Showing posts with label Judicial Restraint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judicial Restraint. Show all posts

Friday, April 13, 2007

Internal Bar Fight.

I have been admitted to the bar since I was 15. Not the judicial bar, the alcohol dispensing kind.
I am the same size (of varying hefts) now as I was then.
I find bars more friendly than church. I have been asked to come over and help build a garage by people in a much-frequented bar. Never in a much-frequented church. I digress.
I had my last bar fight 6 years ago. I've had a lot of practice over the years.
Last week a friend was verbally attacked by another acquaintance (who had overserved himself). Friend is female, "un femme d'une age certaine", and diminutive. Said acquaintance is 6'2", but no physical specimen. He was using language that was not allowable, even given the latitude that is allowed the overserved. He then did the unthinkable, the unacceptable. He put his finger in her face, and threatened her.
Immediately, I went into overdrive. Expanded my lungs for more oxygen, clenched my fists and headed for him to take him down.
I then turned around and walked out of the bar.
As I had walked toward them, I had noticed that verbally she gave as good as she got. She had other friends around her should he go any farther. She wasn't in danger.
As the cold air hit my hot head, I realized I was in turmoil. I promised myself six years ago I would never, never fight physically again, excepting for my life. For six years I have not been in a situation to do so.
This situation didn't require it, truly. I thanked the nighttime I saw that in time. I feared I might not have the understanding in time again. I doubted I did the right thing. I am aware of my knight-errant leanings. I felt I should apologize to her, but for what?
We, 8 of us, went to breakfast after closing time. She sat in the booth across from me. At one point she reached across the table, took my hand, and mouthed "thank you". She knew. She had seen, and understood, even in the middle of the verbal nonsense she had to deal with. She wasn't approving the impulse, she was acknowleging the self-control. I nodded my head in gratitude, and ate my suddenly exquisitely-tasty huevos rancheros.
I think we'll count this as a victory in the bar fight won/loss columns.
So decreed.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

A New Jurisdiction.

The court of Draconian Measures is currently setting up its court offices. Issues overseen by this court will include small claims (unverifiable), large claims (unbelievable), domestic relations, foreign relations, distant relations, internal affairs, external affairs, court logs- both mono and dia, internal conflicts, external complaints, and penalties of all kinds including those resulting from personal fouls.
Harsh sentences (grammatically speaking) are standard.
Appeals will be heard, subject to the will of the court.
This court can be addressed as "My Lord" (British subjects only), "Your Honor" and, as has happened in the past, "You're Insane". Profanity directed AT this court, its plaintiffs, or its officers will not be tolerated.
It is not within the purview of this court to rule on isues such as the nature of reality, of Aristotelian or Platonic ideals, or whether or not Godzilla could win against an Alien/Predator Ultimate Fighting tag-team. Plaintiffs with commentaries seeking judgement on such matters will be referred to Higher Courts.
Commentaries that are frivolous, argumentative beyond patience or non-sequitur in nature will be stricken from the record.
So decreed.