Um -- Judge Edwards was the - excuse my language - CRACKPOT- who ordered that a man's children could have absolutely no contact with any of his gay friends. He ordered this not because anything inappropriate occurred but simply because Judge Edwards must believe that gay people are inherently bad for children. Anyone who has or loves a gay relative could never support this obviously bigoted judge. It was a shameful ruling - one which thankfully the State Supreme court over-ruled - basically saying the judge was horribly wrong.
We don't need people with such an obvious bias on the court. Here's praying one of the other nominations goes forward.
Really. It's 2009 and Georgia needs to join it. Gay people are no different than you or me - except that they are gay. They should be treated equally.

Mapleleaf, not a bad post....(Why "Mapleleaf" ??? Oh, Canada?? Toronto fan? )

Edwards is a good judge, no doubt. Mapleleaf is correct that "there have been 47 nominations for this position. Thus for Judge Edwards not to be selected would be no disgrace." The questions are, what will it take (a) to get in to the money round (the esteemed "short list") and (b) to be selected.

The local support that Edwards has is very laudable. In addition, this part of Middle Georgia has not had an appeals court judge since Judge Banke of Clayton County, a couple of decades ago. However, it is an unfortunate function of current politics that what matter more is--- what can you do for the Governor. Georgia governors have a two term limit. What is your value to them? Among the nominees are a former state senator who obliged Sonny with a statewide run and also a talented African-American Republican who has inside connections. In addition, there are a number of qualified jurists. Recently, a sleeper from South Georgia has also emerged as a contender.

This is of course only what is being said under the Gold Dome. Edwards' service as a judge is unquestionably meritorious but this appointment is also a function of politics. It would be an honor if he makes the "short list" and one would hope he does.

It seems that every little bailiwick in the state wants its judge to be selected for the Georgia Supreme Court seat opening up on July 1.

Our local media have made a bit deal of the nomination of Chris Edwards, superior court judge from Fayette County, for that opening. That nomination went to the Georgia Judicial Nomination Commission. The problem is, there were 46 other nominations from the rest of the state.

Cobb County, for instance, has at least three nominees.

One of them is Georgia Court of Appeals Chief Judge M. Yvette Miller, a black woman who has now served on that court since 1999. A Mercer law school graduate, she also has two Master of Law degrees from Emory University and the University of Virginia. She authored the decision declaring that Georgia law (since modified) required a driver’s license to drive on Peachtree City golf cart paths.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley and District Attorney Pat Head are also on the list. The candidates could be nominated by others or could nominate themselves. With Judge Staley, apparently it was both. Surely these people also enjoy strong local support.

Somebody even nominated former State Attorney General Mike Bowers, who is chairman of the 21-member commission. He refused the nomination, stating he was happy where he is.

One nominee is David Nahmias, currently the U.S. attorney for Northern Georgia. A Republican appointee, he has notoriety as the chief federal prosecutor in the Atlanta area.

A 21-member commission is obviously much too big to come to a reasoned decision about 47 candidates. If the commission members are each given five minutes to explain their decision, it would take nearly two hours to hear them out.

As it is, they plan to interview the candidates over two days, June 29 and 30, at the State Bar of Georgia office in Atlanta. At 15 minutes each, that would take nearly 12 hours. By the time you’re done, how do you remember who said what?

The candidates have until June 22 to answer a questionnaire with 37 questions, not all of which are terribly intelligent. One of them may be about where they were born, as if it made a difference. Or where they went to law school, which ought not to make that much difference. It would be interesting to review these questions in public.

The selection process is interesting. Who is Chris Edwards’ competition in all of this, and how much of a chance has he got? I suspect the local media should temper their excitement and see what happens. He may be a good man, but “the other guys” may be pretty good too, and perhaps better at politics.

Think about it. It might be selfish to say that, but we might benefit locally from not losing him.

signing the nomination were District Attorney Scott Ballard, Fayette County State Court Judge Fletcher Sams

Of course those two would sign the petition. For them it is nothing more than a career advancement opportunity. Their advancement is probably set in stone if Judge Edwards is appointed. No elections needed.

Edwards Picture 2, Much Better! Thank you Cal and the Citizen.

Obama's weapon of Choice!