Reinstating Justice in a Climate of Diminishing Rights

By Janet Phelan

It is clear to many who are inflicted with abuses by our legal system that we are dealing with state-sponsored crimes. Judges are breaking the law all too often in their actions on the bench and have immunity for so doing. Prosecutorial misconduct has become rampant and police seem to have a “Get out of Jail Free” card for many of their crimes against citizens, including murder. It is generally the case, with a few well-publicized exceptions, that the FBI and DOJ are passing on state-sponsored crimes.

In light of the nature of this situation, heroic efforts to involve legislators in correcting the careening plunge towards wholesale state abuse have shown themselves to be largely useless.  While the determined efforts of those who are dedicated to engaging the state in efforts to self correct must be applauded, such efforts are generally fruitless.

It’s not only a matter of looking at the fate of new laws. Common sense asks why new laws would be enforced when old laws are not.

Statists will argue that we have not yet pushed the right button. We have not filed the right pleadings, we have not gone to the right law enforcement agency, we have not gone to the right legislator.

Pressure needs to be exerted on the renegade state if it is indeed to self-correct. Passing new laws functions more as an escape valve, relieving the pressure for awhile as it appears that there has been change when in fact there has not.

Non-statist solutions are beginning to emerge. A few will be highlighted here.

MEDIA

Yes, there are big problems with mainstream media. If and when the statist abuses are covered by the press, the stories are slanted to exonerate the state actor or, should he be under the gun, to vilify him as if his behavior was not the new normal. For example, when a guardian faces criminal charges, the press discreetly defers its attention away from the complicity (and often self-enrichment) of the judicial officer who approved the guardian’s criminal actions. In this way the problem is encapsulated and presented in such a manner that the judicial officer is relieved of culpability.

However, an increasingly robust independent media exists. While the WaPo and NY Times may be covering for state involvement in many crimes, there are numerous independent media outlets which will delve into the complicity of state actors. Seek us out. We can and will publish these stories.

And hats off to Gretchen Rachel Hammond’s recent series of articles in Daily Kos on Michigan’s probate court system. Many may not know that inappropriate actions by the Detroit Free Press forced Hammond to seek independent publication for this ground-breaking series. Similar accounts of retaliatory or inappropriate acts by mainstream media relevant to the guardianship issue are accumulating. One recalls the Fox News/New York series on guardianship abuse some years ago, launched by veteran investigative reporter Mary Garofalo, which resulted in her firing.

RESEARCH THE STATE ACTORS

The question must be posed: Are these judges and prosecutors just Constitution-hating meanies who get their jollies from ripping off your legal rights? Are they just ignorant of the law? Or is there a backroom deal, an under-the-table transfer of money which has encouraged these judges to betray their positions of authority and honor? Recently, a veterans’ group in the State of Washington looked into suspicious loans taken out by the US Attorney, Annette Hayes, and came up with a determination that Hayes appeared to be on the take.

Hayes then resigned her office.

Focusing on a state official’s financial dealings seems to be an effective course of research and such investigations are proliferating, with promising results.

A QUICK WORD ABOUT PRESENTMENTS AND NOTICES OF LIABILITY

Notices of Liability as an alternative to court processes have been around for a long time. The InPower Movement is currently getting attention to these NOLs as a possible means of stopping the installation of smart meters. While some public officials who received the NOLs may have resigned, questions have been raised as to the overall effectiveness of this process.

In fact, those who have been victimized by the state are often enamored with alternative dispute processes and with “quick fix” recommendations, which often have not proven to be very effective. An interesting blip on this radar is the ctc movement, based on Pete Hendrickson’s book, Cracking the Code. Those attending to the research in this book have filed amended returns with the IRS, claiming a different perception of what wages are taxable. Some of the people following Hendrickson’s work have gotten large refunds from the IRS. Others have gotten prison time.

AND FINALLY, PROTESTS

We have changed quite a bit, as a people, since the days of the Vietnam War. The eagerness of people to go out to the streets and raise their voices has been dampened. Whether this is an effect of apathy, or a generalized hopelessness in the face of mounting evidence of totalitarianism, or aided by the mass infusion of mind numbing chemicals in drinking water, food and pharmaceuticals is up for grabs. Possibly the prevalence of social media has also discouraged people from more animated means of protest. After all, if you get hundreds of “likes” for your inflammatory post on Facebook, haven’t you done your part?

The statists will tell you that things aren’t so bad, that we just need to find the right button to push. In fact, it is said that when the Jews fled Egypt in the Exodus, one third chose to stay behind. But it was those who got on their feet and made a decision who made history. It was those who did not wait until Pharaoh’s men were breaking down the door who launched what is undeniably one of the most renowned acts of protest ever recorded.

The oppression now is indisputable. It is everywhere you look. The times call for a new appraisal of our plight and exceptional acts of courage and resourcefulness. It is time to talk to your neighbor, to the fellow sitting next to you on the bus. It is time to listen to each other and to strategize. Your solutions may be unlike anything we have seen. And whether you know it or not, we are waiting for you.

Janet Phelan is an investigative journalist and author of the groundbreaking exposé, EXILE. Her articles previously appeared in such mainstream venues as the Los Angeles Times, Orange Coast Magazine, Long Beach Press Telegram, etc. In 2004, Janet “jumped ship” and now exclusively writes for independent media. She is also the author of two collections of poetry—The Hitler Poems and Held Captive. She resides abroad. You can follow her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012703457651

Image credit: Pixabay

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