It's not always okay, even if you *are* a Republican.

[LiberalAndProud]

But it helps if they are really, really corrupt.

Belk also sought to portray Chief District Judge Lisa Bell as the aggressor in a confrontation that left her in tears.

The confrontation occurred in February in the hallway outside the judges' offices. It came after Belk learned Bell had denied his request for time off to attend a Sonic board meeting. According to the charges, he called Bell a "political hack" and conducted himself in a "threatening and abusive manner."

Read more: http://www.insurancenewsnet.org/html/InsuranceNews/2009/1029/Belk-says-judicial-panel-wants-him-off-bench--Charges-stem-from-altercation-with-another-judge--his-service-on-Sonic-board--N-C--Supreme-Court-has-final-say-.html

A Superior Court judge Thursday ordered Bill Belk to repay nearly $131,000 to his daughter's custodial account after citing repeated examples of what he called Belk's misuse of the money, including a $5,000 contribution to a Republican Party group.

Judge Erwin Spainhour also ordered Belk to pay $143,000 in legal fees accrued by his ex-wife.

The order ends a chapter in the latest legal battle for Belk, the millionaire grandson of the Belk stores founder, who resigned his post as a District Court judge last year amid misconduct allegations.


Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/08/27/1645859/judge-rules-bill-belk-misused.html#ixzz1QPnaXMhw

[monmouth]

1. Again, if not for DU wouldn't have heard a word about this....n/t

[CurtEastPoint]

2. I was just going to say this must be one of THE Belk family and lo and behold...

Money doesn't buy class.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. As I ponder the similarities between the Proser incident and this one,

I am compelled to note that both of the justices who were treated in a threatening and abusive manner were female. I submit that neither Belk nor Prosser would ever act this way toward a fellow male jurist.

I think it's more than coincidence that the justices have demonstrated that intimidation and aggression toward females is somehow warranted or justified; that the women somehow goaded them into this behavior.

It doesn't speak well for women's standing in our consciousness or our justice system, does it?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. It doesn't speak well for women's standing in our society.

As long as men think they can get away with this shit, we will continue to be second-class citizens, not just here in the USA, but everywhere.

[Mojorabbit]

5. You said it Ca Peggy. nt

[LiberalAndProud]

6. Are we, as women, conditioned to expect this kind of behavior?

Certainly it's shocking when it's directed at a judge, but I have no trouble imagining this scene, because I have seen it, often in more subtle forms, but it is an engrained behavior. And the men who act this way truly do feel justified. She made me do it is not a flimsy excuse in their minds. For them it is truth.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. I believe we are raised to accept AND expect these behaviors.

It is part of our culture, and, indeed, world-wide culture, for the most part. There are probably cultures where this is not expected, but those are far and few between. Indeed, I don't know of any.

Men have run the world from time immemorial, and this is why these things happen.

They do feel entitled and justified.


Not all men, of course.

[Taverner]

8. +100