Ark. judge who sought free speech voted off bench

Source: AP

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An appeals court judge who successfully battled an ethics panel for the right to criticize President Bush and the war in Iraq was voted off the bench Tuesday, six years after his remarks first attracted controversy.

Wendell Griffen, a Baptist minister who joined the state's second-highest court in 1996, lost decisively to a juvenile court judge. His opponent did not discuss Griffen's comments during the campaign but credited them in part for her victory.

"I think it's fair to say that there were a lot of people in the community who were disappointed with the statements he's made over the years," Judge Rita Gruber said.

Griffen blamed the loss on low voter turnout rather than his political remarks, which were all made outside court.

He said: "I would much rather have maintained my integrity and experienced these results than sacrificed my integrity for political expediency. I think my supporters and detractors can agree that Wendell Griffen is a man of integrity. You may not like what he says, but he is not someone who bends according to whatever winds blow."

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gOVNl-yS6Hmvsqi4ly9CsSnhi_fQD90PQ2NO0

How can a majority of voters remove a judge who is protecting The Constitution, which is our societal identity, far greater than a symbol of a flag? I know, I know, lower voter turn-out is not a true representation of the population, but still . . .