You can’t treat justice as a sacred cow

“Sacred cows” is the equivalent English idiom for the Dutch saying
“Heilige huisjes.”

It conveys the same meaning of referring to things that are considered untouchable or not to be criticized.

Sacred cow

noun [ C ]   disapproving

A belief, custom, etc. that people support and do not question or criticize:

They did not dare to challenge the sacred cow of parliamentary democracy.

Cambridge Dictionary

A custom, system, etc. that has existed for a long time and that many people think should not be questioned or criticized.

The sacred cow of free market economics.

Oxford Dictioanry

Strauss-Kahn released from house arrest

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2 jul 2011

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, has been released from house arrest in the sexual assault case against him.

The French politician appeared briefly in a New York courtroom on Friday after reports that prosecutors had grave doubts about the credibility of Strauss-Kahn’s accuser.

Al Jazeera’s Cath Turner reports from New York.

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The cross-examination by Ben Brafman of a 32-year-old chambermaid who never went to school, couldn’t read or write, about her immigration, and so on… 

Elements that are irrelevant concerning the alleged sexual abuse by DSK.

By the way, DSK maintains a very questionable lifestyle in this regard. It is clearly a step too far.

Furthermore, the use of private detectives to delve into her life is not permissible to undermine her credibility.

Benjamin Brafman, a top lawyer in New York, puts the chambermaid in impossible circumstances. It’s like a false confession, where innocent people are put in trouble during questioning until they break and confess to something they didn’t do.

Benjamin Brafman (born July 21, 1948) is an American criminal defense attorney and founder of the Manhattan-based law firm Brafman & Associates. Brafman is known for representing many high-profile defendants, including celebrities, accused Mafia members, and political figures.

The idiom “Sacred cows” refers to ideas, beliefs, institutions, or practices that are regarded as too important, valuable, or untouchable to be questioned, criticized, or challenged. Here are the key points associated with this idiom:

  1. Untouchable Beliefs or Traditions: The term is often used to describe long-standing beliefs, traditions, or practices that are considered sacrosanct or beyond criticism within a particular culture, organization, or society.

  2. Resistance to Change or Criticism: “Sacred cows” are resistant to change or critique. People may avoid questioning them due to fear of backlash, societal norms, or cultural taboos.

  3. Protection of Sacred Ideas: The idiom implies that certain beliefs or concepts are protected like sacred cows, and challenging them is akin to questioning a deeply held belief or principle.

  4. Challenging the Status Quo: Challenging sacred cows may be necessary for progress, innovation, or social change. However, doing so can be difficult because these ideas are often deeply ingrained and protected.

  5. Metaphorical Interpretation: The phrase originated from the veneration of cows in some cultures, where cows are considered sacred and not to be harmed. In a broader sense, it metaphorically represents any idea or entity that is considered inviolable.

  6. Open-Mindedness and Critical Thinking: Encourages individuals and society to be open-minded and engage in critical thinking, questioning established norms, beliefs, or practices to ensure growth and improvement.

Understanding and challenging “sacred cows” is essential for progress, adaptation to changing circumstances, and promoting a more open, flexible, and informed society.

1 Why I Care About Criminal Injustice | Jason Flom | TEDxLuziraPrison


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Jason Flom describes his journey from being a wannabe Jimi Hendrix to music industry mogul and from a drug addicted college dropout to a pioneer in criminal justice reform. On January 31st, 1992, he read an article in the newspaper that set him on a mission to end mass incarceration. He has spent over 25 years working to free the innocent, reform the bail system, eliminate mandatory sentencing, abolish the death penalty and end the war on drugs. In this personal and inspiring talk, Flom recounts his journey and powerfully reminds us that we can all make a difference. Jason Flom is the Founder & CEO of Lava Media, and Founding Board Member at The Innocence Project. Jason Flom is the Founder and CEO of Lava Records and Lava Music Publishing. Flom previously served as Chairman and CEO at Atlantic Records, Virgin Records, and Capitol Music Group and is personally responsible for discovering superstars such as Katy Perry, Lorde, and Kid Rock. He is the founding board member of the Innocence Project and serves on the boards of several other criminal justice reform organizations including Families Against Mandatory Minimums, The Drug Policy Alliance, The Anti-Recidivism Coalition and NYU Prison Education Program. Jason Flom is the host of the hit podcast, Wrongful Conviction, which features interviews with men and women who have spent decades in prison for crimes they did not commit. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

2 When Police Corruption Puts An Innocent Man Behind Bars | Innocence Network | Real Crime

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In Brooklyn in 1988, a Vietnam veteran, Barry Gibbs, is convicted of the murder of a sex worker after an eyewitness names him as the woman’s killer; the veteran does not understand the conviction or how he came to be involved in the case at all.

3 Music mogul works to help free the wrongfully convicted

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CEO of Lava Records Jason Flom, who helped launch Katy Perry’s career, has another existence away from Hollywood, which he talks about on his “Wrongful Conviction” podcast.

4 – 17 And Wrongfully Convicted: My 30-Year Fight To Be Free | Innocence Network | Absolute Crime

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1 jun 2022

George Toca had just turned 17 when his best friend, Eric Batiste, was shot and killed by his partner during a botched armed robbery in New Orleans in 1984. George was arrested and convicted of the crime because an officer from their neighbourhood, who knew Eric and George, assumed they were together.

The two white witnesses spent less than a couple of minutes with the actual perpetrator. Their description of the gunman looked nothing like George but he was nevertheless identified when police showed his photo to them. This is his long and winding journey to be rightfully released from a 30-year incarceration, thanks to the help of those at The Innocence Project.

Absolute Crime is your go-to channel for the best crime documentaries. Subscribe for your weekly dose of crime shows, serial killers, thieves and prison stories.

5 What To Do If You’re Wrongly Arrested for a Crime | Op-Ed | NowThis

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9 jan 2019

Learn what to do if you’re arrested for a crime that you didn’t commit — because wrongful arrests and convictions are way too common.

Jason Flom, Innocence Project founding memeber: ‘You’ve been arrested for a crime you didn’t commit. What do you do? Here are a few things to burn into your memory. remember a couple of phone numbers because if you get arrested and you’re given that everyone knows about that phone call you get are some places to phone calls. You have to know numbers if you don’t know them they’re not going to give you your phone. You’re going to get a pay phone. Second of all remember the words. I want a lawyer. maybe you know something peripheral about a crime scene maybe you heard something. You don’t have to spill your guts right away. Wait until you have a lawyer, then you can make your statements, your Miranda rights. Everyone knows the phrase everyone’s heard them read hundreds of times on TV. If you watch any of these procedural shows they’re there for a reason. Don’t wave them.

People who have been wrongfully convicted often waived their Miranda rights because they thought they had nothing to fear by saying what was on their mind. Often we’ll hear these lines like well I thought if I just told the truth I could go home. Because I didn’t do anything that may not be the best course of action. Don’t waive your Miranda rights. And remember you have the right to a lawyer. And once you insist on that right or you exercise that right the questioning must stop.

About 6 percent of people in prison in America are actually innocent of the crime that they were convicted of. That’s about 100000 people.

Most of the TV shows, the law and order the CSI, The bad guy gets caught. The community is safe Even in a perfect system mistakes would be made even if everyone was doing the best that they could to ensure that justice is done. There are always going to be mistakes.

There’s so many different causes. especially if it’s a more high profile crime there’s a lot of pressure from the media from. People’s superiors from may even be from the mayor’s office to get that particular case solved. Amanda Knox a very famous example of that.

One of the main themes of what leads to these wrongful convictions is that people are taken by surprise and they don’t react in a way.

That will be most helpful to themselves. I want to go back in time and be like Shakey’s these people go no no no no no you say the following words i want a lawyer. Say that. But they don’t know.

I know you’re thinking this only happens to people from the other side of town from the other side of the tracks whatever it is wrong. This can happen to anyone and it has happened that people from all walks of life. It’s happened to people of all races. It’s happening to people from all socioeconomic statuses. Every every one is vulnerable to this ultimate nightmare. because what could be worse than being wrongfully convicted and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. I can’t think of anything.’

It is a very bad thing for justice

6 Skunk Hat Prank

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Crazy man has a live skunk for a hat. Who will be the first one to get sprayed? A presentation of the Just For Laughs Gags. The funny hidden camera pranks show for the whole family. Juste pour rire les gags, l’émission de caméra caché la plus comique de la télé!