The founders of our country established the principle that we are to be governed by laws and not by men. This meant that Thomas Jefferson’s bookseller and George Washington’s dentist possessed exactly the same rights under the law as did those two early Presidents of the United States. No more and no less. This comes under the heading of “due process of law” or simply “the right to a fair trial”.
Throughout American history, politics and the emotions of the moment have tested this principle, but so far it has survived those tests. It survived the draconian Alien and Sedition Acts of the 18th century, Lincoln’s unlawful suspension of habeas corpus in the 19th century, Roosevelt’s appalling internment of Japanese Americans, and Truman’s impulsive seizure of the steel mills in the 20th century, to name just a few. But the question before us in the 21st century is will due process survive the video camera, the smart phone and social media?
The videos of officer Wilson’s actions in Ferguson Missouri have resulted in a call for action NOW. What does this mean? Throw him in jail, for life, NOW? Execute him, NOW? The same sort of thinking has followed release of the Ray Rice videos. Public reaction has been along the lines of torture would be too good for him. But, these men and others in similar circumstances are all entitled to due process. So what is going on here?
In an age of instant gratification are we now looking for instant justice? Due process can take weeks, months, even years. Once an image or a writing “goes viral” in today’s digital world, must the meting out of justice “go viral” as well? The answer is obvious. Justice under these conditions is, to borrow Justice Clarence Thomas’ phrase, high tech lynching.
But whatever we call it or whatever excuse we make for it, in the final analysis it is mob rule. The founders knew, and we must never forget, that no free nation can substitute mob rule for due process of law and survive for very long as a free nation.
Written by a friend.
REBUTTAL: Your friend isn’t quite understanding what’s actually going on. Your friend has tunnel vision and no panoramic vision.
There’s plenty of evidence that what’s driving this ‘injustice’ – it’s the media. They want a riot. They have their marching orders.
There’s also evidence that early on some reporters, protesters and police officers were plants, ACTORS, fueling discontent.
Since the incident in Ferguson there’s been dozens of cases similar (should be high profile-cases) caught on tape in Missouri and other states of all races who were unjustly tasered and MURDERED by cops and the media is dead silent. They picked their horse and they’ll run with it whipping it even if it’s dead. It’s not the video camera it’s the media holding the camera and their propaganda.
Where’s the protesters & media? VIDEO: MORE media silent: VIDEO: MORE When a Black Cop Killed an Innocent White Man in Utah, the Press Was Silent MORE
By the way where is due process for those the cops murder?
It’s not Youtube or twitter, (stupid) it’s the mainstream media, they’re the mob rule.
D~