A Passionate Plea from a Porteous Pal Friday, Mar 28 2008

Below is an e-mail from Dick Chopin, a prominent attorney and friend of U.S. District Judge Tom Porteous, who is facing impeachment based on recommendations from the Fifth Circuit’s Judicial Council. Evidently, some of the judges on the panel were in support of Judge Porteous and essentially dissented. But no dissent was ever published. Who were these judges and why did they disagree? Are they sworn to secrecy? If not, they should come forward and state their views here on The Weathers Report.

* * *

Friends and colleagues,

I am sure that most, if not all, of you are aware from the news, that Judge Porteous is being subjected to another round of “investigation”. The news has reported for years about its investigation and that of the FBI & the Justice department and neither have ever been able to identify any acts of impropriety on his part. This time an effort is underway to impeach him even though he has never been charged, much less convicted, of any crime. Long after the news was reported that the Judicial Council of the Fifth Circuit made certain recommendations it came to light that several judges on the panel had written in support of Judge Porteous and, basically, dissented. Several of us were shocked that the dissent was withheld from the media and believe this is blatantly unfair and absurd. I recommend you read James Gill’s recent column about this being withheld. A group of us decided to write letters expressing our views. I am asking that you consider also writing a letter on behalf of Judge Porteous.

For your convenience, I am attaching a copy of a letter from the Judicial Conference of the Untied States addressed to Judge Porteous. The Judicial Conference has apparently assigned this to Judge Ralph Winter of the 2nd Circuit (his address is 141 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510) and the matter was delayed for 30 days, until April 10, 2008. I am also attaching a copy of the letter I have written in support of Judge Porteous. In the event you decide to write a letter it must be in the hands of Judge Winter on or before April 10, 2008.

Please understand that I am making this request of you, not Judge Porteous. The judge did not ask me to do this but I feel it is imperative that the lawyers and public express their dissatisfaction with trial by ambush and innuendo.

I would ask that you also consider asking your friends and colleagues to write letter on behalf of Judge Porteous.

Regards

Dick

Chopin, Wagar, Richard & Kutcher, LLP
3850 North Causeway Blvd.

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New Orleans Class Action Accuses Belichick of Fraud, RICO Monday, Feb 18 2008

Cheaters sometimes win but they can also get sued. A former St. Louis Rams player and some attendees at the 2002 Super Bowl in New Orleans have filed a lawsuit for fraud, RICO violation, and unfair trade practices for videotaping the Rams’ walk-through prior to the game, which was against NFL rules. The lawsuit, filed in New Orleans federal court, seeks class action status to represent all the Rams players and season ticket holders and everyone who went to the game.

So New Orleanians, if you were lucky enough to go the game - which was a terrific nail biter decided by a last-second field goal - now you may be able to get your money back! Plus punitive damages! The New Orleans local counsel for the plaintiffs is John L. Young (581-2200).

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Saturday, Feb 16 2008

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LSU Fans Soak Up New Orleans in Big BCS Win Sunday, Jan 13 2008

Congratulations to the 2007-2008 LSU Fighting Tigers for winning yet another football national championship in New Orleans.  Dare we say dynasty?  Chris Rose’s column does a great job capturing the scene around town, and so have The Weathers Report photographers:

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Louisiana Prepares to Shut Down for BCS Game Saturday, Jan 5 2008

As the BCS national championship game in New Orleans approaches and LSU and Ohio State begin final preparations for Monday’s slugfest, Louisianians have begun shutting down their lives in eager anticipation.

Last month, a state court judge near Baton Rouge agreed to postpone a trial scheduled to start on game day in response to an impassioned entreaty of defense counsel. The formal motion is below. Notably, the motion was unopposed, which is not surprising considering that both lawyers are members of the Tiger Pimp Nation, a group that visits LSU away games donned in the colorful garb of prostitute managers. Loyal readers of this space will recall Louisiana now has a precedent for upsetting trial dates on the eve of historic football games; a New Orleans judge postponed a jury trial scheduled for the day after the New Orleans Saints’ first trip to the NFC Championship game.

Closer to home in New Orleans, at least one private school utilized its emergency telephone and e-mail notification system to alert parents that classes would not begin until 10:00 a.m. on the morning after the game. This in evident anticipation of the late night revelry in which the pre-kindergarteners will no doubt partake after the imminent LSU victory. And imminent it is.

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Santa Expected in New Orleans at 10:15 PM CST Monday, Dec 24 2007

Santa Claus is expected to arrive in New Orleans at 10:15 p.m. CST this Christmas Eve, a spokesperson for NORAD tells The Weathers Report. NORAD is using the government’s state-of-the-art satellite technology to track Santa’s around-the-globe trek. As of press time, Santa was in the Central Republic of Congo, heading west, and right on schedule. For more updates, call NORAD at 1 (877) 446-6723.

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Impeachment for Judge Porteous? Thursday, Dec 20 2007

The 5th Circuit Judicial Council has determined that United States District Judge G. Thomas Porteous of New Orleans has engaged in conduct that might constitute grounds for impeachment, including making false statements in his Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, receiving gifts and things of value from attorneys who had cases pending before him, and submitting inaccurate and misleading financial disclosures from 1994-2000. The panel has forwarded the record on to the Judicial Conference of the United States, which could make a similar recommendation to Congress.

Developing . . .

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Happy Holidays! Sunday, Dec 16 2007

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Falcons Fans Ask Saints Fans for Paper Bags Friday, Dec 14 2007

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‘Twas an LSU Christmas Tuesday, Dec 4 2007

By: Unknown

Twenty four days before Christmas, in a state in the south,
Les Miles was pissed as he opened his mouth.
“Miles to Michigan,” was reported as fact.
To which Miles responded, “Herbie you don’t know jack!”

The Tigers had suffered a gut wrenching loss,
At the hands of McFadden and the rest of the hogs.
And Bo in his sweatshirt, and Miles in his Hat.
Were determined to prove they were better than that!

When the Tennessee Vols ran out on the field,
There were ruckus applause from the mentally ill.
Still in the locker room, Les told his team,
“This season ain’t over. We still have a dream.”

The hurt throwing arm of QB Matt Flynn
Meant Ryan was the man they put their faith in.
Then the fans all heard, what Les said in the Dome.
“I ain’t goin’ anywhere. I’m happy. I’m Home!”

The fans were still thinking “This might be a trick.”
’til someone pointed out “Hey, this guy ain’t Nick!”
The Hat took the field for this championship game,
And he brought all his Tigers, and called them by name;

“Now, Hester! Now, Early! Now, Highsmith and Putt!
Let’s let ‘er rip and shut these guys up!
Take to the field Men! Give it your all!
Then later we’ll watch numbers 1 & 2 fall.”

The fans still weren’t sure as to what team would show,
The Virginia Tech game seemed like so long ago.
But there in the stands, the fans they did cheer,
As Perrilloux played his game of the year.

While out in Ar-Kansas, the hogs claimed the boot,
The Tigers were focused on far better loot.
With the game knotted up, Ainge threw a quick out
But Zenon was ready and took six to the house.

He wore a LSU jacket, and a white turtle neck,
The same as he wore when his team beat La Tech.
With the hat on his head, and a childish grin,
Les put his team in the title picture again.

His smile-how it widened! as Pitt won its game!
He cheered Oklahoma, when it did the same.
The stars were aligning, it couldn’t be true.
Turns out Miles WAS destined, to play O-S-U.

With a month to prepare and a month to heal up,
We’re all pretty sure which team will show up.
He ain’t going to Michigan, and we’re sure of that.
But Tressel and the Buckeyes should still Fear the Hat.

On December first, he called L-S-U home.
Then set up the Tigers, to play again in the Dome.
It soon will be legend, how Les started that day,
“Can’t talk now. . . . I’m busy. . . . [Y'all] have a GREAT day!”

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