Who are these three? An order to release 25% of felons from state prisons is one of the most mind boggling judicial orders ever issued in US history. The idea is so bizarre, strange and breathtaking we need to have a look into the background of each of the judges. Are they mere cranks or serious social policy reformers?
Here’s the first clue. All were appointed by Jimmy Carter. What are the odds? If you were forced to choose who among the three is the most exotic you would have endless shouting matches. Let’s begin with Stephen Reinhardt.
Of the three he is the only appellate judge from the infamous 9th Circuit. And, he is probably the most reversed judge in America. If not, in American history, by the US Supreme Court. His antics are legendary. The one time there was an execution in California of a mass murderer, Reinhardt issued endless ‘orders’ to prevent the execution. Finally, the US Supreme Court almost had to send a special squad to Reinhardt’s office to shut down his electricity and telephones. Being married to long time ACLU leader Ramona Ripston doesn’t hurt his leftist credentials. At least, in public Reinhardt can be cordial.
Not so for Lawrence Karlton, from Sacramento. In a survey by appearing attorneys, Karlton is widely considered biased and a heavy handed judge. Also affiliated with the ACLU, Karlton earned his infamy by striking the "Under God" portion from the flag salute. Yep, that guy.
Then we have the most modest Thelton E. Henderson of San Francisco. He was the lower court judge who earlier tried to seize the California prisons, hired a master who spends millions, in order to get California to spend billions and billions to give better medical care to convicts than much of our general population. Lucky Henderson, got to serve on panel to hear his own appeal. But he sure is a smart guy. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall created the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice. At taxpayer expense. Who knows? According the the Center post it is the ‘intellectual hub" for the law school’s "social justice" community. The Center will prepare the "next generation of lawyers to represent underserved communities." I suppose that includes convicted violent offender felons. Some of us might have slightly higher priorities.
Now imagine some 40,000 of these felon criminals released near your home and kid’s school. No Hollywood horror producer could conjure up this nightmare. We are still recovering from the murder of innocent 17 year old Lily Burk by a recently released felon, who was judged as a "non violent" offender. No one doubts released Charles Samuel is a mere harbinger of things to come in the Golden State, if the three judicial buffoons have their way.
We can either hope that the 40,000 be housed next to the judges, or the US Supreme Court will restore a little sanity from the crazy 9th Circuit.
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