J.A.I.L. News Journal
______________________________________________________
Los Angeles, California August 25, 2022
______________________________________________________
"Mr. Judge, Take Down Those Portraits!"
July 23, 2022
The display of a portrait of any judge in the courtroom is condescendingly and patronizing insulting to the supposed owners of the Judicial Branch, the People. One does not see pictures or paintings of average individual citizens in the courts. So why should bar association attorneys be allowed to post immaculate portraits of fellow Bar Association Members? When the Bar Association praises one of their own for impartiality, it usually means their hand-picked judge was partial to them.
Dual loyalties should not be tolerated. The judge should not have the status of "Superior Citizen." Judges should consider it a privilege to serve their fellow citizens by applying their laws in accordance to the American Constitution. That is why judges and any other public servant should not be addressed as "Your Honor." The judiciary is supposed to be a passive branch of government. Just like a sporting contest, very few know or even care who the umpire or referees are. A referee's job is to apply the rules with such uniformity and consistency that no cares about their identities.
Yet the display of any individual symbolizes, in a public institution that relies on force, the dangerous "cult of personalities". This is a sure-fire sign of dictatorial despotism witnessed in the former Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and Baathist Iraq, and still is prevalent in many other nations.
The only items that should be on display is the Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution, and the State Constitution. People should stand in respect to these documents only. Absolutely no one should be above this system of law. A charge should be issued universally "Mr. Judge, take down those pictures!" ....
Very Truly Yours,
Harsha Sankar