The issue in court on Friday was supposed to have been over the obviously loaded and biased words used to describe the impact of an anti-income tax ballot measure on the Washington state November ballot. People supporting the ballot measure demanded state law be upheld to use neutral terms to describe what the measure actually does. Oh, but that’s not what they got in court. Not by a long shot.
What court watchers, especially those watching on state CCTV got instead, was a nakedly partisan activist in a black robe who apparently was under the illusion he was auditioning for the Real Housewives of Thurston County, engaging in an unhinged histrionic display instead of delivering something remotely close to justice.
The gesticulating arms. Dirty looks. Savage teeth-showing disdain. Judge Chris Lanese’s unmitigated looks of smugness in court were on display for all to see. Bar complaints will inevitably follow, and deservedly so. Judicial temperament? What temperament? Lanese never made an attempt to use neutrality of any kind in that courtroom.
He looks friendly.
The entire display (below) showed the closed loop that is one-party rule in Washington, especially in Thurston County, the home of the state capital of Olympia.
A supermajority of leftists passed the unquestionably unconstitutional graduated income tax — which the state’s constitution forbids. Backers lied and called it a “millionaire’s tax,” with no language limiting who would be subjected to it.
Hellbound and Down 