tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5790700443650289835.post8119907116756334985..comments2023-07-27T03:56:00.170-05:00Comments on Uncommon Courage: The Arc of History Is Bending Toward JusticeLynne Bratcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555346149209638144noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5790700443650289835.post-18755877340647689402016-05-23T12:22:02.153-05:002016-05-23T12:22:02.153-05:00Thank you. Thank you. Lynne Bratcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05555346149209638144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5790700443650289835.post-84788578994590120612016-05-23T11:22:56.275-05:002016-05-23T11:22:56.275-05:00First of all, let me say that this is an excellent...First of all, let me say that this is an excellent post from Lynne Bratcher, perhaps her best that I've read. <br /><br />"The arc of history is bending toward justice." This no doubt is one of her favorite quotes, and perhaps served as an inspiration for her career in law. It speaks to the optimism that justice will eventually emerge for those patient enough to play for the long game of history. <br /><br />Besides being informative, knowing something about a writer's background helps to make them more human, more relatable to the reader. Is it any wonder why Ms. Bratcher pursued the legal profession? She and family have experienced first-hand the negative effects of an absence of fairness and the rule of law. If one of life's lessons is to take our experience and strive to build a better world for those who will follow in our footsteps, then Lynne Bratcher has fulfilled her calling by contributing to this process.<br /><br />To put into perspective "the arc of history" let's recall that The Code of Hammurabi is thought to have been created near 1750 B.C. This well-preserved Babylonian law code of ancient Mesopotamia, is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. The code consists of 282 laws, with scaled punishments, adjusting "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" as graded depending on social status, of slave versus free man. Nearly one-half of the code deals with matters of contract, establishing, for example, the wages to be paid to an ox driver or a surgeon. Other provisions set the terms of a transaction, establishing the liability of a builder for a house that collapses, for example, or property that is damaged while left in the care of another. A third of the code addresses issues concerning household and family relationships such as inheritance, divorce, paternity, and sexual behavior. Only one provision appears to impose obligations on an official; this provision establishes that a judge who reaches an incorrect decision is to be fined and removed from the bench permanently. A few provisions address issues related to military service.<br /><br />And then, of course, there is my personal favorite The Golden Rule: <br /><br /> One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself (positive or directive form).<br /> One should not treat others in ways that one would not like to be treated (negative or prohibitive form).<br /> What you wish upon others, you wish upon yourself (empathic or responsive form).<br /><br />I thank Ms. Bratcher for this post, and wish her good health, good fortune, and the opportunity to share her life story with those who would find it inspirational.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com