As if that wasn't enough- Part 1

Okay- I'm going to reveal a secret desire here. Are you ready?

I've always wanted to be a judge...sorry if that was a letdown.

And if your first thought when you hear the word judge is Simon C. (the C is because I can't remember his last name, and I don't watch TV myself) on American Idol, you seriously need to try reading a book for a change. Ouch...I may have just lost you.

And I don't want to be a judge so I can reign with fiery justice and send hardened criminals to locked cells and then throw away the keys. Well...not ONLY that.

The real reason is that I find the whole crime and punishment (I could call it the legal system, but it just doesn't sound as interesting) quite fascinating. Especially as you study it from the early years down through the present.

And I want to say here: Our American Justice system may have it's flaws, but I believe it's still the best in the world.

I have to admit that some far off countries justice systems have a certain appeal to me. They would never take a convicted child rapist and murderer and wonder whether he should get life or death (which of course means he will be breathing air for many years still because of appeals). They wouldn't stand outside with posters protesting (I know...freedom of speech) when his turn came to get a lethal injection that might give him momentary discomfort (versus extreme terror) when his time came. No... he would have a short walk to meet his maker. They might even skip the walk.

But then side-by-side with that case, you might find the case of the young boy who stole a small item. Of course, stealing is wrong. But to take that young boy and put his hand literally that stole under the wheel of a car, and to run over it as punishment; obviously that is a flawed system. Who could do such a thing, and then go about their daily business? I know the pictures from this true story are etched in my mind. Those pictures that were taken by those who punished him as a record of his punishment.

Are there innocent people in prison? I think there probably are. DNA evidence has proved it to be so. And DNA evidence will also help to prevent such cases as this in the future.

But I would never allow myself to rally behind or pity prison inhabitants as a whole for that reason. Most are there for exactly what they have been tried and convicted of. I have to admit part of what interests me in the whole crime/punishment department is the psychology of it all. That a person could do cruel, harmful things to another human being, a crime for which there is indisputable evidence, and then look you in the face and say they didn't do it. Where is their conscience in all of that?

And in all my reading of it, with the many explanations given by various professionals, I still cannot accept that there are some who have no conscience. I believe it, but I just can't quite accept it.

Would you believe I actually was going to write about a particular case, but got side-tracked?
So this will be Part 1...

Part 2 coming soon;)

The Conception of this blog- G Rated

Hubby and I were having one of our rarer talks; not to say that we rarely talk, but our usual talk surrounds our kids, church,our kids, extended family, our kids,ect. You get the general idea. This was one of those talks that we get to indulge in once-in-a-while: local news, politics (tis-the-season) and the criminal element (I know, not your normal pillow-talk, LoL).

Then we started discussing my blog. I mentioned how I really enjoy posting about our life in general, and our kids specifically. But... sometimes I just feel compelled to post about other subjects: politics, items in the news, our justice system. Things that not all my readers probably want to hear about. And things that some people may even think that a Christian wife and mom really has no business delving into.

This gave him cause to pause. He does that alot. Sometimes in the middle of what he's saying. And I think that he's actually done talking, because I never take a long pause mid-sentence.

See, I can't even be quiet while describing him pausing!

Now where were we? Oh, right.

So he looked at me and said these astouding words: "So why don't you start a blog about those things?"

Me:
Well...blogs do take time. And two blogs would take up twice the amount of time. (Math was one of my best subjects in school, can you tell?)

Hubby:
So divide your blog time up between the two. I mean...there's no great Blogmaster out there who dictates how often or how much you have to post on each one, is there? (That's it-no more sci-fi for him! Who ever heard of a great blogmaster?)

Me:
Well..no. But some people really don't think that a Christian mom and wife should have the time to research and write about such subjects. Or should even care about them.

Hubby:
Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But since I am your husband (really, he rarely uses those 6 words!) I think you should go for it. Not only that, I think it would be great for you to talk to other people about these interests. You give most of your time to your family..there's nothing wrong with having a diversion. It doesn't make you any less of a wife, mom, or Christian for that matter. Besides, it wouldn't take much of your time- you could write about this stuff at the drop of a hat.

Me:(slowly but surely coming to his way of thinking)
What about people who may wonder whether my house is pristine and whether I'm cooking 3 fresh-from.... (For some reason, he interuppted me at this point)

Hubby:
You worry about what people think too much (If I had a nickel for every time I've heard those words from him..or even a penny). Before we ever had children, or were married for that matter, I liked hearing about things that were interesting to you. I'm happy with what you do as a wife and mom...Shouldn't that be enough?

Enough said!

Do I need to mention that my Hubby earned some Major bonus points during this conversation? And we all know...well, I did say in my title this would be G-rated!

So MyKidsMom will be my mild-mannered blog where I talk about my family that I love and truly try to dedicate myself to.

And The Proverbial Straw will be my small diversion, a place to vent my amazement of the things going on in our country politically, justice-wise, and anything else that seems to be the straw that would break the camels back.

Does this mean I now have a secret identity like Superman? Hubby says No; but I just may be able to claim a case of split-personality, LoL.

One last thing: I greatly dislike what I call Bashing. Definition: Calling anyone you don't like (whether it be politically or otherwise) Idiots, other Vulgar Words (which I would blush to post), ect. While I realize they may well be just that (the I-word), it doesn't tend towards intelligent conversation. While the one who yells the loudest may very well be heard above all others, people don't tend to have a high opinion of that, and it closes minds and ears.

Let the Liberals yell and call names to show their ignorance; and let's make sure the shoe doesn't fit on the other foot.

Did I just say that? I believe I did. And there wasn't one I-word in it;)