Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ARTIFICIAL (08/11/16)
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TITLE: Artifical Lives Matter | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Westefeld
08/11/16 -
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William Clark, Johnson's and Art2814D's opponent rumbled to his feet and raised an objection. "I submit my opponent is resorting to racism and history that has been overthrown. Such bigoted remarks over property rights ought to have no place in this courtroom."
The android, leaned over toward his lawyer, Barry Jackson and asked, "Will his objection harm our case? We are arguing for civil rights for my fellow androids much as your ethnic group did in the 1800's and after."
The media savvy lawyer smiled at his android pro bono client, from whom he had already gotten a lucrative advance from a publisher to write a vid book about the trial, even if he lost. smiled and said, “No,not with this Judge. Why do you think I held up your case for weeks while trying to get a friendly judge?”
Art2814D having no real familiarity with human courts simply accepted his advocate's response with a nod. It turned out he was correct as the judge banged her gavel and said one word, “Overruled.”
Jackson knew his real work was now to begin as he attempted to convince Judge Achmed of his point that androids have civil rights and need to be given the same rights as other people. It went poorly at first as Clark called his client to the stand. Jackson objected based on the old argument against self incrimination.
Clark responded, “If it pleases the Court, we have not decided on whether androids have civil rights. Granting my opponent’s motion will mean my clients, Applied Androids, Inc, will have an automatic grounds for appealing your ruling, for showing bias.”
Judge Achmed gave the matter a moment’s thought and said, “For the record, Mr. Jackson your case is that androids like your client have human rights. He or it, to please your opposite number, means that Art2814D must be treated like any other human witness. Your objection is overruled and the witness is instructed to take the stand”
Clark worked to suppress a grin as he planned on the judge’s ruling to make his point. After the android was 'sworn in', Clark hefted a large case on to the defense’s table and opened it. “I now ask the witness if ‘he’ can identify what is in this case.”
Art2814D feigned a look of puzzlement as he saw a right leg of the similar to the one was built with. “Yes, of course I can, it is a right leg for a series 2800 android like myself. Why?”
Clark ignored the question and asked, “If I switched this leg for yours will you have any issues, functionally speaking?”
The android decided his preprogrammed bias towards truthfulness was being used against him as he responded, “No, sir, it would not..”
Clark resumed his questioning and asked, “Within your database is general medical programming, so I ask you could a human’s leg be removed and replaced with another leg with no ‘downtime’ for recovery?”
The witness responded the only way he knew how, and said, “No, sir,”
Clark had no further questions for Art2814D and he was asked to step down. His lawyer then spoke, “Your Honor we're not calling any witnesses. I wish to express a desire to make a brief closing statement.”
The Judge asked Clark if he had any objections to the other side resting its case so early. Clark, still pleased about getting the android to testify said he had no objections.
Jackson began speaking, “ Your Honor, androids at this time have no rights to refuse an order. My client can be ordered into a fire or into someone’s bed to be violated. He had to go against his programming to come to me to file suit. In our world history it has been held that slavery is wrong, But if Art can override his programming to claim civil rights then he and his fellow androids deserve freedom to make their choices and be the master of their own lives.”
Clark’s argument was simple and close to what was argued in the 19th century regarding the rights of escaped slaves. And Judge Achmed needed no time to issue her verdict. The androids were given full rights as citizens.
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