samurai
Sun 10.24.20
I went to court last Thursday for my eviction case. Maine has a system established which purpose strikes me as designed to mill the chaff, i.e. get rid of the poor folks. Slam, bam, thank you ma’am, you’re out of here. Tenants are given short shrift in America. One doesn’t even have a tenant’s lease. Landlord gets to call the shots. Here’s what the court had to say about the motions I had submitted. “Defendant had filed several lengthy motions, which attach a large number of documents . . . Judge only granted one of my motions outright. It was for an extension of time so that I could file my anti-slapp motion. The other motions were denied “without prejudice”. What! The motions are not defeated. To get a ruling on my motions I have to present them at trial. The hearing went on for two hours, the judge even threw in an extra 10 minutes, and opposing attorney who said he would only need 2 hours to present his case still had a slew of witnesses to testify against me. So, it ain’t over. I’ve asked for 45 minutes. I have no witnesses, absentee landlord will be absent per his modus operandi, and I can’t ask fellow tenants because I would be putting them are risk with management. I am on my third ream of paper with all the documents I’ve filed in both cases.
Round two is scheduled for election day. In judge’s ruling on my motions he states: There are numerous factual issues in dispute which can be addressed at the scheduled trial on Plaintiff‘s complaint for forcible entry and detainer. Defendant, [me,] can raise any claims and defenses, including any claims as to defective service of process (both as to the Summons and complaint and the notice to quit) at the trial. I filed the motions with the court and opposing attorney; he was free to respond but he did not. I say tough luck, buddy. Unfortunately the judge wants it settled in court. Everything has to be presented at the trial.
The Art of the Samurai impresses me, especially the Samurai’s battle dress, the outrageous head gear, the incredible armor that changes the appearance of an ordinary man into that of a human tank, it's design formidable and menacing, all of it weighing a ton, not counting the heavy metal hat/crown that rises several feet above the Samurai's head, and the sword, the saddle, the horse’s raiment, all exquisitely made and beautiful.
What kind of wars required such magnificence? The Samurai were an elite guard who served and protected the ruler in whatever fashion the ruler chose to use their services. These warriors created an art of war, ennobled it. To be a Samurai was a great, well-earned honor. One was impeccable.
The only raiment I have that will dazzle and intimidate my opponents is my intelligence, determination, diligence and patience. I hold George Orwell’s quote to heart, " . . . it is always the anvil that breaks the hammer, never the other way about . . . In every conflict it is not the side that can inflict the most damage, but the side that can sustain the most damage that ultimately prevails. History is replete with situations in which a military won the battle but lost the war." Take heart my Palestinian friends you will prevail in the end.
Then there’s the film entitled Terrorist's Advocate, a documentary on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiTbfELsGdQ about a man, an attorney, who represents terrorists in court because he believes in their cause. By their very nature, these fanatics are fighting for freedom in their country; they want to throw out the invaders, their weapon of choice and necessity, terror.
Jacques Verges has represented all the big names, the German Baader/Mienhofs, Klaus Barbie, even Slobodan Milosevic, and he bedded and wed the underground heroines and high priestesses of the several movements. He is quoted as saying, "Yes, I would represent Hitler, I would even represent [George W] Bush if he pled guilty." One of the journalists’ interviewed in the film spoke about Verges's beginnings, with a Vietnamese mother whose country was fighting to rid itself of the French invaders, as establishing a mode of beliefs about the rights of the oppressed in him.
Jacques Verges is a French Samurai. Fighting is his passion. His ruler is, Freedom From Oppression, and he is first to profit from this philosophy with a private life filled with the finer things. He was much admired for how he represented Algerian terrorists seeking and eventually gaining their country back from the French. How could he possibly represent people so hated and feared by the occupiers? He figured he had two choices, either grovel and hope for crumbs, or attack. The man just pounded that court every time he had a chance accusing it of bigotry. Then he took it to the media, it didn't hurt that the heroine who planted the bomb at the cafe was gorgeous and a true believer. Mitterand shortly pardoned her and Verges married her.
To every battle, one brings these two types and their attitudes along -- the believer and the killer. The killer values his task and his impeccability in performing it, the believer holds to his motives for the undertaking. Some rely too heavily on the one giving short shrift to the other. Not good, each is needed in equal measure.
