© 2010 – Commentary
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – With no debate on the Maryland Senate floor Friday, Thomas V. Miller III was confirmed as a judge on the Anne Arundel County District Court.
Judge Miller just happens to be the son of Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (D-Calvert Co.).
Is this blatant nepotism – favoritism shown to relatives by those in power – in the selection of a judge? I am certainly not the first person to ask this question with regard to Judge Miller.
Controversy ensued in 2008 when two members of a judicial commission resigned because they objected to Miller III becoming a judge due to his lack of experience. “It's difficult to imagine that someone with such a short tenure as a lawyer could be a good judge,” said one of the attorneys that resigned.
Shouldn’t every judicial nominee – regardless of family relations or political affiliation – be discussed in detail instead of being given an instant approval?
In Maryland, judges are chosen by merit selection (a combination of appointment & election) -- a design intended to remove politics from judicial selections. But are politics entirely removed from the selection of judges?
One Senator who did not vote on the nomination Friday was Andy Harris (R-Balt. Co.) who stated, “I think he probably will be a good judge, but the appearances just don't look right.”
Is the selection and blind confirmation of Judge Miller nepotism?
What do you think? Comment below.
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Comments
Not knowing the typical procedure for such an appointment, it's hard for me to say this is simply nepotism; the reason for no debate could, I assume, be for various reasons. However, if this is an attempt to circumvent debate, or the possibility of a failed candidacy, then certainly this is cronyism and should be called out as such.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Maryland voters will turn out against the Democratic machine in November, and we'll remain a totalitarian State.
I guess Marty O's wife just jumped ahead of a bunch of qualified listed judges. We all no that it is done in order to obtain favors in the future. Cronyism & Nepotism has been the hallmark of Maryland politic in the past and will be in the future unless we take our government back. Their is no ethics in government accept for the low level flunkies that do all the work and are punished for bending the rules. If you really want something to squak about look at all the procurement laws that were broken just in the Slot Machine Bidding Process. People should be fired, jailed and nobody is pushing the issue. Where is that Dugout Doug Glesser when you need him. Oh yes too busy trying to find ways to circumvent the laws of morality of a state an nation. That Attorney General should be run out of town on a board. He never should have been elected like Patrica Jessemy, they make laws as they go and break the ones on the book forgetting they are suppose to enforce the laws. Freedom in 2010.
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