Writing and Being

Sometimes we see the right thing to do or not do. And we do the other thing anyway. I just did that. Here’s what I mean.

As a lawyer, a big part of my practice has been death penalty work. As in representing people on death row. You may or may not agree with the death penalty, which is your right. Though, as with anything, I would encourage you to become educated on the subject before you take a position. Where you end up may surprise you.

Anyway, as part of my job in upholding the constitution which protects your rights and my rights as well as my clients’, I was before the Nevada Supreme Court this week arguing a death penalty case. The client, of course, is not popular. And the crime he is convicted of committing is not pretty. Add to this the fact that his victim was much beloved in the community.

As happens in these more high-profile cases, the local daily newspaper writes a story or two on the latest status of the case, i.e., the appeal before the Nevada Supreme Court and my arguments on behalf of my client. Since all the news that’s fit to print is now also online, the online version offers certain unique features, like anonymous comments from readers. Here’s where the dumb part is about to come in, in case you are following along at home.

Now, I don’t usually waste my time reading these comments, because on the few occasions that I have read them, I am remarkably disappointed in the picture of humanity (or the seeming lack thereof) which is depicted there. Nevertheless, when an article is partly about me, I sometimes can’t help but take a peek. Yes, this is the dumb part… but it doesn’t end there.

Not only did I read many of the comments, I took a few of them personally. Really, no matter how evolved we think we are, if someone who doesn’t even know you writes on the electronic public wall that you are a piece of shit, it is hard not to take that personally. (Even when you believe in the thing you are doing — trying to save someone’s life along with the integrity of the judicial system — which is the subject of the hateful criticism.)

Here’s where the dumb part continues. I wrote back. Yes, I know. Dumb. And hopefully I don’t stoop to that kind of behavior in the future. Because, really, who am I talking to here? As Walt Whitman said, the speech is for the speaker.

From now on I’ll endeavor to channel that energy into more productive ventures. After all, I’m still writing my way through somewhere around the middle of my second novel. And I – and hopefully you — will be much better served for me to pour my energies there.

Thanks for listening.

Namaste,
TQ