Megaupload Judge Steps Down

[Baldr]

It's a shame that this happened since he is absolutely correct as the US pushes its laws on foreign nationals -- something that the US would loudly contest if it happened to one of its citizens yet something it keeps on doing. Guess we just have to hope the judge to replace him has similar feelings but more practical sense.

"US pushes its laws" these are not US laws, they are internationally treaties laws. Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Treaty of 1994 and Berne Convention of 1886. Signed by New Zealand January 1, 1995 and April 24, 1928 receptively.

 

[cynicalsaint1]

Yeah ... saw this coming. Its kind of hard to claim to be impartial with a quote like that.
Too bad though.

Hopefully whoever replaces him will continue to fight back.

Its only hard to claim to be impartial when the quote is taken out of context like it was.

... He called the US an enemy in regards to its copyright laws ... while presiding over a case of whether or not to extradite someone to the US for infringing on its copyright laws. I'm not sure the context really matters here, unless you're going to claim he totally was being ironic when he said it or something.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

I respect his decision in terms of professionalism, but I'm still calling him a chicken. Stick to your guns, man! Pity.

 

[teebeeohh]

too bad
the guy was right, of course (see also SWIFT) but he should have been professional enough to keep his mouth shut

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

I understand why the judge's statements would appear like an impropriety to the layperson, but judges usually don't recuse themselves for insignificant shit like this. In America at least, judges are kings of their courtrooms and they talk some serious shit. Stepping down usually only happens when the judge has a personal financial stake in the outcome. I feel like there must be more to this story.

 

[Delsana]

The US is not the enemy, but they aren't the sole one's who made that copyright policy.

 

[McMullen]

Yep, he was just saying what everyone is thinking anyway.

How comes all the hundreds or thousands of judges that are "impartial" the other way around and either worked/work or are prone to lobbying by the copyright industry never have to "step down"? This is bullshit.

I agree. The problem with being on the side with integrity is having to play by rules the other side won't.

Captcha: one way

Yep, only one way that can go.

 

[Knight Templar]

A shame, he seemed to and by all accounts did know what was going on and what should be done.

Next week: judge hand-picked by corporate America now rules over the megaupload case.

Isn't New Zealand the least corrupt nation on earth?
I think that is unlikely.

 

[GoddyofAus]

He was pushed. Couldn't be more obvious.

 

[Albino Boo]

I understand why the judge's statements would appear like an impropriety to the layperson, but judges usually don't recuse themselves for insignificant shit like this. In America at least, judges are kings of their courtrooms and they talk some serious shit. Stepping down usually only happens when the judge has a personal financial stake in the outcome. I feel like there must be more to this story.

So if the judge in a terrorist case wrote a paper describing Muslims as the enemy the defence wouldn't have the judge removed? The guy had to go for publicly calling one party in the case in front of him the enemy. That's an instant appeal or retrial right there, the rules that run the New Zealand legal system aren't that different from the US. Both systems are versions have their origins and percepts in the English legal system.

 

[Hammartroll]

and he's right too
this trans-pacific partnership treaty is absolutly despotic,just more bull crap corporate America is pushing on the rest of the world, as well as it's own citizens, not lieing

http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=3129

EDIT- here a video on the TTP, not a lot of people know about this yet so spread the word please

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/6/14/breaking_08_pledge_leaked_trade_doc

 

[ReinWeisserRitter]

No faster way to lose your job than to tell the truth as you see it, folks.