Banana Republic

I was watching Adam's Rib the other day and there's a moment, just over half an hour in, in the establishing shot as the trial is about to start, where the camera zooms in on writing carved into the stone wall of the criminal court building. The words read, "Equal and Exact Justice to all Men of Whatever State or Persuasion."

A good rule for a democracy, I'm sure, but not one that is applied too consistently in banana republics and aristocracies. Happy (early) Independence Day Scooter, spare a thought for the over 2 million Americans who will spend independence day in prison.