"I have come to know scores of judges during my 22 years as a magistrate judge, bankruptcy judge and district judge. Whether a liberal or conservative, I have never encountered a judge in the federal judiciary who can remotely be described as posing a threat as Mr. Robertson said, 'probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings.'"

When Tom DeLay predicts retribution against judges who didn't intervene in Terri Schiavo's case, when John Cornyn purports to understand the frustration that leads to courthouse killings of judges he deems "unaccountable" to the public (the "public" consisting of right-wing extremists), sitting judges have reason to fear that the elected representatives who pander to extremists are inviting -- even inciting -- further violence.

Indeed, federal marshals were on duty at a Chicago restaurant where Judge Lefkow was eating on Friday night when someone taped a profane, derogatory note to the window. The note did not specifically name Judge Lefkow, but the authorities said it was probably intended for her.