We the jury

“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” 

— Frederick Douglas

AUBURN — After spending six hours sitting on an ass-breaking hardwood bench in a dreary room with no windows during jury selection at Androscoggin Superior Court, I am elated and relieved that I have fulfilled my obligation as a citizen and re-enforced what I already believed — that becoming a career criminal is a lesson futility.

Any low-life hood thinking about leading a life of crime should spend an entire working day listening to cases and the vetting of prospective jurors during jury selection. Planting your butt on one of those hardwood benches for six hours would convince me that crime doesn’t pay.

Partaking in the judicial process is a painful experience for my daire aire, but it made me appreciate our slow and cumbersome justice system.

The American court system moves at a snail’s pace, but you know what, it works — for the most part.

It is not perfect, but like my wise son said, it is not too much to ask of our U.S. citizens to serve as a juror and fulfill their civic duty. Heck, teachers, cops and soldiers are on the line doing great things for a grateful nation every day.

It is the best we can do as American citizens and I prefer this system compared to other nations, where in some instances, there is no justice.

I have been called twice in the past 15 years, and I respectfully beg the court to choose another outstanding American citizens like myself. I know I am a good American, but there are other outstanding Americans who haven’t been called. 

How about giving them a turn?

But when you are called, the summons should be taken seriously. You are obligated to serve for five weeks or less, and if you are chosen as a juror, it will wreak havoc on your schedule. 

Four cases were presented to prospective jurors  during the selection process, and I was selected as a foreman, which I thought was an honor and a huge responsibility. I won’t discuss the specifics of the cases.

My case was pleaded out after opening arguments were given. We went into recess before we heard all the testimony. Jurors were confined to room before we were excused with a thank-you from the judge.

But in those two days, I watched judges and attorneys do their best to see that the proceedings were expedited in a fair and just manner. I witnessed bailiffs ensuring our safety as a diligent judge maintained fairness and order during the trial.

We take our justice system for granted, but it is up to all of us as Americans to do their civic duty even though the jury system throws a monkey wrench into our precious schedules. Sure, $15 a day and paid mileage from your home to the courthouse is a pittance for our time, but serving is not about making a few bucks.

But if you are called and selected, keep this mind: We the jury are responsible to see that justice is served, and hopefully give the other guy— and that would be me — a break.

That is our duty as American citizens.

A vote to end stupidity and allowing common sense to prevail

"He knows nothing and thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career."

                                        George Bernard Shaw 

AUBURN, Maine — Frustrated citizens let us stand and give the United States Congress  a rousing round of applause for cleaning up their self-inflicted mess that made the United States appear like a house of cards and the laughing stock of the world. 

Federal workers are back on the job and national parks and monuments are open for business, but that doesn't mean there are no hard feelings between the public and its leaders.

It took over two weeks for our unreliable leaders to figure out that shutting down a government and dragging their heels on raising the debt ceiling wasn't good politics. This debacle was brought to you by a group of self-righteous fools who ended up drawing the ire of their fed-up constituents.

Let's hope citizens who do vote will channel their resentment and disgust at the polls when they cast their ballots.

Never forget that these class clowns made a mockery of our government and shut down a nation in a fruitless and reckless attempt to defund Obamacare that, by the way, was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Of course, there were a few congressmen with the horse sense to put an end to rampant stupidity that was precipitated by a rogue element from within the Republican Party.  You have to hand it to Tea Party members for bringing down the House and Senate with their warped convictions.

But American citizens weren't the only ones shaking their heads. This fruitless attempt to dump Obamacare and refusing to raise the debt ceiling triggered world-wide condemnations from Germany, China and France.

I was proud to see President Obama wouldn't budge on the issue and I cheered when the Tea Party was slapped back and received its comeuppance. 

Sure, congress and the president kicked our budget dilemma down the road and a sequel is already in production and will hit the big screens in February if our leaders can't find common ground and come to a reasonable decision.

That's where you come in — the American voter.   So please don't forget the "Hole in the Wall" gang at the polls because this rogue element doesn't care about its citizens or the harm these out-of-touch men have done to a great country's reputation, character and determination.