The tale of Two Americas

[Epic Beard Man]

Inspired by the following:

This video discusses the tale of two Americas and how partial the justice system is, and our denial regarding the prejudices from within. Although we may live in a Democratic Republic, our justice sysem does not reflect the values in which the original "founders" stood for.

 

[Stevicus]

Inspired by the following:

This video discusses the tale of two Americas and how partial the justice system is, and our denial regarding the prejudices from within. Although we may live in a Democratic Republic, our justice sysem does not reflect the values in which the original "founders" stood for.

Good post. One thing that struck me while watching the video (and I've observed this as a general trend) is that very few people seem to have much political activism when it comes to the judicial branch of government. Even the media, which might sometimes go after officials in the executive or legislative branch with righteous zeal, tend to give a pass to the judicial branch. In practice, the judges adorned in black robes are treated more like priests than politicians. But they are politicians and should be treated as such by society.

 

[BSM1]

You may or may not have a point here, but Ol' Meek had violated his parole more than once by leaving the state. He obviously had the means and will to run at any given time. He was sent back to jail for the parole violations for the most part, not poppin' wheelies. There is a difference between being persecuted and being stupid; but when a narrative is needed facts don't seem to matter.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Good post. One thing that struck me while watching the video (and I've observed this as a general trend) is that very few people seem to have much political activism when it comes to the judicial branch of government. Even the media, which might sometimes go after officials in the executive or legislative branch with righteous zeal, tend to give a pass to the judicial branch. In practice, the judges adorned in black robes are treated more like priests than politicians. But they are politicians and should be treated as such by society.

True. Unfortunately I think people are discouraged due to in my opinion, the idea that the judicial branch can only change from within.

 

[Phantasman]

I don't know without going in further to find out the details of each case. It is a cop vs rapper more than black and white. And yes, a judge does give "cops" a break over "common people". Without seeing the full picture, I'll reserve my judgement.

 

[Stevicus]

True. Unfortunately I think people are discouraged due to in my opinion, the idea that the judicial branch can only change from within.

Yeah, I think it's an age old question regarding whether it's more effective to change a system from within or try to destroy it/transform it from without.

But one thing that can be done is try to change public perceptions about the judiciary and the black-robed judges who run it.

I recall this excerpt from Vincent Bugliosi's book "Outrage," where he outlines some interesting observations about judges:

A word about judges. The American people have an understandably negative view of politicians, public opinion polls show, and an equally negative view of lawyers. David Kennedy, professor of history at Stanford university, in writing about politicians, says: “With the possible exception of lawyers, we hold no other professional in such contempt. Who among us can utter the word ‘politician’ without a sneer?” Conventional logic would seem to dictate, then, that since a judge is normally both a politician and a lawyer, people would have an opinion of them lower than a grass hopper’s belly. But on the contrary, a $25 black cotton robe elevates the denigrated lawyer-politician to a position of considerable honor and respect in our society, as if the garment itself miraculously imbued the person with qualities not previously possessed. As an example, judges have, for the most part, remained off-limits to the creators of popular entertainment, being depicted on screens large and small as learned men and women of stature and solemnity who are as impartial as sunlight.

This actually chimes with me, since it's true that a judge is often held in higher esteem than your typical lawyer-politician, yet that's exactly what a judge is. It's these perceptions which need to change in order to address what is happening.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I don't know without going in further to find out the details of each case. It is a cop vs rapper more than black and white. And yes, a judge does give "cops" a break over "common people". Without seeing the full picture, I'll reserve my judgement.

Did you watch the video?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

You may or may not have a point here, but Ol' Meek had violated his parole more than once by leaving the state. He obviously had the means and will to run at any given time. He was sent back to jail for the parole violations for the most part, not poppin' wheelies. There is a difference between being persecuted and being stupid; but when a narrative is needed facts don't seem to matter.

Can you show that he was in violation for NOT poppin wheelies...But if that is what you took from the video (if you watched) you wasted your time.

 

[BSM1]

Can you show that he was in violation for NOT poppin wheelies...But if that is what you took from the video (if you watched) you wasted your time.

Evidently unlike some on this forum, I went back and pulled up the specifics on the Meek Mill case. You should try that sometime; the internet is a wonderful tool.

 

[Phantasman]

Did you watch the video?

I did. Some English dude was narrating how he viewed it. Just grabbing certain pieces doesn't tell the whole story, IMO. But if, when all is known, the actions prove to be guilt or not guilt without a doubt, then I would say I agree.

There is too much spinning on the Internet to take anything as factual truth anymore.

If some cop did just shoot "anyone" in the back to cause death, he should be dealt with harshly. If anyone has prior offenses and gets caught still performing such, they had their chance to change and should have the book thrown at them.

In either case, race shouldn't matter. Black cop, white rapper. Law is law.