Hey guys! My form for conflict is the closing statements of a court case....so it is a transcript
I'm just a little bit worried that I'm not directly responding to the prompt as much as the examiners would want... :S
I'll post one up...if anybody has time..*fingers crossed they do lol could you have a look at it and let me know if i am responding to the prompt enough? and if you feel like it give me a mark
THANKS!!!!
‘Encountering conflict can cause an individual to reassess their values.’
Within the Supreme Court of the United States
George Walter
Vs.
United States
The above matter came up for oral argument before the United States Supreme Court of Appeals in an appeal against contempt of court handed down for failure to cooperate in the House Committee of Un-American Activities trials.
[Start of Extract]
Chief Justice Roberts: Let it be known that at this time I am considering a verdict in light of this appeal. However, at this time I would like to ask if Mr. Walter had any final statements before a decision is made?
Mr. Walter: Thank-you Chief Justice.
The past few years for me have proved to be a difficult time for me, for this community, for our country. It has proved to be the low point of my life and the history of this great country America thus far.
Cold War America has presented an anxious time. Today, we still face the possibility of nuclear warfare and communist infiltration. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if World War III broke out tomorrow.
And that is why I have arrived here today. I am not a communist supporter, nor have I ever been one and now will I ever be one. I am loyal to America. I am loyal to democracy, freedom of speech, liberty and freedom. That is what our forefathers founded this ground on isn’t it?
I am here today to fight my battle for freedom. However, to determine the result of this appeal we must consider the cause of such a heinous conviction. Whilst a decision will be made on by future today, the bigger issue at hand, the one still poisoning our shores as I speak is yet to do so.
Communist ideology has taken us by the throat, paralysed our sense of justice and undermined out belief in freedom and liberty. These past seven years has seen our society invaded by fear at every level. No longer are we living in harmony. Judges of the court, we are in conflict. Whilst the Second World War has ended, we are still in battle. Alas, it is not with other countries so much than with ourselves.
Our countrymen and senators are fuelled by suspicion and fear. Where once we prosecuted men for crimes they had committed we now lay charges for the opinions they hold. This kind of behaviour has made me reflect on our position and I certainly hope Chief Justice that it has caused someone so esteemed as you to have the same reaction.
Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Committee of Un-American Activities limelight will fade. Their once approved use of spectral evidence and circular reasoning is coming to a close as we wake up to the absurdity and unconstitutional nature of such an act.
However, it isn’t all that bad. America is changing and this is for the better. The end of World War II has seen the creation and enactment of the United Nations declaration of Independence. The world has reassessed their ethics and now, it is time for us to do the same. The violence, immoral acts and unjust nature of many war crimes is now inextricably denied by the Declaration of Rights. I move for today to spark an initiative. It is time for America to grow stronger. Stronger in hope, stronger in liberty, stronger in its morals. To do so, today must be observed as a step forward into the morality of the future where we will no longer stand for Un-American acts such as the actions of HUAC and we will no longer discriminate based on career choice like I have experienced.
Senator Joseph McCarthy’s labeling of the ‘Hollywood Ten’ was embarrassing on his part. I have faced countless legal costs, loss of my livelihood, humiliation and blacklisting all in the name of one man’s witch hunt.
The recent play released by my friend and someone I am sure Chief Justice you are familiar with, Arthur Miller was released on Broadway just these past few weeks. It has copped what us playwrights would call a ‘slaughter’ from the media. But that is only because Miller is right. There are parallels between the anxious America of today and the anxious America of the past. Today, Senator Joseph McCarthy leads a witch-hunt. In the 17th century, Salem and that of a child, Abigail Williams did literally that. I can tell you now gentlemen, the outcome for that town was not so pleasant. Many were hung, some fled, trust was destroyed and loyalty was destroyed. A brave few tried to withstand. John Proctor, strong in belief of honesty and loyalty fought against Abigail’s manipulation. He lost. Do not let me lose. As the modern day John Proctor, I ask you to not let me lose. The extent of the Salem witch-hunts saw such an exclusive town; so strong in their religion even take a change. It is the immensity of such a conflict that can spark an individual’s or a town’s morals or beliefs to change.
There comes a time in any struggle, any feud where one must choose. Today Chief Justice it is your time to choose. In a war there are usually two options- fight or surrender. Well, whilst this courtroom doesn’t hold the typical trenches and gunfire of the front line it is exactly that. Will you fight? Will you choose to challenge the current American attitude and improve it for the better? It is this point in the conflict where the reassessment, the molding and the formation of values can take place. We all know America is supposed to be the free land. Let us reemphasise this and cement it as commonplace. Individual freedom is the value every American must hold on to. It permeates in every aspect of society, or, at least, it used to.
I said at the beginning that Cold War America has proved to be an anxious time. We are at the bottom Gentlemen and can only go up. Let us learn from our past, from our experiences and move forward, stronger in values, stronger as one. We will confuse dissent with disloyalty no more. We will thrive from learning the value of freedom of expression.
Today, Chief Justice I ask you to consider all the evidence laid out before you, my solemn opinion, your own morality and hand down a verdict that will let us, as a country, thrive.
Chief Justice Roberts: Thankyou Mr. Walter it seems the lengthy nature of this appeal and your time associated with HUAC has provided time for reflection and I certainly understand your belief that such a conflicting time will allow us to strengthen and reassess our values. However, at this time, I will ask the court to adjourn for a brief time so that a final verdict can be reached.
This court is now adjourned.
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