The Bible is replete with passages supporting not the contrary. A “time (1K yrs), times and half a time,” or about 3.5 Lord’s days (2 Peter 3:8) or 35 centuries, ago, Moses — the lawgiver — commanded: “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” Leviticus 19:15. And, he admonished woeful: “Cursed is the man who withholds justice….” Deuteronomy 27:19. Three millennia ago King Solomon — a king had always been regarded as the “fountain of justice” — who held court in his days, said tongue-in-cheek: “And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment — wickedness was there, in the place of justice, wickedness was there. I thought in my hear, ‘God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, and a time for every deed.’ ” Ecclesiates 3:16. A millennium later Jesus rebuked lawyers: “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” Luke 11:46. Temporarily, there are countless cases in the law books implicating, indicting and convicting such men. In U.S. v. Lanier, 117 S.Ct. 1219 (1997), it was about a state judge who was convicted and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for deprivation of someone’s liberty without due process of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. §242 — it was about unlawful sexual conduct of the judge toward some women, really.
I believe this should be consoling to Mr. Atalig, who I think is still in the catacombs of Stalag 5, Susupe, sojourning there at Judge Govendo’s behest until such time that he (Atalig) returns a certain sum to some probated estate. Whatever. This counsels me a lot in my pursuit for justice for all the injustices that were felled upon me and the illegal taking of my properties, including recompense for time I spent in the federal gulags — yes, nearly four years altogether. Mr. Atalig, if what you said is true then likewise demand for an investigation and for other appropriate actions to be taken by the proper authorities.
It must therefore be considered by everyone concerned, most of whom are of just such men, in respect to my case, what Jesus exhorted: “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:25. True that, true that. Pardon me though, Mr. Atalig, because I do not think this consoles, but I know it counsels, you as to the matter of the probated estate — it is all up to you, as you know you hold the key to the door lock.
Finally, I know that Juan B. Camacho (Binadu), a sojourner also, will take some comfort from all the biblical references above, as he is one who takes to heart passages in the Bible as divinely inspired — he will have his justice come Judgment Day which draws nigh; and he frets not for, as he told me, the Spirit dwells in him and his name is in the Lamb’s book of life. I have some reservations about the way our justice system treated his case, but that is another matter to be discussed another day, soon.
JOHN S. PANGELINAN
Capital Hill, Saipan
