The Good Stuff
Blood pressure and trial by jury
What’s Your Blood Pressure?
When I reached my mid-50s, my doctor suggested that I start monitoring my blood pressure at home. My blood pressure wasn’t high or even marginal at that time. I think it’s good practice as you get older though; it is almost certain to creep up as we age. Furthermore, the reading you get in the doctor’s office can be distorted by many factors. If your blood pressure is measured only a few times a year when you’re with your doctor, you may not have an accurate picture.
And high blood pressure not only accompanies aging – it also accelerates it. Over time, unaddressed, it wears out your blood vessels and makes heart attacks or strokes more likely.
My doctor recommended that I get an Omron blood pressure monitor; it’s probably what your doctor’s office uses. You can get them at most drug stores. I’ve had mine for more than 10 years now; it should last a long time, since in 10 years at home it has probably gotten no more usage than it would get in a week in a medical facility.
I’ve learned that one of the best things I can do for my health is to catch problems early. And any time I can screen for problems myself, it’s a good thing.
- Jack Jr.
Trial by Jury
On Tuesday I wrote a bit about my experience serving as a juror during a criminal trial last week. Sitting in the room with all the other potential jurors on Monday morning, I could sense the eye rolls and cynicism as one of the judges talked about the importance of jury service. I was not rolling my eyes. I am a true believer when it comes to many of the things we’ve inherited in the West and trial by jury is one of them.
Have you ever thought about what a jury trial is, in terms of the government and the people? In a criminal trial, when the state brings charges against a defendant it is saying, in effect, “your government believes this person is guilty and should be punished.” But the government then says, “And we will defer to the judgment of a random group of normal people.” The same government that controls nuclear weapons is willing to say “ok” when a group of twelve citizens delivers a verdict contrary to what it wants. That is a pretty incredible limitation of power and it’s worth being a bit of an idealist about.
Our system isn’t perfect by any means, and there are too many workarounds to trial by jury that the government has allowed to creep in, but it’s worth celebrating and preserving what we do have.
- Jack III
Jack Jr.’s new book, Becoming Yourself: A Perspective on Christian Character is now in print. You can order your copy HERE at our website
That’s a good perspective on the jury trial, Jack, and I appreciate it. I for one am a tad jaded after my wife was selected for the state grand jury, which required her to travel to Columbia for 3 consecutive days, one week each month, for 2 years. It was supposed to be for 1 year but the state AG reserves the right to hold the participants an extra year if the cases require. Needless to say, with three young children, and two parents working full time, this was not a happy time for us and my thoughts of jury duty were greatly distorted. Coincidentally, I was sent a “survey” about serving on the grand jury the month after she was released. It took me hours to craft the firm yet considerate response for why they were insane to ask this of one family 2 hrs away from Columbia back to back, especially given their “random” selection process.
All that to say, I do appreciate the perspective you shared, as it’s the truth behind the inconvenience.