............All others pay cash
by Viki Eggers Mason
Wednesday’s marathon trial of local Pastor Ricky Bowen
for his alleged obstruction of justice was not my idea of a good time.
As a matter of fact, frequently throughout the course of that very long
day which began at 8:30 and finally ended at 7:00 that evening, I
wondered why on earth I was giving up a days pay and, as some kind of
perverse bonus, subjecting my ample backside to the ravages of a wicked
wooden chair. (It might as well have been the rack, or so my bones told
me the next morning.) I guess I just wanted to observe our justice
system at work. As it happens, I wasted my day and despite my personal
padding, my butt still hurts.
The trial was a travesty where Constitutionally protected rights were
shredded and discarded by the Court like so much paper from the bottom
of the parakeet’s cage. There was, however, one interesting theme that
caught my attention. It was the concept of trust as it applies to
elected officials. No. Really! Let me explain.
Early in the process, not even midway in the Prosecutions presentation
of the evidence against Bowen, (and long before the Court OUGHT to have
formed any opinion about the case,) the municipal judge and sometimes
bank teller Adrian Haynes took it upon herself to wax eloquent about the
citizen’s obligation to trust the people elected to office.
Now, it may be the prerogative of the Court to lecture the gallery at
length on the subject of its choice. Like Judge Haynes, I’m not
thoroughly familiar with the law, I’m a novice in such matters and
freely admit it whereas she, on the other hand, seems to believe that
the magic of all knowledge is in the black robes she wears. Once she
puts those on, she believes she becomes an expert in all things legal,
moral and otherwise. Anyway, at that point my eyes, of their own accord,
began to roll madly about in my head and my knees began to shake.
Trust? Trust? This woman wants to talk to ME about trust????? This woman
who breaks every rule of Judicial Conduct wants me to TRUST her to tell
me about TRUST! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I spent most of the remainder of the day trying to squelch the snarls
and growls which rumbled from deep within me and which threatened to
earn me a hefty fine and a few nights in the hoosegow for contempt of
court. (I do not hesitate to tell you I AM ALWAYS in contempt of Judge
Haynes’ court - all day every day. The woman is a pretender to the
bench and, as such, is unworthy of that hallowed seat. Nevertheless,
when you are in the presence of the robes, you respect them even if you
can’t find an iota of esteem for the individual who wears them. )
Ranting aside, I disagree with Judge Haynes.
Here is what trust means according to one of the many online
dictionaries:" Trust - reliance on the integrity, strength,
ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence."
In my book trust isn’t a gift. Trust is something which must be
earned. Needless to say, in my opinion none – not one of the elected
city officials in Aberdeen, Mississippi – has earned my confidence.
Nor does any one of them inspire my loyalty. I see no integrity in them.
I see no strength. They are unworthy of my trust and are, increasingly
falling afoul of the support entrusted to them by the citizens during
the last election.
When it became obvious that the City’s main beef with Bowen was the
fact that he had been working with the State Auditor’s office with
respect to the Electric Department debacle – that Bowen went over the
heads of the local gendarmes - Waide attempted to introduce (because
I’m sure Haynes and Faulks have never MET the Constitution before)
those Constitutional provisions to which we’re all entitled.
“This is the United States of America, Your Honor,” Attorney Jim
Waide pleaded on Wednesday. “A citizen has the right to complain about
his government to whomever he chooses!” (I maintain it’s more than a
right. I believe it’s an OBLIGATION.)
The prosecution argued that it was the duty of citizen Bowen to
relinquish all evidence of corruption at the electric department to
local law enforcement without benefit of 4th Amendment Rights which
guarantee us protection from illegal search and seizure.
“Did you ever issue a warrant to obtain the documents you wanted?”
Waide asked Police Chief Henry Randle.
“Uh. No.” Randle answered.
Ok. So let me get this straight. Bowen had papers that Randle wanted.
Instead of getting a warrant or, more appropriately a subpoena duces
tecum (In the United States legal system, a subpoena duces tecum - Latin
for “bring with you under penalty of punishment” - is a specific
form of subpoena issued by the court ordering parties named to appear
and produce tangible evidence for use at a hearing or trial,) Henry
Randle simply arrested the minister for not cooperating .
To HELL with the Constitution of the United States of America!
In Aberdeen, if you don’t trust the local officials you get arrested
for insubordination. You WILL trust the local officials, comrade, or pay
the price. (Speaking of price tags, Bowen had two lawyers and a court
reporter in court that day. I’m guessing he spent more than what I
earned last year attempting to simply defend himself in this fiasco.)
The entire day and the trial in which Prosecutor and appointed City Attorney
Robert Faulks played the part of Judge also – ruling on objections
with a nod or a gesture in response to Haynes’ questioning eyes –
was a farce.
Ultimately, and through the benevolence of the Judge, the day’s
entertainment culminated in dismissal of the charges with the proviso
that Bowen would NOT sue the city or its officers. Not only do you get
arrested for not trusting, you are entitled to pay court costs and huge
fees to lawyers in order that you might avoid seeing your good
reputation smeared beyond repair for no good reason.
Then we got the lecture. Those of us who were left at the end of the day
endured fifteen or twenty minutes of syrupy condescension from the robed
one. She scolded us as if we were little children who didn’t know
enough to decide for ourselves whether or not the fools around the
boardroom table were worthy and able men. Her position was simple. Like
it or lump it. If you disagree, you will be demonized. Her message to
the citizens: “Just shut up and sit down while the city crumbles at
your feet.”
Here’s a bulletin, Your Honor. There are very good reasons the
citizens have no faith in the elected employees in Aberdeen. THESE MEN
ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY. They bend the rules, break the law and steal from
the taxpayers. Perhaps worse, they appoint judges who are ignorant of
the law.
There is this old story which, in my mind applies in this case. Once a
man was walking down the road and spied a snake. The snake was cold and
miserable.
“You look cold and miserable, Mr. Snake,” the man said.
“I am indeed” the snake replied. (He was an Irish snake, recently
cast out of the Emerald Isle by Saint Patrick himself.)
“I will put you in my pocket, Mr. Snake. I will buy little mice from
the pet store to feed you and I will keep you warm.” Promised the man.
And so he did.
Later, when the snake was warm and well fed, he turned upon the man and
bit him with his sharp, scary fangs.
“Snake!” cried the man. “You’ve bitten me even after I fed you
and kept you warm!”
“Sheesh.” Said the serpent. “You always KNEW I was a snake. What
did you expect?”
Here’s my plan. Let’s gather on the steps of city hall, build a
really big bonfire, roast marshmallows hold hands and sing Kumbaya!
Let’s even invite the snakes! Gosh! I’m feeling better already.