Righteous Man

September 2018


Righteous Man

There’s no wonder people find little use for the term righteous anymore. The definition of the word escapes modern vernacular, being replaced by words like “decent”, “honest”, and “loyal.” For the most part, words that can be used to describe a piece of furniture, animal, or nonprofit organization. However, if we look at the word’s origin, the adjective ‘righteous’ actually has many definitions that have little to do with what a man does, instead rather yield to the benefit of those that have been given the credit of righteousness, thereby being deemed righteous.

Much like the United States Constitution, the righteousness spoken of here is given by the God of the Bible. As deity, God is identified as the giver or righteousness. When the old English word is broken down, it is attributed to being “reckoned or judged” righteous. In a time when appointed judges, senators, and other members of our government, one can’t help but question, “Have the ones judging been judged to unequivocally reckon the righteousness of another?”

While policies, procedures, and precedent dictate the pattern by which confirmations are affirmed for higher levels of government, the recent proceedings regarding Judge Kavanaugh are farce. This opinion is not based on a disbelief of Dr. Ford’s experience, but more about the burden of proof that must be demonstrated, and done so without a doubt. Unfortunately for Dr. Ford, the burden of proof has not been proven, yet delays to Kavanaugh’s confirmation, and the barrage of insults by Kamala Harris abound. As a survivor of sexual assault on more than one occasion, my heart breaks for Dr. Ford, intimately empathizing with her anxiety, fear, and pain. Her accomplishments in light of this experience are a testimony to the capabilities of even a traumatized individual when hard work and determination prevail.

However, as the sister of a man convicted of a crime he did not commit, and was never proven beyond a reasonable doubt to the guilt of, I also sympathize with Judge Kavanaugh and his family. No professional record condemns this man, yet he is steadfastly defending himself to the nation, if not the world. No personal record condemns this man, yet he feels obligated to share personal experiences in courtroom-esque proceedings, being demeaned and vilified by colleagues when background checks do not justify such treatment. Do the nature of the proceedings justify the level scrutiny we see being played out? Because if the answer is yes, why isn’t this level of scrutiny happening in lower courts, interrogation rooms, and like scenarios?

If righteousness is truly only reckoned by a deity, meaning one whose righteousness is without question thereby being able to reckon righteousness in another, why does the Senate Judiciary Committee continue to badger for the sake of badgering its nominees. When seats go unfilled, the American judicial system is threatened. When nepotism abounds, the American judicial system is hindered. But certainly there is a happy medium that can be found when common sense and logic are put to use. If there is no evidence to warrant a charge against Kavanaugh, why does the Senate Judiciary Committee circumvent all logic to entertain what could and should have been handled in a manner indicative of actual justice, for both Ford and Kavanaugh.

I do not doubt for one minute Dr. Ford’s experience actually occurred. However, not knowing her, not being a physical witness, nor having a supernatural ability to read the minds of people, I cannot, nor can the Senate Judiciary Committee, accept the blind — meaning there is no proof — validity that the nominee is unfit because of Dr. Ford’s accusation.

We have witnessed decade after decade of sexual misconduct from both sexes in the workplace, communities, and on school or college campuses. And we will likely continue to witness debauchery whenever mankind will be found. I wish the SJC would focus as much energy on ending the the motivation behind sexual assault in our nation, as they have spent trying to convince America that Judge Kavanaugh committed sexual assault when he was in high school. The amount of money we as taxpayers have paid seems unbalanced when compared to the PTSD conditions that could be affecting not only Dr. Ford’s memory of the events she alleges, but the outcome of these proceedings.

Since political correctness gave birth to white guilt, it is now apparently seeking to “make up” for the thousands of #MeToo victims who never received justice for the sexual crimes perpetrated against them by giving birth to political lynchings. What we are in effect saying, by not confirming Kavanaugh because of allegations that have been refuted, is that he must pay, by virtue of being nominated to this high office, for the sins of every man who has ever committed sexual assault. This circus looks to find the scapegoat for every crime. But in the exchange of righteousness in the original example, Jesus became the scapegoat.

Amazement is the only adjective to describe what the governmental arm that makes the laws in this nation has done by layering blinders on their political glasses that leave not only an understanding of righteousness aside, but the mere application of the consciousnesses of mind needed to hold such a position int he first place. The only other rationale reason behind the proceedings, as we have witnessed them live on every news outlet, is that the six FBI background checks must have been inept, in which case, the FBI needs to be investigated for its abandonment of duty. The question becomes, how far do we take the witch hunts before returning to the sound, biblical foundation all of these positions of government have been provided for by — the United States Constitution.


Lisa Noël Babbage

Lisa Noel Babbage is a author, teacher, and patriot who is dedicated to rebuilding communities through philanthropy and activism.


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