From the New York Daily News:A federal judge got political Feb. 4, taking a swipe at Sarah Palin while powwowing with lawyers in the case of an autistic boy whose parents are fighting a ban on big dogs at their luxury upper East Side building.
Manhattan Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald blasted the Alaska governor and former vice presidential candidate for bringing her Down syndrome child on stage after a debate. (Sarah and Trig Palin are pictured.)
"That kid was used as a prop," Buchwald told lawyers during a hearing on Wednesday. "And that to me as a parent blew my mind."
Buchwald, a 62-year-old Democrat appointed by former President Bill Clinton, said Palin should have put her child to bed. Such conferences are often held behind closed doors, but Buchwald held Feb. 4's session in open court. "Tell me who told the reporter," Buchwald demanded after realizing her words were on the record.
The comments came during a settlement conference in a lawsuit filed by the feds on behalf of 11-year-old Aaron Schein. Aaron's parents say the dog is medically necessary to help the boy cope with Asperger's syndrome.
"I kind of don't understand why this hasn't been worked out," Buchwald said. "You guys have been at this for two years? ... This is a child with a serious medical problem."
The owners of The Townsend House want to put a 25-pound limit on any dog that Aaron's parents - hedge fund manager Aaron Schein and Bronx Assistant District Attorney Maria Mostajo - pick out for him.
And Aaron wants a hypoallergenic Labradoodle - a popular Labrador and poodle mix that can top out at around 40 pounds.
Buchwald later offered more politically laced advice.
"Have you discussed this with the Obamas?" Buchwald joked, referring to the First Family's dog search. "Don't get that hairless thing they were looking at. That's awful."Buchwald was a magistrate judge for 19 years before being appointed to the District Court bench in 1999. She has two grown children and is married to Don Buchwald, a criminal defense attorney who represented Ashley Dupre, the call-girl whose liaison with former Gov. Eliot Spitzer led to his resignation.
