Terror of a Tyrant

As a former federal criminal appeals attorney and a female, I recently contemplated over the symbol representing many legal systems. The statue of a woman, blindfolded or not, holds the scales of justice in one hand and a sword in the other. She epitomizes the tenets of fairness, impartiality, and the weight of reliable evidence to punish someone for a crime or find them liable for a civil violation. From the femininity of the figure we can infer mercy and understanding coupled with the severity of justifiable punishments as the hallmark of good governance.

Certainly, the antithesis of this has occurred amid the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and many other cities in the United States. Through the media and videos streamed on-line by observers we witnessed the lawlessness of masked thugs masquerading under the guise of the Department of Homeland Security. Its current secretary, Kristy Noem has turned ICE and Border Patrol agents into modern day marauders. They roam the streets, terrorize neighborhoods, and even commit murder as they step on people’s civil rights to peacefully protest or observe law enforcement activity. It’s difficult to watch the brutality and then listen to the after-action gaslighting by Trump and his crowd of deceivers.

Admittedly the symbolism in Lady Justice is confusing. Having law degrees in both countries, I am well aware of how we’ve incorporated the Roman model and the Latin language into American and Canadian jurisprudence. This is demonstrated in our penchant for legal codes, and the use of ancient terms such as lis pendens or "suit pending" and a writ of habeas corpus or “you shall have the body [in court] to lawfully detain the person or release them", which accounts for many of the legal challenges against the Trump regime. We drew upon Roman mythology to create our emblematic image. The Romans initially pirated their goddess of justice and law from the Greeks. She appeared on our shores in the early 1700's and was first put on the New York State coat of arms in 1778. However, mainstream religions in North America are not based on a plurality of god and goddesses. Rather, a standard declaration is the United States was founded on Judeo-Christian values, and both hold monotheistic beliefs. Our adoption of this Greek/Roman goddess seems at odds with the faith in one God.

Furthermore, Women’s History month is coming up, so here we go. . . Females were unable to practice law in American until 1869. In Canada and in the entire British Empire it wasn't until 1897. However, their admission to the legal bar was not widely accepted until the 1970’s and did not directly change the status of women. Finally, in 1920 they were able to vote in the US. Only some women in Canada could do so in 1917, and by 1960 the right was expanded to include indigenous women and others in previously prohibited categories. Even in the mid 1970’s most women required a man to co-sign for a bank loan, which is reminiscent of biblical times when it was essential for females to have their fathers or husbands present to make a binding vow or pledge to God. (Numbers 30:2-3) Finally, it wasn’t until 1981 that Justice Sandra Day O’Conner became the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. I had the opportunity to appear before her and the great Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg when I was counsel of record in United States vs Carlos Dominguez Benitez, (2004).

I am reminded of the tarot card, Justice. It represents balanced decisions, fairness, and usually pending legal matters. Traditionally it is also depicted by a woman who wears a crown and is seated on a throne amidst two pillars. She holds the scales of justice in one hand and a sword in the other. Generally, it is the11th or XI card in the Suit of Trumps which is numbered from 0-21. However, I prefer the cards association to the Hebrew alphabet which goes from 1-22. Lamed is the 12th letter and is symbolized by an ox goad or prod, whose meaning is to learn and to teach. It suggests a supernatural staff to guide one to divine knowledge and then to aid others on the path. This guiding factor is also demonstrated in the shape of the letter. It is the tallest in the Hebrew alphabet and extends beyond the other letters towards the heavens.

We must demand our legal system aspires to the same lofty principles of good practices and to uphold the rule of law. Alas, its been downgraded by the conduct of the Trump regime whose policy is to ignore the law and court orders to reign in his abuses and corruption. The average Joe and Joanne have lost faith that arrests and prosecutions will proceed fairly without fear or favor. We've all witnessed how the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi has up-ended its remit. For example; the DOJ now appears to protect the perpetrator of sexual crimes against young girls, and subject his and Epstein’s survivors, who are now women, to lies and more terror from the extremist MAGA faithful.

These times of un-constitutional leadership from a tyrant and Russian asset in the White House calls for a more appropriate rendering of Lady Justice. What does this myth of a legal goddess have to do with actual Americans, anyway? It would be fitting if she lost the scales and covered her face in disbelief and shame. Hopefully, she'll still hold the sword because the fight for equal justice under the law is not over. The Statute of Liberty needs a remodel as well. She now weeps for the beleaguered immigrates drawn to America by the light of her torch, which has since gone dark, as has the promise of freedom from oppression.

The supreme law of the land is the US Constitution. It sets forth the rights and protections for citizens and non-citizens alike when it comes to lawful searches and seizures, due process , fair trials, and to be free from arbitrary discrimination under the 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments. In addition, an illegal immigrant has the right of free speech under the 1st Amendment, although it must be balanced against actual national security interests. To maintain power and show his might, Trump has put our legal system on a backwards trajectory. Perhaps his strategy and tactics work in Russia, or when Americans owned slaves, where only white men who owned land could vote and thus rule, and when women were considered chattel, in other words a man's personal property. He has violated the oath taken to become the 45th President and the 47th. He should be in jail but/for the protection of the cowards and carpetbagger Republicans in Congress, and the self-deceptive people who voted for him.

U.S. Constitution, Article 2. Section 1, Clause 8: Presidential Oath of Office.

"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:– I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Street Tarot