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Judge Martin Feldman overturned the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling after the Gulf oil spill. AP Photo
U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman is coming under increased scrutiny for his drilling company holdings after overturning a federal ban on deepwater drilling. The Obama administration implemented the ninety day ban on deepwater drilling following the Deepwater Horizon explosion (pictured above) and the disastrous oil spill which resulted. The administration argued that until they could not allow drilling to continue until they knew the full causes of the last accident, especially considering all the containment resources being devoted to the current disaster. However, Judge Feldman called the moratorium "arbitrary and capricious" and ordered an immediate end to the moratorium.
Last night, Rachel Maddow review Judge Feldman's most recent financial disclosure. Included were significant holdings (up to $15,000 in some cases), in a company called Blackrock. Blackrock is the largest shareholder in company called British Petroleum. In addition, Judge Feldman holds stock in over 17 oil companies, and multiple companies which provide services to offshore oil rigs (much like the plaintiffs in the case he decided). On the very day he overturned the moratorium, Judge Feldman actually sold stock in Exxon Mobil corporation. His sale of Exxon stock was apparently done to try and avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, but some are still concerned that he held hearings on the case while having holdings in company directly affected by his decision.
As Maddow puts it, no one can be certain whether Judge Feldman allowed his oil company holdings to affect his decision. However, at the very least his holdings bring about the impression of a conflict of interest. Other judges in the area must have had less potential conflicts of interest, and it may have been wise for the Judge Feldman to recuse himself to increase public confidence in the final decision.
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Comments
Of course our courts are political, ask them why they have fringes on their flags, their job is the front line against we the people to secure the powers above them. Its time for public hangings of officials that violate their oath, otherwise, this will continue. But all the watchdogs have no teeth, and they count on that.
oh,thank you rsbl; your reference to the mythical admiralty court is the best laugh i've had today.
it also allows us an insight into you and how seriously we should consider your posts... not at all.
The judge is right! Oilbammy is wrong, as usual.
This judge was carefully selected. Any 'conflict of interest' would have disqualified him and he would have been recused. Good try Witt.
Soros has significant holding in a foreign oil company that will benefit from a moretorium. Soros benefits so libs benefit. Screw the American people, it's all about power!
The only 'carefully selected' was by the oil industry attorneys. This crooked SOB sold his Exxon holdings just hours before releasing his decision 'cause he realized he needed to cover his tail.
Soros sold off his interests years ago.
Say What?
Are you saying that Soros doesn't have significant interests in Brazilian Oil? Oh Contrare my friend!!! But the question is: do you give a crap? Didn't think so?
The judge WAS carefully selected. He should have known that if he came down on the wrong side, he would be destroyed by the libs. Death threats and all! Let this be a lesson to the rest of you judges, ignore you consience and give the libs what they want or else!
Correction.
The post below was address to 'Say Whosit'
"Judge Feldman holds stock in over 17 oil companies, and multiple companies which provide services to offshore oil rigs (much like the plaintiffs in the case he decided). On the very day he overturned the moratorium, Judge Feldman actually sold stock in Exxon Mobil corporation."
or
"This judge was carefully selected. Any 'conflict of interest' would have disqualified him and he would have been recused. Good try Witt."
One of you is full of crap; judge's disclosure forms indicate it's the second one.
We speaking different languages,
That's for sure! If there's a conflict of interest, it's with our president and his Soros connection! FOLLOW THE BIG MONEY AND THE GRAB FOR POWER!!!
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