Jury nullification is a very important fact that I think everyone should know about. We had a case involving it a few years ago in Colorado, the lady from the jury was accused of lying on the forms the jurists had to fill out, it was eventually dismissed.

As I understand it, it was used heavily prior to the Civil War. Evidently, many states had laws that forbid helping slaves find their way north to freedom. Many people were caught red-handed and found not guilty by a jury of their peers, law or no law.

Sometimes, there is still justice in the world.

Indeed a well kept secret. As I said, there's a mountain of "professionals" who are more than willing to keep quiet on this. It may have it's abuses, but the system errs on the side of letting people go free vs. falsely convict. The beauty of it is that every day people have the ability to create justice where our laws might not have been created so.

I think that JN has been effectively pushed to such a small percentage of cases and nobody in power wants it well known, so I doubt any "memo" is going to strip this power (like removing the right to a writ of habeas corpus for "enemy combatants" - even American Citizens which violates at least 3 or 4 of the Bill of Rights of the constitution). But if it does, I just might break out my passport (with included RFID, DNA sample, and barcode that matches my implanted satellite trackable Personal ID chip) and go native someplace... <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

If you ever get the chance, read Richard Holmes " Rebels & Redcoats" ISBN 0 00 715626. Has a few interesting things to say about those "oppressors."

They just confiscated your torch mate. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And there's no windows in the joint. Oh, Dear.... <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

This is a perfect example of why it is so important to learn to survive with no gear at all. To learn to adapt to your environment and improvise in as many situations as possible.

I would take my shemaugh and a few nice, round polished stones with me, or maybe some marbles. I have never served jury duty, or even been asked to serve. Why is it some people have to do it repeatedly, and some never? I have no marks against me, I am a registered voter who's performed other, voluntary civic duty, and yet I don't know if I've ever even been on anyone's list.

As for the scarf and the marbles? Well, somewhere I read that a scarf is an excellent defensive weapon if used properly. Marbles too have their uses, be creative. Even a plastic straw, some paper clips and some tape make a nice little firearm.

Oh yes, a scarf is very, very good. Years ago I had a white silk scarf, about 6' long, very urbane. I folded it back on itself at each end, and stitched in four ounces of lead split shot held in cheese cloth inside each pocket. From five feet, it just looked like the ends were decoratively quilted.

If you can fight with a chain, you're set. And I don't mean biker style, I mean like a manriki-gusari. All the blocks, swings, snaps and traps work just fine, and it makes a better bolo. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And it's a wonderful fist pack.

If you aren't sure, dress to kill.

Oh, and ben, aren't you in the greater NYC area? Are you sure you want to be wearing a shemaugh?