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When the verdict came down last week, the only responses that came to mind were unprintable. I know justice is blind, but I didn't know that juries could be blind, too. After sober reflection, though, I've found the underlying problem.
In grade school, they told us that the policeman is
your friend.
This may be true if you're middle-aged,
white and appear to be wealthy enough to engage good
attorneys who can insure that every i
is dotted and
t
is crossed if you encounter the police.
But it could be true for the rest of us if the police would only pay more attention to their sworn duties of enforcing the law and upholding the constitution:
Officer Joan Brown goes on shift and begins a foot
patrol. She meets a person in a wheelchair attempting to
navigate a new foot-high curb. After assisting, she radios
for back-up. We've got a violation of the Disability
Access Act in progress at Sixth and Main. Can you send in
the SWAB (Sledgehammers Wielded At Barriers) team?
They're on their way,
the dispatcher responds.
Brown then encounters a dejected merchant emerging from the
bank.
He has a complaint. I have good cash flow and I need
to expand, but they don't lend money in my part of
town.
Let's go back inside,
Brown says. The merchant
points out the offending bank officer, whom Brown arrests
for violating the Community Reinvestment Act. After
frog-marching the handcuffed banker down Main to the
slammer and booking him, Brown resumes her patrol.
Near the railroad station, she meets a businesswoman in
a power outfit. Officer, I need to rent a car, but I
don't have my credit cards with me, and they won't rent to
me, even though I have the cash.
They go to the rental counter. Observe this $20
bill,
Brown says. It says 'legal tender for all
debts, public and private.' I'll let you off with a warning
if you promise never to violate the Currency Act of 1934
again.
The relieved clerk agrees. Brown checks out the town square, where U.S. Sen. Jubilation T. Corpone is speaking. The few picketers are orderly as the solon asks for audience questions.
Sen. Cornpone, what's the CIA's budget?
someone
asks.
I can't tell you. It's classified,
he
replies.
Senator, you're under arrest for conspiring to
violate the U.S. Constitution,
Brown says. Article
I, Section 9, Provision 5: 'A regular statement and account
of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall
be published from time to time.'
She reads him his
rights.
Of course this is a fantasy. The police would never
pursue all violators of all laws as zealously as they
pursue high-speed chases. But if the police are actually
serious about serving and protecting,
then real law
enforcement would probably eliminate most of the anger that
causes urban riots.
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