My adoring public (aka parents) have pointed out that I have neglected to mention my class in this journal. My deepest apologies.

Basically, my class is fantastic. It has all the elements of a good class: the profressor is funny, gives minimal homework, and engages the class in discussion (successfully) for the entire class period. The daydreaming factor is low because the subject matter is interesting and the professor does a good job of calling on everyone often enough that we pretty much have to pay attention.

Criminal law is the topic of my class. I have always thought that it is totally insane that nowhere in school do we learn about the law in practice, as it affects our daily lives. Kids can probably rattle off a few of the rights we are supposed to enjoy - freedom of speech, etc. - but ask them if they have to open the door when a cop comes knocking and they have no idea. I think that is just ridiculous. Only a handful of students in my class, most of whom are upperclasssmen in college, could even answer whether or not the police have the right to search your car if you are pulled over for speeding. No one knows. The law is in the hands of the police, it is on Law and Order, and the newspapers are crawling with it, especially when scandals erupt. But it is not in my life and not in the lives of my friends and no one knows how to get it there. So. That's my treatise on why we should have comprehensive civics education in high school.

For now, I'm working on getting myself educated, hence why I took this class. I now know why a cop CAN search your car (it's on wheels and so not a personal residence with an expectation of privacy), why you CAN shoot someone who tries to break into your home but not someone who calls you names in a bar, and why the OJ Simpson verdict makes perfect sense (basically, the LA cops are embarassing beyond belief). Ask me about the OJ Simpson thing sometime, it's really interesting.

Academically, I suppose you could say that this class is a good exercise in thinking clearly and rationally. I don't know that I have any particular aptitude for law. Actually, I tend to be bad at it because I get caught up thinking of every possible avenue of argument and confuse myself rather than cutting right to the heart of the issue quickly. However, law still appeals to me because I love the logic of it. I love that a good argument feels solid, like something you can believe in and feel sure about, because it is based on reason. Maybe I just like arguing because I like being right. That's probably the true mark of a lawyer.

At any rate, it's a fabulous class. The Washington Center seems to have stumbled upon a good programming move. More next time on why I'm positive they didn't do it on purpose.

:)