From CNN:

Judge favored by BP has financial ties to oil industry

The judge that BP wants to hear an estimated 200 lawsuits over the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster gets tens of thousands of dollars a year in oil royalties and is paid travel expenses to industry conferences, financial disclosure forms show.

Am I missing something here? First of all, how is it BP is allowed to favor a judge or even have an expectation of getting a specific judge? On top of that, how is it any judge, federal or state, is allowed to accept money from anyone? I mean anyone! Isn’t that contrary to the whole concept of a judge being independent? I understand it’s legal, but it’s just not right in my book. This is why decisions made by the government seem to have nothing to do with the people they govern, but the companies they govern (and receive money from).

Ok, I’m off my soapbox.