What Will Be Her Final Answer?

Observers gazing at her may contemplate questions they harbor within and wonder how each would be decided if put to her unbiased test. When placed in the trays of equal weight suspended from the balance tree pedestal, would the pros and cons of an issue be correctly hefted and satisfactorily resolved? We would like that to be the case in every instance. Alas, perfection is elusive.

It Should Just Be A Game

Circumstances extant in a big news story of the day are forcing Americans (and maybe Canadians as a result of a similar fallout north of the border) to load onto one tray the merits of NFL players' protests who feel aggrieved for themselves and/or unspecified fellow travelers. Onto the other tray is piled the history of the nation, tokenly represented by its' flag and anthem. To the demonstrating players and their cohorts this is all about race . . . oppressed blacks vs white supremacists. To many non-players, fans and observers, this is all about respect for past generations of citizens who fought and died to create a society and culture envied around the world. Not perfect, but pretty damned good. And definitely not about race. Recognizable cohorts of the players are league management and team owners. None of those are in any way oppressed. Many players earning six and seven figure salaries are millionaires many times over, and the owners are billionaires. The Commissioner of the NFL reportedly makes $40 million annually. To put those numbers in perspective, peruse the following chart. Consider too the roles played by the military that include protecting NFL players from enemies.

As I penned this essay I was watching a series of actual films titled "D-Day To Victory" presented by the National Film Board of Canada. The episodes portray the allied forces bloody conquest of Germany. The most horrific footage was taken at the liberation of concentration camps across Europe. In one particular scene a huge army bulldozer as big as a tank with a scoop was used to plow thousands of naked bodies into a common grave. Some very old living veterans from the war, proudly sporting a medal or two, and maybe a poppy in a lapel, were interviewed to add comment to the films. All told of friends who did not return. They could not keep from weeping as they described what they had seen and were compelled to do. The mental scars are for life. If I am permitted to add to a Lady Justice tray I would place these film reels in evidence. What will you add?