It's Jury Duty Wednesday, Miss Kitty Fantastico

[Gatito Grande]

Good luck and Godspeed Jennifer: you're braver than I am.

Back when I had principles ([i:da83f19d19] long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away![/i:da83f19d19]), I declined jury duty by means of a letter to the court saying it was against my religious/philosophical beliefs: I didn't feel qualified to pass judgement on another human being.

Some years later, in grad school in NYC, I discovered that jury summons arrived like junk mail. There I just plead "poor pitiful student" as others around me did, and got out of it. I don't know what I would do if I received a jury summons today.

I expect that Tara would have objections much like those of my youth. Willow, on the other hand, would try to get on the jury: only to subvert the whole racist, patriarchal process ("judicial nullification"). She'd probably get caught and be dismissed though.

GG [i:da83f19d19] What's wrong w/ our Giants, Rally?[/i:da83f19d19] Out

[Kieli]

Hey Ko! Glad to see you again after such a long time.

Thankfully, I've not been called to jury duty. I wonder what they would do if I showed up with a wild eyed look, a red axe and kept muttering, "REDRUM." every time they asked a question.

I think Tara might try to opt out of jury duty. She's such a sensitive girl that if she were put in a jury, she might just faint at all the idiots and scary people juries have to hear from.

Willow, however, might enjoy it immensely and even draw up her own chart of evidence, thereby driving her fellow jurors completely mad *lol

Sorry folks...no caffeine for me today hence the rant-like flow of my thoughts.

Toni

[Elianna]

But Brian, I don't want to leave. Every person who stays is a political statement, and I don't know where I'm going with this, because I was going to make some remarks about the settlers, and realized that I'm being way too political here. I don't want to offend anyone. Let's just say that I'm not happy with the political situation here.

Oh, and a few days ago, some religious guru for the ultra-religious people said that all the soldiers who refused to serve in the West Bank (kinda as conscientious objectors) should be shot. But he didn't say what about those who refuse to serve in the army at all because of religious reasons (the ultra-orthodox are exempt).

Okay, I said that I wouldn't go into politics, and I'm sorry. I'm just glad that I'm only visiting.

Of course, my grandparents are all worried about me in LA. They ask me about gangs and stuff all the time. I think that things always look worse when you're outside the area talked about.

-Elianna

[spuckie]

ah the joys of jury duty. I think I've been called about 3x, but only served once for a short 1day trial. But I did manage to get laid off while I was on jury duty, so bennies for that.

And the last time I got called? I was 9 months pregnant. There's an easy way to get off, lemme tell ya. Hmm. not so helpful for bob tho.

Meanwhile, it's 2:30pm here, and I just don't wanna work today.

[Rachel]

Jennifer:

I just this month came out to my mother. While not in a very adult way - it was a lot of crying and begging for her not to hate me. The one thing I think you need to do is try to explain to them what the discussion is about. Also don't (let me stress that) don't argue with them. That will only make the conversation go worse. Calmly explain right? lol. My mother thought I was confused about it and I had to explain how I knew I wasn't.

I know thats not much but hopefully it can help. No argue. Maybe my technique wasn't so swift with crying and begging. I hope your coming out is a little bit better!

[drlloyd11]

Oh god, jury duty...
A few weeks after my Dad died I had Jury duty. It was a murder trial, a man killed his wife, and his family covered it up. In the end his sister turnded evidence on him.. It was hugely depressing, just a total waste of life. And in the end, we were fed some of the crappiest pizza.
In the end we found him guilty (at work the bet was I would some how hang the jury) and he got a life setence (its automatic in MA).
It was an awful story, they had married when she was 13
2 children, the step father worked with the husband
whew

..
Willow I think would have been like me at the trial, over analyzing and way too scrupulous. Tara, the voice of mercy...
or, both falling asleep like I was..

[motownpunk]

Could someone please tell me who is eligible for jury duty in the US? It seems like the restrictions are not as......restricting as here in the UK. I think I only know one person who has ever been called.

[BBOvenGuy]

I'm back! I survived!

I'm not done...

Actually, it was kind of interesting. The morning was dull, but I got all the rewrites I wanted to do finished. In the afternoon I was part of this 100-person pool of potential jurors for a single case. They selected 24 people, spent three hours questioning them, and then the lawyers took turns booting 13 of them out. And I don't think they're done with the booting, either. Anyway, the rest of us have to stay there and wait to see if we get called up to be booted - or chosen... I mean, they have to settle on somebody sooner or later.

And in answer to your question, motownpunk - I believe here in the US if you're of voting age (18) and a citizen, and you haven't been convicted of a felony, you're eligible to be on a jury. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will come along and correct me.

[Sheridan]

I was on a jury in case of a store robbery where the guy threatened the owner with a brick. After he was arrested he still denied the crime hence it came to court. What made the denial laughable was that during the robbery he left behind a bag containing library books he had just taken out, and a package of medication with his name on the prescription label! Needless to say the deliberations were short.

[Jennifer]

Thanks everyone, for your kind words and support. I needed it! I told my mom, and she said "I know." And that she loved me and it didn't change anything. Massive relief. So thanks, again.

[BBOvenGuy]

Yay Jennifer! Way to go!

Unlike jury duty, having to come out to parents is an experience I'll never have, but I can appreciate how much courage it takes. Good job!

[relativegirl]

Congratulation's Jennifer. That's fantastic!
[img:496c146f84]http://www.westwoodi.net/~smilies/ups/kamikaze/smilie_groupflip2.gif[/img:496c146f84]

[xita]

Jennifer that's wonderful.. give your mom lots of hugs and kisses.

[VampNo12]

Jennifer I am so glad everything went well. You have a great mom, and I so happy your "coming out" was a positive experience!

[Lola19]

Well guys, i had to go to the High court today for jury duty, got up early, gave myself plenty of time to get there, and got there to be told i had been dismissed already! Woo Hoo!
I was really nervous about it too, all that worry for nothing!

Congratulations to Jennifer, thats great how cool your mum is.
I'm sure its given other Kitties more courage to know that coming out to your mum was worth it. Its given me more courage ( although, i dont think im quite ready yet) One day maybe, i would love to!

Love and hugs
Lola xxx

[SJ]

That's great news Jennifer! I'm glad it went well.

[The Inward Sea]

Congratulations, Jennifer!!

Sea

[theatremouse]

whoohoo jennifer!

[sparrow]

Congrats Jennifer. I am glad all went well. Fortune favors the brave.

[Elianna]

Congratulations, Jennifer!

I just wanted to say that I survived a night of going out to a Tel Aviv restaurant, and a "bar" (what passes for a bar here, at least).

woohoo, still alive. Tomorrow nothing eventful should happen, and the day after I leave early in the morning with my family to Turkey for a week.

-Eli

[Ittybittykitty]

Go Jennifer! That is so awesome.