We have all heard the theory about how some levels of the judiciary "need to be isolated from the whims of public pressure, so they'll make the right- rather than the popular- decisions."
Well, here's proof why that's a failed theory- these guys need to be held accountable for their actions, like anyone else is. Maybe via election, so you can toss the bums out of office, or maybe by a review of peers- but there needs to be a way to reign in activist, or malicious, judges.
The problem with isolation is judges can become isolated from reality and their own fellow citizens. Rulings can then eventually undermine faith in the entire judicial system.
In this Pledge of Allegiance case, the beliefs of the vast majority of the citizens are being mocked by two of a panel of three judges. The result is massive and justified contempt of court.
We have all heard the theory about how some levels of the judiciary "need to be isolated from the whims of public pressure, so they'll make the right- rather than the popular- decisions."
Well, here's proof why that's a failed theory- these guys need to be held accountable for their actions, like anyone else is. Maybe via election, so you can toss the bums out of office, or maybe by a review of peers- but there needs to be a way to reign in activist, or malicious, judges.
Amen! Teeth not only need to be put into judicial accountability, but judicial immunity needs to be repealed. Think about it--a judge is allowed to act with intentional malice while sitting on the bench and wearing his black robe. Judges, quite literally, are above the law. It will be a big step forward when judges are forced to live under the same laws that the rest of us are forced to live under.