The Ohio Supreme Court Reverses Itself...Again. Judge O'Neill

INCREDIBLY, the Ohio Supreme Court has once again decided to ignore the United States Supreme Court, the Ohio Constitution, and Freedom of Speech in favor of a "gag" (good word) rule on all Ohio Judges. INCREDIBLY, last week without a hearing or any notice to anyone, the Court decided to reverse itself and re-institute the rule that prohibits Judges from identifying themselves as either Democrats or Republicans. In other words, the 7-0 balanced Republican Ohio Supreme Court voted (5-2) to limit the public's right to know. Remember, when I sued the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2004, I won in the Federal Court, and they were ORDERED TO STOP ENFORCING the gag rule. They have not enforced the rule since I won in Court. In 2006 the matter was reversed on appeal when the Supreme Court argued that there was a pending state action agains the big mouth Judge (me) and the feds should bow out. They did. And then the Supreme Court dismissed the complaint against the big mouth Judge. Neat sleight of hand, wouldn't you agree? This is going to get much better before it is over. None other than that known liberal Justice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court authored the opinion that MANDATES freedom of speech for Judges. Mandates! Consider this for a moment. I have to win a DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY to be on the ballot. I then become the DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE. And the Supreme Court of Ohio now has a rule prohibiting me from telling ANYONE that I am a Democrat. This is Alice in Wonderland at its best. Toto, where was Kansas again?

Stay tuned. It ain't over till its over.

Judge Bill Oneill (retired)

Currently on assignment as a Pediatric Nurse in St. Petersburg Florida

In the words of Douglas MacArthur...I shall return.