I read the complete transcript of a court case involving the custody case of two young boys. The judge reprimanded counsel on both sides and said that he didn’t have time to listen to their testimony or evidence. The defendant's lawyer had said he couldn’t refute any of the recommendations or opinions of the court’s officers; it would just make the judge mad. I had access to the transcripts of all the interviews and was quite well acquainted with the situation. It was blatantly evident that the court’s officers were biased in their questions and interpretation of responses in their interviews. The hearing was a formality and a sham! With a little money (maybe a lot of money), a good lawyer could have appealed the decision and had it either reversed or, at the least, had a re-hearing. Both the judge and the defendant’s lawyer should have been severely reprimanded.

What was the need for a formal hearing? It was quite evident that the judge had already made his decision before the hearing had begun. And, the lawyer didn’t want to jeopardize his rapport with the judge.

What is the purpose of conducting a hearing if Justice Thomas doesn’t need to ask any questions? Isn’t it quite evident that he has already decided his opinion without any hearing? He isn’t going to alienate the extreme right by taking into consideration anything that might not fit their agenda.

His refusal to consider any treatment of prisoners as cruelty and inhumane treatment is anything but an indication of Christian justice. Members of society, regardless of their religious or political bent, should be raising their voices so loud that the court system, Congress, and the administration cannot continue to ignore such blatant disregard of human rights and justice.

Are we a civilized society?