Noise #128: Cowboy judge and the antithesis of patriotism

A federal court curdles the whitewash.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth has a history of speaking prickly truth to over-sensitive power.

Vladimir Putin once smeared him as a “cowboy judge” for ruling that Putin had to surrender stolen Jewish artifacts. Lamberth took the insult as an honor and a compliment.

Now, Lamberth is doing his best to curdle the whitewash of those redefining the January 6 insurrection as a fuzzy love-fest.

It’s worth reading The Washington Post’s full coverage of his recent statement regarding the trial of a 1/6 rioter, but here’s one excerpt that sticks with me:

“Although the rioters failed in their ultimate goal, their actions nonetheless resulted in the deaths of multiple people, injury to over 140 members of law enforcement, and lasting trauma for our entire nation. This was not patriotism; it was the antithesis of patriotism.”

This story makes me imagine Wild West music and imagery to match, a judge in cowboy boots staring down bandits in business suits rather than black hats. I hope you enjoy listening.