Raj Feridun wrote:

> On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 15:13:21 +0900, Eric Takabayashi
> <etakajp@yahoo.co.jp> wrote:
>
> >> You seem to want a utopian system. That's just not realistic, sorry.
>
> >The issue is you not even TRYING to think of how to improve imperfections even you claim
> >to be able to see, being perfectly happy with reality.
>
> Humans aren't perfect. That's the sad fact. There will always be
> dishonesty and corruption. That's a different thing than blaming the
> system. If you have a BETTER system (more fair) I'm more than happy to
> consider it.

Obviously, even the system *as it currently exists* could be better. But you don't even
consider or acknowledge that much, Mr. Perfectly Happy, unimaginative and lazy.

I've told you how to protect even just the falsely or mistakenly accused.

Didn't you like it? If you don't like it, then YOU propose something better.

> I was born in New Jersey and lived for the most part as an adult in
> Queens, NY riding the subway daily into Manhattan. I have been the
> victim of a mugging and have vast experience of encountering homeless
> people. I have also been the victim of a mugging.
>
> Yes, now I live in Shikoku and it is nice.

And you don't even acknowledge how the Japanese system differs from that the US, eg, in that
its legal protections are not enforced. Do you only concern yourself with the victimized
(abused by the legal system) in New Jersey or the US? Don't Japanese deserve to enjoy the
protections of their own Constitution as well?

> That is NOT the reality of the "US" legal system. It is a statutory
> penalty and I never said I supported it nor did I say I did not. One
> can defend the US system of justice without necessarily supporting the
> death penalty.

Then how can you be "perfectly happy"? How can you not blame the existence of the death
penalty which in itself, not the weakness of juries forced to decide whether or not to allow
it, for the suffering it causes? Even I can have some sympathy with the families of executed
criminals. You can't just pretend it's irrelevant because you're from New Jersey, whatever
coming from New Jersey is supposed to mean. Hawaii doesn't have the death penalty, but I
still have to live with its consequences as an American.

> >why don't YOU defend your perfect happiness?
>
> I think I have. I'm sorry if you disagree.

It is you who disagree.

> >Let's hear it. Allow us to share in your perfect happiness with reality as it is. Are
> >you part of some religious organization?
>
> No.

You don't want to help anyone else live in your perfect happiness? People must just "Live
with" reality?

Damn, that is cold. Even promoting the protections of the US Constitution abroad, or shaking
your head when Japan does not enforce its own Constitution in criminal matters, should be an
improvement. You don't even do that.

> >Why can't you even imagine a system that would find actual criminals and protect the
> >innocent, better than what we have now? Don't give me that "perfectly happy" when even
> >you recognize the easily identifiable weaknesses such as simple lack of resources.
>
> Maybe I'm not smart enough.

You don't need to be "smart" to simply acknowledge that resources could be utilized better
than they are now, rather than claiming to be "perfectly happy". Not only could resources in
Iraq be better utilized in Iraq itself, those resources could be put to better use in the
US. Have you noticed this yet? Why not suggest I vote appropriately if I am unwilling to
"live with" the finality of what you claim to be "reality"? Or did I merely miss you doing
that in this Fahrenheit 9/11 thread?

> Considering the fact that our own system

Note we live in Japan. They got their system written up and handed to them in about a week
by legal amateurs, and their parliament voted for it while under occupation. They've had it
so long, they are afraid to mess with it.

> is almost 230 years in development by some of the greatest minds that
> ever lived I'm not surprised that your nor anyone else is coming up
> with any brainstorm fix-alls.

We don't need a fix all, and I'm not demanding a fix all. Damn, you can't even realize that
much?

Simply more funding or better resources for public defenders to properly defend poor or
legally ignorant defendants would be a significant improvement. I would not hire a lawyer
myself unless falsely accused. But even to defend oneself against a simple claim of fondling
a high school girl on the train can take a year and half and 20 million yen, (NOT including
the prosecution appealing a not guilty verdict), losing one's job and social standing, when
someone could just walk away on a (false) confession for a 50,000 yen fine, no jail time,
and a (possibly secret) criminal record, or by handing blackmail money (a few hundred
thousand) to professional female extortionists. It is no surprise at least some Japanese men
do just that, even if they have done nothing wrong.

> >> >> >If no to the second question, does this mean that the (eg, rape) claimant lied?
> >> >> >(Y/N)
>
> >> >> N/A.
>
> >> >I mistyped, by the way. It should be "If yes".
>
> >> Yes, the claimant lied in that case.
>
> >Being found "not guilty" means the claimant LIED?
>
> No, the claimant lying means the lied.

That is correct. But then your answer to the question above should be "no".

> >Holy shit. Would you care to explain this view?
>
> I would but I forgot the question and you snipped it.

I did not.

I see. You really haven't been reading, even for just the past week. It is no wonder you
cannot understand I do not support guilty unless proved innocent, despite my explicit
statements against it this week and for the past four years.

> I think your suggestion of more funding for the system we have was an
> excellent one.

Why do you say it is my suggestion? Haven't you ever heard it before? Why didn't you think
of it or remember it yourself?

Is your perfect happiness based simply on ignorance? Until I entered university and began to
question the validity of parts of "reality" in the US when I read about Socialist
revolutionary causes, instead of just believing what the news or my church told me, or what
little I knew from my sheltered existence (also before the numerous times I was involved
with the law and crime), I used to believe I and most others were "happy" too. It is no
wonder many Japanese are so naive living in Japan.

> >> If I was falsely accused and was unable to successfully defend myself
> >> "I" would obviously not be "perfectly happy" about it.
>
> >Good. You are capable of seeing that the system you would have others live with, means
> >something different when you are involved.
>
> It doesn't mean anything different. It just affects me personally
> which would not make happy. Still, I would be glad that I have the
> ability to defend myself rather than being considered guilty until I
> prove myself not so.

Who on this thread would do so? On the contrary, I devoted one entire post explicitly
outlining you an improved way to avoid false or mistaken accusation, and you won't even
comment on or acknowledge that.

> >I, on the other hand, would be comfortable living with my system, even if it meant the
> >deaths of criminals, including myself who am one, and 24 hour surveillance.
>
> Like Big Brother in Orwell's novel?.

No, more effective. It would not be random, it actually would be 24 hour. It would protect
against crime AND false accusation, because words, actions, and locations could actually be
proven. And if there ever could be a system to register thoughts, that would be useful, too.
Criminal intent could be proven to punish criminals, and lack of criminal intent proven to
protect the innocent.

I see you really have not been reading, if you have never heard of what Mike Cash years ago
named "EricWorld".

And before you get started, there would be trials, if we did not or could not "know" what
did not did not happen, which is why I had to remind Mike Fester on this thread.

> The system we have is not the problem.

What's the problem then, lack of funding and enforcement?

Geez.

> >> I've been involved with the law. I do count my blessings that I've not
> >> been involved for some years now.
>
> >You don't even care to suggest how to improve your own experience, "perfectly happy" as
> >you are?
>
> Increase funding as mentioned.

I had to come up with that for you.

> Elect better people to government.

Isn't that original.

> Do not commit crimes.

This is the best yet. Don't forget living clean to avoid being caught in compromising
positions which could lead to mistaken accusations and also to prevent people from wanting
to falsely accuse you of say, sexual assault or harassment.

How about something we haven't heard of or has never been tried?

> Any of these suggestions sound good to you?

Awesome. Why did it take you so long?