Friday, May 1, 2020

When bad things happen to bad people

You may be familiar with the best-seller, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People", Harold Kushner, 1981. 

What about when bad things happen to bad folks? Of course bad happens to "the bad", but then the question

What or who is the bad; how is "bad" determined, designated?  Are there degrees of "bad" or is it an absolute, either bad or good--no partials or particulars to apply? That too depends, for the determination of "bad", if not presumed however, is often a matter of perception, experience.  

One watching a program on TV or other outlets has a point of view, perspective or even an opinion if they care at all, based on past experience. One views a figure that fits a profile and presumes...with or without taking anything or anyone else into account. 

In a court scene, whether a drama or actual session, the viewer presumes those in cuffs and chains as bad while those in suits and robes as good--or at least respectable.  Who is to say in actuality that some of the folks in chains did nothing criminally wrong or, if they did, that it pales in comparison to a judge who takes "kick-backs" and under-the-table payoffs as gratuity for graces afforded to those who can afford to buy some justice.  

I know, I know; I sound cynical but in truth this actually happens; indeed, judges can be corrupt, conducting all manner of conduct never mind the cabal formed with the counsel who incidentally contributes to the judge's campaign and just happens to below to the same country club.  

Seldom does such "bad" in these respectable get called-out or taken-down--as rarely do those of power ever face the full measure of the law. 

As with so much in our land, justice is a commodity; purchased, parceled-out to those who possess that much needed power of impunity or otherwise are above the law.   Many years ago, one of our presidents said it simply as, 
If the president does it, it's not illegal 
How often does power trump prosecution let alone any allegation or other step of the criminal justice system at any level of the hierarchy?  

H. L. Mencken always has a unique way at looking and expressing matters.
 “The gang” (the constituters exploiting the government) is well nigh immune to punishment. Its worst extortions, even when there baldly for private profit, carry no certain penalties under our laws.Since the first days of our Republic, less than a few dozen of its members of its have been impeached—and only a few obscure understrappers have ever been put into prison.
The number of men sitting in Atlanta and Leavenworth (Federal prisons) for revolting against the extortions of the government are always ten times as great as the number of government officials condemned for oppressing the taxpayers to (and for) their own gain.

A person's deeds, mine included, are not hidden from all; no, we each must/will be accountable or give account for our "bad", exposed not in the corrupted world power but in the supreme power of God.  

Help me to be accountable for my bad. 

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