Proving that there is some sanity in the courts, even here in California, a judge has tossed out the state's asinine lawsuit against automakers over global warming. As a Daily News editorial noted last year, when then-Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed this bogus suit, it was a bad idea:

The state of California sets standards for the vehicles sold here. It registers the cars. It collects taxes on them every year. And it does so knowing as well as anybody that the exhaust fumes they release are hazardous to the public health.

So how in the world can the state government claim that makers of a legal, highly regulated product are committing some sort of public offense?

And if automobile manufacturers are legally liable for greenhouse gases, then surely they aren't alone. What about the state itself, which has thousands of vehicles in its fleet? And what about all drivers, who, just by starting their ignitions, cause cars to belch fumes into the sky?

The purpose of this fatuous litigation, as we observed, had nothing to do with saving the planet, and everything to do with saving Lockyer's sorry political career:

Lockyer, who is termed out as attorney general this year, is running for state treasurer in a race that's attracted zero public interest.

So what better way to generate some publicity? This suit helps Lockyer to look like some kind of green hero and get a share of all the good press that the governor and Legislature have enjoyed on this issue.

We could write this ploy off as just silly election-year politics, except that it comes at a real cost. It's taxpayers who have to pick up the bill for this pointless legal battle -- twice actually, considering that the carmakers' expenses will ultimately get passed down to consumers.

Compounding the outrage is that Jerry Brown -- who pooh-poohed the suit when Lockyer filed it -- perpetuated it upon succeeding him. But now Lockyer and Brown have got the comeuppance they both richly deserved. Too bad it surely cost taxpayers and car buyers millions in needless legal expenses.

When it comes to frivolous lawsuits, only the lawyers win.