Be very, very, very, incredibly, horrifyingly, terribly, deathly afraid. Particularly if you have a case being heard in the Kamloops law courts anytime near the end of this month. I have just received a summons to be on a jury. Now, if I am considered to be suitable as a member of a jury of "one's peers", I must pause to consider what this world is coming to. Let's review... I just read in the Province today (front page news I might add) that BC's jury system is in trouble. Evidently the majority of jurors in cases brought before the courts do not have the ability to properly understand the instructions put forth to them by the judge. Now, I am not too concerned about my ability to understand the judge's instructions. I have ears and a brain and am certainly capable of processing information as it is given to me. Actually FOLLOWING those instructions? This is a whole other matter. To me, the most important attribute of a juror (at least according to Law and Order) is the ability to be fair and impartial. Do I have the ability to be fair and impartial? Sure. As long as the case does not involve abuse of, murder or mayhem toward, or extortion involving children, members of my family, the elderly, anyone I know, anyone I have ever known, anyone I plan to know one day, or anyone I will never know but would like them if I did...dogs, cats, , birds, butterflies, any creature with two legs, any creature with four or more legs, any living creature with no legs or which does not otherwise fall under any of the previous categories,  the environment, shoes or library books.    

Case closed...Juror #22, you are dismissed.