Text / Action / Action

[justicereigns]

It's a universal truth that justice is held up as a virtue in all civilizations and their histories. Ambiguous though this concept may sometimes be.

Justice without mercy, without the hard sacrifice of compassion though it requires blows one's pride and ego, is not true justice at all, merely retribution or revenge. The equity of "an eye for an eye" should not be confused with equality. Although the outcome may seem similar, if it does not serve to protect, it is a worthless gesture borne of anger and lacking the temperance of mercy.

What then should one do when laws themselves hold no room for the execution of personal judgement, of the mercy of those sworn to uphold and protect? Or worse, should the laws work against protecting others?

Is it justice to work outside of the existing framework, or simply arrogant pride to presume one's way alone is best? Can a house's frame ever be reformed from within, or must it be built anew? Though I suppose, even pirates would say the only way to determine that is by trying. And this is how a former rear admiral became a pirate himself.

I don't have all the answers. Just more questions.

On a completely unrelated note: how do you help someone else stop pining over a broken or hurting heart?

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[B: Action]

[Smoker has gotten a ton of orders for bikes recently, and yet... his mind is starting to wander. Oh, it's easy to lose himself in the mechanics of the motorcycles. And he prefers it. Everything in its place, just as it should be. All working together, differently but for the same or similar goals. Like Justice doesn't. Too much like a pirate crew. Is that who he is now?]

[The samoyed and tibetan mastiff lounge nearby, since they know now how to stay out of the way, and as always when he's working at the garage, he's got some smooth jazz playing and wafting out onto the streets of Genessia.]

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[He doesn't think to get dressed up for the date with Augustine Monday evening, OR tell Adela and Miaka.... because he only barely thinks of it as a date. He's going to the man's workplace for a guided museum tour and thanking him with dinner at a restaurant in Nova that he reserved in advance -- and also made sure they wouldn't kick him out for smoking and being shirtless but for the leather jacket. Date, work, or beating up pirates; Smoker was always Smoker.]

[He's at the museum a little early, just in case, ears flicking, in spite of himself, and trying to take everything in.]

[It's kind of funny, but he can't remember the last time he went to a museum. Ever. Well, it wasn't like they had many on marine bases. Or... honestly maybe they DID and he never noticed. Which is a god damn shame. Unless they were boring. But he can't imagine this one will be since it's all so foreign. Literally things he couldn't pick up from reading books and news. And the curator himself is giving the tour, so no way it could be boring. For Smoker, he's actually kind of giddy. It's been a long time since he had someone intellectually challenging to talk to. And Augustine was clearly passionate about the subjects, which was like catnip or dognip to the loose hound of the marines.]

Comments

[singinghuntress]

What if there is no frame work to work outside of? When all attempts fail and the rabble is left to fend for themselves? Then, what do you think would qualify as justice?

[justicereigns]

Having no framework at all is easy. Just do what it is right. Protect the weak, not take advantage of the chaos.

[singinghuntress]

And what of those that need to take advantage of the chaos? Surely you cannot suggest that doing so for their very survival would be something punishable by harsh retaliation.

The Date - [action]

[immortalrose]

[The faint click of his shoes against the chrome floors heralded Augustine's approach. After being knee deep within paperwork regarding this latest exhibition, it's little wonder why Augustine is so overjoyed to receive a break from it all. He approaches the mariner with a little bit of pep in his step as he greets him with great zeal.]

Bună ziua! [Augustine greets with such a jovial smile upon his face. It would be a lie to claim he wasn't looking forward to this all day.] I had thought you would arrive early.

You are a military man after all, a mariner at that----

[Augustine immediately trails off once he gets a better look at his "date". It's not often that he meets those taller than him. He stands at a staggering 6'2 in comparison with most people. He's constantly looking down whenever he speaks with others. Rarely, if ever, does he have to incline his head upward. Smoker is definitely taller than him by a few inches, a pleasant surprise but not as pleasant as the view of that bare chest.He stands there in a mock daze, his bright red eyes large with shock.]

Oh my.

[Sorry, Smoker! Give him a second to collect his thoughts some. He can positively feel his face heating up some.]

Quite the attire! Quite indeed. Very much so quite!

[A chuckle escapes Augustine that is both nervous and delighted at the same time. He chosen to wear one of his more casual suits for tonight's outing. It's one of those sleek black wool suits he splurged his last paycheck on. Augustine is a sucker for gentleman wear, especially fancy waistcoats. Tonight's attire is a handsome number featuring a white shirt with charming thin black stripes down the front followed by a black tie with little white spots, along with a black suit jacket with matching slacks and tall black leather boots.

His hair is still messy and loose but it doesn't deter from his neat facade. To say the least, they look like polar opposites here.]

Regardless, you look fantastic! I'm glad you came, Smoker.

Re: The Date - [action]

[justicereigns]

[His ears burn a little red that Augustine already had such a good read on him, but he grins soon enough.]

Wouldn't miss it for anything. [Well, an emergency. Depending on the emergency, but not even a work emergency. The upside not to being in law enforcement atm.] So ah... I was just thinking I can't remember the last time I set foot in a museum. Hope the marine boots are all right. [Because he literally didn't think about it until now.]

Re: The Date - [action]

[immortalrose]

[That shade of red looks good on Smoker. It wins a chuckle from Augustine but he's not so cruel as to mention it. He'll let the man have his dignity.]

Fear not! Your boots are suitable. I doubt Oculus would mind. [He says while circling around Smoker like a bird of prey.]

He's our main computer A.I. here. An artificial intelligence that governs over the virtual reality components of the museum.

[Text]

[uccellodifuoco]

What justice are you talking about exactly? The mockery civilizations eventually develop to "punish" a crime that has already happened, based on laws set in place for the benefit of what a few selected individuals consider "the greater good"? Or the systems that work to try prevent said crime from happening?

I have found as I grew up that many times people assume that both cases equal for the same justice, but I can't help but disagree.

Re: [Text]

[justicereigns]

The first part would be revenge.

Yes, prevention is the important part. And no, they're hardly the same, you're right.

[Text]

[uccellodifuoco]

Revenge? You mentioned pirates so I assume those exist in your world, so when a pirate is captured and judged and sentenced for what those who captured them consider crimes... That's actually revenge for you?

[Because if so Ikki's honestly surprised, and doesn't disagree with that.]

Prevention or dissuading people from taking the "bad path" would be the closest thing to real justice, but even that can be twisted and perversed easily. Not to mention that it's hard to find what would be a good method to prevent and dissuade.

In my world for a long time, executing those who had "broken the law" regardless of circumstances was considered the way to prevent and dissuade. Even now, people think that somehow the "fear to be jailed" should be enough to stop criminals.

In my opinion that's like using an umbrella to stop the rain. It only works for a specific area and time. It doesn't stop the clouds from letting the rain fall.

[kalmaleader]

Hmm...my understanding of the human definition of justice is "locking up criminals," because they believe killing is wrong. Mostly.

I assume this is related to the person who was threatening to burn down cities? No, I wouldn't call that justice either.

Where I come from...while I wouldn't say that justice doesn't exist, it rarely serves us. Most of the time it's "kill or be killed."

[justicereigns]

My world isn't too far off from that. Which I guess would be part of why the phoenix was threatening bloody murder. He doesn't know other ways. Which isn't an excuse. Incompetence and refusal to think out of the box is still a crime.

Text

[spidertwerp]

I think the point of how the laws work is to prevent revenge, as though the person who was wrong can't have an unbiased view of justice.

You can work outside the regular framework to a point, but if you're just seeking vengeance, are you sure it's justice?

I don't know, it's an interesting thing to talk about. I believe in apprehending people who break the law and turning them over to law enforcement so they can be punished within the rules society agreed upon.

Text

[justicereigns]

Vengeance is never to be confused for justice. They're not the same. At all.

Right good, the other part of turning people over to law enforcement is so an example can be made of them.

Text

[spidertwerp]

It's hard to convince people who seek vengeance to believe that.

That's always a side benefit, but you'd be surprised how little that helps sometimes. Some people seem like they're going to commit crimes no matter what.

[om_nom_namur]

O hell just sware off the WG and b a pir8 alredy

[justicereigns]

Fuck you.

Never.

And I was debating joining the actual structured law enforcement.

[om_nom_namur]

Naw, I don't swing that way but thanks for the offer. [Wink!]

Maybe y' oughta be a fireman. Seems like folk flips their shit big time over a single buildin'. Y'd be a bigass hero for sure!

Text

[lunarlegionnaire]

When the system itself allows the innocent to go oppressed and the guilty to go free, it's on those with the power to change it to get cracking.

Until then, I think it's hard to blame people who choose to work outside the system. They may follow their own brand of justice--- vengeance even--- but as long as their goals line up and their means of achieving them stay reasonable, I don't see why the system should turn down a little outside help.

Text / strikethroughs = deleted not sent

[justicereigns]

Agreed.

Except about vengeance. Revenge is never justice.

[Drums his fingers before pressing send, and still debating what more to add, or how to phrase it.] Because they can't control outsiders and god help them if they can't be in control all the god damn time outsiders don't have the same accountability as those stuck within a specific framework.

[Video]

[youfool]

Oh dear, Smoker, have you been bit by the vigilante bug? Well, here's my try at wisdom.

Laws must be impersonal in that they must be "no respecter of persons". They should be very personal in that they are part of a republic, that is, with an eye towards the common good. The community should agree to them.

If the laws are unjust, then its moral authority is null and void, and can--indeed, must--be disobeyed. With exceptions; some disobedience might provoke far worse things than the law's abuses.

[And just to throw in something else...]

Sounds similar to the whole letter vs. spirit, thing, eh? They ought to be married, of course. One can't really do without the other.

[This is all very theoretical for him, of course, who, sadly, leans a little more towards the anarchic.]

[Video]

[justicereigns]

Fuck no.

Opposite. I'm debating joining the official police forces.

[The rest, Smoker just... debates asking Ted if he thinks he really said anything worth noting there, but even Smoker isn't THAT OBNOXIOUS 24/7. + he likes Ted, and wants to hear more about justice, even if it seems pointless on the surface.]

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

[Hmm, no comment on his commentary? Was it too simple? Dull? Or did it flawlessly answer everything Smoker ever wanted to know about justice???

He'll go with that.]

How your mother stood to be kissed with that mouth I'll never know. Huh...

[He gets off Smoker's mom for a bit to consider that intention. On the one hand, he doesn't like the law enforcement of...anywhere, really, whose corruption is checked only by their incompetence. Then again, Smoker seems like he could be the right sort. If Ted ever becomes a criminal of note, it might be tremendous help to have someone he can trust on the inside.]

Say, tell me if this rings a bell.

But let my trial be my own confession.
Immediate sentence then and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg.

[It's Shakespeare. Ted swears he's going somewhere with this.]

Voice

[song_princess]

True justice can only be served if there is compassion and mercy as well. I do not envy the one who is put in charge of it. In the end, everyone will follow their own sense of justice, it is how people work. But revenge... Revenge can never heal, never right what has been wrong no matter how much you may wish it does.

[A small sigh.]

What happened to my people, many may cry that justice was never served but yet...

You need to just follow your heart when it comes to justice and do not let it away or change. That would be how you can balance such a powerful concept along with mercy and compassion.

Voice

[justicereigns]

I absolutely agree. And everyone should follow their own sense of justice. Laws only exist to try to codify it to a basic level and even then, fail to account for all situations.

What happened to your people? [Gentle.]

Text

[wardreamer]

Where I am from, there is only one rule that is universal: Whoever has the biggest gun makes the rules.

It's a rule that has been universal for centuries and has encouraged wars between a xenophobic empire wanting to extinguish everything that isn't them, and a cult of corporations that worship profit, buying and selling everything, even each other. In the process, civilians have been reduced to little more than refugees, trying to find what little happiness there is among the stars while trying to steer clear of the war.

That's where my brothers and sisters and I come in. We are relatively small in number, but have the biggest guns and swords. We fight these empires to protect the civilians that have fueled their war machines for centuries. But in the process, we are taught that we cannot show mercy or doubt, that the best outcome isn't always possible and we should fight for the victories we can achieve. And little by little we've started pushing back against the tyrants that have raised armies against us.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the only justice you can truly be sure of is what you yourself judge to be just. Only you can say whether it is just to act against the laws you deem unjust.