2009-02-27 - Call for Justice

"Dear Friends, I have witnessed the first official act of our new Supreme Justice with great sadness. Not because it violates a thousand generations of tradition, though tradition is important. But because the act itself is in violation of the law the Supreme Justice is sworn to uphold.
The Senate has twice voted against motions to repeal the Jedi Amnesty in the last year. Attempt after attempt to limit the amnesty has also been defeated. Most attempts were withdrawn before they could be struck down entirely. It is clear that the people's elected legislatures did not wish the amnesty repealed or limited. It is the sworn duty and power of the Supreme Justice to interpret and apply the law of the Republic. The first age-old rule of interpretation is to understand the intent of the legislature.
Attempt after attempt to limit the amnesty has failed. The repeal of the amnesty also failed. The intent of the legislature is clear. The law, also, is clear. To interpret otherwise is to raise the Supreme Justice far above the senate, to a position of power that would be envied by lesser divinity. A single individual able to determine the fate of billions on a whim.
It is also a fact that neither motion nor trial was brought before the Supreme Court. How can the court issue a ruling against a party that did not have opportunity to defend its own honor? The truth is that it cannot. This statement is not dicta. It cannot be a binding force of law because no law was passed by the senate and there was no trial before the courts. We elected a wise judge into office to mediate our conflicts, not an Empress to rule us on whims.
My friends, it is a sad day when the Supreme Justice of the Republic fails in its duty to the law, ideals, spirit, and people of the Republic. But, despite the facts before us, I believe that this was -not- an intentional violation of duty. There inner workings of the Republic are murky at best and there is ample room for error. Should this be a mere mistake then I call for a correction and nothing more. If it is otherwise then I shall be forced to call for the immediate resignation of the Supreme Justice and a correction to this erroneous statement of the law.
As the head of Shili's government I stand with the Jedi in this troubled time. Until this error is rectified, I offer asylum to any member of their order accused by political or criminal opponents."
Category:February 09 GNN Posts