Houston,Texas — Retired Judges of America (RJA) dedicated Court Presentation Bibles to six Harris County area trial courts while attending and speaking at the Houston Christian Legal Society’s meeting today. Receiving Bibles were judges representing the Harris County Criminal Court at Law Number 14, the 174^th Criminal District Court, the 189^th, 269^th, and 333^rd Civil District Courts, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  These judges are setting a worthy example for their judicial colleagues through acceptance of these commemorative court presentation Bibles,” said RJA’s Founder and President, Darrell White, a retired city judge and former military judge for the Louisiana National Guard.

continue reading "New Courts Added in Houston"

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….”

Erica Corder

Erica Corder, a courageous Colorado high school valedictorian has become one of the latest victims of unconstitutional political correctness.  Her 2006 reference to Jesus Christ during a 30-second statement at her graduation service prompted her principal to require her to sign a apology as a prerequisite to receiving her diploma. 

Here’s what Erica said: “We are all capable of standing firm and expressing our own beliefs, which is why I need to tell you about someone who loves you more than you could ever imagine. He died for you on a cross over 2,000 years ago, yet was resurrected and is living today in heaven. His name is Jesus Christ. If you don’t already know him personally I encourage you to find out more about the sacrifice he made for you so that you now have the opportunity to live in eternity with him.”

Her forced apology was designed to appease the interests of those who might claim to take offense at the mention of Jesus Christ.  What an irony that reference to Christ is embedded in the very Constitution Erica is accused of violating:  

Article VII concludes that the document was executed in the year of “our Lord” [September 17, 1787] and makes further reference to the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s birth certificate, that contains no less than four references to God!

continue reading "When did Colorado Become Congress?"

DeRidder, La. -

Court presentation bible dedication by Retired Judges of America

Retired Judges of America (RJA) dedicated a Court Presentation Bible to the 36th Judicial District Court in DeRidder, Louisiana while attending and participating in a recent Installation Ceremony.
“Judges Kerry Anderson and Martha Ann O’Neal are setting a worthy example for their judicial colleagues through the acceptance of this Bible,” said RJA’s founder and President, Darrell White, a retired city judge and former military judge for the Louisiana National Guard.

Judges Anderson and O’Neal are following a tradition begun by U.S Supreme Court when 1906, Justice John Marshall Harlan, I (1833-1911), gave a Bible to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). It has become known as the “Harlan Bible” and is maintained by that Court’s Curator. Since it’s presentation, the Harlan Bible’s flyleaf pages have been signed by every justice in succession shortly after taking the oath of office. Justice Samuel Alito recently acknowledged what a “thrilling and awe-inspiring moment” it was when he signed his name alongside “all of the justices for the past 100 years.”

The Bible accepted by Judges Anderson and O’Neal on behalf of the Court is
continue reading "DeRidder Judges Receive Bibles"

Judge Darrell White (Retired) was interviewed by Rick Green of David Barton’s WallBuilders Live Radio Show regarding the Harlan Bible and other God-acknowledging features of America’s governmental system.  Rick expressed gratification to know that the Texas Supreme Court has received a commemorative Court Presentation Bible for its future use. 

Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and his colleagues were keenly interested to hear the story of how SCOTUS Justice John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911) donated what has become known as the “Harlan Bible” to the U.S. Supreme Court, and were most receptive to launch that tradition in the Supreme Court of Texas.

DeSoto’s district attorney, judges make history today

By Vickie Welborn • vwelborn@gannett.com • December 12, 2008 5:25 pm

History was made and remembered today as the first district attorney and first judges to represent the newly created 42nd Judicial District of DeSoto Parish received their formal oaths of office.

District Attorney Richard Z. Johnson Jr. and District Judges Robert E. Burgess and Charles B. Adams got a head start on their swearing in to get it out of the way of the upcoming holidays. And also because the legislation this year that created the 42nd Judicial District calls for them to begin their terms Jan. 1.

The DeSoto courtroom was full of family, friends, local and visiting elected officials and even three classes of elementary schoolchildren from Pelican All Saints High School.

With the new district came a new tradition for Burgess and Adams. Darrell White, a retired city judge and former military judge for the Louisiana National Guard, presented the judges with a leather Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible.
continue reading "Retired Judges of America Helps Make History!"

Newly elected Baker (Louisiana) City Court Judge is pictured receiving a Court Presentation Bible for his court.  Judge-elect Kirk Williams enjoyed hearing the fascinating story of the Harlan Bible, named for its donor, Justice John Marshall Harlan, an admirable Supreme Court justice who served from 1877-1911.  Kirk Williams, Judge-elect of Baker City Court is pictured receiving a Court Presentation Bible as Judge Darrell White (Retired) holds replica of the original Harlan Bible bearing signatures of all U.S. Supreme Court justices since 1906.  As a result, the Baker City Court joins the growing list of courts that are replicating this venerable tradition.  Judge-elect Williams, a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School, was interested to learn how Retired Judges of America has been active in securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity by uniting retired and former judges to uphold principles enunciated in America’s “Organic Laws” (as so designated by Congress).  You can help the Retired Judges of America spread this tradition across America by contributing to this worthy (and tax-deductible) initiative.  And if you know of a judge (active or retired) who would like to have a Bible dedicated to his or her court, contact Judge Darrell White (Retired).

Sandra Day O’Connor, now a retired Supreme Court justice, has rendered another decision illustrative of the contempt she shows for the Constitution, particularly the text of our First Amendment.  Her opinion, while sitting as a  “fill-in” judge on a panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, held that excluding persons who pray “in Jesus’ name” (from a rotational roster of officials who open city business meetings) is a fair and reasonable way “not to exclude or disparage a particular faith.” 

I’d like to know where O’Connor found Reverend Turner’s name in the First Amendment.  He clearly is not “Congress” – the focal point of our First Amendment’s prohibition against making a “law respecting an establishment of religion.” 

continue reading "O’Connor Disrespects the Constitution!"

By Retired Judge Darrell White

It has been reported that Judge Alex Kozinski, Chief Judge of the Ninth Federal Circuit Court of Appeal, posted - on his publicly accessible web site - content that included sexual-fetish videos and bestiality images. Meanwhile, this judge had been presiding over a highly publicized obscenity trial, which was suspended when the prosecutor handling the case detected a potential conflict of interest for a judge with a sexually explicit website to hear this case. When confronted by the media, Kozinski said that the photos were for his private use and he was unaware the content could be viewed by the general public. Apparently unrepentant, Kozinski explained, “It’s part of life.” California U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has remarked, “If this is true, this is unacceptable for a federal court judge.”

continue reading "Congress Should Impeach Kozinski!"

Constitutionally speaking (i.e., in terms of the free speech clause) why should it matter to courts whether God’s last name is “Almighty” or “Damn”?  Graduation season is upon us, and that predictably brings out groups who threaten valedictorians and their handlers with expensive lawsuits should anyone dare to give thanks to God on these memorable occasions.  All the while, these same groups defend the “free speech” rights of those who would blaspheme our Creator in public.

Recent polling suggests that over 75% of Americans believe our courts have gone too far in restricting free exercise of religion; 76% support public displays of Ten Commandments; and 90% support keeping “one nation under God” in our Pledge.  At the same time, Pew Research Center polling data shows that the stature of America’s judiciary has plummeted.  In 1997, 78% said they had a high opinion of the Court.  In 2001, it was 61%.  More recently, it was 57%. 

continue reading "Graduation Season"

Over 1.5 million Hoosiers with “In God We Trust” license plates are no doubt gratified that they can hold onto their license tags.  A state judge has dismissed litigation brought by the ACLU alleging that it was unconstitutional to put America’s National Motto on state license plates. Marion Superior Court Judge Gary Miller’s refreshing opinion should help restore confidence in America’s judiciary.  He wrote, ”Courts are not to second-guess the Indiana General Assembly when it comes to calculations of this sort.” In part, the ACLU had claimed that Indiana was giving the motto “preferential treatment” and should charge the vanity plate fee for the “In God We Trust” message since it isn’t the standard state plate. However, the legislation authorizing the plate in 2006 specifically directed the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to offer the plate for free.  Thank you Judge Miller for reminding all judges that “we just work here” when it comes to interpreting the laws and Constitution. 

It’s still the National Motto - not the National Anachronism.