These two cards both have a whimsical element to them. On the Housewives' card we see a woman prepared to administer discipline to a young boy at the end of a wooden spoon. This is an almost classic image from 1950s/60s suburban America. This is the side of Leave It to Beaver we might not see, although I suspect everyone expected this is how Beaver and his brother were disciplined if necessary. It is a fairly straightforward representation of reaping what you sow. At one point when some of us were growing up, we learned that if we misbehaved there were consequences. Sometimes that included corporal punishment but if not being grounded was another option.

The ferret holding the scales on the Ferret card almost looks like he's peeking, trying to catch the other ferret trying to play with the scales. The sense I got looking at this card is that Justice should not be blind. There should be a clear assessment of the situation. If Justice cannot see the reality of what then how can it be fair and just. There shouldn't be any favoritism because of rank, status or socio-economic level, but there should be an evaluation of culpability. I have to admit that I prefer the concept of wergild - where the person who committed the crime had to make restitution to the family. Very often in our society the wrong is perceived to be against the state. So the actual victims or their families may feel that the wrong committed against them has still not been addressed. In a world full of plea bargains, the concept of justice may seem very theoretical.

In my life Justice has been an interesting process. I've always been a firm believer in there being consequences to behaviors. I like to believe in the concept of cosmic justice (that the person who committed the crime will eventually receive justice even if I do not realize it) but I have to admit that's a little to abstract for me. I want to see the person pay. But I've also had personal experience of situations where I felt there was justice and I realize how little justice often has to do with restitution. I was raped when I was 12 years old. The rapist was never found. I'd like to believe that this man eventually received some type of justice but in reality there are days when I want to see him writhing on the floor in front of me in agonizing pain. But I also accept that no amount of suffering on his part will actually heal that wound. Only I can heal myself (and I honestly do believe I've moved beyond it).

In 1986 my younger brother (who was then 16) was stabbed to death by a homeless man on the old West Side Highway. The killer was caught and agreed to a plea bargain. He would serve 8 1/3 to 25 years for manslaughter. He has come up for parole several times but he has been denied and is still in jail. Although I can feel sorry for him. He had been a patient in a mental hospital that was released as part of the purges that happened in the early 80s. Apparently he was unsupervised and if he didn't take his medication he became paranoid and violent. He stabbed my brother because he believed my brother was going to attack him. I can feel sorry for this man and in some ways I've been able to forgive him. But I also realize that no matter what happens to him, no matter what punishment he receives, it won't bring my brother back. And that's the only way this will ever be right with me.

Justice is a wonderful concept, and it's probably necessary to keep any kind of order in society. But it often leaves those seeking it feeling empty and unsatisfied and those on the receiving end probably don't feel much better. Maybe humans just have to go on faith. Maybe that's why the concept of "heavenly justice" is so attractive. God will deal with these criminals as they deserve. Of course "God" may see more than we do and realize there are extenuating circumstances but perhaps once we've reached that level we will accept that kind of justice. I still prefer the concept of wergild, but I never claimed to be that enlightened.