Judge Tyack calls it like he sees it

I respond to the Wednesday Dispatch article “ECOT asks for removal of appellate judge.” The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow’s position is at best naive and at worst, hypocritical. In my opinion, ECOT is really seeking the same result that it complains about — replace Judge Gary Tyack with a judge who will view its position favorably.

This is an example of big business not getting its way so it reverts to judge shopping. I have practiced law for more than 34 years, and my father was a long-standing Ohio judge. I have appeared before the 10th District Court of Appeals and Franklin County Court of Common Pleas since 1985. I’ve learned it is not uncommon for a judge to render his or her opinion about the lawyer, facts, or position taken by a party with impunity.

The Common Pleas bench is replete with judges and magistrates who routinely denigrate counsel or a party’s position without recourse. It would be worthwhile to conduct a study and gather empirical evidence to ascertain the number of motions to recuse and affidavits of prejudice that have been filed against Ohio judges in the past five years compared with the number of times the efforts were successful. I would hazard to guess one would find not many are filed and even fewer are granted.

Judges judge themselves. The outcome is therefore mostly predictable. It is for this reason an experienced trial counsel usually does not waste the effort to complain. The system of judicial recusal is flawed and is in need of repair.

I have been before Tyack several times with different results, both for and against my respective clients. Tyack calls it like he sees it and is abundantly fair, regardless of his style or tone.

Scott Elliot Smith Columbus to not be subdued forcibly (“Columbus officer should be fired,” April 13).

Why would one side with a person who is a threat to the people of Columbus instead of an officer of the law who is trying to keep people safe?

If David did Officer Zachary Rosen’s job, he might change his mind.

Brad Strominger Etna Truman’s dismissing General Douglas McArthur. I am a lifelong Republican but I always admired Truman. I also am a veteran of the Korea War era.

I feel that Truman erred by not turning McArthur loose in Korea. If he had, we would not have the problem there that we have now.

I know McArthur was a prima donna, but he got things done. We would have had to contend with China, but what is worse, that or the threat of a crazy man unleashing a nuclear attack on the United States, Japan or South Korea?