The Pledge of Allegiance ends with “one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. The word “justice” confused me this week when I heard the news that William Jefferson will be a free man until all his appeals are exhausted.

The ruling by Judge T.S. Ellis III, the same judge who sentenced Jefferson to 13 years in prison only a week ago was called “nothing short of astonishing.”

The 13-year sentence was much less than the 30+ years the federal prosecutors were asking. The ruling, a victory for Jefferson, was a major setback for Assistant U.S. Attorney Prosecutor Mark Lytle. The government now has the option to appeal the ruling.

Getting back to liberty and justice for all ——-

Jefferson has been given his freedom, but in my humble opinion, justice was not served. Justice is defined as the quality of being righteous; impartiality; fairness; the quality of being right or correct.

Judge Ellis’ ruling was an injustice and slap in the face to every convicted felon now serving time who didn’t have the benefit of the partial treatment William Jefferson received this week.

I realize anything governed by man leaves room for error. Many errors go unnoticed, but a ruling that leaves doubt about the integrity of the Judicial System harms our democracy.

Having worked with programs

in jails and conducting “Get High

on Life” groups, I come across

many different people. I see firsthand some of the flaws in the system, but I still know, regardless

of rulings like that of Judge Ellis, we still have the best system of

any country, and for that I am thankful.

Speaking of thanks, next week is Thanksgiving Week. We all have a lot to be thankful for, especially William Jefferson and his family for an astonishing ruling.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477; or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.