Interesting insight in Will’s article. The description of a witness is very often more reflective of what s/he has been taught than the reality of what they saw. This is why black plastic guns are described as huge in spite of the fact the diameter of the hole in the barrel is half that of a pencil or a pocket knife transmogrifies into a machete or the happy mutt becomes a huge slavering brute. The mind magnifies things we have been trained to fear in order to rationalize our fearfulness. Always a problem in taking witness statements and a characteristic defense attorney’s love to us to discredit witnesses. Will is exactly correct, we need to stop indoctrination on a lot of fronts.
Thank you, Mr. Doolittle, for commenting on a social plague that festers from generation to generation and harms people who don't deserve to be feared or even worse, shunned, abused, discriminated against and even murdered. You are right, the man's blackness overshadowed his crimes, and Putorti's bragging about the incident presumed that his behavior would have been sympathized with by his listeners (most likely people of lighter skin shades). This also extends to people who arm themselves to "protect their domain" such as the case where a woman was killed because she was in a car that pulled up in a man's driveway. Judge Putorti was also "protecting his domain", and now he has lost it, for good reason.
Thanks Will, for calling out the blatant bias of a non-law-abiding judge in a case that allowed him to keep “judging” others for 5 more years. Your ability to temporarily neutralize reality-based anxiety related to injustices and violence locally, in Maine, the Middleast…and countless other places…by reminding us of the inherent beauty of a walk through Coles Woods…and witnessing the leaf 🍁 🍂🍁 showers all around us… is a lesson we all need to practice daily.
If we don’t create ways to detach, even briefly, without feeling like we’ve abandoned the people we care deeply about, including strangers suffering unimaginable atrocities in other countries, we risk internalizing overdoses of fear and hopelessness which cripple our own courage and resilience muscles.
Downtown GF looked like a multi-colored patchwork quilt of creatively- costumed kids and adults blanketing City Park and closed-off portion of Glen St. yesterday afternoon, as a did a slow drive-by on Maple and Ridge. A blend of all ages and racial-ethnic groups out having a safe, healthy outdoor celebration of the last gasp of Autumn. It was a splendid sight to behold! No camera could have captured the spirit of that event.
It was a booster shot to my soul as I drove over to Haviland’s Cove, parked, and started reading my Kindle intro to Ken’s newest book…while watching the wind whipping the river waves against the sandy shoreline… and further denuding the autumn leaves from trees on both sides of the river. Nature at her finest!
For any homebound folks, Spectrum Channel 1943 has 24/7 colorful serene scenes from all over the world, with inspirational quotes, and relaxation music which changes ever 20 to 30 seconds. A soothing way to ease into the day for us early morning risers… vs. turning on the news.
Walking in the woods so good. “In wilderness is the preservation of the world”
(Thoreau)
And being alert to our prejudices is good too.
Thanks Ken. Diane
Interesting insight in Will’s article. The description of a witness is very often more reflective of what s/he has been taught than the reality of what they saw. This is why black plastic guns are described as huge in spite of the fact the diameter of the hole in the barrel is half that of a pencil or a pocket knife transmogrifies into a machete or the happy mutt becomes a huge slavering brute. The mind magnifies things we have been trained to fear in order to rationalize our fearfulness. Always a problem in taking witness statements and a characteristic defense attorney’s love to us to discredit witnesses. Will is exactly correct, we need to stop indoctrination on a lot of fronts.
Thank you, Mr. Doolittle, for commenting on a social plague that festers from generation to generation and harms people who don't deserve to be feared or even worse, shunned, abused, discriminated against and even murdered. You are right, the man's blackness overshadowed his crimes, and Putorti's bragging about the incident presumed that his behavior would have been sympathized with by his listeners (most likely people of lighter skin shades). This also extends to people who arm themselves to "protect their domain" such as the case where a woman was killed because she was in a car that pulled up in a man's driveway. Judge Putorti was also "protecting his domain", and now he has lost it, for good reason.
I can't wait to enjoy those tacos!!! Lucky us.
Thanks Will, for calling out the blatant bias of a non-law-abiding judge in a case that allowed him to keep “judging” others for 5 more years. Your ability to temporarily neutralize reality-based anxiety related to injustices and violence locally, in Maine, the Middleast…and countless other places…by reminding us of the inherent beauty of a walk through Coles Woods…and witnessing the leaf 🍁 🍂🍁 showers all around us… is a lesson we all need to practice daily.
If we don’t create ways to detach, even briefly, without feeling like we’ve abandoned the people we care deeply about, including strangers suffering unimaginable atrocities in other countries, we risk internalizing overdoses of fear and hopelessness which cripple our own courage and resilience muscles.
Downtown GF looked like a multi-colored patchwork quilt of creatively- costumed kids and adults blanketing City Park and closed-off portion of Glen St. yesterday afternoon, as a did a slow drive-by on Maple and Ridge. A blend of all ages and racial-ethnic groups out having a safe, healthy outdoor celebration of the last gasp of Autumn. It was a splendid sight to behold! No camera could have captured the spirit of that event.
It was a booster shot to my soul as I drove over to Haviland’s Cove, parked, and started reading my Kindle intro to Ken’s newest book…while watching the wind whipping the river waves against the sandy shoreline… and further denuding the autumn leaves from trees on both sides of the river. Nature at her finest!
For any homebound folks, Spectrum Channel 1943 has 24/7 colorful serene scenes from all over the world, with inspirational quotes, and relaxation music which changes ever 20 to 30 seconds. A soothing way to ease into the day for us early morning risers… vs. turning on the news.
Sad but true