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JUSTICE 

Anssi Vanjoki, was caught racing his Harley down a street in Helsinki, Finland. The police clocked him at 47 mph in a 31 mph zone and the judge assessed him with a $103,600 fine for speeding. 

The millionaire executive is fighting the fine, not because he wasn't speeding. He is appealing the amount of the fine. In Finland, traffic fines vary according to the income of the offender. Vanjoki's ticket was based on his income in 1999 which he claims was unusually high due to option sales. He says his current income is much lower as Nokia's share price fell with other high tech stocks in 2001. A district court official says Vanjoki's appeal will be heard in May. 

A traffic fine of $103,600 is believed to be the highest penalty ever accessed in Finland. The fine may seem extreme to average income people, but that's the point. Finland wants to get their speeder's attention. They want them to drive the speed limit. A $120.00 fine wouldn't phase a Millionaire, but add a few zeroes to it and he perks up. It has a similar impact on him that the smaller fine would have on a waitress. He'll probably think twice before he decides to disregard posted speed limits in the near future. 

—http://dailynews.yahoo.com, January 14, 2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

When I think about that story, I come to think that it is impossible to really have justice in a sinful world. $103,600.00 fine doesn't seem just, but neither does a smaller fine for a large income individual. Society can try to bring equity, and might get close, but real justice won't come in this world. Life isn't fair. We suffer. We have tribulation. But the day is coming when justice will come. 

John 16:33 NASB "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." 

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JUSTICE 

In a cartoon-strip of Calvin and Hobbes, the mischievous imp Calvin is listening to the tune, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town": He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good; So be good, for goodness' sake! Reflecting deeply on this theme of Santa, Calvin reports his musings to Hobbes, his striped sidekick and co-conspirator. "This Santa Claus stuff bothers me … especially the judge and jury bit," Calvin mutters. He wonders why Santa carries such moral authority: "Who appointed Santa? How do we know he's impartial? What criteria does he use for determining bad or good? And what about extenuating circumstances? Kids should have the benefit of legal counsel, don't you think?" 

Many of us view God in the same way. "Who appointed him? Why does He get to make all the rules? How do we know that He will be fair? What right does He have to judge me?" From the outset the Bible describes God as the creator of everything and therefore has the right to do whatever he wants with His creation. It is not our place to question or judge him, but to submit, obey and trust. He is God! 

—Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma 

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JUSTICE 

In the middle of a week dominated by reports of American abuse of Iraqi prisoners, President Bush said the Lord "is not on the side of any nation, yet we know He is on the side of justice." The day before, the President had called the abuses of Iraqi prisoners "abhorrent" saying, "justice will be delivered." 

The President said the deepest strength of America was that from our founding we have chosen justice as our goal. He added, "Our greatest failures as a nation have come when we lost sight of that goal: In slavery, in segregation, and in every wrong that has denied the value and dignity of life. Our finest moments have come when we have faithfully served the cause of justice for our own citizens and for the people of other lands. And through our nation's history, we have turned to prayer for wisdom to know the good and for the courage to do the good." 

During the National Day of Prayer address, the President added, "Prayer also teaches us to trust, to accept that God's plan unfolds in His time, not ours." He said all of life and history "rests on the character of our creation and our Creator. And God's love and mercy extend to all and endure forever." 

—www.bpnews.net God is on the 'side of justice', president says on Day of Prayer, by Tom Strode, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Amos 5:24 (NIV) “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” 

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JUSTICE 

Rachel Newman was just stepping out of the shower of her New York City apartment the day the first plane hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. That was the day the world changed, and the day that she changed too. 

Up until that day, if you'd asked her to describe herself, she would have used words like, musician, poet, artist, woman, lesbian and Jew. "Being an American wouldn't have even made the list." Newman said. 

Newman had socialist leanings and had even considered moving out of the country to get away from America's capitalistic society. Today she has an American flag on her backpack and has added another word to her list of descriptors: patriot. 

She agrees with her friends who are anti-hate and don't think Arab-Americans should be persecuted for the sins of the terrorists, but she isn't anti-war like many of her peers. 

"I try to be open minded and to respect other people's opinion." Newman said. "But when I heard my fellow students saying that they did not want to fight back despite the terrorists' direct attack on our country, I felt they were confusing revenge with justice." 

"In an ideal world," Newman continues, "pacifism is the only answer. I am not eager to say this, but we do not live in an ideal world… Americans may want peace, but terrorists want bloodshed. I've come to accept the idea of a focused war on terrorists as the best way to ensure our country's safety." 

—Newsweek, October 1, 2001 p. 9 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

I have a feeling that Rachel Newman and I wouldn't agree on much if we discussed matters of faith or politics, but the events of 9-11 have altered us all. Certainly I agree that we shouldn't confuse revenge with justice. My prayer is that God will use our military as a tool of His justice and that we won't be tempted to use it to exact revenge. 

Romans 12:19 KJV "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
 
 

JUSTICE 

A fugitive from justice in southern Italy thought he could give police the slip by ducking into a church, but justice still found him. Police wanted 48 year-old Giberto Carnoale for escaping from house arrest. Police were chasing him, but he eluded them and dashed into a church to hide. Inside, Canoale found another group of officers attending a service. The officers recognized the man and arrested him on the spot. Authorities say that before taking the man to jail they honored his request to stay for the remainder of the worship service. 

—Reuters, Fugitive hides in church, finds police praying, November 22, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Proverbs 28:5 (MSG) "Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek God know it inside and out."

One new study published in Psychological Sciences says even babies recognize a display of injustice, even in circumstances that do not directly affect them. The research involved children aged 19 to 21 months of age, and found even from a very young age the children have a general expectation of what is fair and what is not. The children were shown a puppets show featuring two identical giraffes. The animals were offered either a toy or a cookie. In some cases, the experimenter gave both puppets something, and in others gave both items to one puppet. By timing how long the toddlers gazed at the scene before turning away, researchers could tell when the children were surprised or had their expectations dashed. 

In the experiment, the toddlers stared at the scene longer when the second puppet did not get either a toy or cookie. Co-author of the study, Graduate student Stephanie Sloane, said they found that even young children have a general expectation of what is fair, and have the ability to apply it in various circumstances. Other researchers have supposed that an ability to perceive what is fair is common to humans and other animals that live in very social settings. Sloane said, “We think children are born with a skeleton of general expectations about fairness and these principles and concepts get shaped in different ways depending on the culture and the environment they’re brought up in.”

--Even Babies Can Recognize What’s Fair, http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/20/even-babies-can-recognize-whats-fair ; February 20, 2012,  Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

Romans 1:20-21 (HCSB) For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. (21) For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 

You would think that someone who spends his life dispensing justice would find it for himself, but that isn’t always the case. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer was robbed twice in 2012. The first time it by a man holding a machete in the Caribbean, the second time in his townhouse in his Georgetown neighborhood.

--http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/17/us-usa-court-burglary-idUSBRE84G1CB20120517 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

This side of the great white throne, there will be injustice for everyone—even for those who see to bring justice for all. That doesn’t mean we stop working for it, just that we can’t achieve it on our own.

Psalm 82:3–4 (HCSB) “ Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. 4 Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked.” 

An Oregon man turned an opportunity for a good deal into a good deed. When a transient offered to sell the man a three-speed Linus roadster for $40, he knew it was probably stolen, but he bought it anyway. Instead of riding off on the new bike, the man realized it was an expensive bicycle and saw a sticker for a local cycle shop on the frame. He took it to the shop, and they were able to use their computer to trace the owner, who happened to be missing a bike. The owner of the repair shop did not identify the man who bought the two-wheeler but said the owner was surprised to get his bicycle back. Jeremy Scholz, owner of Clever Cycles said, “All the pieces were intact and he had pretty much given up on it.” — Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Man buys $700 stolen bike for $40, give it back to owner, by Kate Cagle, http://www.kptv.com/story/19601696/man-buys-700-stolen-bike-for-40-and-gives-it-back-to-owner, Accessed September 21, 2012.

Psalm 112:5 (NKJV) A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. 

The couple ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner took hostage in the final hours of his life are speaking out. When asked, “Did Dorner tell you why he was doing what he was doing?” They said he told them, 

“I just want to clear my name.” --Jim L. Wilson and Steven Lennertz
 

—http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/christopher-dorner-hostages-wanted-clear-18499010 (accessed 2-28-13)

That’s something that only God can do.

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 

A Michigan judge who demanded strict compliance with cell phone procedures in his courtroom had to cite himself for contempt after his phone disrupted a court proceeding. Judge Raymond Voet posted a policy stating that any electronic devices causing a disturbance during court sessions would result in the owner being cited for contempt and then fined.  During a recent courtroom session, Voet’s new smartphone began to emit sounds requesting voice commands. The Judge said, he probably bumped the phone accidentally, but confirmed during a break that he had fined himself. The judge said if he couldn’t live by the rules he enforces he had no business enforcing the rules.—  Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Michigan judge holds self in contempt, pays $25 fine after his smartphone disrupts a hearing, http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Michigan-judge-holds-self-in-contempt-pays-25-fine-after-his-smartphone-disrupts-hearing/-/1719418/19750880/-/3dm6jc/-/index.html, Accessed April 15, 2013. 

Psalm 94:15 (ESV) for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 

An Ohio judge ordered 62-year-old Edmond Aviv, a man convicted of harassing his neighbor and her disabled children to stand on a street corner for five hours holding a sign proclaiming, ”I AM A BULLY!” The sign was also required to state that Aviv picked on children that were disabled and that he was intolerant of those that are different from himself. Records from the court said Aviv had feuded with his neighbors for 15 years and it had stated when the family adopted two children with developmental disabilities. Documents alleged that Aviv would shine a spotlight on the home at 3AM, call the family ethnic slurs, and would do other things just to upset them. In addition to holding the sign, Aviv was required to serve 15 days in jail, undergo anger management classes and counseling, as well as send an apology letter to his neighbors.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Ohio judge orders man to hold 'I AM A BULLY' sign, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/04/12/ohio-judge-orders-man-to-hold-am-bully-sign, Accessed April 12, 2014.

Luke 12:2-3 (HCSB) There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. (3) Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 

In 2009, a high school girl named Wanetta Gibson falsely accused a High school football star named Brian Banks of rape. That accusation caused the loss of several college scholarships and a five years sentence when he could have played college football. The future after than we will never know, for he could have had a brilliant career resulting in a professional career in football, honors, records etc. but we will never know. The judge ordered the girl to pay $2.5 million to Banks for damages. Is that enough for the losses of time and potential opportunities he may have had? Is Brian Banks getting justice? How angry could he feel now that he is vindicated?—Jim L. Wilson and David Mills

http://www.codewit.com/north-america/19664-the-woman-who-falsely-accused-football-star-brian-banks-of-raping-her-is-being-forced-to-pay-big-time
 

Joseph experienced the same injustice (see Gen 39), how did he handle it? A day is coming when God will judge the liar and vindicate the accused. 

Hebrews 4:13 (HCSB) No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. 
 

JUSTICE

Blaine Boyer, relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, spent ten days in November 2015 in Southeast Asian brothels, wearing a hidden camera and doing undercover work to help rescue underage sex slaves.

Working through a nonprofit called the Exodus Road, Boyer, and good friend Adam LaRoche, conducted surveillance in brothels and tried to determine the age of the girls.

When asked why he would participate in such unique behavior and risk his life for people he barely knew, Boyer said, “It was an easy choice to make. The simple answer to that is it has everything to do with our faith and God. I feel like we were compelled, and I feel like it was a stirring in our hearts. This is a fight that is going on.” –Jim L. Wilson and Eric Gibbs

--http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-pitcher-blaine-boyer-says-mission-was-life-changer-b99706885z1-375733041.html

Micah 6:8 (HCSB) “Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

JUSTICE

Claudy Charles was on trial in a Miami courtroom for arson. He allegedly set his car on fire to collect insurance money. His defense attorney, Stephen Gutierrez, argued the vehicle had spontaneously combusted. Gutierrez had just begun his closing argument when smoke started billowing from his right trouser pocket. He ran from the room and later said a bad e-cigarette battery had ignited in his pocket. Even with the demonstration of spontaneous combustion the jury didn’t buy the argument and Charles was found guilty of second-degree arson.

Was it just coincidence that spontaneous combustion took place just as it was being used as a defense or was it a well-timed demonstration cooked up by the lawyer? Either way, our world would be a different place if the consequences of our actions were as immediately known. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

The Week, March 24, 2017 p. 12

Numbers 32:23 (HCSB) “But if you don’t do this, you will certainly sin against the Lord; be sure your sin will catch up with you.”

JUSTICE

The old quote says that “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Fair enough. Looks like there is something else that applies to all—even the powerful: jury duty. Former President Obama just got a summons to serve. And just like everyone else, he will rack up $17.25 a day for his service.—Jim L. Wilson

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/28/560574893/former-presidents-they-re-just-like-us-obama-called-for-jury-duty

Deuteronomy 17:10 (CSB)

You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the Lord chooses. Be careful to do exactly as they instruct you.

JUSTICE

A Florida county sheriff has come with a novel method of discouraging inmates from returning.  Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says his department used money from seized assets to purchase a green flashing vacancy sign for the jail. He says the facility offers no privacy, group bathrooms, and no meal selection. Inmates receive free transportation to court and other state facilities, along with designer handcuffs and leg irons, along with color coordinated jumpsuits and shoes. Staly says a sign at the exit reminds inmates that they always have a bed available if they should break the law again. He said the signs are meant to discourage inmates from returning because the ‘inn’ is not “a five-star hotel.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.yahoo.com/news/vacancy-sign-flashes-florida-jail-dubbed-green-roof-140429419.html

Proverbs 8:20 (CSB)

I walk in the ways of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

JUSTICE

In Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos is the main supervillain. His goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones that he places on his gauntlet. Once he obtains all six infinity stones, he will have the ability to wipe out half existence in the entire universe. His home planet was overpopulated and depleted all of its resources. He offered a solution to extinct half of the population of the planet. People rejected his plan, which resulted in the extinction of the entire population. He believes the same fate will happen to the universe. Thanos is determined to not let what happened to his planet, happen to the universe. Throughout the movie, he kills anyone who tries to stop him. Thanos’ wrath is based upon a twisted view of justice and mercy –Jim L. Wilson & Steven Cabrillos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMoLrusI484 (accessed11/4/18). 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanos site.(Accessed 11/4/18).

Romans 1:18–20 (CSB) “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, ¹⁹ since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.”

JUSTICE

The Me Too movement started when actress Alyssa Milano asked anyone who has been a victim of sexual harassment to tweet “Me Too.”  The results were overwhelming. “She woke up the next morning to 55,000 replies and the hash tag trending No 1 on Twitter.” Her tweet has propelled a movement that is reshaping the conversation around sexual harassment.

Some have responded to the movement with questioning the motives of those who used the #MeToo. Others have applauded their courage. Regardless, the movement reminds everyone of the importance of seeking justice for vulnerable and marginalized people. —Jim L. Wilson and Lindsay Robertson

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/01/alyssa-milano-mee-too-sexual-harassment-abuse

Isaiah 1:17 (CSB) “Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.”

JUSTICE

Danielle Reno said she only got out of her car for a minute to pick up her daughter, but when she did, someone jumped into her car and drove away.  Reno said she filed a police report but decide to do some detective work on her own. The thief had also taken her credit and debit cards because her wallet was in the car. About 48 hours later, she saw that her card had been used at a gas station. She talked to the attendant who told her he heard the women in the car talking about going to a nearby restaurant. She went to the restaurant and saw three women come in, one of whom was holding her wallet and keys. While they were eating, Reno used a spare key and took her own car from the parking lot. She also called police and the three thieves were arrested. Reno said she was happy to get her car back, but said the women had damaged the interior and she will have to have it repaired.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell 

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2019/07/15/Missouri-woman-tracks-down-her-stolen-SUV-takes-it-back/9571563209838/?sl=14

Psalm 82:3 (CSB) “Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.”

JUSTICE

A Chinese physics professor provided traffic police with a two-page report filled with complicated equations and diagrams to prove he could not have caused a traffic accident.  Police admitted they were baffled by the physics, and turned to a simpler technology. They said the professor was driving a black SUV and made a right run when he collided with a taxi.  They said the report included detailed calculations involving the laws of physics to prove he was driving properly and the taxi driver caused the accident.  Officers said the information looked believable but they needed direct evidence, so they pulled footage from a surveillance camera that showed what happened. A police officer said, “I didn’t understand his calculation, but the camera shows he’s right.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1154145.shtml

Proverbs 29:26 (CSB)

“Many desire a ruler’s favor,