And Justice for All —
by James Muir

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". . . And Justice For All" To the people, justice is an ideal, not an instrument of Power. To the people justice is as Justinian defined it-"the firm and continuous desire to render to everyone that which is his due." But the legal system is not predominantly attentive to notions of equality and the rights of the individual. The legal system is concerned instead with law, and law is pledged to Power. As a consequence, law will most often stand against such human rights as threaten Power. The virulence of Power is not the question. By reason of Power's preoccupation with its own goals, all Power tends to function as if the system were designed to destroy the individual, for Power, by definition, can never permit itself to be subordinated to the individual. As a consequence, justice will be delivered to the people only when it is in the best interests of Power to deliver it." 1989 Gerry Spence