Ohio Supreme Court Refuses to Honor Pope

(Columbus, Ohio) Contrary to Governor Taft's directive, the Ohio Supreme Court refused to lower the flag to respectfully honor the passing of Pope John Paul II. According to Chris Davey, spokesman for the court, it is a tradition in the court to ignore what the governor directs.

"That proclamation does not apply to us," Davey said. "We are a different branch" of government.

It is critical for the court to maintain judicial independence, Davey said.

Since when did recognizing the loss of a great statesman have anything to do with the branches of government? Apparently, the justices of the Ohio Supreme Court believe that they have been elevated above humanity, like they are no longer part of the human race.

In my estimation, their stunt was small-minded, tactless, and ugly. And, more and more, it seems that American courts are trending towards adopting those and other undesirable attributes.