I’ve been summoned for jury duty and I’m just ill over this development. Mostly, I’m concerned that I have reached some sort of adulthood that allows me to be eligible to judge others in a formal setting. I had no idea I would ever reach this stage of life. I assumed that I would only be judging people in private, but here we are.
I don’t want you to think I am unpatriotic, but I’m going to do everything possible to get out of jury duty. I’m not a huge fan of being bossed around by courthouse personnel for any amount of time and especially not for free. I was once young and believed in being a better person. That time has passed for better or worse.
If you know any government peeps that deal with Clay County juries, please cut this out and send this to them before April 20. Any personal references about me being a not so good person for objectivity would be appreciated.
Remember when I wrote about Flock Cameras a few weeks ago. I was wrong at that time about how many there are. But what I wasn’t wrong about is how we’ve allowed government to carve another slice of our freedom with these things. Last week, a Wyandotte County judge released information about a Bonner Springs cop that has been charged with 18 counts of child sexual exploitation, stalking, and breach of contract. Guess what the cop utilized to commit his stalking and such?
Yes, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, he “used law enforcement technology and equipment to stalk his wife.” This included license plate readers, better known as Flock cameras. Feel safer yet?
Apparently, he tracked his wife and at least two other men with this technology more than 20 times. Surely, this is not being done elsewhere, right? City, county, state, and a slew of other government entities have these systems. You think he’s the only one that looked up a friend or enemy to track their movements?
At least we’re safer.. right?
This column is kind of grumpy. I gotta get some spring attitude going.
I have found something about World Cup that interests me. As I understand it, the Netherlands are one of the teams being hosted in Kansas City area. The Netherland fans seem to be a jovial crew. They have a tradition known as the “Orange March,” which refers to a massive festive procession of football (soccer to you and me) fans wearing orange as they march toward the stadiums during major tournaments.
I’m told that the march will likely start at Power and Light and proceed to Arrowhead by foot and bus before their matches. I’m not sure of the amount of alcohol involved, but I assume it is substantial. You’re going to have to learn Dutch by summer if you want to sing along, just FYI.
Also, Arrowhead is not going to be called Arrowhead for the World Cup. FIFA prohibits the use of corporate-sponsored names and prefers neutral venue names. It will be referred to as Kansas City Stadium. Don’t let us catch you calling it Arrowhead or we’ll call in NATO and next thing you know, you’ll be judged by some jury of World Court peers or something, I’m not clear on world law and such.
(Guy Speckman can be reached in a Clay County jury box)
