This photograph of Lewis Powell Jr. wearing Philip Morris-branded ceremonial attire at an event held in his honor just before his Supreme Court appointment illustrates how corporate capturing of the Supreme Court of The United States of America can permeate even our highest judicial institutions.

When combined with Powell's "Powell Memorandum" advocating for greater corporate influence across American institutions, this image becomes even more significant. It represents a pivotal moment in American judicial history when corporate interests gained a powerful advocate on the Supreme Court.

This corporate capture has had far-reaching consequences. After Powell's appointment, the Court issued numerous business-friendly rulings that expanded corporate rights and protections. The relationship between Powell and Philip Morris wasn't just symbolic - it represented the beginning of a shift in the Court's jurisprudence that many legal scholars argue has favored corporate interests over individual rights and public welfare.

The image serves as a stark reminder of how corporate influence can compromise the independence of institutions meant to serve as impartial arbiters of justice, raising fundamental questions about judicial ethics, conflicts of interest, and the integrity of our legal system. Surely it's not still happening... They said the American government should be ran like a business—this is what they mean.

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

― George Orwell, 1984