Enough of the Gun Violence!!! Demand A Plan!!!

I really have had enough..have you???  Here is how you can help....

DEMAND A PLAN!!!

I'm back..She's Not

So I’m back from a little creative slump in the blogging department. That’s not to say there hasn't been any interesting things happening in my life. It's actually more of the contrary but I just haven’t had the energy to put those thoughts out to the world.

For those of you that may not know I have been pretty busy helping my sister n’ law Claudia get back in the country from Mexico. She has been detained there for several weeks with visa issues. Basically staying with strangers, she is in a small town outside of Guadalajara alone, away from her babies and those that love her most.

Until all of this happened I must say I was extremely ignorant of the immigration laws and all the political poppycock that goes along with it, but I'm quickly learning. I wont go into alot of detail but I will say that the laws and the people enforcing them seem to be extremely discriminatory against black and brown folks.

She went down there voluntarily to resolve a situation her parents should have taken care of when they brought her to this country as a baby. Married to my brother for almost seven years you would think she would have no problems becoming a US citizen but things have not turned out so easy.

The good news? Through contacts at the US Consulate’s office she was able to get an earlier visa appointment then her scheduled August 23^rd date.

The bad news? They can still deny her re-entry and ban her for ten years. In the meantime I’ve been asking friends and family to write letters on her behalf pleading for her re-entry. I have been so very touched by the response and the concern I've received so far. You never really realize how big your circle is until you start to reach out and touch the sides.

So I ask to please keep the prayers coming for her July 7^th appointment. And I’ll get back to trying to post on a regular basis.

Its 7:30 in the morning...Do you know where your civic obligation is?

Well I know where mine is. Its at the Prince George county courthouse reporting for jury duty. Unfortunately for me I had run out of excuses to postpone, delay and reschedule my summons. I guess there are only so many times you can have the Bird Flu.

I just don't understand why jury duty can't be a strictly voluntary endeavor but as my favorite smart-ass co worker Katie told me yesterday in her best Louisiana drawl "cause no one would show up!" We both agree that the unemployed should be responsible for jury duty. What else do they have to do? Let's make it a criteria for receiving unemployment benefits. Go ahead write your Congressman now!

The fact that I have to be here at 7:30 am is insane just so I can sit in a jury assembly room all day with the minute chance of being picked. Let's not forget..you only get a $15 stipend. I normally don't get out of bed for less than $300!

There is quite the motley crew in the assembly room today and like I usually do when I'm in a crowd I check out the cute guys (2 maybe 3. But that third one looks real suspect) and what the women are wearing. I conclude that I am the best dressed here. Second place goes to the mamacita with the Kelly green trench coat and mohair prada boots. She loses just for trying so hard (its jury duty people!). So after spending 6 hours being passed over for case after case my name was finally called.

I was given a red card with the number 64 on it and was told to get in line and wait for the bailiff. I must admit I was actually kinda excited to finally go into the court. I wanted to experience this important part of our democracy..be a integral part in it remaining fair and impartial..be a beacon of light for those who have lost all faith in the justice system! That was until they told us this would be a criminal case which could last up to 7 days. OH..HELL TO THE NAW! I start to panic..I've got too much shyt to do at work..my boss is going to freak..I have ADD..I couldn't possibly pay attention to anything for 7 days straight even if it was the murder trial of Bobby Brown for a crack induced killing spree.

And just when my panic fest was starting to kick into high gear an announcement was made that the judge only needed 57 jurors and the rest of the group could go home. Whoo hoo! I peaced out my fellow juror breathren and rushed back home just in time for Maury...

Justice has been served.