We all expect judges of our courts to be impartial, and appear to be impartial.

However, there can be instances whereby a judge will decide a case in which partiality appears to be present.

Such was the case involving Massey Energy, one of the nations largest coal companies.

In the trial court a $50 million dollar verdict was rendered against Massey Energy in West Virginia. “Justice [Brent] Benjamin, who is now the state’s chief justice, twice cast the deciding vote to throw out [the] $50 million verdict against Massey Energy.”

Massey Energy’s chief executive, Don Blankenship, spent an extraordinary $3 million to help Justice Benjamin get elected to the state’s top court.

The question is: Did that $3 million dollars spent by Blankenship to help Benjamin get elected help Benjamin decide in favor of Massey Energy? [Read more →]

Some good news. Ten BIG banks have been deemed financially strong enough to leave the TARP rolls and repay $68.3 billion to the taxpayers. [New York Times]

The $68.3 billion represents about a quarter of the TARP money given to banks. So far, 22 small community banks have been allowed to return $1.9 billion in government money.

“These repayments are an encouraging sign of financial repair, but we still have work to do,” the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, said.

It does appear to be a good sign that the economy and the financial mess may be overcome.

Recent Senate Votes

Cloture Motion; Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act – Vote Agreed to (84-11, 4 Not Voting) With this vote the Senate chose to open debate on a bill that would give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco, but would not allow the agency to ban cigarettes or other tobacco products. Sen. John Ensign voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Sen. Harry Reid voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act – Vote Passed (397-25, 11 Not Voting) This bill would authorize programs, advisory groups and spending to improve security at U.S. airports and rail systems. It also prohibits the TSA from using whole-body imaging machines at primary security checkpoints of airports. Rep. Dean Heller voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act – Vote Passed (258-154, 1 Present, 20 Not Voting) The House approved this bill that would provide paid leave to federal employees for 4 of the 12 weeks of parental leave available to them. Rep. Dean Heller voted NO……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act – Vote Passed (397-25, 11 Not Voting) This bill would authorize programs, advisory groups and spending to improve security at U.S. airports and rail systems. It also prohibits the TSA from using whole-body imaging machines at primary security checkpoints of airports. Rep. Shelley Berkley voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act – Vote Passed (258-154, 1 Present, 20 Not Voting) The House approved this bill that would provide paid leave to federal employees for 4 of the 12 weeks of parental leave available to them. Rep. Shelley Berkley voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act – Vote Passed (397-25, 11 Not Voting) This bill would authorize programs, advisory groups and spending to improve security at U.S. airports and rail systems. It also prohibits the TSA from using whole-body imaging machines at primary security checkpoints of airports. Rep. Dina Titus voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act – Vote Passed (258-154, 1 Present, 20 Not Voting) The House approved this bill that would provide paid leave to federal employees for 4 of the 12 weeks of parental leave available to them. Rep. Dina Titus voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Read Desert Beacon’s coverage of these votes.