[smygo] Judge Releases Blackwater Protestors after Quiet Debate Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:07:32 -0600 (CST) News & Views for Anarchists & Activists: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo http://tinyurl.com/ywo6pr Judge releases Blackwater protesters after quiet debate of the issues CURRITUCK, N.C. A North Carolina courtroom became the setting of an impromptu seminar on the law, the Constitution and the Bible today as seven convicted Blackwater protesters engaged in a gentle debate with their sentencing judge. When it was over, the seven walked out free. Judge Russell Duke gave no additional jail time to the group for a demonstration at Blackwaters Moyock headquarters Oct. 20, a re-enactment of a Sept. 16 shooting incident in Baghdad involving Blackwater security contractors in which 17 Iraqi civilians died. The seven were originally convicted in District Court in December, all but one of them in trials that were closed to the media and the public. They appealed to Superior Court and were convicted by a jury Wednesday of trespassing. Six were also convicted of resisting arrest. Duke sentenced five of the seven -- who had already served five days in jail after their arrest -- to five days with credit for time served. The other two received suspended five-day sentences. All were ordered not to go on Blackwaters property again. The seven told Duke they would not pay any fines, and none were levied. Duke allowed the defendants to make statements during the hourlong sentencing hearing, and most did. They told the judge that they believe Blackwater enjoys legal impunity for war crimes in Iraq and that by holding an illegal protest they were following a higher law, citing the Bible and the Constitution. There may be no court that can prosecute these killers, defendant Beth Brockman, of Durham, N.C., told the judge. As Christians we have an obligation to stand in solidarity with the Iraqi people. Duke responded at length, telling the group, Ive always thought that if youre going to be a follower of Jesus or someone who appreciates the Constitution, you cant select the portions that you like and disregard the rest. [I'm sure this judge never eats pork.--DC] In particular, he cited the apostle Pauls biblical admonition to his fellow Christians to abide by the law of man. As the judge went on, the protesters broke in several times with responses of their own. Were not here about whats happening in Iraq, Duke told them. Were here about the peace and harmony of this particular community. The rule of law of this state is instituted to protect this peace and harmony. This is a place, a state, a nation, of laws -- not of men. The judge quoted the noted Supreme Court justice Felix Frankfurter, who called the rule of law all we have standing between us and the tyranny of mere will and the cruelty of unbridled, undisciplined feeling. [The rule of law, so often invoked by libertarians, is a double-edged sword, it seems to me. On the one hand, it restricts the action of the government, and that is surely what Supreme Court Justice Hotdog had in mind with his reference to "the tyranny of mere will" etc. This is a powerful protection, from a libertarian perspective. But in cases like this, the rule of law is invoked as justification for government action that is clearly wrong. It is as if members of the government were marionettes, ruled by the law and so manipulated into committing acts which they do not agree with, willy-nilly forcing them to assume power over others.--DC] Youre kind and gentle people, Duke told the protesters. But the law doesnt say treat kind and gentle people differently from those who would harm us. Youve told me youre not going to abide by the law. Youre not going to respect my judgment. That grieves me. Protester Bill Streit, of Louisa County, Va., responded: I feel sorry that were grieving you. You have given us a lot of leeway, and I appreciate that. Good luck, the judge told the seven as they filed out. Bill Sizemore, (757) 446-2276, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com [1] Source URL (retrieved on 01/24/2008 - 20:28): http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/judge-releases-blackwater-protesters-after-quiet-debate-issues Links: [1] mailto:bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com -- Dan Clore My collected fiction: _The Unspeakable and Others_ http://tinyurl.com/3akhhr Lord Werdgliffe & Necronomicon Page: http://tinyurl.com/292yz9 News & Views for Anarchists & Activists: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo Skipper: Professor, will you tell these people who is in charge on this island? Professor: Why, no one. Skipper: No one? Thurston Howell III: No one? Good heavens, this is anarchy! -- _Gilligan's Island_, episode #6, "President Gilligan"