worst a complete sham. Again, state judiciaries are usually the oversight vehicle for attorney discipline — and their oversight has been far from what it should be for now decades.
Ergo, the people’s loss of trust in judges is catching up with their complete loss of trust in attorneys.
Having said all of that, we must all remember that among the most important duty of the judiciary is to insure that all people are treated equally under the law. And the funny thing is, that life’s twists and turns can make just about anyone into a minority in need of equal treatment. Any American white male could suffer a spinal injury and suddenly find himself on the side of those seeking “accessible” buildings via ADA. Or he could wish to parent his own child and seek to be made primary parent on his merits despite decades of gender bias against him simply for being male.
A good judiciary is needed to take care of each of us in this country and give us equal treatment under the law.
In my view, the best thing the judiciary could do to regain the trust of the people in America is to (1) distance itself from private law firms, (2) start holding private lawyers’ feet to the fire in terms of ethics and aggressive attorney discipline, and (3) get back to the roots of the judiciary in this country — as the branch which makes sure we are a nation of equals under the law — not a nation which has been subjugated by the interests and greed of private lawyers.

Comment by Transference May Be Part of It - JKS - September 27, 2006 at 10:25 pm

One would think that Judges might learn something from the experience of being held liable for every action, non-action, and utterance just like the rest of us.
Only then would they truly understand how unsafe life can look in this country from the perspective of a non-judge, non-lawyer citizen.

Comment by Join The Rest of Us - September 28, 2006 at 5:47 pm

The JUSTICE has been removed from the “front lines’ so long she has lost touch. I would like for her to review some of the judicial misconduct allegations that are dismissed with “canned language”. She should start with me. The Judicial Oath, Canons of Judicial COnduct and Rules of Procedure are dead in the 11th U.S. Circuit

Comment by Joe Norman - September 28, 2006 at 6:09 pm

Justice O’Connor might be shocked if she undertook a couple month research project by going in disguise, and sitting with the public in various state courts in this country, observing what goes on there first hand.

Comment by Sandra Day O'Connor Should Try This - September 29, 2006 at 2:58 pm

The Lies of South Dakota

While searching the internet, I came across an heretofore unknown by me post placed on the internet by Attorney Tom Barnett, the Director of the South Dakota Bar Association, who  spread lies regarding the South Dakota J.A.I.L. Initiative. It is found on the internet at http://sdra.org/dwnld/amendment_e.doc

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

Vote NO on Amendment E

– by Tom  Barnett, South Dakota State Bar

(www.no-on-e.com)

Amendment E, the so-called judicial accountability initiative would allow criminals and disgruntled litigants, after they have lost their cases and lost their appeals, to go after jurors, judges, school board members, city council members, county commissioners and many, many other citizen board members.  Further, all these citizens would have their homes and businesses at risk and would have to pay for their own defense lawyers.

Even California thought it was a bad idea and refused to place it on their ballot – so the author from North Hollywood brought it to South Dakota.

The Special Grand Jury that E creates would have the power to ignore, reject, and amend the law, including our property and personal rights guaranteed to us by our state constitution – and their decision is final with no appeal.

Amendment E is opposed by the South Dakota Retailers Association, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, 74 cities, 53 county commissions, and dozens and dozens of School Boards, the South Dakota Bankers Association and a host of other agricultural, business and professional organizations. Amendment E is opposed by our entire Congressional Delegation who recognize that Amendment E would devastate our state’s economic climate and is further opposed by Governor Mike Rounds, Democrat candidate Jack Billion, and the entire legislature.

Amendment E will result in a violation of the federal constitution, thereby subjecting the state to lawsuits for damages and attorney fees – and taxpayers will get the bill.

Please talk to your employees, your friends and neighbors and encourage them to vote NO on E.

J.A.I.L. News Journal
Judicial  Accountability  Initiative  Law

______________________________________________________
Los Angeles, CA                           November 11, 2008, 2008

A Public Service Announcement to America

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The Battle Lines are Drawn:  J.A.I.L. versus The Foreign Power 

A Power Foreign to Our Constitution

Mission Statement      JNJ Library        Federal J.A.I.L.

FAQs              What?MeWarden?

Where Is America Financially Headed?

By Ron Branson – National J.A.I.L. Commander-In-Chief VictoryUSA@...

Twelve years ago in 1996 this author wrote an article on where America was headed financially, and behold, he was extremely accurate as if written this year. At that time, J.A.I.L. (which was then called “The Judicial Reform Act of 1996) had neither a website, nor was attached to the internet. The article was merely passed out as a printed pamphlet.

Now the news reveals that Americans giving of their hard-earned money to bail out the bankers to the tune of $700,000,000 (seven hundren billion dollars). People are being laid off from their jobs to the tune of millions of workers, People are losing their homes, they are watching their 401(k)s being depleted, and their retirements failing all the while the banksters are wining and dining in pure luxury. In literally yesterdays news the AIG bank, whose website www.AIGbank.com reads, “Banking is now as easy as AIG!” and who has already reaped over a hundred billion dollars from the taxpayers in bail-out funds, is now claiming to be destitute, asking for billions more in bail-out money from Congress while caught living it up in rioteous living at a confidential lugurious hotel, drinking, celebrating and making merry, including massages, etc. They are now avoiding the media who found them at this secret location.

The powers-that-be are even now looking to the heads of the Federal Reserve to come up with renovative ideas on how to save the economy from ruination when it is precisely this same  private Federal Reserve Banking consortium that is at the root of our economic woes. Read the following and see if you agree that it might appear that the below was written this very year.

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

___________________________________________________

The Judicial Reform Act
vs.
The New World Order
* * *
The Final Showdown for America

The subject matter you are about to read is of utmost importance, barring religious and eternal values, inasmuch as it deals with a national emergency involving you and the future of your children and grandchildren. Whether you find it difficult to grasp or understand makes it of no less importance. This message is directed toward middle-class America, the wealthy, and to all who have ears to hear.

This publication consists of two parts: 1) The Problem: What is planned for your future; and 2) The Cure: What you can do to avert those plans. Give your undivided attention to what follows. Do not stop until you have finished. We are driving at a point you must not miss.

1) The Problem

"Permit me to issue a nation's money, and I care not who makes its laws."

--Meyer Anshelm Rothchild ~1780

Thomas Jefferson cautioned, "If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks ... will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." Similarly, James Madison said, "History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and its issuance." Despite these warnings, the unthinkable happened.

On December 23, 1913, after Congress went home for Christmas, private bankers through craft, intrigue and deceit. indeed grasped control of the nation's currency, and thereby predestined the total collapse of America. Congress was told that the Federal Reserve Act would not be taken up until Congress returned after Christmas. As soon as the opposition left, those few congressmen, privy and complicit with the bankers' plans, stealthily brought the FRA to the floor (without a quorum) and quickly "passed" it. They then sent it posthaste in the middle of the night via a confidant of President Woodrow Wilson, who, having not read it, asked, "Is this a good bill?" Upon his friend affirming it was, the President signed it. After President Wilson realized the impact of what he had signed, he said, "I am a miserable man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. ... The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men."

Today, the Federal Reserve Board controlling our nation's "money" is 76% foreign owned by private interests. They have no allegiance whatsoever to America, as they think only in global profit$, nothing else! America is now controlled by a few very extremely wealthy globalists.

In the book Blueprint for Victory, we are told the bankers long ago planned our demise. Their plan is to gently lower your living standard, while juggling figures and presenting lying reports that "better days are coming," "prosperity is around the corner," "the economy is growing," and "unemployment is down," when the
truth is just the opposite.

In reality, the entire middle-class is planned to be obliterated, including you who are influential reading this. It is predetermined you be financially gutted. Your business is to be slowly depleted through "unfortunate" circumstances of debt foreclosure, bankruptcy, bad decisions, unable to meet tax obligations, poor business, and legislative control of your business and private property. It's not that these bankers don't believe in private ownership of property; they do. It is just a question of who owns it.

Remember when the average man graduated from school or college, got married, bought a new home, a new car, had a house full of children, was the sole bread-winner, (his wife stayed home and raised the children), he paid all his bills, and had plenty of money left over to put away into savings, and to plan for the future of his children? Today the average man graduates from school, gets married, rents a cheap apartment, buys a new car, both parents work full time outside the home, both struggle to pay the rent, utilities, baby sitter, car payments and insurance, and have nothing left over. Yet they're making more money than ever. Someone said, "I'm now making the money I used to dream of making on which I am now starving." Remember when "inflation" meant something you did to your bicycle tire?

Imagine for a moment the power of the Federal Reserve. They can shut down the housing market and cause all construction to cease with one phone call. They can just pick up the phone, place a call, and cause upheaval in the entire world market. They can send the stock market into a tailspin within minutes. They can bring about massive layoffs in all industries, or create a national depression at whim. They can do what no military power on earth can do, ruin the nation over the weekend and
never fire a shot. October 1929 was but an illustration. Multi-millionaires instantly became paupers. Rich men and CEOs jumped wholesale from skyscraper windows or off bridges, unable to cope with the "permanent prosperity" that had been assured them by President Hoover.

Congressman Charles A. Lindberg rightly said, "Under the Federal Reserve Act panics are scientifically created; the present is the first scientifically created one, worked out as we figure a mathematical problem." They turn the economy off and on like a faucet, and manipulate the stock market to their ends.

        CALLER to San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank public relations man, Ron Supinski, October 8, 1992: How many Federal Reserve Notes are in circulation?

SUPINSKI: $263 billion and we can only account for a small percentage.

CALLER: Where did they go?

SUPINSKI: People's mattresses, buried in their back yards and illegal drug money.

CALLER: Since the debt is payable in Federal Reserve Notes, how can the $4 trillion national debt be paid off with the total Federal Reserve Notes in circulation?

SUPINSKI: I don't know.

CALLER: If the Federal Government would collect every Federal Reserve Note in circulation, would it be mathematically possible to pay the $4 trillion national debt?

SUPINSKI: No. (Note: Is this not proof from the horse's mouth of inevitable national bankruptcy affecting everyone?)

The Banker's Manifest of 1892, as quoted from the book Economic Pinch by Charles Lindberg, Sr. says, "When through the process of law, the common people have lost their homes, they will be more tractable and easily governed.... People without homes will not quarrel with their leaders."

In New Lies For Old by Anatoliy Golitsyn, it says the insiders themselves describe their goal as "the end of history." "This agenda has been followed systematically since the end of World War II, with no interruptions in strategy and only occasional
shifts and tactics. What may appear to be rapidly unfolding events are in fact policies of long standing."

2) The Cure --America's Only Hope-- The Judicial Reform Act

"Permit the People direct control over immunity of a nation's judiciary, and I care not who makes the money."
                                                       Ronald Branson -- 1996

While hard to grasp, it is nonetheless true. There is no future hope for America outside the principles set forth in the Judicial Reform Act (JRA). It has been called the most important proposed legislation in the last 200 years dating back to the Magna Carta or the Declaration of Independence. The JRA is a workable and peaceable means by which the People will begin to regain control and accountability over their government, starting with California. JRA creates Special Grand Juries that will exclusively investigate the misconduct of all judges of the State of California. JRA will influence every state in the union, and will become the stepping-stone to federal judicial reform.

The only thing the Federal Reserve Bankers fear is a "rogue" federal judge ruling in favor of a constitutional challenge of their monetary system. The Constitution prohibits private control of our nation's money by mandating, "Congress shall ... coin money, regulate the value thereof." Article I, Section 8. The bankers, therefore, must maintain their control of five justices of the U.S. Supreme Court on this issue. When they lose that, the People will regain their freedom and the New World Order will lose its stranglehold.

Since its inception, the Federal Reserve has been constantly under attack through court action, and the federal judges have continuously ruled for the bankers. The Banker's Manifest acknowledges, "The courts must be called to our aid." Without bankers controlling the courts, they know the banking fraud is over. The key to America's victory, and your children's future then, is in the creation of a unique Special U.S. Grand Jury after the order of the JRA with one sole purpose: to hold all federal judges directly accountable to the People. This Grand Jury will be autonomous and without government control of any kind. These Grand Jurors shall have complete authority to strip any federal judge of immunity, should they continue to cover for the bankers, violating their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY
JRA vs. NWO draws a battle line for national survival, a cause for which we cannot give up and must not lose. The JRA is proposed legislation with immutable truth that will never die! It will ever be present and persistent, urging itself as the only answer to government out of control. Democrats support it; Republicans support it; Independents support it; so do liberals and conservatives. Police support it; lawyers support it; and yes, even some honest judges are confidentially supporting it, knowing corrupt judges make it hard for honest judges to be honest.

The JRA Initiative was filed November 30, '95. Our first attempt to gather a million signatures and qualify it was done entirely by volunteers. Through experience we are forced to reckon with the fact that volunteers alone cannot do it. We must raise the money to bring it to pass. It may be encouraging to some of you to consider that freedom is only a matter of a money investment in your children's future. Our challenge before us then is, can we who love America and freedom, raise the money to pass the JRA before the New World Order depletes us of our property, our assets and our wealth, leaving us with nothing by which we may oppose them?

What's the Bid for your Children's Future? Our plan of action is getting people to sponsor blocks of signatures which will collectively total somewhere over a million signatures at one dollar apiece. This may seem a lot to most of us, however, consider the alternative. We stand to lose everything. Collectively, we can do it. It begins with you buying the first block. How much will you bid for freedom? Do I hear 25 signatures? 50 signatures? 100 signatures? 250 signatures? 500 signatures? 1,000 signatures? 5,000 signatures? 10,000 signatures? "Nothing" is not an answer! Freedom is not FREE.

This is an emergency. Your future, your children, your assets, your country, everything rests upon you! Don't wait for the other guy to finance your freedom. If you do, everyone loses. Don't gamble with your future! How many signatures will you sponsor? Decide and write a check, even if it's a small check; but write a check now. "For lack of a nail, a shoe was lost. For lack of a shoe, a horse was lost. For lack of a horse, the battle was lost." We must not lose America for want of a nail. If JRA doesn't prevail, we ask that you take down the flag furling over Arlington Cemetery, and turn out the lights shining on the Statue of Liberty.

This is a call to duty to all you patriotic Americans who love your Country. If not now, When? If not us, Who?

Ten years later we added the following:

Where are we today besides the name JRA having been changed to J.A.I.L.? Not being able to raise the funds necessary to sponsor the Initiative in California, we have now, ten years later, targeted the State of South Dakota for passage in 2006. The Initiative was filed there twelve days ago, on May 27, 2005 with the Secretary of State, and notification from the State is imminently expected.

I repeat the challenge made ten years ago: [C]an we who love America and freedom, raise the money to pass [J.A.I.L.] before the New World Order depletes us of our property, our assets and our wealth, leaving us with nothing by which we may oppose them? …. Thanks for your support in extracting America from the grip of the bankers and the NWO.

J.A.I.L.

P.O. Box 207

North Hollywood, CA. 91603

PS – We are even now hearing the financial prognosticators prophesying that the market bottom should arrive in about six months before the economy turns around and prosperity follows. Don’t you believe it. The very same financial influences that brought us to where we are today are still at play, and these banksters shall not cease until they own the very soil you are  standing upon. Your only purpose to them for existence is to bring in the fruits of your labor into their coffers. Believe me, “…a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” Luke 6:43, and “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23.

J.A.I.L. (Judicial Accountability Initiative Law) www.jail4judges.org, has

been in existence for over 12 years, and is in all 50 states and several foreign countries.

To manage your email, place the word Subscribe or Unsubscribe

in 'subject' line and hit reply. Your request will be automatically & instantly

processed. (Note: Program will not permit re-subscribes once unsubscribed.)

Our Founding Fathers said, "...with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine

Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and

our sacred honor." Dec. of Independence. We are a ministry in great need of

your financial support. Donate to this vitally important work at;

"J.A.I.L."  P.O. Box 207, North Hollywood, CA 91603

J.A.I.L. is a unique addition to our Constitution heretofore unrealized.

JAIL is powerful! JAIL is dynamic! JAIL is America's ONLY hope!

E-Group sign on at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jail4judges/join

Visit our active flash - http://www.jail4judges.org/national_001.htm

*   *   *

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to

our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to

their acts of pretended legislation.    - Declaration of Independence
 
"..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless

minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.."  - Samuel Adams
 
"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is

striking at the root."   -- Henry David Thoreau                     ><)))'>

New Tennessee JIC

Danielle Nicolosi – Danny17n@...

As is common within J.A.I.L., anytime we have a new JIC (JAILer-In-Chief) that steps up to the base, we publish the event to all the JAILers to write and encourage them. Therefore, I, Ron Branson, as the National J.A.I.L. Commander-In-Chief, affirm that I have chosen to appoint Danielle Nicolosi as our new Tennessee JIC, and encourage all of you to direct an email  to her in a word of encouragement. (You are also invited to cc. to me).

I am also including with this email her attachment she sent to me containing her resume. If the attachment does not come through to you, ask her to send you a copy. Please take the time to view it. Her background is astounding. May she be a great addition to our National J.A.I.L. Team. God bless you all.

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

__________________________________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: Danny17n@... [mailto:danny17n@...]
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 8:49 PM
To: JAIL4Judges 

I am very interested in becoming Tennessee JIC.  I have taken the opportunity to read your J.A.I.L. Constitution & By-Laws.

I have attached my resume for your reference.  I have two masters degrees and work I am in the field of Real Estate  Development.  I work with professionals on a daily basis so I know how to communicate in or to get things done.  I have run several grass root organizations to bring Justice to the Judiciary.  I actively lobby legislation to ensure that our judge remain honest.  Myself and several other individuals who addressed the Tennessee Children and Family Affairs Committee on issues of Court Corruption.  My case is in Shelby County which is in Memphis, TN.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Warmest regards,

Danielle Nicolosi

JAIL4Judges – The Movie

J.A.I.L. has been contacted by The Apollo Project. The question has been raised about producing the message of J.A.I.L. into a movie format. Inasmuch as I have no movie experience, the first question that must be dealt with is whether this is a practical and viable idea. Those of you who have little or some experience in this field are far ahead of me on this question.

I thought the best place to start is to see what talent we have out there among the JAILers. Any ideas as to how we would start, if that is what we are going to plan to do, I/we need ideas and comments as to what we are up against. Those who take a negative approach to the idea are also welcome to contribute. Perhaps we might start a special forum for such a discussion. Let’s hear from you.

Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

__________________________________________________

From: wd4193@... [mailto:wd4193@...]
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2008 6:28 PM
To: JAIL4Judges

Ron

Getting these changes will take a lot of action and cooperation. I am in hopes of finding collaborators - e.g.

·       Should a discussion of your plan be included in the actual screen play?  

·       What specifically would you like said?

·       Would you be willing to forward the concept of a film around to your cadre?

·       Can we use our IRB to assist in your communications?

Change of this important nature will need discussion, communication and well honed plans on many levels and through multiple venues.

A. Paul - Apollo Project

www.apolloproject.net  

wd4193@...

Jesus Is Leading Me Home

 (Sent to J.A.I.L. by a New York JAILer)

Jesus is leading me home

When I am weary my Saviour is strong,

He gaves me grace when the journey is long,

He is the sourse and the theme of my song,

For Jesus is leading me home.

When I am anxious my Saviour is there,

Ready to keep me and lift all my care,

There's not a trial that He will not share,

For Jesus is leading me home.

When I am lonely my Saviour’s a friend,

He brings me joy that I know will ne'er end,

And e'en time can't part at eternity's end,

Since Jesus is leading me home.

Home with the Saviour, what glory we'll share,

Joy in the midst of that Company there,

Each day as I journey I make this my prayer,

Dear Jesus, keep leading me home! 

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” -  I Thessalonians 5:8

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jesus Is Leading Me Home

 (Sent to J.A.I.L. by a New York JAILer)

Jesus is leading me home

When I am weary my Saviour is strong,

He gaves me grace when the journey is long,

He is the sourse and the theme of my song,

For Jesus is leading me home.

When I am anxious my Saviour is there,

Ready to keep me and lift all my care,

There's not a trial that He will not share,

For Jesus is leading me home.

When I am lonely my Saviour’s a friend,

He brings me joy that I know will ne'er end,

And e'en time can't part at eternity's end,

Since Jesus is leading me home.

Home with the Saviour, what glory we'll share,

Joy in the midst of that Company there,

Each day as I journey I make this my prayer,

Dear Jesus, keep leading me home! 

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” -  I Thessalonians 5:8

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008 National Lawyer’s Convention

The 11/21/08 Federalist Society

J.A.I.L. has the recent distinct honor of being criticized by the highest of all legal powers within the United States, The Washington, D.C. 2008 National Lawyer’s Convention held on November 21, 2008. The URL may be found at;

http://www.fed-soc.org/publications/pubid.1197/pub_detail.asp

Thereon you will find the following page.

Judicial Independence Dialogue - Audio/Video

November 21, 2008

William H. Pryor Jr., H. Thomas Wells Jr., M. Edward Whelan III

2008 National Lawyers Convention 

The following audio and video were recorded on November 21, 2008.

Judicial Independence Dialogue 11-21-08
Running Time: 00:58:01
[ Audio]
[ Video - coming soon]

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Grand Ballroom

Special Session: Judicial Independence Dialogue

       Hon. William H., Pryor Jr., United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

       Mr. H. Thomas Wells Jr., American Bar Association, and Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.

       Moderator: Mr. M. Edward Whelan III, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC

[Return to the main event page]

_______________________________________________________________________________

While the length of the criticism of JAIL4Judges is only momentary and very short, it is noteworthy that this nation’s  judiciary and the Bar Association of this entire nation recognizes the existence of JAIL4Judges.

This criticism is precisely 18 minutes into this 58 minute presentation on Judicial Independence. At this present time, they are taking solace that no one is really taking the issue of Judicial Accountability seriously financially, and that the system can currently continue to assert Judicial Independence as paramount in dictating the direction of this nation.

-Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

(818) 310-8999

P.O. Box 207

North Hollywood, CA. 91603

Comment on Ron Branson

- The Worst Person in the World

By Movie Producer Dennis Grover

dennis@...

To: JAIL4Judges
Cc: kptbrady@...
Subject: Re: The Worst Person In The World

The Worst Person In The World From the Judges perspective your perceptions are right on, but from the real American's perspective your humor is, well, right on. ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PMGG_QZkuM

We need many more Ron Branson's.

In Truth and Freedom,

Dennis Grover, American

www.libertyandjusticeforall.tv

dennis@...

Well, Well, Well.  Glory Be!

South Dakota In The News

Glory Be!  J.A.I.L. just received a South Dakota newspaper article forward to us by Bill Stegmeier who sponsored the 2006 South Dakota Judicial Accountability Initiative Law.

Therein we are informed that Bill’s previous personal attorney friend, who ran for South Dakota Judge, just got canned. Does not the Scripture say, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:” Matthew 7:1 & 2. Below are the words of Bill Stegmeier: 

- Ron Branson

VictoryUSA@...

*  *  *

Oh my.  Who can we find worthy to sit in judgment of the rest of us now? 

At the same time that I was pushing the South Dakota Judicial Accountability Amendment, my attorney, Mr. Sean O'Brien was running for judge.  He got elected, which really bothered me because he was a decent guy, did good work for me when needed, and charged a ridiculously fair rate of only $ 80.00 an hour.  (Alright, fair compared to what his fellow snakes have been known to charge)

Well, it appears the good judge, being the decent guy I remember him to be, is having a little trouble coping with what the crooked South Dakota judicial system expects of him... to the point that he felt compelled to resort to alcohol to ease his now compromised conscience.  (My speculation you understand) 

He was found passed out in his car in front of some main street business.  A concerned passerby called the police, who promptly arrested Judge O'Brien for DUI. 

Now we all know the Irish can drink with the best of ‘em and Judge Sean O'Brien is no exception.  I would guess he made his clan fairly proud when he clocked in with a healthy point two three (.23%) under his belt.  As you know the legal limit in most parts is point zero eight (.08%)

Here's to you, laddie boy O'Brien!  May this experience guide you to long reign as a humble, honest, fair, and compassionate judge.  (If that's even possible) 

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20081219/VOICES09/812190313/1057/COLUMNISTS

(My comment is under "rollermillbill")

-Bill Stegmeier

rmsroll@...

PS – I might suggest that many of you who have opinions (Ummm – cough, cough) might have a word or two to post in this South Dakota newspaper comment section. Sorry, but you are limited to 1,000 characters. What can you say in 1,000 characters? I will be interested in seeing your comments.

- Ron Branson, the despised individual, and hated name in South Dakota by the entire Legislature, the Judiciary, the Governor, and last, by not least, State Attorney General Larry Long. (See www.SD-JAIL4Judges.org).

Subject: Brasscheck TV:  Where are we headed?

Jim

What's the long term future of the US economy?

One highly successful investor, Jim Rogers, says it's going nowhere until the Federal Reserve is abolished. 

Here's why:

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/498.html

- Brasscheck

America Facing a Judicial Meltdown

Supreme Chief Justice John Broderick of New Hampshire says, “I've never felt as insecure about the state courts in terms of operations and resources as I do now."   "The court process is breaking down," says David Slawsky.  "This is the worst I've ever seen it," says John Safford.

The U.S., the imprisonment capitol of the world, may have to cut back on its imprisonment enterprise.      -Ron Branson

~   ~   ~

Los Angeles Times

Even jury hiring is frozen

To cut costs, New Hampshire courts won't hold criminal or civil jury trials for a month. At least 19 other states have slashed court budgets and other state services.

By Bob Drogin
December 22, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-courts22-2008dec22,0,387609.story

Reporting from Brentwood, N.H. -- Come February, the red-brick Rockingham County Courthouse, one of New Hampshire's busiest, will arraign criminal suspects, process legal motions and otherwise deal with murders, mayhem and contract disputes. What it won't do is hold jury trials.

The economic storm has come to this: Justice is being delayed or disrupted in state courtrooms across the country. 

Full coverage: Financial crisis

Financially strapped New Hampshire has become a poster child for the problem. Among other cost-cutting measures, state courts will halt for a month all civil and criminal jury trials early next year to save $73,000 in jurors' per diems. Officials warn they may add another four-week suspension.

"It brings our system almost to a screeching halt," said county prosecutor James M. Reams. His aides are scrambling to reschedule 77 criminal trials that were on the February docket.

"All the effort to subpoena witnesses and prepare for those trials is right out the window," Reams said, frustration in his voice. "Internally, it's a monumental waste of time. We'll have to redo everything."

At least 19 other states, including California, have slashed court budgets and other government services as their economies have tanked, said Daniel Hall, vice president of the National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit in Williamsburg, Va.

"Courts are there to provide a fair and impartial resolution of disputes," Hall said. "When you start affecting that, you affect who we are."

California cut its judicial branch budget by more than $200 million, or about 10%, in the current fiscal year, and further reductions are almost certain as the state grapples with a projected $40-billion deficit. A Republican proposal unveiled last week, for example, would trim a further $205 million from the judiciary.

H.D. Palmer, spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's finance department, said it was "not yet clear" whether the judiciary would be granted an exemption to the governor's order to reduce state payrolls by 10% through layoffs and unpaid furloughs.

Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to a speedy trial. Judges usually give such trials priority over civil cases involving broken sidewalks, medical malpractice and the like.

As a result, civil litigation and family law cases are bearing the brunt of the disruptions. And cascading bankruptcies, foreclosures and business disputes have only increased the backlog.

After two rounds of budget cuts in Florida, courts have laid off 280 clerks, lawyers and other staff members, and cut funding for a judges' unit that helps resolve civil disputes. State legislators meeting next month are expected to demand more spending cuts.

An additional 10% reduction would mean "all civil cases in the state of Florida would virtually be suspended," Belvin Perry Jr., chief judge of Florida's 9th Judicial Circuit and chairman of a trial court budget commission, warned a legislative committee in Tallahassee this month.

In Vermont, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul L. Reiber recently proposed closing as many as seven county courts, as well as laying off employees, to help ease a budget deficit. The state already shuts district and family courts half a day each week to save money.

"None of our choices are good," Reiber conceded in a memo to court employees.

With rising joblessness and falling revenues, New Hampshire projects a budget deficit this year of $250 million. The crisis has forced Gov. John Lynch to seek spending cuts across state government, including the judicial system.

John T. Broderick, chief justice of the state Supreme Court, has carved $2.7 million from the judicial budget. In addition to the one-month halt in jury trials and trimming back courtroom security, seven of the state's 59 judgeships will be left vacant through June, when the fiscal year ends. Three of the empty slots are in trial courts.

Worse, Broderick said, he may need to suspend jury trials for another month, and leave open a Supreme Court slot after one of the five justices retires in February. It is the state's only appellate court.

"In my 36 years here as a lawyer and judge, I've never felt as insecure about the state courts in terms of operations and resources as I do now," Broderick said.

Robert J. Lynn, chief justice of the superior courts, which conduct all New Hampshire jury trials, said he fears the delays inevitably will cause damage. "There is some element of 'justice delayed, justice denied,' no doubt about it," he said.

Christopher Keating, executive director of the New Hampshire Public Defender program, said his chief concern now is "people in custody who will endure delays in getting their day in court."

The state Supreme Court threw out two criminal cases this year because trials did not begin within six months of arraignment, the legal limit. Prosecutors fear more cases may be dismissed.

Delays in jury trials in 2001 and 2002, during a previous budget crisis, caused less disruption because they involved fewer cases, said John Safford, Superior Court clerk in the Hillsborough County district that includes Manchester, the largest city.

This time, he needs to reschedule up to 100 trials.

"I've been here 30 years," he said. "This is the worst I've ever seen it."

The delays may encourage some defendants to seek plea deals, or litigants to settle out of court.

Some counties are advocating out-of-court mediation and conflict resolution.

But other cases may face new hurdles as time passes.

"Witnesses die, memories fade; things happen when trials are delayed," said John Hutson, dean of Franklin Pierce Law Center, the state's only law school. "Then you'll get a bow wave of cases, so they pile up the next month and it's hard to catch up."

The slowdown has unnerved many residents in the state, where granite-hewn courthouses often anchor Colonial-era town squares.

"You're talking about erosion of our fundamental civic fabric," said Ellen J. Shemitz, executive director of the New Hampshire Assn. for Justice, which represents civil trial attorneys.

James J. Tenn Jr., incoming president of the state's bar association, said that as the crisis has grown, New Hampshire courts have been slow to process orders, respond to lawyers' requests and "do the daily work."

"We've just seen delay after delay after delay," said David Slawsky, a civil lawyer in Manchester. "The court process is breaking down."

Dennis Ducharme, a Manchester attorney, received cancellation notices last week for four personal injury cases scheduled for trial next year. He worries that a delay of six months, perhaps longer, will make witnesses less willing to testify.

"The longer you drag it out, the more reluctant people become to cooperate," he said.

In Newport, in the rural west, lawyer Lisa Wellman-Ally has seen a property rights trial postponed four times. Each time, she has prepared 100 exhibits, re-subpoenaed witnesses, refreshed her arguments and billed her client for the time.

"Then we would get bounced again," she said.

No new trial date has been scheduled.

bob.drogin@...

Budget woes are forcing courts to cut back on judges

By Stephen Hunt

The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11289798

Updated: 12/22/2008

State court officials said Monday they plan to leave judicial vacancies unfilled indefinitely -- an unprecedented move tied to the state's budget woes.

The first casualty is Judge Judith Billing's seat on the Utah Court of Appeals, which will remain open when she retires Dec. 31. The seats of any judges who announce retirement next year -- including for district and juvenile court judges -- also could remain unfilled, said state Court Administrator Daniel Becker.

"We are running out of options to reduce spending," Becker said. "We have asked Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to suspend filling the [appeals court] position, and he has agreed to do so. We appreciate the governor understanding the necessity of this action."

Court of Appeals judges earn an annual salary of $138,750.

Holding future judicial vacancies open is one step the Utah Judicial Council has deemed necessary in light of the current budget situation, Becker said. The step is one never taken before, "as far as anyone here remembers," said courts spokeswoman Nancy Volmer.

The courts had already instituted a hiring freeze, and have opted to begin using electronic recording equipment rather than court reporters during homicide trials and other high-profile cases.

The courts' financial woes began in September when, during a special session of the Legislature, lawmakers required them to reduce their budget for the current fiscal year by $3.5 million, and cut $4.4 million

in fiscal 2010, Becker said. Then the governor released his budget, asking the courts to cut another 1.5 percent this year.

The decision to hold off filling judicial vacancies was prompted by a recent legislative demand for additional spending cuts of up to 7.5 percent in the current fiscal year, Becker said.

Earlier this year, the governor picked 3rd District Judge Robert Hilder to fill the Court of Appeals vacancy, but the Utah Senate refused to confirm him. The Senate's vote followed opposition from the state's gun lobby, which took exception to Hilder's 2003 ruling allowing the University of Utah to enforce a weapons ban on campus.

The Court of Appeals judges will determine how to best accommodate the increased work load that will result from the vacancy, said Volmer. In the past, district court judges have sat on the appeals court in instances where an appellate judge had a conflict in hearing a case.

Volmer said the decision to hold judicial vacancies open will not affect a handful of vacancies where appointments and nominations already have been made.

The Senate last month confirmed Christine Johnson to replace retiring the 4th District Judge John Backlund, and Marvin Bagley to replace retiring 6th District Judge David Mower. Yet to be confirmed by the Senate are Huntsman appointees Janice Frost to replace 2nd District Juvenile Court Judge Diane Wilkins, and Michael DiReda to replace 2nd District Judge Roger Dutson.

Meanwhile, the 2nd District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected five nominees to replace 2nd District Court Judge Parley Baldwin, who will retire Dec. 31.

shunt@...

Give us your money and shut up

December 23, 2008

By Bob Ingle

The Associated Press took a look at banks getting federal handouts. It found their top executives got almost $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses and other benefits last year when the signs the economy was going to tank were abundant.

For instance, Lloyd Blankfein, president and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs (alma mater to Corzine and the guy who dreamed up the corporate welfare scheme, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson), took home nearly $54 million in compensation last year.

The company’s top five executives received a total of $242 million. This year the seven top executives have to get by on $600,000.

Poor lambs. But the company says the compensation is necessary to retain and motivate those “whose efforts and judgments are vital to our continued success, by setting their compensation at appropriate and competitive levels.”

Heck, you’d hate to see them take that expertise elsewhere. On Dec. 16 Goldman Sachs reported its first quarterly loss since it went public, thanks to Corzine’s efforts, in 1999.

It received $10 billion in taxpayer money on Oct. 28. The AP reported Goldman Sachs’ tab for leased cars and drivers ran as high as $233,000 per executive, and stockholders were told that financial counseling and chauffeurs are important in giving executives more time to focus on their jobs. Isn’t that the justification Corzine uses for his cabinet?

Who is the Master, and

Who is the Servant?

By Ron Branson – National J.A.I.L. CIC

VictoryUSA@...

It seems America has gotten this whole thing of master/servant totally backwards. It has now become offensive to every public official to be referred to as a “Public Servant.”

Our Declaration of Independence, passed by unanimous vote of Congress July 4, 1776 states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” [emphasis added]

The only powers any government has are those limited to “just powers,” as defined by “the consent of the governed,” which authority is “endowed [to us] by [our] Creator.” It is thus logical then that if we are unhappy with the regime calling itself “government,” we have only ourselves to blame, for there can be no government without our consent.

Many say, “But I didn’t vote for this mess we currently have posing itself as government!” Indeed, you may have not physically and literally cast your vote for the current evils that befall us; but it is obvious that we have allowed every ungodly evil done to us by our tacit consent, for “all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” (The Declaration).

It is an absolute truth that there can be no greater authority than He Who has granted us this power which is our “Creator,” Who said, “…whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” Matthew 20:26-27.

We are informed in the December 26, 2008 BaltimoreSun.com, under the title, “Panel recommends pay raises for state judges,” http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.judiciary24dec24,0,7975978.story  that “At a time when state workers are being furloughed and face possible layoffs, Maryland judges would get a pay raise of nearly $40,000 over the next four years under a plan hatched by an influential commission that recommends salaries for those on the bench.”

In all my years of focus upon judges, the one thing that always surfaces is the subject of increasing the salaries of judges. Such is consistent with the words of our Creator, “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.” Psalms 73:12

Wherever increases in judges’ salaries is brought up, we always hear words repeated as come from the lips of these Commissioners, “…their job is to evaluate judicial salaries to encourage recruitment and retention - and not to forecast the economy or balance the state's budget.” And further, “Commission members said the state runs the risk of losing judges to the private sector.” Their argument then is that if we fail to give these judges maximum salaries they will quit the bench and go elsewhere. In other words, “Good judges are had in direct proportion to how much we pay them.”

However, I find that just the opposite is true. There are many honest, intelligent and well-qualified men I know who would love to fill the positions of these judges on the bench, but are foreclosed by the Establishment from doing so.

Here in California no well-qualified person may even consider a judgeship unless he has a minimum of an extra $70,000 set aside that he can afford to lose in throwing his hat in a judicial race. The reality is, only the wealthy, well-connected and unprincipled culprits are given a chance to a judgeship position. Put in humorous form, “How can you tell a corrupt judge?” Answer: “The corrupt ones wear a black robe.”

The Master of the world, and Judge of all judges said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20. Following the common argument of those pursuing judicial salary increases, we would expect to hear an answer to the question, “Master, where dwellest thou?” the words, “Come and see one of my castles!”

*   *   *

Panel recommends pay raises for state judges

By Laura Smitherman | laura.smitherman@...

December 24, 2008

At a time when state workers are being furloughed and face possible layoffs, Maryland judges would get a pay raise of nearly $40,000 over the next four years under a plan hatched by an influential commission that recommends salaries for those on the bench.

The Judicial Compensation Commission, which includes a lawyer, a developer and business leaders, plans to submit its recommendation to the General Assembly next month, according to Chairwoman Betty Buck, a businesswoman who chairs the state chamber of commerce. The commission's proposals are traditionally introduced as a joint resolution by the legislature's presiding officers.

The proposed schedule of yearly pay increases would push the salary of Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert M. Bell to $220,210 by 2012. He now makes $181,352. Dozens of district judges, including Gov. Martin O'Malley's wife, Catherine Curran O'Malley, would see their salaries bumped from $127,252 to $167,110 a year. That's more than the governor's $150,000 annual salary.

The commission's recommendation, which would cost about $3 million a year when fully phased in, is likely to land in the General Assembly with a thud. O'Malley, a Democrat, might need to carve as much as $2 billion from his next budget because tax revenues have fallen off significantly with the recession.

"The bottom line is that for the legislature as well as judiciary our employees are being furloughed. The legislature has not had a pay increase for years and years, and we're not asking for one," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, who is a practicing lawyer. "There just isn't any sentiment right now to increase salaries for anyone in these very tough economic times."

Commission members said their job is to evaluate judicial salaries to encourage recruitment and retention - and not to forecast the economy or balance the state's budget. They said they take into account caseloads as well as comparable judicial pay nationally and what lawyers can make in the private sector.

"Without the rule of law in Maryland, we have nothing, and it's just imperative we have good judges sit on the benches," Buck said. "You're asking a lot for someone who understands the law to give up their way of life to become a judge. It is a financial burden on them and their families."

Starting salaries at Baltimore law firms can reach $165,000, surpassing those of most judges, according to data provided by the commission. But Maryland ranks toward the top of all states for salaries at some judicial ranks, the data shows. Bell's salary ranks sixth nationally, or almost $30,000 more than the average.

The commission last recommended a series of annual pay increases in 2005, and district court judges have received a $15,000 pay raise over the four years since then. Judges had typically received any cost-of-living adjustments state employees got, but those were suspended as part of the four-year pay increase plan.

Angelita Plemmer, a spokeswoman for the Maryland judiciary, said it would be "premature" to comment on a report that hasn't been publicly issued. "We respect the process the General Assembly has put in place by creating an independent entity that reviews the issue," she said.

The General Assembly can reduce the recommended salary levels from the commission, chosen by O'Malley, Miller, House Speaker Michael E. Busch and the Maryland State Bar Association. However, the legislature cannot reduce a judge's salary below its current level.

As a check and balance on the branches of government, the judiciary submits its budget to O'Malley. "We really don't have any control over their budget request," spokeswoman Christine Hansen said.

Buck, who circulated the final report among the other commission members yesterday, said she would understand if the legislature can't approve the recommendation. She plans to ask that in lieu of the increases the legislature pass a law allowing the commission to meet again next year when the economy might have recovered and pay raises might be more affordable. The commission only meets every four years.

"I understand the budget and that our state is in a horrible place," Buck said. "How they implement this is up to the legislature."

Miller said he has spoken with several judges and that they recognize a salary increase probably isn't possible next year. He also noted that judges undertake "challenging work," singling out circuit and district court judges who handle trials. He said they should be commended for giving up lucrative jobs for public service.

Trial court judges in Maryland rank 19th in the nation in terms of salary, a standing that falls to 46th when adjusted for the area's cost of living, according to the National Center for State Courts.

Commission members said the state runs the risk of losing judges to the private sector. There are now eight vacancies out of 285 judgeships, with one retirement expected by the end of this month.

"Maryland should look at what a fair salary for a judge is so that we can encourage those with the talents set that should be applying for the bench to apply for the bench," said Edward J. Gilliss, a commission member and partner at Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid.

Meanwhile, O'Malley has implemented a furlough plan for most state employees, resulting in the loss of two to five days worth of pay, depending on income levels.

"It's just surprising that people are talking about pay increases for people who are obviously well compensated already in these trying times," said Patrick Moran, Maryland director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "I find it inherently unfair and irresponsible at this point in time."

Bell has adopted the furlough plan for employees in the judicial branch, including law clerks and judicial appointees. In his order last week, Bell cited the state's "fiscal crisis of extraordinary proportions."