Even federal judges with lifetime appointments still read/watch/listen to the media of all types and watch election results on election night... You betcha they aren't politically sterile!!! They are also still human and my point about social/family pressure still stands.
Judges are generally lawyers that pursued judicial system politics. Yes, there is such a hierarchal(sp?) system of politics, just as there is another political system regarding water usage and another called corporate politics. There's even politics in religious and scientific institutions and especially in institutions of higher learning. Nothing in life is immune to political pressures!!!
In every encounter in life, a sale is made! Either I sell you on my point of view, or you sell me on yours!!! (this includes the courtroom, for certain!!!) It's how we change things in society without killing each other!!!
I’m not discounting your point about social/family pressure. Something about this decision is way out of kilter. Let’s wait to see if the ruling is challenged. It might help clarify the picture. If the intent of the ruling is to elevate this to the Supreme Court for the purpose of having some part of the law overturned, the court system is working fine as the Supreme Court can only hear cases brought before the court. In other words, the Supreme Court does not (thankfully) scour the country looking for laws or decisions to be brought before the court.