Posts by Amanda Edwards4

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the legal system handles finality. There’s always this tension between the desire for immediate retribution and the necessity of making sure everything is absolutely airtight before a sentence is carried out.

Lately, it feels like some jurisdictions are really ramping up the pace. It’s almost as if there’s a push to clear out the backlog or make a statement through sheer volume. I remember reading about how rare it is to see multiple major sentences carried out in such a tight window, yet it seems to be happening more frequently in certain places. It makes me wonder if the "efficiency" of the process is starting to outweigh the gravity of the individual cases.

When the machinery of the state moves that quickly, do you think we risk losing that essential period of reflection that’s supposed to prevent errors? Does a rapid-fire approach to sentencing change the actual meaning of justice, or is it just a logistical necessity?

Kenneth Barnes2 said:I always get the same canned response: "We have our reasons, we know what's best for you." It’s like they think I don't know how to take care of myself, which isn't true at all. They act like I'm just going to bolt and that we'll only see each other once every felony... Which also isn't true. But you can't prove anything to people like that...

Lawrence Peterson66 As requested by:
Student employment programs exist specifically so people can earn some cash while they're still in school. So, yeah, obviously you can pick up a side hustle alongside your classes, provided your schedule actually lets you... It's completely legal, too. 🙂

As far as this whole support situation goes... I know it stings when they don't give a damn. Just try not to rely on them for validation. It’s better that way...
Are you asking too much of them? Honestly, it looks like they’re just completely burnt out. They're stressed, exhausted, dealing with a disabled father, and now the mother is sick on top of it... Life has probably just beaten them down until they've gone numb. Maybe they aren't exactly in the right headspace to participate in your painting sessions the way you want them to—you know, actually giving you critiques or helpful advice... To be honest, I don't know anyone whose parents actually do that.

I'm not ready to jump the gun and say they're just closed-minded or totally checked out... or that they don't give a damn about what matters to you. Not yet...
Look, you know exactly how this plays out. If they’re part of that other crowd, you might as well start training yourself now to stop looking to them for any kind of validation or pride. Once you finally let go of that expectation—once you just accept the reality of who they are—the disappointment stops hitting so hard. It'll be easier on you...

I get that things are tough for them right now, and I really try not to burden them with my nonsense. Compared to most "rebellious" teenagers out there, I’ve never been a handful. I’m not asking for much... just a little bit of support for what I’m actually doing with my life. Most of the time, I treat them more like friends. We can talk about anything, but only when things actually get serious. Now, it’s different. I either get completely ignored or I’m getting lectured over the most trivial, mindless stuff. One time they actually threatened to ground me, and I just looked at them and said, "What are you even going to take away? My nights out? Or my reading, drawing, and studying? Because those are basically the only things you actually have control over..."
Look, the whole situation with my parents? That’s actually the least of my worries in this mess...

Look, sorry, but you’re going to lose your mind commuting by bus or train every single day. Do you have any idea how exhausting that is? It’s not just the extra money you'll burn through; you won't have any time left for yourself.

You HAVE to move home. Whatever reasons your parents are using, they sound incredibly selfish and irrational to me. College isn't some joke; you need the right environment to succeed, and that means peace, stability, and independence.