AP sues W.Va. Supreme Court for access to records

[Lasher]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) _ The Associated Press asked a circuit judge Wednesday to require West Virginia's Supreme Court to comply with the state's Freedom of Information Act by releasing e-mails, visitor logs and other records of its chief justice.

The AP alleges the court erred when it concluded earlier this year that records maintained by Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard were not subject to FOIA. The court did release other information pertaining to other court employees.

The AP filed FOIA requests in January seeking any communication between Maynard and Massey Energy chief Don Blankenship. The information was sought as part of the AP's coverage of Maynard's July 2006 European vacation rendezvous with Blankenship. The coal company had several cases pending or headed toward West Virginia's sole appeals court at the time.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x996195195

We don't need to re-elect this Blankenship lapdog. Here are the Democratic Primary candidates for Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals:

(Vote for not more than two)

Margaret L. Workman
Bob Bastress
Elliott E. 'Spike' Maynard
Menis Ketchum

I know for sure I'm not voting for Maynard. I think I'll vote for Workman and Ketchum. What say the rest of ye?

[Staph]

1. I also like Workman and Ketchum.

I thought that Peggy Workman did a good job the last time on the Court -- much better than many of the current yahoos. I'm sorry she didn't replace Capito in the House, but I have high hopes with Anne Barth.

Though I can't seem to find it now, the Charleston Gazette endorsed Ketchum and Bastress. I wonder why they didn't choose Workman?

[Lasher]

2. I don't know but judging from the TV commercials, Workman and Ketchum both have backing.

I'm not in District 2 so I can't vote for Barth, boo hoo. It sure would be sweet to see Smelly Snore Crappytoe sent home to Daddy.

[MadAnne]

3. Please check out Bob Bastress.

You won't be sorry. He doesn't have as much money as some of the others. No one knows WV constitutional law like he does. His wife does a good job in the House of Delegates.

[Lasher]

4. Thanks for weighing in.

Having less money than the others is a minus since it affects his electability in the General. Here are the campaign websites for all three of these candidates:

Margaret L. Workman
Bob Bastress
Menis Ketchum

I'll be busy today but I'm hoping these sites can promote an objective comparison. One thing I noticed right away is that both Bastress and Ketchum are endorsed by labor unions. Workman does not mention endorsements at her website. That's a plus for Bastress and Ketchum and a minus for Workman.