Q-n-A
“The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything”. – Albert Einstein
So, while the state of our judicial system is the butt end of a joke for all the world to see - all is not lost. First of all, this site will record this type of mass ignorance that is pervasive in America today. And one day, we will look back at such notions as an example of our futile attempt to deny the obvious. Furthermore, we don’t need a majority of people to have a human heart in order to inspire others to seek one. The effort of a few caring people serving humanity can inspire others until a critical mass is achieved to affect a better solution. Here’s how…
Promote Accountability Without accountability, we show our disrespect to the Rule of Law. If we will fail to serve the rule of law, we disrespect ourselves as a less civilized people. However, we also disrespect ourselves when we become subservient to state sponsored terrorism. Accountability is the missing ingredient to provide a balance between earned respect and respectful disobedience.
So, what can YOU do to promote accountability in America? Here’s an idea… shine a light on transgressions and allow our collective conscience to bring forth accountability. We can promote accountability by exposing abusive behavior. Truth is the best sunshine to expose transgressions and thereby offer more accountability than we currently have in America. You don’t need to foolishly rely on a corrupt judicial system to turn a blind eye towards another rogue cop if you have a video. Our collective conscience will do the work for you IF you shine a light on the corruption by exposing the truth. Video proof challenges our collective sense of humanity until the forces of obstructing dignity relent. The only thing that will stop a bad cop with a gun is a good guy with a video camera! Your livelihood or even your life could depend on it. And, it works on bad guys too!
Secondly, a Citizens Review Board or Judicial Watch Group should become an integral part of every community in America. The police are the only institution to police themselves and it has led to a failure of trust in our police forces. When one cop abuses his authority the other cops protect him because they are trained to view the world through the lens of “Us vs. Them”. In doing so, they compromise their mission to “serve and protect”. They serve the BLUE in lieu of serving Y-O-U. A Citizens Review Board or Judicial Watch Group would hold cops and judges directly accountable to the community and its’ collective standard of justice. Even though a majority of Americans lack empathy for basic human dignity, there are a few decent people in America that do care – and that is all it takes to hold the Police State accountable for their abusive behavior.
Fortunately, it only takes a few conscientious people to change that dynamic. Which brings us to a second recommendation to improve our judicial system… BE Heard. BE Seen. If you believe in something, you should speak out. You have an obligation to speak out. This obligation is especially poignant if your action will nobly serve others. However, we advise doing so in a respectful way that does not impose upon others in any way. And this topic leads me to our last goal. To promote a spirit of cooperation among others in order to wage a higher level of respect that promotes dignity.
When you treat others respectfully, it’s easier to expect the same in return. Conversely, no one can garner respect from disrespect. In the end, people are worthy of being treated with dignity. The judiciary in America however, DEMANDS respect while it gives little or no consideration towards being respectful to the people. It’s always about how the law is going to hurt you – unless you pay what amounts to an extortion fee. The “Click it or Ticket it” campaign may be a catchy phrase, but it identifies a mindset of “We will hurt you –If you don’t Obey”. Is that the meaning of justice in America – to obey? This kind of authoritarian mindset is what I call “Hillbilly Justice” because authoritarian rule is no longer acceptable and those living in the past cannot accept this simple truth.
Questions & Answers:
Rule of Law vs. Abuse of Authority?
No one can be in service to another while holding dominion over them at the same time. One can practice subservience at the expense of civil service, but it’s impossible to do both! This doesn’t mean our law enforcement officers should cajole violent criminals into stopping their heinous acts against our humanity. However, it does mean the rule of law is defined by "service" - not obedience. Itis famously said that "WE Don't serve the law, the law serves us".IUnfortunately, Authoritarians are being trained to discredit service and require obedience and that mindset represents a bastardization of the rule of law. Furthermore, there is no such thing as Liberty without free will. When the State intrudes into my personal freedom to THINK for myself and protect myself as I deem necessary, that becomes an act of servitude and servitude is reprehensible for civilized people.
Why? Because we diminish our own humanity when we deny dignity as a basic human right and servitude definitely meets the standard of indignance. My Body, MY Choice applies to MY safety decision too as long as those decisions do not interfere with the equal rights of others.
"When one's actions do not interfere with the equal rights of others. the law ought not restrain him" - Thomas Jefferson.
Why use the theme of "Hillbilly" as a description of Justice? Because ignorance is no excuse for abusing the Law! I will elaborate more in an upcoming blog post but for now, I must admit the inspiration for the theme hit me while attending a "citations court" in Burke County, North Carolina several years ago. If you're not familiar with a so-called "citations court" then you may have mistaken the lower case description as a typo. It's not! A "citations court" is a bartering session based on the premise of guilt with a state representative, the District Attorney. That's NOT a real Court. That's a violation of one's due process rights if mandated! And, at the time, it WAS mandated. But, it gets much worse. Upon revealing my citation to the assistant DA, he instantly responds in a loud joking manner, "Well, I can't really do anything for you". Recognizing my circumstances, I replied "sure you can. Since we're not in a Court of Law, you can forgo the costly court fees of $125 and simply accept the nuisance fee of $25" for the seat belt violation." Okay, I admit such a brash statement probably shook him to his core, but he quickly returned the favor when he brashly reponded, "We're IN a Court of Law"! That's when I realized, this man thinks I "just came out of the woods" or "off the mountain". OMG! He thinks I'm a ignorant Hillbilly that couldn't recognize a REAL Court of Law! Or, maybe he actually believes what he just said? That would mean the HE is the Hillbilly! In any case, I owe this experience to the current theme of how ignorance is pervasive throughout our judicial system. Burke has since practiced a routine of dismissal of the court costs in exchange for a guilty plea to the court and a $10 fee. THe point is NOT the money. it's the subservience of the people to accept servitude AT ANY COST. After all, my God-given free will was STILL violated and servitude is STILL unacceptable.
Consider this... when encountering oncoming traffic we tend to apply the brakes. Applying the brakes will lock the occupants in an upright position that prevents them from taking evasive maneuvers. If a deer should jump into the window, the occupants will become helpless when wearing a seat belt. Thus, the need for common sense that has become illegal to THINK for oneself for safety decisions. It is repressive, immoral, dangerous and turns service into servitude. All of this for the cause of obedience and control overpeople at the expense of service to the people. Are we better than this?
How? We are living in the grips of authoritaranism. Once we break that grip, we can be free from its' effect. This can only be accomplished by heeding the words of Martin Luther King Jr. who said, we must project "the ethics of love to the center of our lives." This does not mean we should accept bigotry. or appease violence. However, we can adopt a spirit of cooperation with others based on the dignity of every human being. Therefore, the HOW must start with dignity. Yes, it's a two way street to mutual respect between law enforcement and the citizenry. Once We The People reject authoritarianism as the rule of law, we will better regain mutual respect. Let's see... do we want a humanitarian sheriff like Andy Griffith as our standard of law enforcement or will the egocentric, hothead Barney Fife be a suitable alternative?
When our society fails to adequately answer this question, I believe we should take matters into our own hands via the technology of video recordings. The only thing more powerful than a bad cop with a gun is a good man with a video recorder. It's the best way to protect yourself from abusive authority and criminals too. Accountability is not reliable with police controlled body cams as they are consistently withheld or manipulated. A video camera can protect you from any type of abuse and could even save your life! Even criminals fear the prospect of being exposed on the Internet via today's viral video sharing methods. As a result, this site will offer video technology, ideas and a forum to promote transparency with the goal of challenging our shared sense of humanity to achieve accountability for ALL. Check out our online catalog of video equipment here.