The Law's the Law, Sometimes

Are some of us "more equal?"

Remember the OJ Simpson murder trial? The man was declared innocent in a court of law. Those who were not satisfied with the verdict simply took the case to a "different" court. Although the same laws of the same land would seem to apply in both courts, and although the law seems to prevent us from being tried twice for the same crime, Simpson was found guilty in the second court. Americans did not question this.

The American anti-smoking movement really got off the ground in 1985, when the EPA asserted that cigarette smoke was as life-threatening as nuclear waste. The movement rolled on like a freight train when the Supreme Court invalidated these findings a few years later, finally succeeding in influencing the laws in other countries around the world. Private money had accomplished what statesmanship could not.

The movement, intoxicated by its own success, has not yet slowed down, although the new anti-smoking laws become more ludicrous every year. A current example is

Federal regulators to formally ban e-cigarette use on planes

For those who don't know, the supposed 5,000 harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke exist only when the tobacco is burned. An e-cig does not burn, creates no smoke, and has no smell. It is just a legal chemical substance (nicotine), not awfully different from any other drug store potion. Ironically, the e-cig is marketed as an aid to those who wish to quit smoking. However, it is not controlled by the Pharmaceuticals Industry. Perhaps this is why it has been targeted.

Again, Americans do not question this. It doesn't need to make sense.

Today, I am watching the Entertainment Industry run hog wild in the US and in the governments of many other countries. They have made a mockery of US copyright law, and in certain cases have infiltrated the US government. Every year they become bolder. The boldest example I have seen so far is


MPAA Threatens to Cut Google from Internet

The expression "Too big for their britches" comes to mind.

In each case, private entities have gamed our legal system and won. In each case the private entity is bigger and more powerful, and has less regard for the rights of a greater number of individuals than the entity before. In each case our legal system grows weaker, and the freedom that only money can buy increases. The pigs are running the farm now.

We respect money more than the law, more than we respect one another. We will reap what we sow.