Fla. judges, lawyers begin ‘unfriending’ on Facebook, other sites after ethics panel’s ruling
By Tamara Lush, APFriday, December 11, 2009
Fla. judges, lawyers must ‘unfriend’ on Facebook
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida’s judges and lawyers should no longer “friend” each other on Facebook, the popular social networking site, according to a ruling from the state’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.
At least one South Florida judge warned her pals with a Facebook status update that they could be “unfriended,” and the ruling has prompted others to do the same. The committee ruled Nov. 17 that online “friendships” could create the impression that lawyers are in a special position to influence their judge friends.
The committee did conclude that a judge can post comments on another judge’s site and that during judicial elections, a judge’s campaign can have “fans” that include lawyers. And the ruling doesn’t single out Facebook.
“Although Facebook has been used as an example in this opinion, the holding of the opinion would apply to any social networking site which requires the member of the site to approve the listing of a ‘friend’ or contact on the member’s site,” the opinion said.
A few on the committee dissented, saying judges should be allowed to have Facebook friends because those relationships are more like “a contact or acquaintance.”
Although only the Florida Supreme Court can actually mandate what judges can do, most will likely follow the ruling out of an abundance of caution, said Craig Waters, spokesman for the Florida Supreme Court.
Judge Thomas McGrady, the chief of the sixth judicial circuit in Pinellas County, said he understands why the committee came to its conclusion: Judges need to appear impartial.
“We as judges can still be good judges and still have friends. Part of our job is to not let that friendship interfere in any way with our decisions,” he said. “But others in the public who see judges listing a lawyer as a friend on facebook, they may think that because they are your friend, they will be treated differently.”
McGrady, who is sending a copy of the ruling to the 69 judges in his circuit, said this potential conflict of interest is why he doesn’t have a Facebook page.
“If somebody’s my friend, I’ll call them on the phone,” he said, chuckling.
Tags: Computing And Information Technology, Florida, Internet Technology, North America, Relationships, St. Petersburg, United States
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December 16, 2009: 3:15 am
Rise of the Pacific Prime Minister Now speaking about Mission 2012, BSP has still not lost touch with its voters. Hence Ku. Mayawati will not only be the first Scheduled Caste Prime Minister of Jambddvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha Bharath, but also rise to be the first Pacific Prime Minister. Politics and political matters are considered worldly concerns, yes. But Mayawati did not ignore such worldly concerns, because as a Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, still she is living in society. Food comes from vast numbers of people constituting society. So she is working to elevate society to evolve into a higher form, to be more effective and more just? The Ministers, MLAs and BSP Cadres are also told by Mayawati to work for the good of many, for the benefit of all beings and for the betterment of society. The intent behind the founding of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was entirely for the benefit of the people. In the life of Buddha, we find that the Buddha often discussed politics with the rulers of realms in his time, such as King Mala, King Kosala, King Licchavi and King Ajatasattu. The Buddha always preached the kings that they must rule their kingdoms with dasarajadhamma. The dasarajadamma in Pali is based on ten precepts, in order for the king to best rule the country. They are: (1) be liberal and avoid selfishness, (2) maintain a high moral character, (3) Be prepared to sacrifice one’s own pleasure for the well-being of the subjects, (4) be honest and maintain absolute integrity, (5) Be kind and gentle, (6) lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate, (7) Be free from hatred of any kind, (8) exercise non-violence, (9) Practice patience, and (10) Respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony. Ms Mayawati’s government who wishes to peacefully rule her State effectively apply these 10 precepts even today; they haven’t yet and never will “go out of date.” She follows non-violence and peace as a universal message. She did not approve of violence or the destruction of life, and aware that there is no such thing as a ‘just’ war. “The victor breeds hatred; the defeated lives in misery. He who renounces both victory and defeat is happy and peaceful.” She is also aware ‘When the ruler of a country is just and good, the ministers become just and good; when the ministers are just and good, the higher officials become just and good; when the higher officials are just and good, the rank and file become just and good; when the rank and file become just and good, the people become just and good.’ Now Ms Mayawati is been described as one of the greatest leaders. The Leader as Visionary. Like the captain of a ship, he has a definite goal to chart her course and steer his ship in the right direction. She has one goal - to find the cause of suffering and a way out of suffering. Despite much hardship and setback, she never veered from her course but persevered till she gained awaken-ness after she got elected as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Guided by this vision, her mission is an all-embracing one. It is a mission founded on compassion and love for all beings, regardless of race, creed or status quo. The Leader as Role Model She has an exemplary figure, someone we can respect and emulate. She is extraordinary, virtuous and righteous in every thought, word and deed. She says as She does and does as she says. Such integrity and consistency won her the trust of her followers. She is aware of the ten principles which a ruler ought to be possessed: |
Jagatheesan Chandrasekharan