The call of duty
Last week, I got a summons in the mail for jury duty.
I found it odd and somewhat amusing to tell people about it and have them automatically tell me of the many ways I can get out of it. At the same time, I feel kind of sad. If anyone doesn't remember anything about me on this sort of topic, I'm a member of the evil liberal left and a strong democratic supporter. And while it may shock people to know this, I am also a strong supporter of my country no matter what may be happening. I can be a little conservative about some subjects as well, but for the most part, I just try to remember that I'm a citizen of the United States and I have a duty whether I'm in a uniform or not. With any citizen in our country, we have but two duties to perform and while you may think they're a waste of your time or that their opinion wouldn't matter anyway.
I find it hilarious that more often than not, you're going to hear this said by republican supporters in this state. Here's something to think about (Which I probably shouldn't say because I'll probably end up turning my state from blue to red if the wrong people read it) in the last election, Kerry won Illinois by 545,554 votes. Sounds like a landslide, huh? Considering that less than half of the population actually voted, I'd say he got lucky. If 750,000 Bush supporters had woken up on election day here in Illinois and felt that their vote actually mattered, Kerry would have lost even worse than he had and this state would be a battleground state again.
Beyond voting, which I feel is your most important job as a citizen here, your next most important job is to show up for jury duty when your name is picked. I know it's a lot of time lost from your day. And I know it could drag on for gods only know how long. But think of it this way: If it were you who was the defendant, wouldn't you want people to actually show up for jury duty when you needed them? Those twelve people are part of the system in this country that determines how some of our laws are interpretted and how we as a people believe our system should work. Wouldn't you want be a part of it rather than a victim of it? How many of us heard the news of Michael Jackson's aquittal from his crimes and were furious with the jury? I know I was, and I still am because they proved me right later on by admitting that they thought he was guilty!! But they let him off anyway. No wonder he moved out of the country. He probably figures he won't get another chance to do his despicable deeds and get away with it here.
Jury duty is important. I think people should volunteer for it if they could. I may sound like a patriotic nutjob, and maybe I am. I've had friend in Iraq and I've done my share of nail biting when I hear news from there. I also think Lebannon should be glad I'm not the President. My only comment would have been, "They brought this on themselves by allowing a terrorist organization to live and thrive within their borders." Yeah, I'm a jackass, but that's how I see it. I do feel sorry for the people killed, but at the same time, I can't believe they're actually suprised by what happened.
Anyway, I think I'll save most of my political opinions for a little closer to election day other than so say that I'm looking forward to jury duty and hope anyone else out there who also get's a summons and can attend should do so.
Well, one other comment, because it just now crossed my mind: About this whole gay agenda thing. Did you know when I hear those words on television being spouted out by Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, I have a hard time not laughing myself into a coma?
"Gay Agenda? Gay people can barely decide where they want to go for coffee most of the time, much less come together with a coherent agenda!"
At least, that's been my observation. Unless there's sex involved. Then it's like a dog pile in a NFL game.
I found it odd and somewhat amusing to tell people about it and have them automatically tell me of the many ways I can get out of it. At the same time, I feel kind of sad. If anyone doesn't remember anything about me on this sort of topic, I'm a member of the evil liberal left and a strong democratic supporter. And while it may shock people to know this, I am also a strong supporter of my country no matter what may be happening. I can be a little conservative about some subjects as well, but for the most part, I just try to remember that I'm a citizen of the United States and I have a duty whether I'm in a uniform or not. With any citizen in our country, we have but two duties to perform and while you may think they're a waste of your time or that their opinion wouldn't matter anyway.
I find it hilarious that more often than not, you're going to hear this said by republican supporters in this state. Here's something to think about (Which I probably shouldn't say because I'll probably end up turning my state from blue to red if the wrong people read it) in the last election, Kerry won Illinois by 545,554 votes. Sounds like a landslide, huh? Considering that less than half of the population actually voted, I'd say he got lucky. If 750,000 Bush supporters had woken up on election day here in Illinois and felt that their vote actually mattered, Kerry would have lost even worse than he had and this state would be a battleground state again.
Beyond voting, which I feel is your most important job as a citizen here, your next most important job is to show up for jury duty when your name is picked. I know it's a lot of time lost from your day. And I know it could drag on for gods only know how long. But think of it this way: If it were you who was the defendant, wouldn't you want people to actually show up for jury duty when you needed them? Those twelve people are part of the system in this country that determines how some of our laws are interpretted and how we as a people believe our system should work. Wouldn't you want be a part of it rather than a victim of it? How many of us heard the news of Michael Jackson's aquittal from his crimes and were furious with the jury? I know I was, and I still am because they proved me right later on by admitting that they thought he was guilty!! But they let him off anyway. No wonder he moved out of the country. He probably figures he won't get another chance to do his despicable deeds and get away with it here.
Jury duty is important. I think people should volunteer for it if they could. I may sound like a patriotic nutjob, and maybe I am. I've had friend in Iraq and I've done my share of nail biting when I hear news from there. I also think Lebannon should be glad I'm not the President. My only comment would have been, "They brought this on themselves by allowing a terrorist organization to live and thrive within their borders." Yeah, I'm a jackass, but that's how I see it. I do feel sorry for the people killed, but at the same time, I can't believe they're actually suprised by what happened.
Anyway, I think I'll save most of my political opinions for a little closer to election day other than so say that I'm looking forward to jury duty and hope anyone else out there who also get's a summons and can attend should do so.
Well, one other comment, because it just now crossed my mind: About this whole gay agenda thing. Did you know when I hear those words on television being spouted out by Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, I have a hard time not laughing myself into a coma?
"Gay Agenda? Gay people can barely decide where they want to go for coffee most of the time, much less come together with a coherent agenda!"
At least, that's been my observation. Unless there's sex involved. Then it's like a dog pile in a NFL game.
posted by Not Your TGM | 7:32 PM
1 Comments:
I agree, Jon. I don't understand not wanting jury duty.
I can understand not wanting to sit around OUTSIDE a courtroom for hours while they figure out what to do with you, but the duty itself? I'd be there if I were called.
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