It does not fairly represent these decisions to suggest that they legalize force so brutal and so offensive to human dignity in securing evidence from a suspect as is revealed by this record. Indeed the California Supreme Court has not sanctioned this mode of securing a conviction. It merely exercised its discretion to decline a review of the conviction. All the California judges who have expressed themselves in this case have condemned the conduct in the strongest language.
-- Rochin v. California (1952) (forced stomach pumping)
The Congress hereby finds and declares that, in keeping with the traditional American concept of the inherent dignity of the individual in our democratic society, the older people of our Nation are entitled to, and it is the joint and several duty and responsibility of the governments of the United States, of the several States and their political subdivisions, and of Indian tribes to assist our older people to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of the following objective.
-- Statement of Objectives (federal legislation assisting elderly)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
-- Aretha Franklin
dignity
1. bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
2. nobility or elevation of character; worthiness: dignity of sentiments.
3. elevated rank, office, station, etc.
We first are concerned with fairness as children (NO FAIR!). Dignity might take a bit longer, but it too is a basic concern that comes in various shapes and sizes. "Let the man have some dignity." "I want to die with dignity." "They treated her as if she was worthless; she deserves some basic respect." And, the term pops up legally and constitutionally as well, including when determining due process of law and cruel and unusual punishments. It is a "traditional American concept" that each individual is clearly understood to deserve by birthright.
This is expressed perhaps most clearly in the barrier to titles of nobility. This mostly forgotten constitutional provision, forgotten because the idea basically seems ludricious, denies the government the power to set up a special elite class of individuals with certain unique authority to demand respect and respect. In other words, in this country, there is not to be a special class of dignitaries ... we all are on the same level, no elevated rank or station among the people. Or, rather, none supplied by birth via government fiat. Each person warrants some degree of respect and dignity. No playing favorites -- each shall have equal protection of the laws, including this birthright of dignity.
Obviously, this is not quite the practice in the real world. All too often, the people are not treated with dignity by the government, they are treated with disrespect and dishonor. Favored classes continue among us. And, some basic personal dignity is seen as too much to ask for. Such is the case in the debate over mistreatment and torture of prisoners. A problem that pops up domestically as well. This is unfortunate. After all ...
The Long-Term Solution For Winning The War On Terror Is The Advancement Of Freedom And Human Dignity Through Effective Democracy.
As suggested by the legislation to help the elderly, dignity comes in many more shapes and sizes than not mistreating those in government custody. And, surely enough, it is violated in many other ways as well. I wonder ... does the above quote mean that in the "short-term" dignity can be denied? But, it is an "inherent" and apparently inalienable right, one that (at least, one would think) should not be kept in extended limbo.
Life is so confusing these days.