Justice Not Served: Failings of Judgment, Trial in Of Mice and Men and To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes

The American idea of justice sometimes operates under a layer of mythology. Our "innocent until proven guilty" principle predicates itself on the idea that those accused of a crime will have a fair trial and would be justly judged by their peers. No puritanical Scarlet Letter rashness here anymore. Instead, it is an elaborate system established to thwart prejudice and to prevent the public jumping to conclusions, to protect the innocent and to punish the guilty.

But anyone who has seen an episode of Law & Order knows that justice does not always come that way or even comes at all. For example, in John Steinbeck's Great Depression-era classic Of Mice and Men, justice is carried out cowboy style. No higher order of ethics, trials or even laws, but instead a mob of angry men with guns and rope. No jury selection needed. It's a DIY approach, with George mercifully serving out the sentence for his slow friend Lennie before the others get to him first.

Perhaps one of the most upsetting failings of justice is found in To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee's classic novel about young tomboy Scout coming of age in the South is set against a backdrop filled with prejudicial beliefs and actions against race, disability, class and even gender. Not what you'd might expect from a story narrated by a little girl. No pink dresses or notebook margins filled with hearts drawn around boys' names for her. The novel's most prominent example of failed justice is the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man accused and subsequently convicted of raping a young, poor white woman in the fictional county of Maycomb. Atticus Finch, Scout's morally upstanding father, brings out the sturdy guns of logic and reason in defending Tom, questioning everything from the location of the woman Mayella Ewel's injuries to whether Tom could physically injure anyone, given that one of his hands is mangled beyond use.

The game plan is to appeal to the intelligence of the jury, not to its racist prejudice and its stereotyped assumptions about black men and their supposed animalistic instincts of lust. Atticus demonstrated an "infinite capacity for calming turbulent seas, he could make a rape case as dry as a sermon," according to To Kill a Mockingbird quotes. Facts before knee-jerks emotions and prejudice is his motto.

Atticus's probing reveals that Tom did not and could not rape Mayella, but to no avail. Tom is convicted anyways by a jury of all white men, his supposed peers. Atticus sums up why such failings of justice happened: "I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system - that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up." Tom, was in a way, a litmus test for the white men's sound consciences. And they failed as justice failed Tom.

7 Signs of Underactive Thyroid

Many of us think we are just tired or simply just getting old. Have you stopped to think that maybe there is something that is actually medically wrong? The hardest part of this whole thought process is that sometimes the symptoms can be similar to another medical condition so if you do have concerns, you should consult with your doctor as maybe you have an underactive thyroid. In this article, we will go over some common signs of underactive thyroid.

An underactive thyroid is called hypothyroidism and occurs when your thyroid gland no longer produces enough thyroid hormones which assist in regulating your metabolism. Hypothyroidism can easily be verified with a simple blood test and is easily treated. As you read this article, you may notice that some of the symptoms may already exist. Remember that some of the symptoms can be symptoms of other medical issues. If you have any concerns, please consult with your physician.

One of the most common symptoms of an underactive thyroid is weight gain. We all know that this is a common problem for most of us, especially as we age and we start moving slower. Keep in mind that this should not be the only reason you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism. Everyone, as they age, slow down a bit without changing their eating habits which easily results in weight gain.

• Another symptom is joint and muscle pain, even carpal tunnel syndrome in the arms and hands or tarsal tunnel which develops in the legs. Again, this is another symptom that can be related to other issues. This is not to say that the aches and pains are not signs of underactive thyroid but to inform you that they could be.


• Long term and/or severe constipation have been found to be associated with hypothyroidism.


• One very important characteristic to consider is family history. In the older population, problems with the thyroid may be called another term such as "goiter" or "gland trouble" but this is definitely something to keep in mind when determining if you may have an under active thyroid.


• Another sign of having an underactive thyroid is a discomfort in the neck area. If you neck and throat area feels swollen, it is possible that the thyroid gland that is located there could be inflamed. Your doctor can certainly assist you with determining this diagnosis for you.


• Changes with your hair and/or skin can change as the seasons change. The changes can also occur due to stress or hormonal issues such as aging.


• Another very common sign is depression. With so much going on in our lives today, it is very easy to become stressed and fall into a depression. Research has shown that anti-depressants do not help if depression is the reason for the hypothyroidism.

Please remember that simply because you may have one or more of the symptoms that is noted above, doesn't mean that you do have hypothyroidism. The signs of underactive thyroid are very common signs for a multitude of other issues. You have any concerns please consult with your doctor.

Recognizing the Physical Symptoms of Depression

Depression is one of the most debilitating mental disorders of our modern era. It affects nearly 10 million Americans every year. Although it is primarily thought of as a mental condition depression can also inflict varying amounts of pain and discomfort that manifest as physical symptoms of depression.

One of the problems associated with the physical symptoms of depression is the misdiagnosis of the depression itself. Doctors, when presented with these physical symptoms, will test for and diagnose a physical illness and prescribe treatments to treat these symptoms not knowing or understanding that the symptoms are hiding a more insidious disease.

When you look at a list of the physical symptoms of depression you can see why these misdiagnosis and mistreatments can occur.

1. Headaches - These are one of the first symptoms that can occur with depression. In fact headaches can be intensified to migraine like intensity in someone who is suffering from depression.

2. Chest Pains - Depression can cause chest pains, which for most people is a sign of an impending heart attack. While any chest pain should be checked by a doctor it can also be a symptom of depression.

3. Sleep Disorders - People who suffer from depression can have either problems going to sleep (insomnia) or they sleep for excessively long periods of time. Thy may have trouble getting out of bed as well.

4. Digestive System Issues - Diarrhea, constipation, and nausea are all physical symptoms of depression.

5. Extreme Fatigue - The majority of people who suffer from depression also suffer from perpetual exhaustion. This can relate back to the sleep disorders and it doesn't seem to matter how much sleep they get they still are fatigued.

6. Back Pain and Muscle Aches - Depression can intensify the pain and discomfort of people who are already suffering from these conditions.

7. Appetite and Weight Issues - People with depression can experience either a lack of appetite or intense cravings for certain foods. This can be accompanied by either weight gain or weight loss.

Another issue for people who suffer from more severe forms of depression may be even harder to diagnose because with severe depression can come delusions and hallucinations. It can become increasingly difficult to know whether a depression sufferer actually has some of the physical symptoms of depression or if they are inventing them.

It is also easier for many people to accept the physical symptoms of depression then any mental symptoms. There are many people and cultures that place a social stigma on anyone with a mental illness. It is therefore easier to accept and treat a more benign physical ailment then it is to deal with issues of the mind.

What many people do not understand is that with the successful treatment of the underlying depression with either therapy or medication or both the physical symptoms of depression will often be resolved. Unfortunately treating the physical symptoms will do nothing for actual the depression and without proper treatment the depression will normally continue to get worse. It is therefore of the utmost importance to treat the depression itself if a sufferer is to see any relief from the physical symptoms of depression.

Immobilization is Actually Linked to Clinical Depression

Do you know how immobilization is linked to depression? Some people prefer the word 'immobilization' to be the indicator of depression. Sometimes, patients who are suffering from depression prefer to hold on to these feelings as they feel that these feelings are worth having at times.

Immobilization has a long range. It can be total inaction to daily activities or it can be mild indecisiveness and hesitance. Depressed patients often have to undergo this painful transition period as immobilization doesn't allow them to say, feel or do something.

If you are suffering from clinical depression, look no further for a reason to get rid of immobilization. Immobilization hinders your goals. The worst thing is that your loved ones do not understand why you are immobilized. They don't understand why you feel this way! Hence, this leads to the erection of several barriers of communication. You pull yourself further away from your loved ones, depression sinks further into you and this vicious cycle repeats.

For example, you feel very unhappy when you take up a new job - that is accompanied with new responsibilities. You hate your boss and your colleagues because you feel that they aren't accommodating towards your needs. Depression sinks in. You go home and vent your frustration on your kid because you are internally upset. Yelling at your spouse seems common. Sometimes, the entire house is filled with awkward silences because you are simply too depressed. You feel that you can't talk lovingly and bring across the message that things aren't working out.

The moment you can't do something, you are immobilized. And the only way to eliminate immobilization is to cure your depression.

Understanding Depression in Elderly People - Causes, Signs and Treatments

While you are running from the one place to other believing you will never ever again have enough time to do everything that needs to be done, there are many elderly people counting the minutes before lunch or dinner and bed time. They once might have felt the same and now suddenly they don't know what to do with all the time they have on hand.

Causes of Depression

Not having enough to do to fill the hours in the day is one of the biggest reasons for depression in elderly people.

Loss and depression can go hand in hand. Losing a partner after so many years of being together will obviously cause heartache and sadness. In older people this sadness can easily turn into depression. Health problems and medication can also be a cause. Some prescribed medication has depression as a side effect.

Older people easily feel they have no purpose in life anymore and stop attending social activities or loose interest hobbies they use to love. Sometimes they might not be able to do the hobbies they did before and that can be very depressing. Keen golf players that are not mobile anymore will have to give up this once beloved activity.

Signs of Depression

Constant sadness, fatigue, loss of appetite, the use of drugs or alcohol and sleep disturbances can all be signs of depression. Depression can sometimes be without sadness but they will show other symptoms such as irrelevant concerns about money, health, the safety of family members or even world related problems.

Depression is unhealthy and will have a negative effect on the life quality of the elderly person which is not at all necessary. Depression can also manifest in physical illnesses or illnesses the person already suffer from, can be aggravated.

Ways to Assist Elderly People Suffering From Depression

Getting out of the daily routine and their environment will almost always lift the spirits. Take the person to a place he or she enjoys, may it be a restaurant, a park or even a shopping center. If they find walking difficult borrow or rent a wheel chair for the day.

Arrange an activity with other people of their own age. This can be friends, family or people from the community. Seek treatment if you feel that is the only way they will get passed the depression. There are many ways the elders in a community or family can still make a contribution and they should be allowed doing so.

What the Clinically Depressed Need From Church

Having had some personal experience with depression, yet without any experience with clinical depression, I am grateful for the lessons I'm learning, as a minister of God, regarding how the church can support the clinically depressed.

Grief-induced depression, or depression induced due to change etc, i.e., non-clinical depression, is very far removed from clinical depression. These two are poles apart. And whilst the former person might be encouraged by words from the Bible, the latter - the people who have struggled with severe depression - may inevitably feel condemned because they are misunderstood. They are, therefore, so far as the church is concerned, misrepresented. For, the church exists to speak into the hearts of suffering people as these, by a compassion beyond words.

THE CHURCH AND ITS ROLE IN MINISTERING TO THE CLINICALLY DEPRESSED

The church has a very specific role when it comes to ministering to the clinically depressed. The church is no snake oil healer, nor is it a place where someone might be diagnosed. Anything other than supporting a person with clinical depression, by just journeying non-judgmentally with them, treads the fine line of ministry malpractice. The reason being, those who are clinically depressed are so home to feeling condemned, due to their experience and indeed even within their own thoughts. The only thing that defeats such mindsets of condemnation is an eternal commitment to compassion; no matter what. Besides, the church and its ministers are unqualified to do anything other than to support - but they're perfectly qualified to do that, because they're invigorated by the compassion of the Holy Spirit.

We ought to know that the church, in the present context, exists to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Yet, that becomes too clich矇d. Too often we find the church knows the right words to say but there is an emptiness of compassion; the words lack sincerity and they lack meaning, and as a function, Christ loses credibility - even when God is the only credible overall Guide.

As a church, and as ministers, there is sometimes a role for facilitating the right level of medical support, if required (i.e., helping connect people with proven [caring and competent] medical and health professionals). I've heard some who have been clinically depressed say to me that they felt that the biochemical balance had to be restored first and foremost, before any real spiritual work could be done (which they, alone, are to be masters of, with a minister's support). As ministers, and as encouragers, we are to ensure that we validate the need to achieve biochemical balance - the need for pharmaceuticals to restore physiological balance to the body and mind.

More than anything else what we can do, within our churches, is to unconditionally accept those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, clinical depression. It must be a safe place to come to, where all vagaries of mood are accepted and never judged. We are to offer compassion.

What we cannot understand or explain needs only compassion.

穢 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Agitated Depression - The 6 Unique Symptoms

Most people have never heard of agitated depression but it does exist. It reveals itself in a way that is indicative of its name - moods of irritability, short temper and aggravation. Often times the condition presents itself as an anger management issue as the individual will have outbursts of anger and rage.

Often times, the underlying feeling that they have is that they are misunderstood and that no one knows how they are feeling. This type of depression is a hypo-manic depression meaning they exhibit hypo-manic behavior.

Even in cases of other depressions, such as major depressive disorder, there can be levels of irritability, aggravation and agitation. However, when it comes to agitated depression, these moods are enhanced and more pronounced. Moods of irritability and agitation are just a few of the classic symptoms of agitated depression. There are many other symptoms as well and understanding them will make it easier to understand and diagnose. It's important to note that these symptoms also present themselves in cases of manic depressive disorder so sometimes diagnosing can be a bit tricky.

The assumed anger management issues also pose a problem, as professionals may wrongfully diagnose a manic depressive disorder or agitated depression and prescribe antidepressants unnecessarily. This can result in amplifying things whereby the agitation and symptoms of depression actually worsen. This also increases the thoughts and risk of suicide.

When someone has agitated depression it can be quite serious and the characteristics and symptoms can be mild in nature or become quite severe. The severity of the depression and angry outbursts really depend on the individual themselves. This type of depression is more prevalent in middle age to elderly people however it has been diagnosed in younger individuals as well.

There are a variety of symptoms that you should look out for if you suspect someone is suffering with this form of depression. Often times the person will be "antsy" and have a difficult time sitting still or staying in one place for too long. They also have serious, spontaneous mood swings where they will be calm, cool and collected on minute then have an emotional or physical outburst the next. Violent verbal outbursts are also a possibility.

Below you'll see a list of other symptoms that may present themselves as well.

• Tearing or pulling at the clothing



• Intense feelings and thoughts



• Endless thoughts and movement which are essentially without base



• Talking nearly continuously



• Wringing of the hands



• Violent verbal outbursts.

If you, or someone you know, are/is experiencing some or all of these symptoms then you should consider contacting a professional for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. As with many other types of depression, agitated depression can be successfully treated. The treatment plan may include antidepressants, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or in severe cases admission to a depression treatment facility. Bottom line is that there is hope for anyone suffering with depression. The key is to acknowledge that there may be a problem, seek out support from a professional and embark on a successful treatment plan.