I'm from New England. That's really how I describe myself. I have lived in Mass, New Hampshire, Vermont and now Maine. In every state I've lived in, we've always had tourists and summer residents. People WANT to visit the states in which I lived. Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean that the state you live in is a GREAT place to be?
It was not until I moved to Maine have I EVER seen such a pure hatred for these people. Now, I have caught myself cursing at them, (Yes, I know the lake is pretty, but do you realize the speed limit is 50??) and making fun of them (The Lexus double parked at the busy Dunkin's in Bridgton was my favorite). However, the reality is that if tourists didn't come to stay for the weekend, week, summer, whatever, this state - which is already ranked low on the economic scale - would die a slow death.
According to an article in the Bangor Daily News, the tourism industry forms one of the largest revenue generators ($15 billion) to the Maine economy. 15 BILLION DOLLARS!!! With the many paper mills and manufacturing plants closing down, what else is going to generate that kind of revenue? Can you imagine what the state would be like if it weren't for those tourists??
I know they are in the way. I know that they clog up our roads. They hold up traffic with their slower driving and rubbernecking. They buy out all the groceries and fill up their "summer camps" with "real Maine food." They do stupid things like buy a bundle of wood for $6. They take up two parking spaces so that no one will scratch their shiny Lexuses. They visit L.L. Bean and buy a $200 jacket because it's "authentically Maine." They talk down to us and treat us like we are all ignorant rednecks.
But let's face it. They also spend their money. And it's that money that helps this state run. So while they are here, try to grin and bear it. Take their money and run. And when they're gone, celebrate their vacancy and enjoy what they come from all over to experience - your home state.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Innocent until proven guilty
I didn't follow the Casey Anthony case at all. I saw snippets on the news during the long trial, but I didn't really pay attention. I did, however, see the explosion on Facebook when she was found "not guilty" of the first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter charges in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
Not one person on Facebook, at least that I saw, thought Casey was innocent and should be free. Many of them posted things like: "Our system is flawed..." "There is no justice for Caylee..." "Casey should rot in hell..." etc.
One friend posted something really good and really smart - "If you feel the jury was wrong, do not buy her book. Do not go to her movie. If you are disgusted wit her, do not put money in her pocket. Turn your backs on her and do not let her profit from any of this. This is our only way to try to get some justice for little Caylee."(Thanks Angela!)
After the explosion of disbelief and sadness at the verdict, I did some surfing around. From what little I read, I could surmise that she was indeed guilty... just as OJ was.
But what some people don't understand is that the system DID work. We learned in our social studies classes in school that it is an American right that we are innocent until proven guilty. This strongly held American certainty is touted by defendants - and their lawyers - all the time. It is the job of the prosecution to convince these 12 people that she is guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt.
I have sat on two juries, one for a domestic abuse charge and one for an assault charge. Nothing major, but I learned a lot from those two experiences.
Once you hear the case, and you go into the room to discuss the charges, you are given a sheet. Basically it is a checklist of criteria that all of you - unanimously - have to agree that the prosecution's argument fulfilled to come back with a guilty verdict. Those criteria are very specific, and I can imagine that for murder and manslaughter, those criteria are even more defined and strict. The decision HAS to be unanimous.
I agree that this is a horrible, terrible story. How anyone can do that to a chid is beyond me. I don't know if Casey was guilty. She probably is, and for that, she SHOULD burn in hell. But you can't lay the blame at those 12 citizens who did their best to make the decision they thought was lawfully correct. The prosecutor, Jeff Ashton, who probably did the best he could (He is quoted saying, "We presented every shred of evidence we had") just didn't have enough solid evidence to prove the case.
Let's just hope that new, solid evidence can be found, and little Caylee will get the justice she deserves. Whether it's karma, fate or God, Caylee's murderer will be punished. After the devastating results of this trial, that's the only thing we can hope.
Not one person on Facebook, at least that I saw, thought Casey was innocent and should be free. Many of them posted things like: "Our system is flawed..." "There is no justice for Caylee..." "Casey should rot in hell..." etc.
One friend posted something really good and really smart - "If you feel the jury was wrong, do not buy her book. Do not go to her movie. If you are disgusted wit her, do not put money in her pocket. Turn your backs on her and do not let her profit from any of this. This is our only way to try to get some justice for little Caylee."(Thanks Angela!)
After the explosion of disbelief and sadness at the verdict, I did some surfing around. From what little I read, I could surmise that she was indeed guilty... just as OJ was.
But what some people don't understand is that the system DID work. We learned in our social studies classes in school that it is an American right that we are innocent until proven guilty. This strongly held American certainty is touted by defendants - and their lawyers - all the time. It is the job of the prosecution to convince these 12 people that she is guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt.
I have sat on two juries, one for a domestic abuse charge and one for an assault charge. Nothing major, but I learned a lot from those two experiences.
Once you hear the case, and you go into the room to discuss the charges, you are given a sheet. Basically it is a checklist of criteria that all of you - unanimously - have to agree that the prosecution's argument fulfilled to come back with a guilty verdict. Those criteria are very specific, and I can imagine that for murder and manslaughter, those criteria are even more defined and strict. The decision HAS to be unanimous.
I agree that this is a horrible, terrible story. How anyone can do that to a chid is beyond me. I don't know if Casey was guilty. She probably is, and for that, she SHOULD burn in hell. But you can't lay the blame at those 12 citizens who did their best to make the decision they thought was lawfully correct. The prosecutor, Jeff Ashton, who probably did the best he could (He is quoted saying, "We presented every shred of evidence we had") just didn't have enough solid evidence to prove the case.
Let's just hope that new, solid evidence can be found, and little Caylee will get the justice she deserves. Whether it's karma, fate or God, Caylee's murderer will be punished. After the devastating results of this trial, that's the only thing we can hope.
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