by Brenda L. Johnson

Created on: June 27, 2008

Truth, Justice, and Integrity

Those very illustrious qualities of truth, justice, and integrity are allegedly hotly pursued though they seem to remain quite elusive and debatable in societal discourses. The lens of relativity causes one to question whether or not truth can indeed be definitive, whether integrity is the crux of moral living, and whether justice can exist in a capitalist global society. In fact, the gray scale often dominates what is believed to be black and white. People struggle with that for which they stand or at least believe is that for which they should stand. And from libertarians to liberals, Marxists to conservatives, ideas of justice are vast and varied. In such a diverse world, how are decisions made, conclusions reached, and justice had?

Inevitably, these are not easy processes. For this reason, the "authorities" are given the power to decide what is in the best interest of the people. The authorities determine what truth will be, how integrity will be interpreted, and the means for which justice will be achieved. Whether the electoral college is deciding the outcome of an election that is purportedly of the people, by the people, and for the people or the Supreme Court is ruling that major corporations do not have to pay sufficient funds for major oil spills, there are authorities deciding the fate of society. Whether the president is allegedly unilaterally declaring war as commander-and-chief or the Supreme Court is denying a woman rights to equal pay, the authorities are deciding what is truth, what is integral, and what is justified.

The separation of powersjudicial, legislative, and executiveare to ensure that there is a balance of power between the branches of government and that justice is meted out equally. However, if the president can wiretap the lines of "free" American citizens, then are the freedoms of the people protected by this so-called separation of power. Should we beware of an impending 1984 Orwellian reality? Where is the line between national security and personal freedoms? Is this the blurred line between the truth of freedom and the illusion of freedom?

Indeed, freedom as truth is more an internal process than an external predicament. That is, the true test is to be free in mind and spirit. Physical bondage is the least of the evilsor so they say? To what extent does a physical reality become spiritual and intellectual truth? Is it possible to be so spiritually enlightened that one is unaffected by legislation

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