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Message: <blockquote data-quote="delericho" data-source="post: 3306610" data-attributes="member: 22424">Okay, I hope this is going to make sense... and I hope it doesn't get too political.The reason we have court systems is that sometimes folks who are accused of crimes aren't guilty of those crimes. This should be obvious. So, instead of rushing to judgement, we have a process whereby evidence is gathered and presented, and weighed carefully (by a jury of one's peers in the UK and US, but by celestial forces in OotS). Then, sentence is passed, which can result in an acquital or condemnation.This is all well and good, but it only works if the powers-that-be play 'by the rules'. If, instead, they engage in show-trials, having prejudged the situation, then they make a mockery of justice. If the public are aware of this, they lose faith in the system, and law breaks down - since in reality there is no justice, and so no reason not to stab your neighbour, provided he doesn't have any great influence.On the other hand, if the 'powers-that-be' are succeptible to corruption, and instead acquit criminals who should be found guilty (or happen to 'lose' evidence, or have the jury replaced by the ghostly remains of the father of the accused), then again they make mockery of justice. And, again, the public lose faith in the system, and law breaks down - only this time you can stab your neighbour if you have sufficient influence.And, of course, the Order of the Stick actually were guilty of the crime they were accused of, they just didn't know it.In any event, if Shojo wanted the services of the Order of the Stick, he could very easily have sent them some sort of message that would have compelled them to come. Instead, he had them dragged back in chains, and went through with a 'trial' which has now been revealed to be a fraud. This sets a precedent for trials in the land not being fair... and also raises a very important question - if this trial was rigged, how many others have been? How many other murderers have been set free when they should have been executed, but who were convenient agents for the government? How many innocent men have been executed because they knew something they shouldn't? And what happens next time?It is a very, very dangerous precedent Shojo has set.</blockquote>

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