gambitch - now available in blue

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Here's something a little funny from the BBC. Apparently US President George W. Bush, despite the office he holds, is still required to serve jury duty. What a laugh.

For those who don't understand (because the courts where they live don't use juries), the people who make up the jury are supposed to be regular folks, who take turns to serve on the jury as part of fulfilling their sense of civic commitment. I remember reading Ian McG's story on his first jury duty stint earlier this year. It's a boring little trip, although Ian's way of describing it does bring the funny.

But Ian's story is not the point I'm at. The point is, jury duty is supposed to be a regular folks thing. Sure, John Kerry also had his turn recently, according to the BBC story, but you see, John's just a politician, not an actual, serving secretary of some Department. Plus, is Congress in session at the moment? If not, then he's got the hours when he's not busy planning for the next midterms.

But George W. Bush is the current President! One who doesn't work very hard, admittedly, with his well-documented ranch holidays, but still, a current office-holder. Shouldn't the local administrative staff in Texas have noted that and arranged an automatic concession without asking? And wouldn't it seem rather strange and all to have George W. Bush, POTUS, sit with nine other jurors, who might just be your regular gym instructor or real estate agent or college postgrad student? Wouldn't it just seem odd what the odds are that the other jurors are just going to follow the President's opinion because, well, he's President?

I'm not sure whether the original drafters of the Constitution took that into consideration. For that matter, is there a precedent in the States that a high-ranking member of the Administration did jury duty while still in office? I don't like the guy, but it seems stupid beyond all reason regardless if Bush was to become an embarrassing first.

That's our funny of the day.

gambitch [ 5:20 PM]

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Nothing significant happened on The Amazing Race this week, because it was a To Be Continued episode. That means the leg isn't finished. So in short, they just pulled a repeat of the Calcutta stunt from Season 7 (the one with Rob and Amber). Except this time it was not nearly as inspiring. Way too leisurely, actually.

Meanwhile, there has been plenty of work to do. Another day, perhaps.

gambitch [ 12:01 PM]