BS: Justice, be a Lady!

Subject: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: Slag
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 04:49 PM

What do you think of the US symbol of justice? I refer to the blindfolded woman holding a balance scale in (I believe) her left hand and a two-edged sword in her right, point downward.

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 05:21 PM

What? That justice should be blind to your status, wealth, position; that it would be balanced, and that it should be merciful if possible?

Why is that a problem?

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 05:58 PM

The symbol you refer to is an alagorical one and probably clasical in origin not American although it is used in many countries.

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: Mickey191
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 06:31 PM

A Bit of Levity:

The United States government today announced that it is changing its national symbol to a CONDOM because it more accurately reflects the governments political stance.

A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed.

To my fellow Americans, it really doesn't get much more accurate than this.

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: Amos
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 06:33 PM

I think it is a symbol for Justice. But that may not be what you are looking for.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: GUEST,Slag
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 10:03 PM

Just curious as to 'Catters takes on the symbol. I've heard that one before Mickey 191! Just as good the second time around!

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: GUEST,Slag
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 07:41 PM

And why a woman?

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 11:02 PM

Perhaps because of an intuitive feeling that Justice, if it ever lives up to the best of the ideal, is a nurturing force for society.

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: gnomad
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 03:23 AM

Not all such figures are blindfolded, and some have a more combative stance. The figure on the British Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) is a case in point. Photo here

It was explained to me that she sees all and is vigorous in defence of the balance of justice represented by the scales in her free hand. Different interpretations of the same theme.

Why a woman? Well why not? We have an inherited tradition of representing virtues as female, with which I have no problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 07:06 AM

god.. this reminds me of something that happened in Washington DC a few years back. Some politician giving a speech in front of that statue, was offended by the publicised photos of her naked breasts over his head in photo. He had drapes ordered to the tune of something like $40,000. i remember editing some bit of US code to do with this silliness.

Curtains for Lady Justice

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: GUEST,mack/misophist
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 12:13 PM

Why a woman? "Justicia" is in the feminine gender.

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 10:40 PM

Virginia Tam, that was attorney general John Ashcroft

Subject: RE: BS: Justice, be a Lady!
From: bald headed step child
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 01:27 AM

Yeah, John Ashcroft. The guy who lost an election to a dead man, then was appointed by Bush to be AG.

BHSC