Governor Appoints Right-Wing Judge to Yolo Superior Court

Some may have seen the nice little blurb by Lauren Keene of the Davis Enterprise yesterday on the Davis resident who was appointed to the Yolo County Superior Court Judge vacancy. Unfortunately, it appears he will fit right into the Yolo County Judicial system all too well.

Ms. Keene describes Samuel T. McAdam, 43, as a Davis man who is “experienced in labor and employment law.” He has worked as a partner at the Sacramento office of Seyfarth Shaw since 2004 and was an associate there since 1998.

“As an employment attorney since 1996, McAdam has done most of his work in federal court, advising large private-sector employers on how to manage their workforces. His clients, which hail from all over the country, have included WinCo Foods, R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and the San Francisco Symphony.”

What neither Lauren Keene nor the Davis Enterprise tell you is that Samuel McAdam while working at Seyfarth was the hired gun for RH Phillips, a local winery accused of among other things sexually harassing female laborers and then firing them when they complained about this and poor working conditions.

On September 23, 2004, the Sacramento News and Review reported on the string of abuse that a number of local Mexican immigrant residents suffered at the hands of this winery in Dunnigan.

The News and Review reported:

“Two of the women, Antonia Chavez and Amelia Alcauter, have filed lawsuits in Yolo County Superior Court alleging that they were routinely subjected to verbal abuse and sexual harassment by one of their supervisors at R.H. Phillips, a man named Jose Miramontes. According to their court claims, the women frequently complained to Miramontes’ higher-ups about his behavior, but nothing was done to stop the abuse.

Worse, the women say, complaining earned them reputations as troublemakers and ultimately cost them their jobs. Their court cases charge that they were “blacklisted” by R.H. Phillips and a local labor contractor for being mujeres problematicas (problematic women) and that, as a result, they no longer can find farm work in the area, even now, a year later.”

The story continues:

“Two other former R.H. Phillips employees, Elena Perez and her adult daughter Angela Aparicio, also have joined Chavez and Alcauter in filing complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging sexual discrimination and retaliation for complaining about working conditions at the company

Outside of the claims in the original lawsuits and EEOC complaint, the women state that working conditions at the winery were unsanitary and unsafe–that the company often failed to provide clean restrooms or clean drinking water to workers. The women have gathered support from local activists, labor organizers and student groups to help put together a boycott and media campaign against the company.

Chavez explained that she wants to bring attention to her own experience at R.H. Phillips, but she also wants to improve working conditions for other farmworkers in Yolo County. “We don’t want this to happen to another woman at R.H. Phillips. We expect that when somebody else goes to work there, that they will treat them better,” she said.”

It is a lengthy article, but you can read the full article here.

A year later, the News and Review would have a follow up. The winery had decided to settle.

“At a press conference in front of the Yolo County Courthouse in Woodland on Thursday, the women said that although they can no longer work at R.H. Phillips, working conditions have since improved for the remaining workers. The bathrooms are clean, break schedules are adhered to, and clean water is always available. There is even the occasional carne asada, or supper, hosted by the company to boost worker morale.

But company officials say that none of this is new.

“We didn’t change anything. We’ve had good policies in place all along,” said Sam McAdam, an attorney for Seyfarth Shaw, the law firm representing R.H. Phillips. McAdam said the one change that the company has made is to print its employee handbook in Spanish as well as English.”

As for Samuel McAdam, well the article only gives a snippet of his involvement in this pretty horrific case. Those involved in the case suggest that McAdam once he took over the case began a campaign of intimidation and threats. Lawyers and activists involved in that case were threatened with lawsuits for defamation. The women were threatened with arrest and criminal prosecution for their demonstrations. Threats were made about large counter SLAPP suits.

According to the Sacramento Bee on August 19, 2005:

“On the other side of them stood Mike Jaeger, the president of R.H. Phillips Inc.; Sam McAdam, the winery’s lawyer, and two other representatives.

R.H. Phillips officials denied all of the women’s allegations and said they settled because it was cheaper than going to trial.

“We believe the allegations made by these four women are without merit, and we deny they were discriminated against in any way,” Jaeger said, reading from a prepared statement.

“We want our management and employees to focus on making great wines, rather than worrying about depositions and a trial,” he said.

McAdam said he did not know what motive the women might have for claiming such abuses, but that it was a good question to ask of them.

“The claim of gender discrimination,” he said, “is false and outrageous.”

As the News and Review wrote in 2005:

“Last year, when Davis attorney Natalie Wormeli complained about working conditions at the estate during an interview on the Berkeley radio station KPFA, she received a letter from the company’s law firm, threatening to sue her and “each and every person” who made “slanderous” statements to the media. Now, as part of the settlement, none of the women involved in the suit, or their lawyers, is allowed to speak to the media about the case again.”

This is the legacy of McAdam, the front man for a winery that allowed the sexual harassment of at least four women age 39 and over. That allowed horrible working conditions to persist. And when these women dared to speak out, they were subject to being fired and blacklisted. All of which the company of course denied and all of which was done by Samuel McAdam, who will now thanks to the Governor be a Yolo County Superior Court Judge. It looks like he will fit right in.

—David M. Greenwald reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

    View all posts

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Court Watch

144 comments

  1. Arnold believes in sexual harassment as a management style too. Peas in a pod. Good luck to the only women on the bench. Still no one of color in a county with such a huge percentage of people of color. What a shame.

  2. Arnold believes in sexual harassment as a management style too. Peas in a pod. Good luck to the only women on the bench. Still no one of color in a county with such a huge percentage of people of color. What a shame.

  3. Arnold believes in sexual harassment as a management style too. Peas in a pod. Good luck to the only women on the bench. Still no one of color in a county with such a huge percentage of people of color. What a shame.

  4. Arnold believes in sexual harassment as a management style too. Peas in a pod. Good luck to the only women on the bench. Still no one of color in a county with such a huge percentage of people of color. What a shame.

  5. If only these workers were supported by a union , they wouldn’t be in this position.

    Don’t let the money hungry owners short change you, UNIONIZE !!!

  6. If only these workers were supported by a union , they wouldn’t be in this position.

    Don’t let the money hungry owners short change you, UNIONIZE !!!

  7. If only these workers were supported by a union , they wouldn’t be in this position.

    Don’t let the money hungry owners short change you, UNIONIZE !!!

  8. If only these workers were supported by a union , they wouldn’t be in this position.

    Don’t let the money hungry owners short change you, UNIONIZE !!!

  9. Your “Right-wing Judge” label sounds a bit premature and “overblown”. From what I can gather from your piece, he was doing what lawyers are paid to do,i.e. defend the interests of their clients.

  10. Your “Right-wing Judge” label sounds a bit premature and “overblown”. From what I can gather from your piece, he was doing what lawyers are paid to do,i.e. defend the interests of their clients.

  11. Your “Right-wing Judge” label sounds a bit premature and “overblown”. From what I can gather from your piece, he was doing what lawyers are paid to do,i.e. defend the interests of their clients.

  12. Your “Right-wing Judge” label sounds a bit premature and “overblown”. From what I can gather from your piece, he was doing what lawyers are paid to do,i.e. defend the interests of their clients.

  13. “Those involved in the case suggest that McAdam once he took over the case began a campaign of intimidation and threats.”

    David,

    I presume you don’t know Mr. McAdam* personally. Yet you’ve made some rather derogatory assumptions about him, given what you presume to be his public record.

    I, too, don’t know McAdam from… pardon the pun… from Adam, but let me play the devil’s advocate, here.

    Your first assumption about him — that he is a right-winger (whatever that means) — seems to be based on his law practice, given the clients he represented. Yet lawyers, all the time, represent clients they don’t personally have affection for. Just because someone defends murderers or rapists in court doesn’t mean he is sympathetic to his clients. It is more that the nature of that profession is simply to advocate for a client, be he a pimp, a polluter or a prevaricator.

    Your second assumption — “he took over the case (and he) began a campaign of intimidation and threats” — is based on what his opponents in that case said. It’s not impossible from the outside to believe that what the other side viewed as “intimidation and threats” were his vigorous advocacy for his client in that case and not unethical or unreasonable actions for a defense attorney. And even if they were extreme, it would help to hear his side of the case before drawing such a harsh conclusion.

    All that said — taking off my devil’s hat — it is more likely than not that a lawyer who advocates for employers in labor law is more conservative than one who advocates for employees**. Insofar as he was picked by our Republican governor, I would guess McAdam has some ties within Republican circles and is not a liberal. But again, I don’t think it’s fair to conclude a whole lot more than that, branding him “a right-winger.”

    ———

    * Etymological trivia — the name McAdam/MacAdam is the source for two common words: 1) the macadamia nut was named for John MacAdam, a Scottish-born Australian chemist; and 2) the eponym for tarmac was John Loudon McAdam, a Scottish roadbuilder who discovered how to combine crushed stone and tar to make what was originally called Tar McAdam and later tarmac, today usually called asphalt.

    ** Back when I worked in real estate in the Bay Area, I knew some very liberal real estate lawyers in San Francisco. They represented developers, even though some of the developers were very conservative and their developments were opposed by liberals. Yet those lawyers felt it was their duty to do their best for their clients, even in cases where their political views clashed with their client’s interests.

  14. “Those involved in the case suggest that McAdam once he took over the case began a campaign of intimidation and threats.”

    David,

    I presume you don’t know Mr. McAdam* personally. Yet you’ve made some rather derogatory assumptions about him, given what you presume to be his public record.

    I, too, don’t know McAdam from… pardon the pun… from Adam, but let me play the devil’s advocate, here.

    Your first assumption about him — that he is a right-winger (whatever that means) — seems to be based on his law practice, given the clients he represented. Yet lawyers, all the time, represent clients they don’t personally have affection for. Just because someone defends murderers or rapists in court doesn’t mean he is sympathetic to his clients. It is more that the nature of that profession is simply to advocate for a client, be he a pimp, a polluter or a prevaricator.

    Your second assumption — “he took over the case (and he) began a campaign of intimidation and threats” — is based on what his opponents in that case said. It’s not impossible from the outside to believe that what the other side viewed as “intimidation and threats” were his vigorous advocacy for his client in that case and not unethical or unreasonable actions for a defense attorney. And even if they were extreme, it would help to hear his side of the case before drawing such a harsh conclusion.

    All that said — taking off my devil’s hat — it is more likely than not that a lawyer who advocates for employers in labor law is more conservative than one who advocates for employees**. Insofar as he was picked by our Republican governor, I would guess McAdam has some ties within Republican circles and is not a liberal. But again, I don’t think it’s fair to conclude a whole lot more than that, branding him “a right-winger.”

    ———

    * Etymological trivia — the name McAdam/MacAdam is the source for two common words: 1) the macadamia nut was named for John MacAdam, a Scottish-born Australian chemist; and 2) the eponym for tarmac was John Loudon McAdam, a Scottish roadbuilder who discovered how to combine crushed stone and tar to make what was originally called Tar McAdam and later tarmac, today usually called asphalt.

    ** Back when I worked in real estate in the Bay Area, I knew some very liberal real estate lawyers in San Francisco. They represented developers, even though some of the developers were very conservative and their developments were opposed by liberals. Yet those lawyers felt it was their duty to do their best for their clients, even in cases where their political views clashed with their client’s interests.

  15. “Those involved in the case suggest that McAdam once he took over the case began a campaign of intimidation and threats.”

    David,

    I presume you don’t know Mr. McAdam* personally. Yet you’ve made some rather derogatory assumptions about him, given what you presume to be his public record.

    I, too, don’t know McAdam from… pardon the pun… from Adam, but let me play the devil’s advocate, here.

    Your first assumption about him — that he is a right-winger (whatever that means) — seems to be based on his law practice, given the clients he represented. Yet lawyers, all the time, represent clients they don’t personally have affection for. Just because someone defends murderers or rapists in court doesn’t mean he is sympathetic to his clients. It is more that the nature of that profession is simply to advocate for a client, be he a pimp, a polluter or a prevaricator.

    Your second assumption — “he took over the case (and he) began a campaign of intimidation and threats” — is based on what his opponents in that case said. It’s not impossible from the outside to believe that what the other side viewed as “intimidation and threats” were his vigorous advocacy for his client in that case and not unethical or unreasonable actions for a defense attorney. And even if they were extreme, it would help to hear his side of the case before drawing such a harsh conclusion.

    All that said — taking off my devil’s hat — it is more likely than not that a lawyer who advocates for employers in labor law is more conservative than one who advocates for employees**. Insofar as he was picked by our Republican governor, I would guess McAdam has some ties within Republican circles and is not a liberal. But again, I don’t think it’s fair to conclude a whole lot more than that, branding him “a right-winger.”

    ———

    * Etymological trivia — the name McAdam/MacAdam is the source for two common words: 1) the macadamia nut was named for John MacAdam, a Scottish-born Australian chemist; and 2) the eponym for tarmac was John Loudon McAdam, a Scottish roadbuilder who discovered how to combine crushed stone and tar to make what was originally called Tar McAdam and later tarmac, today usually called asphalt.

    ** Back when I worked in real estate in the Bay Area, I knew some very liberal real estate lawyers in San Francisco. They represented developers, even though some of the developers were very conservative and their developments were opposed by liberals. Yet those lawyers felt it was their duty to do their best for their clients, even in cases where their political views clashed with their client’s interests.

  16. “Those involved in the case suggest that McAdam once he took over the case began a campaign of intimidation and threats.”

    David,

    I presume you don’t know Mr. McAdam* personally. Yet you’ve made some rather derogatory assumptions about him, given what you presume to be his public record.

    I, too, don’t know McAdam from… pardon the pun… from Adam, but let me play the devil’s advocate, here.

    Your first assumption about him — that he is a right-winger (whatever that means) — seems to be based on his law practice, given the clients he represented. Yet lawyers, all the time, represent clients they don’t personally have affection for. Just because someone defends murderers or rapists in court doesn’t mean he is sympathetic to his clients. It is more that the nature of that profession is simply to advocate for a client, be he a pimp, a polluter or a prevaricator.

    Your second assumption — “he took over the case (and he) began a campaign of intimidation and threats” — is based on what his opponents in that case said. It’s not impossible from the outside to believe that what the other side viewed as “intimidation and threats” were his vigorous advocacy for his client in that case and not unethical or unreasonable actions for a defense attorney. And even if they were extreme, it would help to hear his side of the case before drawing such a harsh conclusion.

    All that said — taking off my devil’s hat — it is more likely than not that a lawyer who advocates for employers in labor law is more conservative than one who advocates for employees**. Insofar as he was picked by our Republican governor, I would guess McAdam has some ties within Republican circles and is not a liberal. But again, I don’t think it’s fair to conclude a whole lot more than that, branding him “a right-winger.”

    ———

    * Etymological trivia — the name McAdam/MacAdam is the source for two common words: 1) the macadamia nut was named for John MacAdam, a Scottish-born Australian chemist; and 2) the eponym for tarmac was John Loudon McAdam, a Scottish roadbuilder who discovered how to combine crushed stone and tar to make what was originally called Tar McAdam and later tarmac, today usually called asphalt.

    ** Back when I worked in real estate in the Bay Area, I knew some very liberal real estate lawyers in San Francisco. They represented developers, even though some of the developers were very conservative and their developments were opposed by liberals. Yet those lawyers felt it was their duty to do their best for their clients, even in cases where their political views clashed with their client’s interests.

  17. Rich:

    It was mentioend in the Enterprise that he is a Republican, I added that with his case history and his line of work and created perhaps a more bombastic headline than perhaps I could 100% confirm. But I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits. Perhaps he will prove to be a good judge, but based on what those who know him and have worked with him have said, I chose to hit the alarm button.

    Anonymous:

    I don’t know if you are familiar with Hannah Arrendt who coined a phrase called the “banality of evil.” She used it in a description of the former Nazi Adolph Eichmann, who was captured some years later by the Israelis and put on trial. It is an interesting philosophical treatise that somewhat suggests that evil isn’t necessarily as total and horrific as we sometimes believe, the clock puncher who puts through the paper work can be every bit as dangerous as the triggerman. For some reason your defense of the lawyer strikes me in the same way. He is after all just doing his job and just following orders. Then again, I wouldn’t have taken RH Phillips side in that case, would you?

  18. Rich:

    It was mentioend in the Enterprise that he is a Republican, I added that with his case history and his line of work and created perhaps a more bombastic headline than perhaps I could 100% confirm. But I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits. Perhaps he will prove to be a good judge, but based on what those who know him and have worked with him have said, I chose to hit the alarm button.

    Anonymous:

    I don’t know if you are familiar with Hannah Arrendt who coined a phrase called the “banality of evil.” She used it in a description of the former Nazi Adolph Eichmann, who was captured some years later by the Israelis and put on trial. It is an interesting philosophical treatise that somewhat suggests that evil isn’t necessarily as total and horrific as we sometimes believe, the clock puncher who puts through the paper work can be every bit as dangerous as the triggerman. For some reason your defense of the lawyer strikes me in the same way. He is after all just doing his job and just following orders. Then again, I wouldn’t have taken RH Phillips side in that case, would you?

  19. Rich:

    It was mentioend in the Enterprise that he is a Republican, I added that with his case history and his line of work and created perhaps a more bombastic headline than perhaps I could 100% confirm. But I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits. Perhaps he will prove to be a good judge, but based on what those who know him and have worked with him have said, I chose to hit the alarm button.

    Anonymous:

    I don’t know if you are familiar with Hannah Arrendt who coined a phrase called the “banality of evil.” She used it in a description of the former Nazi Adolph Eichmann, who was captured some years later by the Israelis and put on trial. It is an interesting philosophical treatise that somewhat suggests that evil isn’t necessarily as total and horrific as we sometimes believe, the clock puncher who puts through the paper work can be every bit as dangerous as the triggerman. For some reason your defense of the lawyer strikes me in the same way. He is after all just doing his job and just following orders. Then again, I wouldn’t have taken RH Phillips side in that case, would you?

  20. Rich:

    It was mentioend in the Enterprise that he is a Republican, I added that with his case history and his line of work and created perhaps a more bombastic headline than perhaps I could 100% confirm. But I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits. Perhaps he will prove to be a good judge, but based on what those who know him and have worked with him have said, I chose to hit the alarm button.

    Anonymous:

    I don’t know if you are familiar with Hannah Arrendt who coined a phrase called the “banality of evil.” She used it in a description of the former Nazi Adolph Eichmann, who was captured some years later by the Israelis and put on trial. It is an interesting philosophical treatise that somewhat suggests that evil isn’t necessarily as total and horrific as we sometimes believe, the clock puncher who puts through the paper work can be every bit as dangerous as the triggerman. For some reason your defense of the lawyer strikes me in the same way. He is after all just doing his job and just following orders. Then again, I wouldn’t have taken RH Phillips side in that case, would you?

  21. As an attorney, you don’t always have the luxury of choosing your clients. That said, I think an examination of his professional record is fair as long as it doesn’t delve into derogatory labels (e.g. right winger) or less than impartial analysis. I don’t know him as a lawyer, but I can say that I do know Sam McAdam as a member of my church, a Little League coach, and as a great role model. He’s a solid guy and I wish him well in what will no doubt be a challenging new role.

  22. As an attorney, you don’t always have the luxury of choosing your clients. That said, I think an examination of his professional record is fair as long as it doesn’t delve into derogatory labels (e.g. right winger) or less than impartial analysis. I don’t know him as a lawyer, but I can say that I do know Sam McAdam as a member of my church, a Little League coach, and as a great role model. He’s a solid guy and I wish him well in what will no doubt be a challenging new role.

  23. As an attorney, you don’t always have the luxury of choosing your clients. That said, I think an examination of his professional record is fair as long as it doesn’t delve into derogatory labels (e.g. right winger) or less than impartial analysis. I don’t know him as a lawyer, but I can say that I do know Sam McAdam as a member of my church, a Little League coach, and as a great role model. He’s a solid guy and I wish him well in what will no doubt be a challenging new role.

  24. As an attorney, you don’t always have the luxury of choosing your clients. That said, I think an examination of his professional record is fair as long as it doesn’t delve into derogatory labels (e.g. right winger) or less than impartial analysis. I don’t know him as a lawyer, but I can say that I do know Sam McAdam as a member of my church, a Little League coach, and as a great role model. He’s a solid guy and I wish him well in what will no doubt be a challenging new role.

  25. “I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits.”

    Yet the “rest of the story” comes from only one side, his opponents in a lawsuit. Better, in my opinion, to reserve judgment until you get his side of that story. Even in cases like RH Phillips, the truth may lie somewhere in between.

  26. “I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits.”

    Yet the “rest of the story” comes from only one side, his opponents in a lawsuit. Better, in my opinion, to reserve judgment until you get his side of that story. Even in cases like RH Phillips, the truth may lie somewhere in between.

  27. “I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits.”

    Yet the “rest of the story” comes from only one side, his opponents in a lawsuit. Better, in my opinion, to reserve judgment until you get his side of that story. Even in cases like RH Phillips, the truth may lie somewhere in between.

  28. “I think the rest of the story paints at least one picture of where this man sits.”

    Yet the “rest of the story” comes from only one side, his opponents in a lawsuit. Better, in my opinion, to reserve judgment until you get his side of that story. Even in cases like RH Phillips, the truth may lie somewhere in between.

  29. Rich:

    It is true, it is “a” side of the story. And people like Val Dolcini who posted above and whom I respect can tell a different side of his story as well.

  30. Dear Val:

    I have always respected and admired your work on behalf of this community. I respect the fact that you know Mr. McAdam outside his place of work. Unfortunately, my personal experience (and you will have to forgive me for not printing my name here) with the appointee was not as nearly as good as yours has apparently been. I think the description here is pretty accurate based on my experiences fighting against RH Phillips. McAdam may have indeed been a hired goon, but he acted as a goon nonetheless. I am very sorry to see a man like that named to the bench. I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business. Those are my values. And I believe, Val, they are yours as well.

  31. Rich:

    It is true, it is “a” side of the story. And people like Val Dolcini who posted above and whom I respect can tell a different side of his story as well.

  32. Dear Val:

    I have always respected and admired your work on behalf of this community. I respect the fact that you know Mr. McAdam outside his place of work. Unfortunately, my personal experience (and you will have to forgive me for not printing my name here) with the appointee was not as nearly as good as yours has apparently been. I think the description here is pretty accurate based on my experiences fighting against RH Phillips. McAdam may have indeed been a hired goon, but he acted as a goon nonetheless. I am very sorry to see a man like that named to the bench. I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business. Those are my values. And I believe, Val, they are yours as well.

  33. Rich:

    It is true, it is “a” side of the story. And people like Val Dolcini who posted above and whom I respect can tell a different side of his story as well.

  34. Dear Val:

    I have always respected and admired your work on behalf of this community. I respect the fact that you know Mr. McAdam outside his place of work. Unfortunately, my personal experience (and you will have to forgive me for not printing my name here) with the appointee was not as nearly as good as yours has apparently been. I think the description here is pretty accurate based on my experiences fighting against RH Phillips. McAdam may have indeed been a hired goon, but he acted as a goon nonetheless. I am very sorry to see a man like that named to the bench. I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business. Those are my values. And I believe, Val, they are yours as well.

  35. Rich:

    It is true, it is “a” side of the story. And people like Val Dolcini who posted above and whom I respect can tell a different side of his story as well.

  36. Dear Val:

    I have always respected and admired your work on behalf of this community. I respect the fact that you know Mr. McAdam outside his place of work. Unfortunately, my personal experience (and you will have to forgive me for not printing my name here) with the appointee was not as nearly as good as yours has apparently been. I think the description here is pretty accurate based on my experiences fighting against RH Phillips. McAdam may have indeed been a hired goon, but he acted as a goon nonetheless. I am very sorry to see a man like that named to the bench. I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business. Those are my values. And I believe, Val, they are yours as well.

  37. Right Wingers can be solid people and very nice, but when they are in a position of power, their ideology comes into play and will cost all of us. Take Rexroad for example. Nice guy, works hard for his community, but votes against causes progressives believe in, and works professionally to defeat and smear democrats.
    To me, I don’t care if you are a nice guy, if your work makes the rest of our lives worse.

  38. Right Wingers can be solid people and very nice, but when they are in a position of power, their ideology comes into play and will cost all of us. Take Rexroad for example. Nice guy, works hard for his community, but votes against causes progressives believe in, and works professionally to defeat and smear democrats.
    To me, I don’t care if you are a nice guy, if your work makes the rest of our lives worse.

  39. Right Wingers can be solid people and very nice, but when they are in a position of power, their ideology comes into play and will cost all of us. Take Rexroad for example. Nice guy, works hard for his community, but votes against causes progressives believe in, and works professionally to defeat and smear democrats.
    To me, I don’t care if you are a nice guy, if your work makes the rest of our lives worse.

  40. Right Wingers can be solid people and very nice, but when they are in a position of power, their ideology comes into play and will cost all of us. Take Rexroad for example. Nice guy, works hard for his community, but votes against causes progressives believe in, and works professionally to defeat and smear democrats.
    To me, I don’t care if you are a nice guy, if your work makes the rest of our lives worse.

  41. To anon, who said ” I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business.”

    Please do not prejudge any appointee, lest you do the very think of which you’ve accused Mr. McAdam. Remember that judges do not sit on anyone’s side. When they don the robe, they must put aside partisan thinking and make decisions based only on the law and the facts. If they do not, their decisions will be reversed by the appellate courts. The judicial appointment process is political, but the daily work of a trial judge is not. Those who take the oath understand that. I suspect most Yolo County residents could not tell you whether a particular judge was appointed by a Democrat or Republican. The job and its duties are nonpartisan, no matter who appointed the judge.

  42. To anon, who said ” I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business.”

    Please do not prejudge any appointee, lest you do the very think of which you’ve accused Mr. McAdam. Remember that judges do not sit on anyone’s side. When they don the robe, they must put aside partisan thinking and make decisions based only on the law and the facts. If they do not, their decisions will be reversed by the appellate courts. The judicial appointment process is political, but the daily work of a trial judge is not. Those who take the oath understand that. I suspect most Yolo County residents could not tell you whether a particular judge was appointed by a Democrat or Republican. The job and its duties are nonpartisan, no matter who appointed the judge.

  43. To anon, who said ” I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business.”

    Please do not prejudge any appointee, lest you do the very think of which you’ve accused Mr. McAdam. Remember that judges do not sit on anyone’s side. When they don the robe, they must put aside partisan thinking and make decisions based only on the law and the facts. If they do not, their decisions will be reversed by the appellate courts. The judicial appointment process is political, but the daily work of a trial judge is not. Those who take the oath understand that. I suspect most Yolo County residents could not tell you whether a particular judge was appointed by a Democrat or Republican. The job and its duties are nonpartisan, no matter who appointed the judge.

  44. To anon, who said ” I look forward to a new day with a new democratic governor, that we can add some people who side with the people and the workers rather than big business.”

    Please do not prejudge any appointee, lest you do the very think of which you’ve accused Mr. McAdam. Remember that judges do not sit on anyone’s side. When they don the robe, they must put aside partisan thinking and make decisions based only on the law and the facts. If they do not, their decisions will be reversed by the appellate courts. The judicial appointment process is political, but the daily work of a trial judge is not. Those who take the oath understand that. I suspect most Yolo County residents could not tell you whether a particular judge was appointed by a Democrat or Republican. The job and its duties are nonpartisan, no matter who appointed the judge.

  45. I think that’s a very naive view of the reality of jurisprudence in this country. I don’t have that kind of faith in our system. You are going to tell me that Judge Rosenberg, a liberal Democrat and Judge Warriner, a conservative Republican, operate the same way? I don’t buy it.

  46. I think that’s a very naive view of the reality of jurisprudence in this country. I don’t have that kind of faith in our system. You are going to tell me that Judge Rosenberg, a liberal Democrat and Judge Warriner, a conservative Republican, operate the same way? I don’t buy it.

  47. I think that’s a very naive view of the reality of jurisprudence in this country. I don’t have that kind of faith in our system. You are going to tell me that Judge Rosenberg, a liberal Democrat and Judge Warriner, a conservative Republican, operate the same way? I don’t buy it.

  48. I think that’s a very naive view of the reality of jurisprudence in this country. I don’t have that kind of faith in our system. You are going to tell me that Judge Rosenberg, a liberal Democrat and Judge Warriner, a conservative Republican, operate the same way? I don’t buy it.

  49. The war of ideological labels continues: “Right-wing”, “liberal”… is this another indication that our new civil rights challenge is red versus blue instead of black versus white?

    I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.

  50. The war of ideological labels continues: “Right-wing”, “liberal”… is this another indication that our new civil rights challenge is red versus blue instead of black versus white?

    I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.

  51. The war of ideological labels continues: “Right-wing”, “liberal”… is this another indication that our new civil rights challenge is red versus blue instead of black versus white?

    I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.

  52. The war of ideological labels continues: “Right-wing”, “liberal”… is this another indication that our new civil rights challenge is red versus blue instead of black versus white?

    I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.

  53. The charge of judges at the Superior Court level(lower courts) is to follow the law and,with rare exception,they take this responsibility very seriously and leave their personal ideology outside the courtroom door. Supreme Court justices, on the other hand, are not so constrained by the letter of the law;they make the law. We are witnessing this right now with the decision of 4 Supreme Court Justices to redefine our society’s definition of marriage and subjectively decide that gays are a “suspect” class that is suffering legally defined discrimination and that, rather than guaranteeing that their civil-union rights be equal to marriage status, requires that the legal definition of marriage as embodied in our society and State law be abandoned.

  54. The charge of judges at the Superior Court level(lower courts) is to follow the law and,with rare exception,they take this responsibility very seriously and leave their personal ideology outside the courtroom door. Supreme Court justices, on the other hand, are not so constrained by the letter of the law;they make the law. We are witnessing this right now with the decision of 4 Supreme Court Justices to redefine our society’s definition of marriage and subjectively decide that gays are a “suspect” class that is suffering legally defined discrimination and that, rather than guaranteeing that their civil-union rights be equal to marriage status, requires that the legal definition of marriage as embodied in our society and State law be abandoned.

  55. The charge of judges at the Superior Court level(lower courts) is to follow the law and,with rare exception,they take this responsibility very seriously and leave their personal ideology outside the courtroom door. Supreme Court justices, on the other hand, are not so constrained by the letter of the law;they make the law. We are witnessing this right now with the decision of 4 Supreme Court Justices to redefine our society’s definition of marriage and subjectively decide that gays are a “suspect” class that is suffering legally defined discrimination and that, rather than guaranteeing that their civil-union rights be equal to marriage status, requires that the legal definition of marriage as embodied in our society and State law be abandoned.

  56. The charge of judges at the Superior Court level(lower courts) is to follow the law and,with rare exception,they take this responsibility very seriously and leave their personal ideology outside the courtroom door. Supreme Court justices, on the other hand, are not so constrained by the letter of the law;they make the law. We are witnessing this right now with the decision of 4 Supreme Court Justices to redefine our society’s definition of marriage and subjectively decide that gays are a “suspect” class that is suffering legally defined discrimination and that, rather than guaranteeing that their civil-union rights be equal to marriage status, requires that the legal definition of marriage as embodied in our society and State law be abandoned.

  57. “I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.”

    People are making a big deal out of the headline, but it’s instructive that the body of article does go to the content of his character.

  58. “I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.”

    People are making a big deal out of the headline, but it’s instructive that the body of article does go to the content of his character.

  59. “I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.”

    People are making a big deal out of the headline, but it’s instructive that the body of article does go to the content of his character.

  60. “I dream of the day when judges will not be judged by the color of their politics but by the content of their character.”

    People are making a big deal out of the headline, but it’s instructive that the body of article does go to the content of his character.

  61. “the body of article does go to the content of his character.”

    It goes to the content of accusations made against him by people who were on the other side of a legal case.

  62. “the body of article does go to the content of his character.”

    It goes to the content of accusations made against him by people who were on the other side of a legal case.

  63. “the body of article does go to the content of his character.”

    It goes to the content of accusations made against him by people who were on the other side of a legal case.

  64. “the body of article does go to the content of his character.”

    It goes to the content of accusations made against him by people who were on the other side of a legal case.

  65. Dear David,

    I appreciate the news perspective you bring to Davis residents on a daily basis. However, your coverage of Sam McAdam’s appointment completely misses the mark.

    I am a Democrat, a feminist, Founder of Friends of The Yolo Crisis Nursery, former board member for WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment), and a community activist for several local political candidates and causes. I have known Sam McAdam for nearly two decades. Your portrayal of him in no way reflects the man I know and support. Sam is honest, hardworking, fair, thoughtful, and has a generous heart. I can think of no better choice for the bench, regardless of party affiliation, and urge you to get to know him, rather than develop what reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.

    You’ve done great work before. Please correct this disservice to The Vanguard.

    Best Regards,
    Heidy Kellison

  66. Dear David,

    I appreciate the news perspective you bring to Davis residents on a daily basis. However, your coverage of Sam McAdam’s appointment completely misses the mark.

    I am a Democrat, a feminist, Founder of Friends of The Yolo Crisis Nursery, former board member for WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment), and a community activist for several local political candidates and causes. I have known Sam McAdam for nearly two decades. Your portrayal of him in no way reflects the man I know and support. Sam is honest, hardworking, fair, thoughtful, and has a generous heart. I can think of no better choice for the bench, regardless of party affiliation, and urge you to get to know him, rather than develop what reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.

    You’ve done great work before. Please correct this disservice to The Vanguard.

    Best Regards,
    Heidy Kellison

  67. Dear David,

    I appreciate the news perspective you bring to Davis residents on a daily basis. However, your coverage of Sam McAdam’s appointment completely misses the mark.

    I am a Democrat, a feminist, Founder of Friends of The Yolo Crisis Nursery, former board member for WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment), and a community activist for several local political candidates and causes. I have known Sam McAdam for nearly two decades. Your portrayal of him in no way reflects the man I know and support. Sam is honest, hardworking, fair, thoughtful, and has a generous heart. I can think of no better choice for the bench, regardless of party affiliation, and urge you to get to know him, rather than develop what reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.

    You’ve done great work before. Please correct this disservice to The Vanguard.

    Best Regards,
    Heidy Kellison

  68. Dear David,

    I appreciate the news perspective you bring to Davis residents on a daily basis. However, your coverage of Sam McAdam’s appointment completely misses the mark.

    I am a Democrat, a feminist, Founder of Friends of The Yolo Crisis Nursery, former board member for WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment), and a community activist for several local political candidates and causes. I have known Sam McAdam for nearly two decades. Your portrayal of him in no way reflects the man I know and support. Sam is honest, hardworking, fair, thoughtful, and has a generous heart. I can think of no better choice for the bench, regardless of party affiliation, and urge you to get to know him, rather than develop what reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.

    You’ve done great work before. Please correct this disservice to The Vanguard.

    Best Regards,
    Heidy Kellison

  69. The problem here is that the plaintiffs signed off not to speak. Thus we have no way of knowing if their claims were credible. This is the problem I have in general with nondisclosure clauses in civil settlements. It allows guilty parties to walk away from responsibility, keeps the public in the dark as to any wrongdoing, and/or leaves innuendo out there that often sticks whether true or not. IMHO, we ought to get rid of nondisclosure clauses. Of course the courts would hate that, bc too many cases would come to trial in an already backlogged system.

    However, I went through 4 lawyers and a nasty 3 1/2 year court battle when divorcing my husband. I ultimately walked away with more than 90% of the assets, but there was hell to pay. I lost an 8 inch piece of my intestine and my good health fighting him and his nasty attorney. Would I do it again? You bet! It ultimately saved the lives of my children. Sometimes things need to go to court so that all the facts come out, no matter how ugly. BTW, I went back to law school, got my law degree, and became a family law attorney!

  70. The problem here is that the plaintiffs signed off not to speak. Thus we have no way of knowing if their claims were credible. This is the problem I have in general with nondisclosure clauses in civil settlements. It allows guilty parties to walk away from responsibility, keeps the public in the dark as to any wrongdoing, and/or leaves innuendo out there that often sticks whether true or not. IMHO, we ought to get rid of nondisclosure clauses. Of course the courts would hate that, bc too many cases would come to trial in an already backlogged system.

    However, I went through 4 lawyers and a nasty 3 1/2 year court battle when divorcing my husband. I ultimately walked away with more than 90% of the assets, but there was hell to pay. I lost an 8 inch piece of my intestine and my good health fighting him and his nasty attorney. Would I do it again? You bet! It ultimately saved the lives of my children. Sometimes things need to go to court so that all the facts come out, no matter how ugly. BTW, I went back to law school, got my law degree, and became a family law attorney!

  71. The problem here is that the plaintiffs signed off not to speak. Thus we have no way of knowing if their claims were credible. This is the problem I have in general with nondisclosure clauses in civil settlements. It allows guilty parties to walk away from responsibility, keeps the public in the dark as to any wrongdoing, and/or leaves innuendo out there that often sticks whether true or not. IMHO, we ought to get rid of nondisclosure clauses. Of course the courts would hate that, bc too many cases would come to trial in an already backlogged system.

    However, I went through 4 lawyers and a nasty 3 1/2 year court battle when divorcing my husband. I ultimately walked away with more than 90% of the assets, but there was hell to pay. I lost an 8 inch piece of my intestine and my good health fighting him and his nasty attorney. Would I do it again? You bet! It ultimately saved the lives of my children. Sometimes things need to go to court so that all the facts come out, no matter how ugly. BTW, I went back to law school, got my law degree, and became a family law attorney!

  72. The problem here is that the plaintiffs signed off not to speak. Thus we have no way of knowing if their claims were credible. This is the problem I have in general with nondisclosure clauses in civil settlements. It allows guilty parties to walk away from responsibility, keeps the public in the dark as to any wrongdoing, and/or leaves innuendo out there that often sticks whether true or not. IMHO, we ought to get rid of nondisclosure clauses. Of course the courts would hate that, bc too many cases would come to trial in an already backlogged system.

    However, I went through 4 lawyers and a nasty 3 1/2 year court battle when divorcing my husband. I ultimately walked away with more than 90% of the assets, but there was hell to pay. I lost an 8 inch piece of my intestine and my good health fighting him and his nasty attorney. Would I do it again? You bet! It ultimately saved the lives of my children. Sometimes things need to go to court so that all the facts come out, no matter how ugly. BTW, I went back to law school, got my law degree, and became a family law attorney!

  73. I am very glad to see two people I respect and admire such as Val Dolcini and Heidy Kellison vouch for Samuel McAdam. My post this morning was based largely on the knowledge I had of this case. The treatment of these women by RH Phillips was appalling. Naturally I have great concern based on what I have heard of the conduct of the attorney representing that company. I am glad to hear from some community members that that is not the entire picture. I believe it is important to share this perspective however even if it is but a small sliver of Samuel McAdam’s total life.

    That said I remain concerned. Winco Foods, whom Mr. McAdam also represents has a deplorable labor record. They are often considered the WalMart of the grocery business.

    I would very much appreciate meeting with him and discussing things.

  74. I am very glad to see two people I respect and admire such as Val Dolcini and Heidy Kellison vouch for Samuel McAdam. My post this morning was based largely on the knowledge I had of this case. The treatment of these women by RH Phillips was appalling. Naturally I have great concern based on what I have heard of the conduct of the attorney representing that company. I am glad to hear from some community members that that is not the entire picture. I believe it is important to share this perspective however even if it is but a small sliver of Samuel McAdam’s total life.

    That said I remain concerned. Winco Foods, whom Mr. McAdam also represents has a deplorable labor record. They are often considered the WalMart of the grocery business.

    I would very much appreciate meeting with him and discussing things.

  75. I am very glad to see two people I respect and admire such as Val Dolcini and Heidy Kellison vouch for Samuel McAdam. My post this morning was based largely on the knowledge I had of this case. The treatment of these women by RH Phillips was appalling. Naturally I have great concern based on what I have heard of the conduct of the attorney representing that company. I am glad to hear from some community members that that is not the entire picture. I believe it is important to share this perspective however even if it is but a small sliver of Samuel McAdam’s total life.

    That said I remain concerned. Winco Foods, whom Mr. McAdam also represents has a deplorable labor record. They are often considered the WalMart of the grocery business.

    I would very much appreciate meeting with him and discussing things.

  76. I am very glad to see two people I respect and admire such as Val Dolcini and Heidy Kellison vouch for Samuel McAdam. My post this morning was based largely on the knowledge I had of this case. The treatment of these women by RH Phillips was appalling. Naturally I have great concern based on what I have heard of the conduct of the attorney representing that company. I am glad to hear from some community members that that is not the entire picture. I believe it is important to share this perspective however even if it is but a small sliver of Samuel McAdam’s total life.

    That said I remain concerned. Winco Foods, whom Mr. McAdam also represents has a deplorable labor record. They are often considered the WalMart of the grocery business.

    I would very much appreciate meeting with him and discussing things.

  77. “reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.”

    Instead of relying only on people with a preconceived bias against Sam in order to paint him as a monster, you could have called him up. His phone number and address in Mace Ranch are listed in the phone book. This is unfortunately not the first time the Vanguard has misportrayed someone in Davis without talking to the person before attacking them.

  78. “reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.”

    Instead of relying only on people with a preconceived bias against Sam in order to paint him as a monster, you could have called him up. His phone number and address in Mace Ranch are listed in the phone book. This is unfortunately not the first time the Vanguard has misportrayed someone in Davis without talking to the person before attacking them.

  79. “reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.”

    Instead of relying only on people with a preconceived bias against Sam in order to paint him as a monster, you could have called him up. His phone number and address in Mace Ranch are listed in the phone book. This is unfortunately not the first time the Vanguard has misportrayed someone in Davis without talking to the person before attacking them.

  80. “reads like a political hit piece written by stereotypes and selectively skewed detail.”

    Instead of relying only on people with a preconceived bias against Sam in order to paint him as a monster, you could have called him up. His phone number and address in Mace Ranch are listed in the phone book. This is unfortunately not the first time the Vanguard has misportrayed someone in Davis without talking to the person before attacking them.

  81. I didn’t sign a gag order but I was involved in the RH Phillips matter and was one of those threatened with a lawsuit by McAdam for speaking out. Yes, he may be a fine Republican and family man, etc. etc. But what he did in that case was way over the top ‘in my opinion’ … lest I get sued. The Vanguard once again speaks the truth. And, yes, I am anonymous because our legal system can be used by the wealthy and powerful to smash the poor and weak.

  82. I didn’t sign a gag order but I was involved in the RH Phillips matter and was one of those threatened with a lawsuit by McAdam for speaking out. Yes, he may be a fine Republican and family man, etc. etc. But what he did in that case was way over the top ‘in my opinion’ … lest I get sued. The Vanguard once again speaks the truth. And, yes, I am anonymous because our legal system can be used by the wealthy and powerful to smash the poor and weak.

  83. I didn’t sign a gag order but I was involved in the RH Phillips matter and was one of those threatened with a lawsuit by McAdam for speaking out. Yes, he may be a fine Republican and family man, etc. etc. But what he did in that case was way over the top ‘in my opinion’ … lest I get sued. The Vanguard once again speaks the truth. And, yes, I am anonymous because our legal system can be used by the wealthy and powerful to smash the poor and weak.

  84. I didn’t sign a gag order but I was involved in the RH Phillips matter and was one of those threatened with a lawsuit by McAdam for speaking out. Yes, he may be a fine Republican and family man, etc. etc. But what he did in that case was way over the top ‘in my opinion’ … lest I get sued. The Vanguard once again speaks the truth. And, yes, I am anonymous because our legal system can be used by the wealthy and powerful to smash the poor and weak.

  85. And why haven’t there ever been any Hispanic judges EVER appointed to the Yolo Co. bench in a county was such a large Latino population? Don’t say “they” don’t apply. I personally know of at least one credible local Latino attorney, Gilbert Roque, who was turned down. Color of his politics or skin? All the same?

  86. And why haven’t there ever been any Hispanic judges EVER appointed to the Yolo Co. bench in a county was such a large Latino population? Don’t say “they” don’t apply. I personally know of at least one credible local Latino attorney, Gilbert Roque, who was turned down. Color of his politics or skin? All the same?

  87. And why haven’t there ever been any Hispanic judges EVER appointed to the Yolo Co. bench in a county was such a large Latino population? Don’t say “they” don’t apply. I personally know of at least one credible local Latino attorney, Gilbert Roque, who was turned down. Color of his politics or skin? All the same?

  88. And why haven’t there ever been any Hispanic judges EVER appointed to the Yolo Co. bench in a county was such a large Latino population? Don’t say “they” don’t apply. I personally know of at least one credible local Latino attorney, Gilbert Roque, who was turned down. Color of his politics or skin? All the same?

  89. To anon who wrote “naive” and to those who suggest here that trial court judges have political axes to grind in their daily decisions, perhaps you don’t understand the mundane nature of the job. Trial court judges don’t make law. They apply law to facts and make rulings, and if they get it wrong (or try to be political), the appellate courts reverse them. Does the democratic party have a position on whether a contract was breached? Is there a republican position on whether a mentally ill conservatee should be given certain drugs? Is there a green position on whether there was probable cause for an arrest? No. Juries determine the facts in most of the cases, and the judges apply the law. And yes, in making these decisions both the democrat and republican appointed judges operate “the same way.” It’s called due process. If judges attempt to “be political” they lose their robes through the commission on judicial performance – or at the next election. If the Yolo judges acted as you suggest, parties would routinely disqualify the judges from the “other” party in hopes of a “better” judge. There aren’t many disqualifications these days, which suggests that attorneys of all political persuasions don’t see the judges’ past political affiliations as meaningful in case decisions. Judges, like people, have different styles, but they apply the same rules to the facts.
    Any appointee who is as “political” as you suggest won’t like the job very much and won’t stay long.
    And to DPD, I respect your past work for your thoughtful approach and conscious attempts to be open-minded. This hit piece was unworthy of you.

  90. To anon who wrote “naive” and to those who suggest here that trial court judges have political axes to grind in their daily decisions, perhaps you don’t understand the mundane nature of the job. Trial court judges don’t make law. They apply law to facts and make rulings, and if they get it wrong (or try to be political), the appellate courts reverse them. Does the democratic party have a position on whether a contract was breached? Is there a republican position on whether a mentally ill conservatee should be given certain drugs? Is there a green position on whether there was probable cause for an arrest? No. Juries determine the facts in most of the cases, and the judges apply the law. And yes, in making these decisions both the democrat and republican appointed judges operate “the same way.” It’s called due process. If judges attempt to “be political” they lose their robes through the commission on judicial performance – or at the next election. If the Yolo judges acted as you suggest, parties would routinely disqualify the judges from the “other” party in hopes of a “better” judge. There aren’t many disqualifications these days, which suggests that attorneys of all political persuasions don’t see the judges’ past political affiliations as meaningful in case decisions. Judges, like people, have different styles, but they apply the same rules to the facts.
    Any appointee who is as “political” as you suggest won’t like the job very much and won’t stay long.
    And to DPD, I respect your past work for your thoughtful approach and conscious attempts to be open-minded. This hit piece was unworthy of you.

  91. To anon who wrote “naive” and to those who suggest here that trial court judges have political axes to grind in their daily decisions, perhaps you don’t understand the mundane nature of the job. Trial court judges don’t make law. They apply law to facts and make rulings, and if they get it wrong (or try to be political), the appellate courts reverse them. Does the democratic party have a position on whether a contract was breached? Is there a republican position on whether a mentally ill conservatee should be given certain drugs? Is there a green position on whether there was probable cause for an arrest? No. Juries determine the facts in most of the cases, and the judges apply the law. And yes, in making these decisions both the democrat and republican appointed judges operate “the same way.” It’s called due process. If judges attempt to “be political” they lose their robes through the commission on judicial performance – or at the next election. If the Yolo judges acted as you suggest, parties would routinely disqualify the judges from the “other” party in hopes of a “better” judge. There aren’t many disqualifications these days, which suggests that attorneys of all political persuasions don’t see the judges’ past political affiliations as meaningful in case decisions. Judges, like people, have different styles, but they apply the same rules to the facts.
    Any appointee who is as “political” as you suggest won’t like the job very much and won’t stay long.
    And to DPD, I respect your past work for your thoughtful approach and conscious attempts to be open-minded. This hit piece was unworthy of you.

  92. To anon who wrote “naive” and to those who suggest here that trial court judges have political axes to grind in their daily decisions, perhaps you don’t understand the mundane nature of the job. Trial court judges don’t make law. They apply law to facts and make rulings, and if they get it wrong (or try to be political), the appellate courts reverse them. Does the democratic party have a position on whether a contract was breached? Is there a republican position on whether a mentally ill conservatee should be given certain drugs? Is there a green position on whether there was probable cause for an arrest? No. Juries determine the facts in most of the cases, and the judges apply the law. And yes, in making these decisions both the democrat and republican appointed judges operate “the same way.” It’s called due process. If judges attempt to “be political” they lose their robes through the commission on judicial performance – or at the next election. If the Yolo judges acted as you suggest, parties would routinely disqualify the judges from the “other” party in hopes of a “better” judge. There aren’t many disqualifications these days, which suggests that attorneys of all political persuasions don’t see the judges’ past political affiliations as meaningful in case decisions. Judges, like people, have different styles, but they apply the same rules to the facts.
    Any appointee who is as “political” as you suggest won’t like the job very much and won’t stay long.
    And to DPD, I respect your past work for your thoughtful approach and conscious attempts to be open-minded. This hit piece was unworthy of you.

  93. Mention was also made in the Enterprise article about his active involvement in the local St. James Church.

    Where do you think he stands on Roe v. Wade?

    Also mentioned was his legal representation of the RC Willey Co.

    Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?

    Are these prominent organizations bastions of Right Wing ideologies?

  94. Mention was also made in the Enterprise article about his active involvement in the local St. James Church.

    Where do you think he stands on Roe v. Wade?

    Also mentioned was his legal representation of the RC Willey Co.

    Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?

    Are these prominent organizations bastions of Right Wing ideologies?

  95. Mention was also made in the Enterprise article about his active involvement in the local St. James Church.

    Where do you think he stands on Roe v. Wade?

    Also mentioned was his legal representation of the RC Willey Co.

    Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?

    Are these prominent organizations bastions of Right Wing ideologies?

  96. Mention was also made in the Enterprise article about his active involvement in the local St. James Church.

    Where do you think he stands on Roe v. Wade?

    Also mentioned was his legal representation of the RC Willey Co.

    Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?

    Are these prominent organizations bastions of Right Wing ideologies?

  97. “Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?”

    RC Willey is actually owned by Warren Buffet, and Buffet, who is Barack Obama’s chief economic advisor, has never been a Mormon. Buffet was raised a Presbyterian, but is agnostic. The company was founded in Utah by a Mormon, but the business was never run by the LDS church.

  98. “Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?”

    RC Willey is actually owned by Warren Buffet, and Buffet, who is Barack Obama’s chief economic advisor, has never been a Mormon. Buffet was raised a Presbyterian, but is agnostic. The company was founded in Utah by a Mormon, but the business was never run by the LDS church.

  99. “Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?”

    RC Willey is actually owned by Warren Buffet, and Buffet, who is Barack Obama’s chief economic advisor, has never been a Mormon. Buffet was raised a Presbyterian, but is agnostic. The company was founded in Utah by a Mormon, but the business was never run by the LDS church.

  100. “Did you know that RC Willey is an off shoot of the LDS Church?”

    RC Willey is actually owned by Warren Buffet, and Buffet, who is Barack Obama’s chief economic advisor, has never been a Mormon. Buffet was raised a Presbyterian, but is agnostic. The company was founded in Utah by a Mormon, but the business was never run by the LDS church.

  101. The truth is only known to those invovled. David greenwald does not know the truth or the appointee. Davis greenwald only knows how to throw out a biased question in search of creating controversy.

    There is no requirement to have a “latino” judge or any other color or race of judge. Those who make the decisions look at who is QUALIFIED, not at their race.

    Knowing those involved in the mess at RH Philips it was always dubious to me. One thing for sure is that mr. miramontes is from the mexican culture where women are considered beasts of burden and sexual objects, no, not by all but by the majority of males.

    I can also tell you that most of the foreigners coming to this country like our legal system. Why? Because they have told me that they can sue someone for a perceived, or contrived wrong, and get MONEY from the suit.

    David mentioned that those involved were Mexican immigrants. Were they legal or illegal immigrants. Were they entitled to employment here? If not, did they have fake SS numbers or stolen ones? Stolen SS numbers cause an untold amount of grief for the victims.

    And as for the call to unionize that would be good. As long as the union leaders don’t run off with 100’s of thousands of $$ of the members money, as did 3 seiu reps did just recently. David greenwald says the seiu reps and memberships are,”pretty much autonomous”, union reps from the thieves in their group. Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested.

    Just what the hard worker needs a loosely knit organization that caters to the tune of itself.

    David greenwald is a right wing person and won’t admit it. Thank you to those of you who write in here, it helps. I don’t have to buy the national enquirer to get laughs and a load of half truths.

  102. The truth is only known to those invovled. David greenwald does not know the truth or the appointee. Davis greenwald only knows how to throw out a biased question in search of creating controversy.

    There is no requirement to have a “latino” judge or any other color or race of judge. Those who make the decisions look at who is QUALIFIED, not at their race.

    Knowing those involved in the mess at RH Philips it was always dubious to me. One thing for sure is that mr. miramontes is from the mexican culture where women are considered beasts of burden and sexual objects, no, not by all but by the majority of males.

    I can also tell you that most of the foreigners coming to this country like our legal system. Why? Because they have told me that they can sue someone for a perceived, or contrived wrong, and get MONEY from the suit.

    David mentioned that those involved were Mexican immigrants. Were they legal or illegal immigrants. Were they entitled to employment here? If not, did they have fake SS numbers or stolen ones? Stolen SS numbers cause an untold amount of grief for the victims.

    And as for the call to unionize that would be good. As long as the union leaders don’t run off with 100’s of thousands of $$ of the members money, as did 3 seiu reps did just recently. David greenwald says the seiu reps and memberships are,”pretty much autonomous”, union reps from the thieves in their group. Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested.

    Just what the hard worker needs a loosely knit organization that caters to the tune of itself.

    David greenwald is a right wing person and won’t admit it. Thank you to those of you who write in here, it helps. I don’t have to buy the national enquirer to get laughs and a load of half truths.

  103. The truth is only known to those invovled. David greenwald does not know the truth or the appointee. Davis greenwald only knows how to throw out a biased question in search of creating controversy.

    There is no requirement to have a “latino” judge or any other color or race of judge. Those who make the decisions look at who is QUALIFIED, not at their race.

    Knowing those involved in the mess at RH Philips it was always dubious to me. One thing for sure is that mr. miramontes is from the mexican culture where women are considered beasts of burden and sexual objects, no, not by all but by the majority of males.

    I can also tell you that most of the foreigners coming to this country like our legal system. Why? Because they have told me that they can sue someone for a perceived, or contrived wrong, and get MONEY from the suit.

    David mentioned that those involved were Mexican immigrants. Were they legal or illegal immigrants. Were they entitled to employment here? If not, did they have fake SS numbers or stolen ones? Stolen SS numbers cause an untold amount of grief for the victims.

    And as for the call to unionize that would be good. As long as the union leaders don’t run off with 100’s of thousands of $$ of the members money, as did 3 seiu reps did just recently. David greenwald says the seiu reps and memberships are,”pretty much autonomous”, union reps from the thieves in their group. Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested.

    Just what the hard worker needs a loosely knit organization that caters to the tune of itself.

    David greenwald is a right wing person and won’t admit it. Thank you to those of you who write in here, it helps. I don’t have to buy the national enquirer to get laughs and a load of half truths.

  104. The truth is only known to those invovled. David greenwald does not know the truth or the appointee. Davis greenwald only knows how to throw out a biased question in search of creating controversy.

    There is no requirement to have a “latino” judge or any other color or race of judge. Those who make the decisions look at who is QUALIFIED, not at their race.

    Knowing those involved in the mess at RH Philips it was always dubious to me. One thing for sure is that mr. miramontes is from the mexican culture where women are considered beasts of burden and sexual objects, no, not by all but by the majority of males.

    I can also tell you that most of the foreigners coming to this country like our legal system. Why? Because they have told me that they can sue someone for a perceived, or contrived wrong, and get MONEY from the suit.

    David mentioned that those involved were Mexican immigrants. Were they legal or illegal immigrants. Were they entitled to employment here? If not, did they have fake SS numbers or stolen ones? Stolen SS numbers cause an untold amount of grief for the victims.

    And as for the call to unionize that would be good. As long as the union leaders don’t run off with 100’s of thousands of $$ of the members money, as did 3 seiu reps did just recently. David greenwald says the seiu reps and memberships are,”pretty much autonomous”, union reps from the thieves in their group. Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested.

    Just what the hard worker needs a loosely knit organization that caters to the tune of itself.

    David greenwald is a right wing person and won’t admit it. Thank you to those of you who write in here, it helps. I don’t have to buy the national enquirer to get laughs and a load of half truths.

  105. “Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested. “

    Actually the individual that anonymous mentions was a state worker, not an SEIU Rep. And to boot he was an opponent of the union. Ironic, huh?

  106. “Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested. “

    Actually the individual that anonymous mentions was a state worker, not an SEIU Rep. And to boot he was an opponent of the union. Ironic, huh?

  107. “Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested. “

    Actually the individual that anonymous mentions was a state worker, not an SEIU Rep. And to boot he was an opponent of the union. Ironic, huh?

  108. “Oh yeah, I forgot the child porn seiu rep in sacramento, just recently arrested. “

    Actually the individual that anonymous mentions was a state worker, not an SEIU Rep. And to boot he was an opponent of the union. Ironic, huh?

  109. “Feliciano is a researcher at the State Department of Insurance”

    Like I said, state employee who was elected to head his DLC. He was an opponent of SEIU who worked with the people who tried to decertify the union.

  110. “Feliciano is a researcher at the State Department of Insurance”

    Like I said, state employee who was elected to head his DLC. He was an opponent of SEIU who worked with the people who tried to decertify the union.

  111. “Feliciano is a researcher at the State Department of Insurance”

    Like I said, state employee who was elected to head his DLC. He was an opponent of SEIU who worked with the people who tried to decertify the union.

  112. “Feliciano is a researcher at the State Department of Insurance”

    Like I said, state employee who was elected to head his DLC. He was an opponent of SEIU who worked with the people who tried to decertify the union.

  113. Just imagine if Jerry Brown were still currently the Governor. He would probably be appointing left wing judges to the courts.

    Anyone remember State Court Justices Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso (now a law professor at U.C. Davis) and Joseph Grodin.

    These three (3) justices were denied reconfirmation to serve on the states highest court on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because of their politicized and ideological oriented and arrogant and arbitrary rulings against the imposition of the death penalty, Proposition 13 use a gun go to prison law etc.

    The first and only justices ever to be denied reconfirmation in a state judicial retention election.

    Just because Arnold appointed a so called right wing judge to the Yolo County Superior Court dosen’t neccessarily mean that this judge will act inappropiately like in the case of the Rose Bird Court appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown or any other appointments to be percieved as having problems as other appointments have.

  114. Just imagine if Jerry Brown were still currently the Governor. He would probably be appointing left wing judges to the courts.

    Anyone remember State Court Justices Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso (now a law professor at U.C. Davis) and Joseph Grodin.

    These three (3) justices were denied reconfirmation to serve on the states highest court on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because of their politicized and ideological oriented and arrogant and arbitrary rulings against the imposition of the death penalty, Proposition 13 use a gun go to prison law etc.

    The first and only justices ever to be denied reconfirmation in a state judicial retention election.

    Just because Arnold appointed a so called right wing judge to the Yolo County Superior Court dosen’t neccessarily mean that this judge will act inappropiately like in the case of the Rose Bird Court appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown or any other appointments to be percieved as having problems as other appointments have.

  115. Just imagine if Jerry Brown were still currently the Governor. He would probably be appointing left wing judges to the courts.

    Anyone remember State Court Justices Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso (now a law professor at U.C. Davis) and Joseph Grodin.

    These three (3) justices were denied reconfirmation to serve on the states highest court on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because of their politicized and ideological oriented and arrogant and arbitrary rulings against the imposition of the death penalty, Proposition 13 use a gun go to prison law etc.

    The first and only justices ever to be denied reconfirmation in a state judicial retention election.

    Just because Arnold appointed a so called right wing judge to the Yolo County Superior Court dosen’t neccessarily mean that this judge will act inappropiately like in the case of the Rose Bird Court appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown or any other appointments to be percieved as having problems as other appointments have.

  116. Just imagine if Jerry Brown were still currently the Governor. He would probably be appointing left wing judges to the courts.

    Anyone remember State Court Justices Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso (now a law professor at U.C. Davis) and Joseph Grodin.

    These three (3) justices were denied reconfirmation to serve on the states highest court on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because of their politicized and ideological oriented and arrogant and arbitrary rulings against the imposition of the death penalty, Proposition 13 use a gun go to prison law etc.

    The first and only justices ever to be denied reconfirmation in a state judicial retention election.

    Just because Arnold appointed a so called right wing judge to the Yolo County Superior Court dosen’t neccessarily mean that this judge will act inappropiately like in the case of the Rose Bird Court appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown or any other appointments to be percieved as having problems as other appointments have.

  117. Yes, I did mean your good friend Cruz Reynoso whom abused the public’s trust when he was a state supreme court justice and became one of only three (3) state appelate court justices to lose a retention election in the states history on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because he voted for the criminal defendant 86% of the time in all criminal cases to come before him. An example of judicial tyranny at its worse.

  118. Yes, I did mean your good friend Cruz Reynoso whom abused the public’s trust when he was a state supreme court justice and became one of only three (3) state appelate court justices to lose a retention election in the states history on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because he voted for the criminal defendant 86% of the time in all criminal cases to come before him. An example of judicial tyranny at its worse.

  119. Yes, I did mean your good friend Cruz Reynoso whom abused the public’s trust when he was a state supreme court justice and became one of only three (3) state appelate court justices to lose a retention election in the states history on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because he voted for the criminal defendant 86% of the time in all criminal cases to come before him. An example of judicial tyranny at its worse.

  120. Yes, I did mean your good friend Cruz Reynoso whom abused the public’s trust when he was a state supreme court justice and became one of only three (3) state appelate court justices to lose a retention election in the states history on Tuesday, November 4, 1986 because he voted for the criminal defendant 86% of the time in all criminal cases to come before him. An example of judicial tyranny at its worse.

  121. Not according to the facts as Cruz Reynoso only voted to uphold the Death Sentence in only one out of some 64 cases to come before the California Supreme Court during his tenure that resulted in such grassroots organizations to be formed such as Californians to Defeat Rose Bird and Crime Victims for Court Reform.

    That is a clear indicvation of Judicial Activism and unprofessional behavior from the bench at its worst, smear campaign or not Cruz Reynoso deserved to be removed from the court by the voters on Tuesday, November 4, 1986some 22 years before our recent Election Day on Tuesday, November 4,2008.

  122. Not according to the facts as Cruz Reynoso only voted to uphold the Death Sentence in only one out of some 64 cases to come before the California Supreme Court during his tenure that resulted in such grassroots organizations to be formed such as Californians to Defeat Rose Bird and Crime Victims for Court Reform.

    That is a clear indicvation of Judicial Activism and unprofessional behavior from the bench at its worst, smear campaign or not Cruz Reynoso deserved to be removed from the court by the voters on Tuesday, November 4, 1986some 22 years before our recent Election Day on Tuesday, November 4,2008.

  123. Not according to the facts as Cruz Reynoso only voted to uphold the Death Sentence in only one out of some 64 cases to come before the California Supreme Court during his tenure that resulted in such grassroots organizations to be formed such as Californians to Defeat Rose Bird and Crime Victims for Court Reform.

    That is a clear indicvation of Judicial Activism and unprofessional behavior from the bench at its worst, smear campaign or not Cruz Reynoso deserved to be removed from the court by the voters on Tuesday, November 4, 1986some 22 years before our recent Election Day on Tuesday, November 4,2008.

  124. Not according to the facts as Cruz Reynoso only voted to uphold the Death Sentence in only one out of some 64 cases to come before the California Supreme Court during his tenure that resulted in such grassroots organizations to be formed such as Californians to Defeat Rose Bird and Crime Victims for Court Reform.

    That is a clear indicvation of Judicial Activism and unprofessional behavior from the bench at its worst, smear campaign or not Cruz Reynoso deserved to be removed from the court by the voters on Tuesday, November 4, 1986some 22 years before our recent Election Day on Tuesday, November 4,2008.

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