12.18.2013

Popular Opinion

Not really an avid fan, but yes, I follow some Japanese drama series. Legal High is one of them. It has a realistic vibe on portraying lawyers in the form of one named Komikado Kensuke. He is the kind that uses any means to defend his clients, whether the client is indeed guilty or not.

Until one case involves Ando Kiwa whom charged with capital punishment for murdering her lover and his daughter. Komikado appealed to Supreme Court, that in turn decides to vacate the original decision and refers back the case to District Court.

So, what is the purpose of this blog post?

Ando herself has admitted that she murdered. Media and public have voiced their support for the death penalty. Komikado’s dramatic statement before the Supreme Court is powerful enough to lead the decision.

Yet, that statement feels so real to me.

“Certainly Ando Kiwa is a dreadful pest who has been undermining society. She must be exterminated.... Let's give her the death penalty. Even though the eyewitness testimony is ambiguous, let's give her the death penalty.... Evidence and testimony, they don't matter.... Because it's the popular will. That's democracy. What a splendid country this is. The popular will is almighty. Everything that all of you agree to is right.”

For the most part of this year, I’ve been dealing with attempts to gain media and public support. I never doubt my idealism and the social movement I chose to involve with, but prior to watching that certain episode I quote, I have been trying to convince my supervisor to not approach all media, but few relevant ones. Rather than gaining popular opinion for the movement, I want to create a niche of quality among those popular opinions. That niche will last longer than a mass-produced opinion.

The latest event, held by my office earlier this week, showed that my argument has failed.

Yes, the purpose of this blog post is to revive my own self-esteem.

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