Judge Berrigan participates in Red Mass

U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan, the former president of the Louisiana ACLU, made an unexpected appearance yesterday at New Orleans' legal community's postponed Red Mass. The Red Mass, celebrated throughout the nation by attorneys, judges, and law students and professors, marks the beginning of the legal system. But Berrigan, who calls herself a "lapsed Unitarian," wasn't there to watch: She was one of the scripture readers.

Berrigan, who was way too patient with the idiots in Tangipahoa Parish who repeatedly sanctioned school prayer, even though she ordered them not to, said that she felt that having everyone come together after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina was more important than any other considerations.

An act of grace, or a Constitutional mistake? Something to think about.