CHOMSKY Archives

The philosophy, work & influences of Noam Chomsky

CHOMSKY@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Dan Koenig <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
The philosophy, work & influences of Noam Chomsky
Date:
Wed, 20 Dec 2000 21:26:26 -0800
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (55 lines)
The law is the product of powerful and wealthy, usually corporate, interest groups
lobbying (and sometimes renting if not buying) legislators and top public officials.
Just what kind of law are we to expect as a result?  Fair?  Can a pig fly?  And the
operation of the law enforcement machinery is also controlled by those who have
"worked their way up" under the gaze and with the approval of these very same special
interests.  Are they going to interpret and administer the existing laws equitably?
Give me a break.  And if we need our honorable judges and justices to interpret the
laws and who is subject to them, etc., from which social backgrounds do these former
lawyers originate?  Should the law be fair?  Sure.  Is the law fair?  Get real.  It
is not for nought that the term justice originates from the Latin root, jus, which
refers to rights, not to fairness.  The law, generally speaking, is a commodity for
sale to the highest bidder.  Ask O.J. and the survivors of the victims of racial
profiling.  Dan

Lawrence Libby wrote:

> I believe Mr. Issodhos could clarify many things if he were to let us all know if
> he believes there is, or should be, any relationship between fairness and law.  I
> know I'm dying to know.
> Larry the Lurker
>
> "Issodhos @aol.com" wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 12/18/00 6:15:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
> > writes:
> >
> > > You appear to relish the opportunity to call people names. You stated that
> > >  Democrats were stealing and that the Florida Supreme Court was usurping.
> > >  Supposing that you are merely embellishing on the situation, when you say
> > >  that
> > >  all of the votes were counted, except the absentee ballots, then you have
> > >  contradicted yourself.
> >
> >     Sigh.  I was, of course, referring to the original count.  Obviously the
> > absentee ballots would not have been counted until after the deadline for
> > receiving them.
> >
> > >  Furthermore, the law is expected to withstand our rational criticism,
> > >  particularly in the name of fairness.  Therefore, when the law is not fair
> > > it
> > >  has not been ratinalized and is in need of clarification.
> >
> >     No, your statement is in need of clarification.  I invite you to support
> > your claim that the law is about "fairness."
> >
> > >  If you are
> > >  attempting to defend an hiatus between the law and fairness, then I suggest
> > >  you make a stronger claim about the validity of law in our society because
> > >  after this absurdity, the potential for chaos and resistance
> > >  has been sharpened!
> >
> >     Do you even know what it is you are trying to say here?
> > Yours,
> > Issodhos

ATOM RSS1 RSS2