For this week's discussion assignment, choose one of the options below. Please indicate the option you chose in the title of your discussion post. Watch the PBS video The Journal: Justice For Sale ho

For this week's discussion assignment, choose one of the options below. Please indicate the option you chose in the title of your discussion post. 

Watch the PBS video The Journal: Justice For Sale hosted by Bill Moyers at http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02192010/profile2.html. Discuss whether judicial election, a system practiced in many states, has tainted judges' ability to uphold justice, particularly when most of their campaigns are financed by special interest groups such as trial lawyers and big corporations whose cases are handled by the same judges.  What can be problematic and/or beneficial about this structure?  What are your recommendations for change? 

Watch the docuseries "Free Meek" Season 1: Episode 3 Under Her Thumb, which is available free on Amazon Prime.  If you don't have Amazon, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.  The documentary tracks the case of hip hop artist Meek Mill and his experiences with a broken justice system.  An investigation of Judge Brinkley reveals serious concerns of bias which may have impacted cases in Philadelphia courts.  Based on this week's readings, critically analyze the issues of judicial independence presented by the judge's activities in the Meek Mill case.  Is Meek Mill's case an isolated event, or is his experience shared among other youths across the U.S.?  What are your recommendations for reform?

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Meek-Official-Trailer/dp/B07QF4DXPH