Page 108 - Cityview_July_August_2014

politics

Story By Mark Spurlock

Illustrations by Danny Wilson

The most important public been observed and justice
virtue for a politician
served. Politicians balance

is popularity—but for a the competing interests and

judge it is respect. to
prejudices of their contribu-
judgment, either directly or implicitly,
win elected office or voters to his tors and constituents, but judges, for whichever cases land on its docket.

cause, the politician beguiles and beholden only to legal truth, must be both our nation and our state have
appeals to self-interest and emotion, blind to all else. the legislative branch created many safeguards, consequent-

but the judge decides dispassionately chooses the issues it addresses and ly, between the judicial branch of
and can hope only that discerning initiates law; constitutional obligation government and the intrigues of both

onlookers will believe the rules have
forces the judiciary to make final legal
legislatures and public opinion.

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cityviewmag.com july august 2014