COMPORTMENT

I was at a hearing in family court recently. And I felt so nervous I was just dying for a glass of water. I looked around at the table for the pitchers of water and the cups that are ordinarily made available to litigants and they weren't there any more.

 

In a free moment when the court was in recess I went to a security guard. "What happened to the pitchers of water?" I asked.

 

Well, it turns out that some of the litigants were picking up the pitchers and tossing them at the judge when they disagreed with the verdict, so court personnel stopped making them available!

 

Now, secretly, I must admit I feel a little gleeful about that story. I even kinda wish I'd been there to see the judge on the receiving end for once.

 

But still, I just want to say something that comes from the heart. Guys, when you go to Court, always recognize that you are not there on your own. You are there representing all the other folks who are going through the same hell that you are going through.

 

So even though the temptation to tell the judge he is an idiot is quite overwhelming, and you feel like giving one of the clerks a piece of your mind--just don't. Don't give all of us--the guys that stand up for justice within the judicial system--a bad name!

 

Always behave courteously, show the folks that work at the courthouse your gracious and respectful side, and show some appreciation for all the hard work they do. Yes, a great deal of it may be misguided. That is what you are there to change. But you won't have any kind of meaningful impact if you attack people, even when they deserve it.

 

Also, keep in mind that, even if you fail in court, the simple fact that you were there, that you brought an important question to the court for their consideration, that you made them think through what they are doing, paves the way for future success. If you can plant even the tiniest seed of a doubt in a judge's mind, so much the better for you.

 

In conclusion, it's not all about walking out with the prizes. It's about doing the very best you can, about showing the human face of our struggle, and adding a single brick to the foundation of our future successes so that we as a community achieve the results we are looking for in the long run.

 

Social change, conducted humanely, with respect for the needs and sensitivities of our opponents, must be carried out with respect and consideration for the dignity of everyone involved in the struggle, even the wicked. Thoughts anyone?!?!