Where's Matlock When You Need Him?

I thought I had heard it all when I heard about the case Judge Roy Pearson had brought to national attention regarding his misplaced pair of pants. As odd as it seemed, it wasn't surprising that someone would take to suing a dry cleaning business for a missing pair of pants. Still, the fact that he was claiming $67 million in damages is what garnered the attention. Though the case was (thankfully) thrown out of court, there was still one benefit in that it probably helped raise awareness of the type of frivolous lawsuits that innundate the Justice system with countless cases that require time, money and effort to clear. At least that's what Nebraska Senator Ernie Chambers assumed. Unfortunately, he was disgusted when he read about a recent case in his home state of a woman suing a federal judge for barring the words "rape" and "victim" in a sexual assault trial. Now I don't know the exact reasoning behind that decision but suffice it to say, the woman bringing the case forward claims that exclusion of these words from the trial are stifling her rights to free speech. Enter Senator Chambers.

Disgusted by such lawsuits, Senator Chambers decided to bring a case of his own to court in the hopes of bringing even more awareness to the fact that the Justice system wastes much time in even hearing some frivolous lawsuits. So he decided to make an example of this by suing God. Yes, Chambers has brought a lawsuit against God for the countless hurricanes and calamities that have 'attacked' he and his constituents and have threatened their lives and livelihood. Chambers is seeking a permanent injuction against the Almighty in an effort to protect himself from further harm. Now I'm sure the deeply religious out there are probably deeply offended by the very mention of this type of case but it stands to reason that if you can sue someone for $67 million in damages for a pair of $2,000 pants which were then found and attempted to be returned along with ten times the original value then you can bring a case against God.

Some in favor of this case may feel that perhaps it will finally open people's eyes to what a litigious society we've become. I mean sure the number of courtroom reality shows have dropped since a few years ago when everybody from Judge Judy to Judge Brown had their own shows but still, the number of frivolous lawsuits still abounds. Some may argue that it isn't plausible to sue God simply because even if the case goes to court, how are you going to collect or enforce the judgement? Does a victory for Chambers mean automatic entry into the afterlife? Chambers himself has spoken out against Christianity and some of its ideals and purposely avoids the morning prayers in the Senate chambers whenever he attends so does he really seek salvation by 'winning' his case?

I'm sure there are going to be many religious people out there who will be hurt and offended by Chamber's case and will argue vehemently against it even being brought to court. It's a case of religion being brought to the absolute forefront of our legal system. I suppose one could argue that if it's okay to swear to God before testifying in a trial that you will tell the whole truth, why not bring a case against that very same God. They say God works in mysterious ways; would a judgement against God mean that Nebraska would be a perfect weather state? If that happens, even the most non-religious out there would have to take pause and wonder if perhaps there isn't truly a Supreme Being watching over everything and keeping the peace. Perhaps God is vengeful and would take that vengence out on Chambers for being so presumptious as to assume that he could bring a case against Him.

Whatever happens, vengeful God aside, I just hope that people keep focus on the real reason behind Chambers wanting to take this case to court and that is to show people what a mockery we are making of the legal system in this country. It's our right to bring a lawsuit against something we see as unfair but that doesn't mean we have the right to be unreasonable or ridiculous when it comes to the letter of the law. That's what is disgusting Chambers and that's certainly what's disturbing me. I think somehow we need to realize that while going to court is certainly a viable option, it shouldn't become our fallback option for anything and everything we do. Don't like something? Sue. Don't agree with something? Sue. Want to blame God? Sue Him. Just beware those bolts of lightning during the next thunderstorm!