This is a response to a young lady who took issue with my blog in which I said I felt our system of justice, though flawed, is a good one.
First, never worry about about having a difference of opinion with me. I love honest debate.
Second, I appreciate the fact that someone as young as 17 is so aware of what's going on.
Third, I agree with you that the crack/cocaine sentencing disparity inordinately effects blacks and that the juvenile system can use and overhaul.. It once worked. But society has changed and the system has yet to catch up.
That being said I stand by my position that out system is good. It is good because all of those things can (and I believe will) change exactly because the system allows for that.
Niether judges not the judicial system writes the laws they are sworn to follow. The crack thing happened the way it did because of an emotional LEGISLATIVE response to the inordinate violence associated with the first wave of the crack epidemic. Legistaltures pass laws. All the judiciary can do is to apply them as fairly as it can. But when legislators put mandatory minimums on stuff (In part to silence vocal fear demanding that 'something be done") There is nothing a judge can do but follow the law.
Same thing with the juvenille system. When there is a public hue and cry for harsher sentencing because of the level of a new wave of violence and extreme behavior of young people the legislature respondes quickly to to the easiest thing to assure the public that they are doing their best to keep them safe: The easiest option? Change the laws that allow younger and younger chidlren to be tried as an adult.
I don't think there should be an either/or with the juevnille system. I think juvenile court shoudl be changed to allow it to hold loger and do more things so that there would not be a rush toward sending them to adult facilities.
The thing is you have to understand that the system responds to a vocal and knowledgable public. The crack/cocaine disparity is being dealt with as a result of such public outcry. Voices are beginning to coalese with respect to the juvenile issue. No system willl ever be perfect but how wonderful is it that the opinion of society can move legislators (Who must answer to us at the polls) to change the laws we find repugnant?
The problem has been in the past that those most effected by imbalanced and improper laws are the least likely to vote. I think the excitment over Obama has changed much of that and I hope the Obama effect continues. But it willl not if we are not educated as to the sourse of our problems and diligent about our efforts to repond to them.
I did a piece on NPR re: the crack/cocaine sentencing disparity. Go on my site www.judgelynn.conm and click on NPR to find it.
Know what's going on. Understanding the unique and real opportunity we as people have to direct this country including the laws the judiciary must follow will reveal the beauty of the system (flawed though it may be as it is the creation of man - and we are flawed)
Having said that I think it is even more clear that my advice holds true:
Stake out your corner!!!!!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Stake Out Your Corner
Hi Everyone,
I have gotten a couple of requests lately where people are telling me their professional plans or making a decision to alter course in some manner. They want my opinion on what to do.
Like I always say I can't give any individual advice on what to do. But what I can do is share with you the considerations I use when making a decision like that:
1. I remind myself that change (in and of itself ) is a scary thing and I try to keep the "Change fear" separate from the the real concerns that must be taken into consideration when embarking on a new course of action.
2. I ask people who know me - my personality and emotions - about how they think I will like the thing I am about to do; how I will tolerate the risks inherent in it and whether or not they think I will get bored because those are MY big issues. You have to figure out yours. NOTE HOWEVER: I am very careful who I ask. People often give advice based on their own needs, perspectives and jealousies. I keep that in my while digesting their advice.
That, by the way, is why I can't give anyone career or path altering advice here. I don't know who you are, what you need, your capabilites and quirks.
3. This one I have only learned to deal with well recently. mom had been telling me about it for years but I am just now able to implement the mindset: Rarely in life are things black and white. Some are: Should I start smoking crack or no. There is nothing to consider there. But whether I should be a lawyer or a teacher, doctor or a businessman, a desk clerk or a construction worker. Those are gray. This is mom's take on that kind of thing. "most of the time there is not RIGHT CHOICE. What you are in fact doing is picking a. the satisfactions you want to have and b. the set of problems you want to solve. You can work just about anything.
4. Of course doing the former requires you to have all of the information about what you are trying to do. Don't just ask people who think they know. Ask people in it. Read. Read. Then read some more. You wouldn't believe what they put in books!!
5. Last but by no means least Stake Out Your Corner. Once ou make your move don't pussy foot around. If you are going to roll. . . roll. (woulda shoulda coulda is a waste of emotional capital)
6. Don't get metaphysical in an attempt to ease your own conciense and not try hard (I know I spelled that wrong-too lazy to get the dictionary and I embrace my inability to spell). One guy asked me once, that considering how corrupt the system is, should he go into the law and become part of a corrupt system.
My answer; "Shall we all take a vacation. Sit back and watch the world go to hell in a hand bascket? Or should good people get in the fight and try to improve things?" In other words are you going to sit around sounding superior and be lazy or are you going to be a man? (I didn't say this last part because there is no need to insult people but that was exactly what I was thinking.)
-Having said that I would like to say this, I disagree with his assessment of the nature our legal system - it is flawed , no doubt, but it has, within it, the capacity to improve because of the checks and balances built into it as well as it's public nature. Injustice thrives in the dark but struggles to grow in the light of day. And it's not so much the system that is wrong but the people who do wrong things in it - I know its not perfect - nothing created by man is but you should see what goes on in pother countries - "so here's the thing," I told that young man, "you can be part of the improvement process or you can sit back and do nothing."
I couldn't change the sytem while I was in it but I staked out my corner. I did the best I could by everybody I saw. I created programs to adress the underlying problems I saw that kept people coming back. My successes were few, but I had SOME. The whole point is that no matter what you choose to do you should leave it better than you found it.
And there you have. Usually I only share a 10 cent opinion. This one, however, I think is worth a buck twenty-five.
Peace
I have gotten a couple of requests lately where people are telling me their professional plans or making a decision to alter course in some manner. They want my opinion on what to do.
Like I always say I can't give any individual advice on what to do. But what I can do is share with you the considerations I use when making a decision like that:
1. I remind myself that change (in and of itself ) is a scary thing and I try to keep the "Change fear" separate from the the real concerns that must be taken into consideration when embarking on a new course of action.
2. I ask people who know me - my personality and emotions - about how they think I will like the thing I am about to do; how I will tolerate the risks inherent in it and whether or not they think I will get bored because those are MY big issues. You have to figure out yours. NOTE HOWEVER: I am very careful who I ask. People often give advice based on their own needs, perspectives and jealousies. I keep that in my while digesting their advice.
That, by the way, is why I can't give anyone career or path altering advice here. I don't know who you are, what you need, your capabilites and quirks.
3. This one I have only learned to deal with well recently. mom had been telling me about it for years but I am just now able to implement the mindset: Rarely in life are things black and white. Some are: Should I start smoking crack or no. There is nothing to consider there. But whether I should be a lawyer or a teacher, doctor or a businessman, a desk clerk or a construction worker. Those are gray. This is mom's take on that kind of thing. "most of the time there is not RIGHT CHOICE. What you are in fact doing is picking a. the satisfactions you want to have and b. the set of problems you want to solve. You can work just about anything.
4. Of course doing the former requires you to have all of the information about what you are trying to do. Don't just ask people who think they know. Ask people in it. Read. Read. Then read some more. You wouldn't believe what they put in books!!
5. Last but by no means least Stake Out Your Corner. Once ou make your move don't pussy foot around. If you are going to roll. . . roll. (woulda shoulda coulda is a waste of emotional capital)
6. Don't get metaphysical in an attempt to ease your own conciense and not try hard (I know I spelled that wrong-too lazy to get the dictionary and I embrace my inability to spell). One guy asked me once, that considering how corrupt the system is, should he go into the law and become part of a corrupt system.
My answer; "Shall we all take a vacation. Sit back and watch the world go to hell in a hand bascket? Or should good people get in the fight and try to improve things?" In other words are you going to sit around sounding superior and be lazy or are you going to be a man? (I didn't say this last part because there is no need to insult people but that was exactly what I was thinking.)
-Having said that I would like to say this, I disagree with his assessment of the nature our legal system - it is flawed , no doubt, but it has, within it, the capacity to improve because of the checks and balances built into it as well as it's public nature. Injustice thrives in the dark but struggles to grow in the light of day. And it's not so much the system that is wrong but the people who do wrong things in it - I know its not perfect - nothing created by man is but you should see what goes on in pother countries - "so here's the thing," I told that young man, "you can be part of the improvement process or you can sit back and do nothing."
I couldn't change the sytem while I was in it but I staked out my corner. I did the best I could by everybody I saw. I created programs to adress the underlying problems I saw that kept people coming back. My successes were few, but I had SOME. The whole point is that no matter what you choose to do you should leave it better than you found it.
And there you have. Usually I only share a 10 cent opinion. This one, however, I think is worth a buck twenty-five.
Peace
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Somebody Help Me Out
This week four different people told me they saw my show 6 times in a row in a mini-marathon type of deal. What station was this on? I feel silly. I know nothing about it. Someone also said they saw me on a Sunday. What's up with that?
Nothing Like Motherhood
There is nothing like motherhood to keep you grounded. There I was standing next to two US Senators to give a small statement. Next I am off to a luncheon to receive an award previously given to the likes of Colin Powell, Ruby Dee and Vice President Al Gore. Then right in the middle of the luncheon I get a text from my son saying 'I got pink eye'.
Now, pops is home with him. Took him to the doctor and everything. But he needed me to know. I sent him as as much love as I could from 2,000 miles a way. Electronic communication lacks warms though. I felt bad.
I AM comfort to him. I AM in charge of healthcare. I AM the woman who deals with all of the gross stuff. I AM a mother. I AM never off duty.
There was no milk in the house when I got home. I could see 'please make me a meal' in the sad puppy eyes of my youngest son. But my plane was late and it was 11:00 at night and I had just spent all my energy doing my job.
Next morning though I got up and went shopping. I put on my doctors's hat and soothed the older one. Hubby must have felt a little bad though, because for the first time n 20 years, he made dinner while I was here and available. (Or maybe it was because I made an uncharacteristic comment when he asked me how I was feeling - I believe it was something to the effect of "I'm really in an 'I don't give a s***' kind of mood") My husband is all man but he's no fool.
Part of this is my fault though. I keep handling all the home stuff without letting him 'take over'. First, because I knew what I was doing and had been doing it for years and wanted to make sure it was done 'right' - which usually means my way. But also because I always felt that he felt the home front stuff was demeaning. I think he's getting past that now. I think he sees how important and difficult being in charge of home is.
Or maybe I've just gotten a little bitchy. Not necessarily a place one wants to go but if used sparingly and distributed appropriately ....
Now, pops is home with him. Took him to the doctor and everything. But he needed me to know. I sent him as as much love as I could from 2,000 miles a way. Electronic communication lacks warms though. I felt bad.
I AM comfort to him. I AM in charge of healthcare. I AM the woman who deals with all of the gross stuff. I AM a mother. I AM never off duty.
There was no milk in the house when I got home. I could see 'please make me a meal' in the sad puppy eyes of my youngest son. But my plane was late and it was 11:00 at night and I had just spent all my energy doing my job.
Next morning though I got up and went shopping. I put on my doctors's hat and soothed the older one. Hubby must have felt a little bad though, because for the first time n 20 years, he made dinner while I was here and available. (Or maybe it was because I made an uncharacteristic comment when he asked me how I was feeling - I believe it was something to the effect of "I'm really in an 'I don't give a s***' kind of mood") My husband is all man but he's no fool.
Part of this is my fault though. I keep handling all the home stuff without letting him 'take over'. First, because I knew what I was doing and had been doing it for years and wanted to make sure it was done 'right' - which usually means my way. But also because I always felt that he felt the home front stuff was demeaning. I think he's getting past that now. I think he sees how important and difficult being in charge of home is.
Or maybe I've just gotten a little bitchy. Not necessarily a place one wants to go but if used sparingly and distributed appropriately ....
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Back fro Philly
Hi Everybody,
My experience in Philly was beyond phenominal. I did the symbolic ringing of the Liberty Bell. I spoke both there (along with 2 US Senators which i don't care what anyone says is intimidating) And I gave a speech at a luncheon. Everyone laughed and cried. And that 's what I always want to do: take the audience on the full ride.
By the way, Not that Barak Obama needs my help, but can I say this? People were talking about him with great love affection and excitement. And I think they were as thrilled about the nature of the man himself as they were about the historical nature of the event. I am fully on board for that!
But I have got to say some of the people I talked to spoke as if come tommorrow all will be right with the world. I had several conversations with people who expected everything to be better on the 21st: from economic woes, war, poverty, health care and visions of sudden and complete societal equality for all. It was a little scary to see such fairy tale expectations.
Give the man a chance. Our problems are many and complex. He will make mistakes and bad calls. He will not fix everything right away. He is a very intelligent man, an astute politician and all signs point to him being a moral man (I never make that call unless I know people personally or they have had time to let the shine wear of and we see them at their worst) But so far he's looking good.
I think he is the right guy at the right time. But don't expect perfection. And remember he can't do it alone. A great president (which I truly hope he turns out to be) can't make a great America. We all have to do our part. A great way to start is to read up on your local politicians and issues. Be educated about what's going on in your own city. When you go to the polls to elect your mayor, judges (if they are not appointed in your state) counselmen or whatever make sure you know who these people are. And don't just go to the polls because you are excited about something historic. Go to the polls EVERYTIME they're open to you. Read about the issues. Support local people and issues you think are about something. It's no time to stop now. We are not at the finish line. The race has just begun.
So like I said PLEASE give the man a chance. Do your part. And if the pressure of the worlds trouble become to much for you to bear watch Divorce Court . We'll laugh together!!!!!
My experience in Philly was beyond phenominal. I did the symbolic ringing of the Liberty Bell. I spoke both there (along with 2 US Senators which i don't care what anyone says is intimidating) And I gave a speech at a luncheon. Everyone laughed and cried. And that 's what I always want to do: take the audience on the full ride.
By the way, Not that Barak Obama needs my help, but can I say this? People were talking about him with great love affection and excitement. And I think they were as thrilled about the nature of the man himself as they were about the historical nature of the event. I am fully on board for that!
But I have got to say some of the people I talked to spoke as if come tommorrow all will be right with the world. I had several conversations with people who expected everything to be better on the 21st: from economic woes, war, poverty, health care and visions of sudden and complete societal equality for all. It was a little scary to see such fairy tale expectations.
Give the man a chance. Our problems are many and complex. He will make mistakes and bad calls. He will not fix everything right away. He is a very intelligent man, an astute politician and all signs point to him being a moral man (I never make that call unless I know people personally or they have had time to let the shine wear of and we see them at their worst) But so far he's looking good.
I think he is the right guy at the right time. But don't expect perfection. And remember he can't do it alone. A great president (which I truly hope he turns out to be) can't make a great America. We all have to do our part. A great way to start is to read up on your local politicians and issues. Be educated about what's going on in your own city. When you go to the polls to elect your mayor, judges (if they are not appointed in your state) counselmen or whatever make sure you know who these people are. And don't just go to the polls because you are excited about something historic. Go to the polls EVERYTIME they're open to you. Read about the issues. Support local people and issues you think are about something. It's no time to stop now. We are not at the finish line. The race has just begun.
So like I said PLEASE give the man a chance. Do your part. And if the pressure of the worlds trouble become to much for you to bear watch Divorce Court . We'll laugh together!!!!!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
By the Way
Just so you know I am not going to become a One Note Sister with this book thing. It may not be your cup of tea and I'm am not going to turn my blog into a library.
Once we get started we'll roll with it but I still intend to write about how I feel and what's going on and talk about what's on you guy's minds.
I have always wanted to write a journal. I have a terrible memory. My whole life is one big haze to me. I remember the highlights but I have never been really fully present until lately. My mind is always runnin' and gunnin'. Looking for the next problem. Worrying about what I should do or have already done. I have yet to smell a rose. (well maybe a few lately - I'm working on it.)
But anyway, this blog thing helps me. It's easy and it makes me stop and think and BE RIGHT HERE instead of worrying about the vast ifs what's and maybes that tend to dominate my life.
Thanks for being my audience for that. The doing (writing this and keeping track) seems to have purpose now and the feedback has value.
I promise to smell a rose today if you will.
Once we get started we'll roll with it but I still intend to write about how I feel and what's going on and talk about what's on you guy's minds.
I have always wanted to write a journal. I have a terrible memory. My whole life is one big haze to me. I remember the highlights but I have never been really fully present until lately. My mind is always runnin' and gunnin'. Looking for the next problem. Worrying about what I should do or have already done. I have yet to smell a rose. (well maybe a few lately - I'm working on it.)
But anyway, this blog thing helps me. It's easy and it makes me stop and think and BE RIGHT HERE instead of worrying about the vast ifs what's and maybes that tend to dominate my life.
Thanks for being my audience for that. The doing (writing this and keeping track) seems to have purpose now and the feedback has value.
I promise to smell a rose today if you will.
Off to Philly
Hello Everyone,
I am going to Philly this week for a MLK event. I am very excited to go for several reasons:
1. it is an incredible honor. Check this out, I have been asked to speak at an event whose former speakers include Colin Powell , Ossie Davis and Al Gore. Talk about pressure. But I'm excited.
2.My husband and I have been together in this house for months. I'm on hiatus and he's working from home. Togetherness is one thing --but Good Grief. A little absence on occasion is a good thing. We love each other but enough is enough. . . .
3. My 13 year old is still 13. Need I say more? If I don't get out of this house now I might hurt him.
That having been said a couple more points:
I am still getting "Is this really you" or "Do I have a staff member writing for me" messages. It's me - It's me, and then again, It's me. I don't know what others do but this is what I do. There may come a day when I have to turn it over because I am too busy but more likely than not it will still be me but not as often.
And YES we are going to do my book, My Mother's Rules, first (we don't want Ruthie to have a stroke) But I am currently reading a new book for a new recommendation. I'd like to keep this going. Still haven't figured out the logistics but Chuck will rescue me. I am looking to do it the week of January 25th.
Enjoy. Wish me luck in Philly.
I am going to Philly this week for a MLK event. I am very excited to go for several reasons:
1. it is an incredible honor. Check this out, I have been asked to speak at an event whose former speakers include Colin Powell , Ossie Davis and Al Gore. Talk about pressure. But I'm excited.
2.My husband and I have been together in this house for months. I'm on hiatus and he's working from home. Togetherness is one thing --but Good Grief. A little absence on occasion is a good thing. We love each other but enough is enough. . . .
3. My 13 year old is still 13. Need I say more? If I don't get out of this house now I might hurt him.
That having been said a couple more points:
I am still getting "Is this really you" or "Do I have a staff member writing for me" messages. It's me - It's me, and then again, It's me. I don't know what others do but this is what I do. There may come a day when I have to turn it over because I am too busy but more likely than not it will still be me but not as often.
And YES we are going to do my book, My Mother's Rules, first (we don't want Ruthie to have a stroke) But I am currently reading a new book for a new recommendation. I'd like to keep this going. Still haven't figured out the logistics but Chuck will rescue me. I am looking to do it the week of January 25th.
Enjoy. Wish me luck in Philly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)