I became interested in the word “justice” whilst in Sarasota. I had a quaint notion that I knew that the word was something to do with moral rightness, but driving along Highway 41 on the way to the Ultrafast Systems world headquarters, I would pass a billboard advertising a law company that specialized in personal accidents. On the board was the photo of a man with an expression of concern, determination and aggression on his face.  You got the impression that this was the one to have at your side when in a courtroom battle with Big Insurance.  The word “JUSTICE” was writ large and a web site address was provided http://www.getmejustice.com/

I was intrigued enough to check out the web site and I include the following extract (my italics):

“We believe that the compensation we obtain for accident victims who have suffered the devastating consequences of injuries is both fair and necessary. We urge you to contact us if you believe that we can help you obtain the justice you seek”.

So my suspicions were upheld, this firm uses the word justice as a euphemism for “compensation”, otherwise known as “cash”.  America is famous for its avoidance of using the word “spade” when describing a hand tool for digging in the garden; this is simply another example to join the list that includes “restroom” and “gay”.

Then today, among the news of the killing of Osama the ‘Orrible, the title word occurs again. George (the Second) is quoted as saying “No matter how long it takes, justice will be done”, which follows up a September 2011 quote from the same source “I want him — I want justice”.  And even our current President, beloved by some, is quoted as saying “… justice has been done”.  Clearly these worthies are not referring to cash compensation, so to get some clarification I resorted to checking the on-line dictionary that I use to relieve my self-doubt.  Here you are:

justice (noun)

1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness

2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason

3. the moral principle determining just conduct.

Having read this, it seems to me that Messrs. Bush and Obama are again using “justice” in a euphemistic manner.  Perhaps they are really meaning “Revenge” (1.to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit. 2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge.).  And going one stage further we find that “Vengeance” has definitions:                                          1.infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person; violent revenge.  2. an act or opportunity of inflicting such trouble. 3. the desire for revenge.

The deliberate killing of the ‘Orrible One seems more like revenge to me; it has little to do with the abstract ideals of justice. Do you suppose they read him his rights before filling him full of lead?

And to toss the body overboard, how weird is that?  Presumably it had nothing to do with feeding the fishes, more likely to avoid the prying eyes and telephoto lens of the probing media, in the sense of “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”.  But it is sure to ignite a volcano of conspiracy theories.