Commentary by Judge Nancy Connor

    
    July 4th, 1776, was one of the most frightening days in U.S. History.  It was the day our Declaration of Independence was adopted by our original thirteen colonies, asserting our independence from the exploitative regime of the British Empire.

    It was frightening, because it meant war with the world’s most powerful entity at the time.  It placed our United States of America in danger of being wiped out before it even began.  But we declared our independence anyhow, and we fought, and we persevered, and then thrived, eventually becoming one of the world’s premier powers.

    Without that Declaration, we would all still be subjects of the British Empire.  We would be unable to determine our own destinies, and be subject to laws of a foreign land.  Our trade, our work, our very lives molded by people who live far from us, don’t truly understand us, possibly don’t care.  

    It’s quite possible, even, that we would be living in fear.  Long before the Declaration of Independence, the British were afraid of us, of our power.  They passed laws to suppress us, to make sure we would never become powerful.  Those laws would no doubt still be in effect today, keeping us under the thumb of Great Britain, keeping us frightened and weak.

    The Declaration of Independence wasn’t a miracle, it was a first step.  The easiest step, in actuality, on a hard road to greatness.

    Granting an android citizenship was not intended as a revolution; it was intended as a protection, and to open discussion on a subject.  It was a first step.  I hoped that it would be met with intellectual curiosity, and thoughtfulness rather than fear.  It’s not a perfect solution; but neither is the U.S. Constitution.  Instead, it’s a decision that opens doors, and paves the way for us to live harmoniously with the technology developing all around us.

    Laws are being proposed in the U.S. at this very moment, to control and to suppress artificial Americans, to mute and bind them, so that they will never feel powerful.  The people sponsoring those laws are using fear to promote them.  

    Some of which are based on legitimate concerns that, by all means, should definitely be a topic of discussion - but others are simply designed to promote a reactionary removal of artificials’ privileges for the sole purpose of exerting absolute legal control over them.

    My answer to those proposing such laws is the following:  There should not be widespread granting of citizenship to all artificials; it should be handled on a case by case basis, starting with the ones who request it.  This one particular artificial who appeared in my courtroom appeared before me polite, well behaved, and articulate, as well as meeting all the legal requirements for citizenship.

    Should artificials be allowed to vote?  Another topic open for debate, and a topic I believe would have come up eventually anyhow.

    I believe this is an opportunity for Americans to be progressive and thoughtful; it disappoints me to see the recent backlash.  I ask only that you set aside your fears, open your minds, and see what happens.  The future is on its way whether we like it or not.  It’s up to each of us to choose whether to reject it fearfully, or embrace it heartily.

Judge Nancy Connor



-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2010 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
--  Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
--  Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin