In Friday’s Pilot (July 6), reader Bill Schwenk writes that Chief Justice John Roberts, or his wife, “has been turned by the Washington elite to go along with the prevailing stench of liberalism which pervades every nook and cranny of that putrid city.”

Schwenk apparently forgets that it has been Associate Justice Clarence Thomas who has been widely criticized for his wife’s political activism and willingness to accept significant contributions from prominent opponents of the health care legislation. Appeals were made to the court for Thomas to recuse himself in the case. He refused.

Schwenk expects a justice to vote consistently for a conservative point of view. He should read Lincoln’s writings on the Supreme Court.

Lincoln held that wise men should be appointed without regard to party, and that their obligation was to “decide each case strictly on its merits,” and not on any partisan political theory or preference.

John Roberts found the health care law constitutional, in spite of his probable dislike of the law.

In other words, John Roberts did his duty as an impartial judge. Three cheers for John Roberts.

B.J. Dunn

Pinehurst