Safe Online File Sharing & Storage. Store/Share/Access For Only $7.95/m (Not Yet an eBay User? Register Now -- It's Easy and FREE!)

New Grisham novel reflects reality of ‘buying’ justice in America

I haven't yet read John Grisham's latest novel, "The Appeal," and I normally never write about books I haven't read -- but I have some interesting personal knowledge of Grisham's theme here and wanted to "sound off."

The book deals with money corrupting judicial appointments/elections in ways that allow criminal or at least "corrupt" companies and individuals to get away with criminal or at least shady activity. That's as I understand it from several reviews I've seen and one television interview with Grisham.

I have a lawyer friend (yes, they can really be friendly) who has worked long and hard over the last 15-20 years on a corporate corruption case involving large sums of money and potential judicial corruption. This lawyer friend tells me of very clear, plain evidence that several federal judges are "bought and sold" by various, should we say "conservative" political groups this lawyer is aware of.

If that sounds vague, it is intentionally vague. I do not want to put my lawyer friend's activities in any jeopardy by putting anything specific on the Internet. But I immediately thought about all this when I heard Grisham interviewed on the "Today Show" yesterday and heard him talk about his book. He is very straightforward that the plot elements and story line he has in the book are based on real cases of judicial corruption -- and he called in the interview for renewed efforts by the people of America to make the process of appointing and/or electing judges more secure.

Good lessons here for us all. We get the kind of political system we permit to exist. We also get the kind of judicial system we permit to exist. If you don't know how judges are appointed or elected in your state, that's your homework assignment for now.
[tags]judicial system, political and judicial corruption, John Grisham, "The Appeal," just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]