Charlie's and Pam's Picks for Judges

The famous "Charlie's Picks" (from OCPAC Chairman Charlie Meadows):

THE OKLAHOMA STATE SUPREME COURT
We have a huge problem with our Supreme Court. I believe this is the worst court since we began the process to either retain or reject Justices, a practice dating back to the 1950s. We have never rejected any judge on any of the 3 appellate courts over the past 50 years. They have no fear of losing their jobs and I believe the retention process is badly broken. These judges need to stand for election, though that in itself will not solve all the problems with bad judges.

The Justices recently ruled without dissent against a suit filed by an Jerry Fent claiming the Oklahoma Constitution forbids the legislature from declaring an amnesty on obligations owed to the state. Rather than adjudicating by the Constitution, the court pointed to a flawed
decision on the issue from the 1930s. This is an example of case law “judicial activism” rather than ruling on the law itself. In another decision regarding the state legislature’s unconstitutional practice of “log rolling.” The court could have stopped the practice but
refused until the funds were spent. Then they ruled it was wrong and warned the legislature not to do it again. The court said this is your 3rd warning and we will not be so nice if you do it again. They sure ignored their oath to up-hold the constitution on that one. Another ridiculous decision was throwing out the petition to demand 65% of the funds spent on education must be spent in the classroom. Their decision was based on a subjective opinion about a technicality. Their
rulings on petitions have become so ridiculous that it has almost become impossible to get one to a vote of the people, that is unless in my opinion it is an ISSUE the Justices agree on.

Justice John F. Reif Vote NO

Justice Tom Colbert Vote NO

Justice Joseph Watt Vote NO (Justice Watt may be the worst person on the Court)

THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
One of the worst travesties of justice ever to occur was in the Ricky Ray Malone SENTENCING trial in 2007. Because slain Highway Patrol trooper Nikky Joe Green’s widow showed emotion and used the word “God” during her testimony, 4 of the Justices ordered a re-trial with 2 dissenting.

Justice Charles Johnson ruled for a retrial, vote NO and throw this bum off the court.

Justice Gary Lumpkin dissented, vote YES. Sources tell me he is the best Justice on this court.

OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS
I was simply not able to find out any information on the 4 judges on the ballot on this court. This is your choice.

From Pam Pollard, Oklahoma County GOP Chair:

Fellow conservatives,

I have spoken with several attorneys and "people in the know" and have gathered the following summary of the judges on the ballot on November 4th. We will be asked if to RETAIN or NOT RETAIN each Judge.

CAUTION: If any Judge is NOT retained by a vote of the people, THE GOVERNOR will appoint a replacement! The procedure is a Judicial Nominating Committee (made up primarily of liberal Democrat lawyers) will submit 3 names to the Governor from which he will choose 1 to fill the vacancy. So we may get someone worse than the person already there!

BELOW ARE THE NAMES OF THE JUDGES ON THE BALLOT WITH MY COMMENTS IN RED. Please take into account my explanation and then vote the way you see fit. Some of us have stronger feelings on some of these issues than others. My goal was to gather information for us to make an informed vote and not just an emotional one.

As always,

God Bless Us All,

Pam Pollard
Chair , Oklahoma County GOP

These are nonpartisan judicial retention races. Voters may vote either to retain or not retain these judicial officers. Voters vote separately on each justice or judge; they are not running against each other.

JUSTICE OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT

~All 3 of these Judges voted to allow Gene Stipe to draw his full retirement benefits from the state. The decision WAS NOT based solely on law; it did involve a judgement call. The issue was whether Stipe violated his "Oath of Office." The Retirement Board said he did violate the oath and gave him a reduced benefit. The case went to a District court where it was decided to give him full benefits. The Retirement Board appealed to the Supreme Court. The State Supreme Court in a 7-1 decision said the retirement agency gave too much weight to the loyalty oath, which is separate from the oath of office and therefor upheld a lower court's decision to give Stipe his full retirement benefits. I went into detail because this was the only issue raised about these Judges at this time.

That being said below are some facts about these men.

DISTRICT 1 John F. Reif appointed by KEATING to Civil Court of Appeals...appointed by Henry to Supreme Court. very good Judge, Christian man, very fair in his decisions.

DISTRICT 6 Tom Colbert African-American Judge appointed to Supreme Court by KEATING. Usually votes with the conservative view, attends Church with and is friends with many GOP elected officials.

DISTRICT 9 Joseph M. Watt appointed by WALTERS is a good man with a lot of integrity and usually sides with the conservatives.

JUDGE OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
DISTRICT 2 Charles A. Johnson..no negative information

DISTRICT 3 Gary L. Lumpkin...good man, conservative

JUDGE OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS
DISTRICT 1, OFFICE 1 Jerry L. Goodman FULL RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE FROM OFFICE
DISTRICT 1, OFFICE 2 Jane P. Wiseman FULL RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE FROM OFFICE
DISTRICT 2, OFFICE 2 Keith Rapp no negative information
DISTRICT 3, OFFICE 2 John F. Fischer no negative information

So, you can take your pick of who to listen to.