The one redeeming thing is that Smith is but one of nine. How many SCOT cases come down to a 5-4 vote?
Mirabel was one of the two Ds I voted for; the other was Sharp. Both of these votes was due to the Rs in the races being complete asshats.
A fair number come down 5-4, actually. Also, a single asshat judge may have a disproportionate impact on the cases the court chooses to review, since that only takes four votes. But more important still is his potential impact on how the court conducts its work internally. He shows every sign of being incompetent, which will inevitably interfere with the court’s work. It’s been more than two decades since a truly incompetent judge sat on that court (though a number of them in years past have been plain old lazy jerks). Second, he’s a divisive pain in the ass with no respect in the legal community or political circles. By most accounts, it has been a pretty collegial court for some time now (with the exception of the short-lived dustup over the parental notification law). This may change that very quickly, especially with four new judges on the court.
God, what a debacle. Maybe this will finally prompt the legislature to do something about judicial selection next session. I wouldn’t count on it, though. 
Hey, minty, come back home. All we have to deal with up here in the frost belt is a Chief Justice who is channeling Louis XIV.
From your comments I take it that the Texas election resulted in a Court you aren’t all that happy with. We all have our cross to bear, but most of us soldier through–I’m confident you will to.
No, I’m pretty happy with most of the other members of the Court. I voted for three of the five winners (all Republicans, and all with Democratic challengers) precisely because I thought they were excellent judges. It’s just that this Smith guy is a complete nincompoop. He’s got the charm of Pat Buchanan, and the intelligence of Keanu Reeves.
Besides, I am home. Iowa was just a 3-year vacation. 