23/08/2013

The Novelty of Going Into Law

I was recently reading a book, Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher, where the main character's mum wants her to go into law. In many YA (Young Adult) books, a character or their parents want them to go into law. They never specify which bit, or whether a solicitor, barrister, judge, etc, they just say "I want to go into law". This got me thinking that many teens, and children, perhaps want to go into law for reasons other than passion.

I personally want to go into law because I want to help people get their justice and help people when they need help. My family had to use Legal Aid when I was a very young child and it helped them, and I feel like I want to give that back. I also feel that my qualities (and flaws) are what are needed for this sort of thing. I consider myself to be intellectual, emotional and mentally mature, caring and articulate.

Why Teens Want a Law Profession If They Are Just a Young Version of a Fat Cat (Possibly)

1) Money. As far as the media and stereotypes are concerned, law pays well. And in some parts, it does. In Legal Aid, I have learnt, they are not fat cats and are not paid much! Ha, there are many jokes about heating, cramped spaces and many things amongst those lines. Which, personally, I'm fine with knowing and still have a passion. Many others would probably turn away!

2) It sounds good. People are impressed if someone says "Oh, I'm a [insert solicitor/barrister/judge/any other law job here]"! Many will do it for glory and pride.

3) Media. This one may sound funny, but it's true! Some want to get into the news.


Why Teens Want A Law Profession If They Actually Want To Seriously Have a Law Profession (Possibly)

Well, the main reasons I can see here are passion, opportunity and to help. I mean, personally, I obviously want a good job, as will many others, but that's not the main reason!

I can't vouch for everyone in this.

If I'm wrong, remember these are my opinions, and I am talking specifically about some people of my own age and generation. I have many friends who fit into the first category, and when I was thinking about this subject I just wanted to work out why teens these days want to go into law if they have no interest!

Charli

14/08/2013

Mr. Grayling's Holiday and Government's Stupidity

Hi! So, I'm back. This time, it's quite a short one.

Firstly: Mr Grayling appears to have disappeared! In all the commotion of Save UK Justice, all these debates and fights, he seems to have fully disapparated (sorry... bad Harry Potter joke...) from the Media- except in a short to-and-against argument in one paper with Michael Turner QC (I think...).

Is this because he doesn't want anything else to happen? Or is he simply taking a short holiday? I'll be interested to find out what's been going on when he gets back on the press, though! I'm a nosy person like that.

ALSO: This bedroom "tax" thing. People in rented properties have their benefits cut to try and make them move to a smaller home. It's stupid! What if they can't move, been in the house for decades, need extra space for disabled people or a partner who can't share a room? *

In all honesty, I think the Govn. are just desperate for money. They are taking money off everyone for everything, whether through slashing benefits or taking tax. We've seen it before- two words. PASTY TAX. Now THAT was the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

I sat there in my room with the pages on the new budget, including the full page mocking the new "pasty tax". It confuzzled me completely: how were they going to measure how much VAT you pay on your quick sausage roll from Greggs, or that lamb and mint pasty from that local bakery on holiday in Cornwall? (My stepdad had one of those in Cornwall, apparently quite nice. Just saying!) It made me laugh so hard as I imagined a guy in a suit sticking thermometers into something at a bakery everytime it was ordered. I mean, obviously this isn't how it would have worked. But it was a hilarious vision.

That's all for today. Hopefully some more thought-provoking and less stupid posts when I get back home...

Charli
*Help from Colin Mardell with this concept

06/08/2013

In Which I Talk About Franklin Sinclair, Maturity, Respect and Coffee.

So, it's been a while since I've actually done a post. Haven't really had an idea, except that I need to do the next #justiceinbooks review, Jane Eyre, but I didn't have much enthusiasm for it... So there will be a review of it, but not till I can decide what I actually thought of it. Anyhow. I decided to do another rant.It's not really a rant. Still. Read on!

My first bit is on a man named Franklin Sinclair. I never knew much about him, but Borsok and Betsy talked about him a bit; I wasn't sure whether good or bad, though, it was always stupid stuff like shirts to wear in court and stuff like that. Bit weird. So, about a week or so ago, he sent a tweet saying he didn't give a BEEP-insert-expletive-here about justice, or anyone else, it was all abou survival. I was away at the point, and came back to see much outrage. I joined in, I admit, as he had also said "what's the point? The gov. isn't listening!" (These aren't quite direct quotes, just the bits I needed. However, I have not used only bits that show half the story.) I asked him why he felt this; maybe the government aren't listening, but if we stop fighting, it's not like they will stop! I personally think you should never say anything like this on social media, why would you? It can cause outrage (cough cough) or lose you a job, for instance that girl that got that job with the police then suffered as many saw her Tweets. Of course, Mr. Sinclair is the head of his firm, Tuckers, so this won't happen, but still. For most of the next week, he had to reply to many many many people. He never replied to me... I guess a 12year old, no matter how mature, was below him and he didn't think I needed a reply. I don't care particularly, apart from the fact that he replied to most others...

Which brings me nicely onto my next point. In the last few weeks, a lot of people have  either commented on my maturity or brushed me off, seeming to think that I'm just too young and won't understand. I'm mature. Extremely. That's not me boasting. I have been told that many times, and I know it! How else would I understand all this. But what annoys me is when I debate with someone and are then told to be quiet as I obviously don't understand. Perhaps it's because they are losing the debate. But still! Honestly, most of the time I forget that I'm 12, very almost 13. I blog for this campaign, I read adult books, I talk about mature subjects with adults. I know some people have read my blog or consultation response and asked if I'm really 12. No one around here does that, but still. Point stands. 

Next is a slightly nicer bit that I wanted to do, mentioning some of the people I respect most in the campaign. I have really high respect for Rachael and Gemma the most, probably. Then everyone like Colin, Helga, "wonderperson", Borsok and Betsy, Guy Gozem, ilegal, KGS, DefenceGirl, The Criminal Bar, those at Crimeline and of course, the guy behind @NoToPCT, who showed me the campaign in the first place. I have MASSIVE respect for all of these guys, because... Well, they've done so much and supported me to!

Lastly... Yeah. Coffee. Basically, I was in town today, and there were loads of men in suits around, and I was like I wonder where all of these guys work, which then got me wondering whether there was a court close to where we were. Probably not. BUT then I saw this guy that obviously worked in the Costa there, because he had "BARISTA" written on the back of his apron. It got me thinking about the difference between a barisTA and a barRisTER. Turned out to be a lot. Qualifications, what they do, how useful they are, awesomeness, ability to wear a wig and gown, stuff like that. 

And on that rather strange note...
 Goodnight! 

Charli