fandomhigh | Advanced Criminal Justice, Class 12, Period 1, 02.16.06

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advanced criminal justice

Advanced Criminal Justice, Class 12, Period 1, 02.16.06

[OOC: More Police Squad! This time I actually found a way for discussion to happen based on it. Class Info Post.]

The Tick was standing at the podium at the front of the class as the students walked in.

"Hello, class! Turn your essays in to Rory."

"Today, we'll be talking about another case from Police Squad. Now, this may be a surprise to some of you, but the sport of boxing has often been tied to organized crime. After the suspicious suicide of a boxer who had just won the biggest fight of his career - and when I say suspicious, I mean that in addition to being hung with a noose there was also a bomb blast and bullet holes, which, if you're going to commit suicide, it a bit much, really - Sgt. Drebin went undercover."

"Det. Drebin took up the identity 'Bob Kelly, Boxing Manager.' Drebin found a crooked boxer he felt he could turn straight named Buddy Briggs, participated in an illegal poker game to win Briggs' contract. Drebin helped him train and together they drew the Champ - who was in the pocket of a crime boss named Montague Martin - into a fight. Briggs won the fight and fingered Martin as the head of this web of crime that was the local boxing scene after Drebin recued Mrs. Briggs from a kidnapping by Martin's men."

"All this was unnecessary in terms of the original murder, though. A hair found at the scene proved that a hitman by the name of Luca Burnett, a known associate of Martin was in the room at the time of the murder~~, solving the actual crime ten minutes into the episode~~."

"So my question to you today is a question of ethics. Given that the original murder had been solved already, was it acceptable for Police Squad to participate in that illegal poker game and then risk the lives of a boxer and his wife without them knowing they were working with the police? Does going that extra distance to prove the larger crime worth the bent laws and use of unwitting citizens? Does it matter that the unwitting citizens were tied in some was to said larger crime? Does it matter that Police Squad is a special division of the police force? Mind you, this isn't exactly atypical, even though Police Squad itself is quite strange. I'm just asking you if it is Right."

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Hooray! Essays for Rory! Turn 'em in here, yo!

Justice is a diamond. Diamonds are prized for their rarity and brilliance. A diamond’s cut determines its value, and in the hands of an inexperienced, hurried, or untalented cutter may become worthless in a matter of seconds. However, there may be hidden or visible flaws–even the best cutter cannot save a deeply flawed diamond.

Chemically speaking, diamond is one of the hardest substances on Earth and is often used on the tips of industrial drill bits to cut through solid rock. Quality fake diamonds are easily made, and they look so authentic only a trained professional is able to tell the difference.

There is nothing on Earth that refracts light in quite the same way; all that glitters is not a diamond, just as everything that seems just is not Justice. Justice is not soft, kind, or giving. But, if it is true, it will light even the darkest corners.

[ooc: 150 words exactly.]

The Sith, the ancient enemy of the Jedi, believe in using the power of the Force for personal gain, but the Jedi thought they'd disappeared. Nine ago, a Sith named Darth Maul came out of hiding and killed a great Master of the Order in front of that Master's Padawan.

The Padawan could've retreated from the field--he didn't have any real hope of defeating a Sith Lord. But to be Jedi means confronting evil when it's before you, regardless of cost. So this man went lightsaber to lightsaber with Darth Maul.

The Padawan survived and defeated the Sith Lord, but that's not the point. He chose to fight when he could've walked away, to confront something that most beings would rather ignore the existence of.

This is what it means to be Jedi. This is what it means to serve justice. And it's best embodied in my Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[OOC: 150 words, yay!]

My Uncle George is the most faithful embodiment of Justice in my life. When people need him, he's there for them--but if they try to pull the wool over his eyes, he'll make sure that the truth comes out. When evildoers seek to harm the ones he loves, he takes Justice into his hands and fights for them. Though, admittedly, his fighting usually involves picking up the telephone and calling in favors. But it's the principle that counts. And when his fighting for Justice involves something other than that, you can be absolutely certain that the cause is Just and he is on the side of Right. Uncle George guides his family along the path of Justice. Everyone that knows Uncle George thinks he's one of the most forthright and steadfast men in my family, and everyone respects him. He isn't a superhero, but he doesn't need to be.

I didn't have much of a concept of Justice when I came to Fandom High. I had the remnants of some long abandoned childish concepts of right and wrong, yes, but nothing about Justice.

But that was then and this is now.

Since coming to Fandom, I have encountered many people with very different ideas of justice, be it either in the practice or absence thereof.

But amongst all that, one person has stood out, one person who has consistently followed the ideals of Justice. One person who has put the pursuit of said ideals over their own personal feelings, time and time again. One person who has never hesitated to do what they felt was the right thing to do, no matter what the personal cost might be.

This is why I feel that Aeryn Sun embodies the spirit of Justice better than anything else I have ever encountered.

[awwww! *sniffling*]

Former Principal Bristow was a force for both justice and mercy here at Fandom High during his tenure. His actions in reinstating Angel after the souling of Angelus seemed to me, at the time, to completely inconsiderate of the victims of Angelus’s crimes; but he did take into account that Angel is, in some ways, just as much a victim of that alter-ego. Allowing Angel to stay gave him a chance to make reparations to his victims, and also provided another force for the defense of justice and safety here at FH. Justice is not simply about punishment, but about the greater good for the public as a whole.

Principal Bristow was also responsible for giving us the Christmas Pageant, which brought joy, laughter, and education to the holiday season for all. Malefactors who were guilty of amusing misdemeanors were given the chance to amuse a much greater audience, thus tailoring the consequences of their actions to fit them. Finally, I personally owe Principal Bristow for his quick and expeditious handling of offenses made against myself ~~and the happy image of Michael being killed with a spoon as soon as he got to L.A.~~ and keeping the circumstances of that offense as private as possible, sparing me much greater pain.

I can not say that his judgment was perfect, or his actions were always beyond reproach; but I can say that he was as impartial in his punishments and straightforward in his assessments as his position allowed, and that Fandom High was lucky to have him as an administrator during his tenure.

Vala completely forgot about the damned essay... and doesn't care much at the moment.

The one figure that I have encountered that most symbolizes the essence of Justice, at least in my opinion, would be Principal Bristow. Even though he did threaten to kill me a couple of times and I am pretty sure that he tortured me for information, I found that for the most part that he was a fair and impartial principal who had the school’s best interests at heart.

While there were some punishments that I considered questionable, I would say for the most part the punishment did fit the crime. At first I questioned the logic of bringing Angel back to school after the crimes he had committed, but I’ve found that he has become a valued student here at Fandom High.

And quite frankly watching students attempt to do Jazz Hands during the Chrismas ~~Punishment~~ Pageant was quite amusing for the crowd and I doubt that any of the students involved will ever play strip poker in the common room again.

The figure that in my mind embodies Justice is Angel because he represents both sides of the balance. As Angelus, he became a face that represented crime in its darkest hour. Yet, when he became Angel, he showed us how Justice is supposed to work.

Never once as he expected us to forgive him for the crimes Angelus committed. He has accepted that to bring the scale of Justice into balance he needs to use actions and not idle words. Instead of wallowing or taking his past actions as an excuse to continue on the path Angelus has laid out for him, Angel has decided to actively try to make up for what he did and is struggling to try and proof that he is not the same vampire.

This is why Angel represents Justice for me. Despite his past and nature, he fights for Justice and not against it.

[ooc: Awwwww]

I can’t choose one subject that I think embodies Justice better than anything else. In my life, I’ve encountered too many people who are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Justice is served.

A man who literally walked through fire to save his daughter’s life. Another who has repeatedly put his life on the line to protect people who wouldn’t have necessarily given him the time of day before his heroic acts, even though he would deny he is a hero. The boy who fearlessly faced off with an opponent who had a clear advantage to save the girl he loves.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also the deputy who pushed aside being betrayed, the best friend who forgave an unfortunate slip of the tongue, and the friends who are willing to listen.

I think, in our own ways, we all embody Justice.

The Power is the embodiment of Justice in all the known galaxies where I come from. Being a Power Ranger requires three characteristics that youth has in abundance: physical conditioning, a belief in one’s own invincibility, and a willingness to be consumed by something else. The Rangers are a planet’s last line of defense against those who would destroy or conquer it, and as such must be ready to face any challenge that is in their way.

Rangers sometimes work alone, but more often they work in teams consisting of anywhere from three to six members. Each team member brings with them their own unique perspective on Justice.

To be chosen as a Power Ranger is more than just an honour; it means you swear an oath to protect your planet, and by extension, the universe, from the forces of evil. One goal, one team, known as the Power Rangers.

Justice for me is the desire to do good no matter what. To ignore the idea of personal gain, no matter how tempting that gain might be, and instead focus on doing things to make the world better for other people.

It's trying to figure out how to be better, even if you're not totally sure how to do that yet. But to take whatever mistakes you've made, whatever crimes you might have done, and try to find a way to make up for that. Maybe not to the people you've hurt. Sometimes that's not possible. But in general. You can try to embody that goodness even if those you've wronged never see you do it.

You might not ever succeed. You might not ever win the fight against evil. You might not ever be truly better than you were. But you can try. And I think the trying is what counts. At least I hope it does.

What I feel embodies Justice better than anything else is Professor The Tick himself. Not only is he utterly steadfast and unwavering in his constant pursuit of Justice, but he also takes to time to teach others to better embody Justice in their own lives.

Having been in both of his classes this year, I feel that I and all my classmates have a much greater awareness of Justice ~~and just how many truly bizarre metaphors can be created in its name~~ and the ways in which we can work for it in our own lives, even if we do not truly dedicate ourselves to it in the same way Professor The Tick does.

Professor The Tick's tireless pursuit of Right on behalf of all of the students and inhabitants of Fandom -- as well as his work in The City -- is a shining example to us all, and this is why I feel that Professor The Tick is the clearest embodiment of Justice I have ever encountered.

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Advanced Criminal Justice, Class 12, Period 1, 02.16.06

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