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In reference to your edit - the phrase "activist judge" is a bit of a dogwhistle for conservatism; it's easy to click to downvote before really digesting what y
by Vivtek 13y ago
In reference to your edit - the phrase "activist judge" is a bit of a dogwhistle for conservatism; it's easy to click to downvote before really digesting what you said.
That said, an independent judiciary is an important part of the separation of powers on which American government is based. While I personally find this entire thing reprehensible from soup to nuts, the judge's power to set arbitrary bail really is the way the system is supposed to work (the kid getting beat up in prison is not the way the system is supposed to work - except that plenty of Americans need a lot more civics education and actually do like to think of people getting raped in prison as extrajudiciary punishment for the suspicious).
Also, an indictment is not a ruling of guilt. A grand jury is convened to decide whether there's a case at all. I personally think this grand jury should have their citizenship revoked until they've passed a battery of examinations in what America stands for, but sadly, that's again not the way the system works.
- mistermann 13y ago> battery of examinations in what America stands for I think we should have a refresher on what America does stand for, because I think it has changed quite fundamentally in the last <x> years, regardless of what your political angle is on the subject.
- krichman 13y ago"I pledge allegiance to the wealthy of the United States of America, and to their police force that beats and lies, one Nation under God, unaccountable, with liberty and air travel for few."
- jackpirate 13y agoSo basically what it always stood for then
- mistermann 13y agoThat's not true at all.
- Vivtek 13y agoNo, not what it stood for. Look at the Declaration of Independence - it explicitly states that people have inherent rights (that kings don't grant the rights) and that those rights are inherent to everybody, not just those in a particular country. That is quite literally what America stands for, as stated in our own declaration, and in 1776 it was explosively innovative and inspired the entire world. Unfortunately, we've forgotten that whole rights-belong-to-non-Americans thing, and that's a travesty. You can trace how it happened, and none of it is a happy story.
- geden 13y agowhy not go the whole hog and start thinking in terms of what the whole of humanity stands for and not just America. it's time to move past territorial / tribal groupings. for extra brownie points we could start thinking in terms of the whole biosphere.
- mistermann 13y agoSure, everyone's always had an idea of what we should do, but for a while there, the US actually in many ways did it. These things don't last long though.
- vidarh 13y agoAre you serious? Until well after the Civil Rights Act, the US was substantially lagging a ton of countries in liberties and opportunities for your own population, and for pretty much the entire period since the US has done it's best to oppress various other people (assortment of wars, CIA sponsored coups etc.). The US has just been better at marketing itself on a freedom angle based on claimed aspirations that has never been followed through.
- krichman 13y agoThe problem is that half the population is below average in terms of mental ability and education. A bigger problem: the state's attorneys and judges should know about the Bill of Rights, and they are the ones with the actual power here. With such a high bail it appears this particular judgeship was granted erroneously.
- monkeyspaw 13y ago> The problem is that half the population is below average in terms of mental ability and education. Isn't this a problem everywhere, though? Why do we only hear this issue WRT the U.S.? (I freely admit it could just be because I live in the states)
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- readme 13y agoIt's the poverty! People in other countries get healthcare when they need it. They get assistance when they need it. Therefore, they have extra mental cycles to use to consider the reality of politics. In the US, we make sure our poor people have to work two jobs so they can't stop to do a damn thing about how screwed they are by participating in our democracy.
- rowanseymour 13y agoRwanda has a basic universal healthcare system. Everyone pays an amount according to their economic status, and everyone gets basic healthcare.
- lostlogin 13y agoAchieving a lot when you have little would leave one to believe that having lots lets you achieve a lot. I'm some respects the US hasn't managed to achieve much at all. Is this what you mean?
- 13y ago
- readme 13y agoYeah, true. Thanks for the informative comment.