Equal Justice Under The law

“ Equal Justice under the law.”

“Equal Justice Under the Law” is the motto of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. It is a powerful statement of purpose that guarantees that all of our citizens will be treated fairly. It is a concept not often found in the world around us. Whatever actions we take, we must do everything possible to uphold the sanctity of this noble claim.

Currently, we are dealing with allegations of assault by a Supreme Court Nominee. I don’t think any of us is clear what happened on the night in question, so many years ago. A traumatized woman claims a man assaulted her. It is a very serious allegation that needs to be investigated fully. The stakes here are high. The reputation of a highly regarded jurist, who has been nominated to sit on the highest court in the land, is at stake. It isn’t just the question of guilt at stake. If the event did happen and the guilty party denies it, he should not be allowed to sit on a court where decisions are made that affect all of our lives. If the claim is false, this man deserves public clearing of the charge.

Normally, something like this would be regarded legally as a “he said, she said” case. But this case is different. The context is a highly charged political atmosphere occurring just before the mid-term elections of the U.S. Congress. Both sides have drawn a line in the sand as to how the matter should be handled.

From the public’s perspective, I think we all need to seek out the whole truth of the matter, regardless of how long it takes. Judge Kavanaugh, a man of sterling personal and legal reputation, needs to be rid of this cloud. Otherwise, the taint will permanently haunt him.

The plaintiff, DR.Christine Ford, needs to be heard fully. This is after all the era of the “#Me too.” Whatever the consequences, we need to air this matter fully. And I certainly don’t find fault with her decision not to appear before eleven elderly white men who think her a lying malcontent, bent on ruining their candidate’s chances to sit on the supreme court. Let’s get real here. 

The flippant response, by an alleged witness to the incident, that he didn’t remember and did not wish to testify about the matter, isn’t going to cut it. If he says that under oath to an FBI agent, it will have weight and merit. Otherwise, it smells of a cover up.

We are talking about the integrity of the Supreme Court of the United States of America here. If it takes a little longer to investigate and fully air this matter, there is no harm done. Anything else smacks of a rigged deck. The integrity of the court demands it. 

And lastly, the women of America need to know that the government of the United States will protect them and treat them fairly in all matters, regardless of their station in life. No longer do we blame the victim of an assault. This adoption of this attitude has been a long time in coming. And if we stray from it, I think an aroused female population will register their antipathy at the polls, for a long time to come.

Let’s stop with the political shenanigans here and find out the truth of the matter. The American public deserves and demands it.

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(582 words)
Joseph Xavier Martin