THE SNOW FALLS ON THE JUDGES AND THE UNJUDGES ALIKE

It is always helpful, and occasionally pleasant, to be reminded that we exist but at the sufferance of the Almighty; and conduct all our supposedly-indispensable activities but as it pleaseth Him. It was in fact pleasing to hear on the radio, of a snowy morning, that in Virginia the schools, the government, and the courts were quite shut down.

Virginia courts have traditionally stayed open no matter what else closed, fostering the belief that every county has at least one hard-charging judge who owns a surplus Army tank or a valiant mule, or lives next door to the court house, and the rest of you all can get there or be damned. It is indeed important for the courts to Set the Example and stay open whenever they can. But it is also salutary, and just a bit delicious, to have the occasional Act of God, as we say in the law, to introduce a little reason and perspective. It's good to be reminded that "God save this honorable court" is a request and not a command, and that beneath those black silk dresses are ordinary people who sometimes must answer to a Higher Authority.

It puts one in mind of Rambold the Leveler, as he went to his death, saying that he had shown half mankind are not born with saddles to their backs, nor the other half booted and spurred to ride 'em; or Lord Auchinleck, who silenced Dr. Johnson by responding that Cromwell did accomplish something: by God he taught kings they have one weak spot, in their necks. But the real message is that since ultimately mere mortals are involved, who must fight nature's obstacles just as we do, and it sometimes takes enormous effort, dedication and self sacrifice to keep the courts open, we should not take it for granted. We should all express our debt of gratitude that the courts reopened when they did, and that things have been pulled back together so well in such a short time. All those continuances for snow emergency often mean extra hours spent by someone at the court house, and we should all be grateful.