The prospect of former Gov. Jesse Ventura becoming a television judge is not so ominous -- or onerous -- as it might seem ("Will all rise for Judge Jesse?" Aug. 21). As your editorial points out, the former "colorful character" as a wrestler had many faults as a governor. But the judiciary was not one of them.
In fact, Ventura was widely commended for his selections for the judiciary. Like some of his predecessors, he used a nonpartisan screening process and interviewed the recommended finalists himself. His interviews generally were deemed to be intelligent and thoughtful, not terms generally associated with some of his other gubernatorial antics.
Jesse also had his share of experiences with the judiciary during his time as governor. After he was elected and before he was inaugurated, he was the subject of a lawsuit trying to set aside his election, which failed. He also sued in a case that reached the Court of Appeals concerning a brouhaha over his alleged reneging on a pregubernatorial commitment to appear at a combined wrestling-music festival, which also was thrown out of court. Most famously, even before he became governor, he obtained nearly a $1 million federal court judgment against the professional wrestling organization with which he had been affiliated for unpaid performance fees and royalties as a grappler and TV announcer.
In selecting judges, his choices were nonpartisan, more diverse and as skillful as those chosen by his predecessors or successor. Most of the 72 judges he appointed, about one-fourth of the state judiciary, remain on the bench. During their tenure, they have generally dispensed justice impartially and insightfully.
Hopefully, Jesse would bring those traits to his role as a television court judge, helping citizens resolve disputes in a judicious manner. Therefore, your editorial may be prescient in prognosticating that the former governor "may turn out to be a great judge," at least TV-style.
MARSHALL H. TANICK, MINNEAPOLIS
