SCRANTON TIME-TRIBUNE Editorial: Forcing someone to apologize is like forcing someone to pray or say the Pledge of Allegiance – it’s meaningless unless it’s voluntary and from the heart…
Ms. Orie-Melvin’s crimes clearly embarrassed the court system, but it’s not clear that other common pleas and appellate judges are victims. Those who conduct their own courts with integrity typically enjoy the respect of their communities; no evidence was introduced to indicate otherwise. And it’s unlikely that any of those judges are clamoring for an apology.
Humiliation as a sentencing tool used to be a staple of the system, as in the stocks that once were a feature of pre-colonial-era courthouse squares. But Judge Nauhaus should rethink the humiliation of Ms. Orie-Melvin beyond her conviction and other aspects of the sentence. It doesn’t further justice or rehabilitation, even if many Pennsylvanians understand the sentiment… (more)
In their paradigm it is all about them (Judges). The rest of us are bit players, walkons or written out of the script.
The judicial system is established and maintained for the citizens not the Kings/judges.
Taxpayers money, voters effected, no apology considered in that direction.
Very telling.
It seems to me that the editor missed the unspoken goal of the apology letters.
Of course the apologies will be insincere. They are not really apologies, but a warning to the others – “This could be you!”
After all, we, the taxpayers, are the ones who should receive the apologies.