It seems that a law professor had now had the same experience I have had, and IT GOT PUBLISHED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.
I find it even more interesting the guy was in the military “defending our democratic rights” and espousing them on foreign soil, and little did he know that in actual practice, the bailiffs and sometimes even the judges tromp all over them. I find it amazing when military soldiers tell me “they defend our free and democratic country”, I have to shake my head and tell them that while they are away on foreign soil spouting great words of wisdom that government should be free and open and democratic, there are powers that be in the US currently taking away those rights and they need to return to US soil and blog and protest, blog and protest first, before they need to go elsewhere. Our Bill of Rights is being seriously eroded in many courtrooms and with our own police forces. The legislature generally makes great democratic laws, and then the courts and the police get involved and another thing entirely happens on the streets and in the courtrooms–sometimes. Not always, but sometimes enough it is truly frightening and I think the soldier should all be recalled to US soil to blog and protest now until these issues are gone, but that is JMHO.
I have been stopped blogging in Judge Stuart’s court room on numerous occasions and have complained to Presiding Judge Tim Evans and Sheriff Dart/Kevin Connelly with absolutely no apology, no assurances that it was wrong, unconstitutional and will not happen again.
Heck, I’ve even offered to teach a course to the bailiffs and others on the constitutional rights of public courtroom observers, to no avail, no response.
Ken and I for sure know all the relevant important cases: Alvarez, Citizens United, Gentile, Sawyer, Nelson, Sawyer, etc. But no one other than my self, Ken and now this brave law professor seems one bit interested.
This was a great catch in the Chicago Trib by Judy Ditkowsky and a thousand gold stars to her today for this completely relevant find, while Ken and I are battling our civil rights case in the 7th circuit.
Sigh. I will write to him.
JoAnne
MaryGSykes.com 