Justice - A Matter of Perspective

jus·tice ( P ) Pronunciation Key (jsts)
n.
The quality of being just; fairness.

The principle of moral rightness; equity.
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness.

The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.

Law. The administration and procedure of law.

Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason: The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.

Idiom:
do justice to
To treat adequately, fairly, or with full appreciation: The subject is so complex that I cannot do justice to it in a brief survey.

Main Entry: jus·tice
Pronunciation: 'j&s-t&s
Function: noun
Etymology: Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just
1 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair b : the principle or ideal of just dealing; also : conformity to the principle or ideal of just dealing

2 a : the administration of law ; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to law or equity b : fair, just, or impartial legal process

3 : JUDGE; especially : a judge of an appellate court or court of last resort (as a supreme court)

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

justice

n 1: the quality of being just or fair [syn: justness] [ant: injustice] 2: the administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments; "justice deferred is justice denied" [syn: judicature] 3: a public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice [syn: judge, jurist, magistrate] 4: the United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870 [syn: Department of Justice, Justice Department, Justice, DoJ]

Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

justice

is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from
equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive
law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate
case.

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

Justice means different things to different sides. Let's take the illegal immigration issue that many protests are scheduled over today.

An article on ABC's Website talks about the upcoming protests;

"If groups that advocate changing immigration law to create a path for the nearly 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States to become U.S. citizens get their way, today could be the biggest day of coordinated protests in the country's history.

They're calling it the National Day of Action for Immigration Justice."

To the illegal immigrants, justice means they should get amnesty and be granted citizenship just because they are here and working anyway.

To others, justice is punishing people for ANY crime they commit, including crossing the border illegally.

Some don't really think they should be punished, but they certainly do not think granting them citizenship as a bonus for crossing the border illegally can be considered justice.

Others, who have gone through the legal process of becoming a US Citizen certainly don't believe allowing others to get citizenship given to them is justice. After all, they had to spend all that money and time becoming a citizen, so what gives the illegals who cross the border more rights than they had?

Last, but not least, we have the politicians who believe justice is when they get votes because they say what people want to hear about the issue.

What is your version of justice in regards to the immigration issue?

by Chris McElroy
More things that just piss me off