Where did I say they should not be held responsible?

Thank you. That statement was shocking to read. Do I think mothers with addiction issues should be prosecuted? No, I do not. Do I think we need to acknowledge the consequences of a mother’s substance use while pregnant? YES. The solution is education, not to absolution.

Honest question:  what response would have been appropriate by your standards?

Are you talking about Michelle Carter’s mom or the victim’s mom?

I had no idea who these guys were before this started being reported, but I think this is a little harsh. We want people to take these things seriously. I thought their emotions seemed genuine and I appreciate their transparency.

It is not, in fact, “easy to argue” in a court of law.  In the court of the internet, yes, by all means.  The guy is a jerk to be sure...but the Judge can only do so much within the confines of the law.

Gifts are traditionally considered the non-marital property of the recipient.  So the lesson is don’t give sexy photos to assholes...whether or not you are married to them.

A ring is a “gift in contemplation of marriage,” so if the marriage does not take place, the giver in theory has the right to have it returned. Once the two are married, however, it becomes a gift like any other and the recipient is entitled to keep it (again, theoretically).

Say it with me:  voluntary intoxication is not a defense.

It’s highly unlikely that a case would be dismissed “with prejudice” without a financial settlement.

Have you lost a sibling?  Have you ever had to look the sibling of a murder victim in the face after a murder conviction was overturned?  The fact that you even mention money in this conversation tells me no.  This family relied on the state’s assessment that Adnan was guilty.  The state persisted in this claim for…

I suppose what I should say is I acknowledge the privilege I have and then consequently I don’t want to speak out of turn on black issues. Does that make more sense? I’m trying to express my thoughts but I can’t guarantee the words come out right.

Thank you for covering this with the grace that Jez failed to show. I wouldn’t call myself a Wendy Williams fan, but I am a fan of anyone who has the strength to acknowledge they need help.

Bingo.  The Root covered it perfectly.  I spend more time over there nowadays.

I’m sorry.  I have failed.  I’ll turn in my agency card.

Usually that request would come from the state institution...not from a player’s dad.

It almost seems like the backlash took more away from her than Kimmel did.  She’s a grown woman.  If she was upset she’d say so.  She wasn’t so she didn’t and STILL the Twitter wouldn’t let go.

They select the alternates at the same time they select the rest of the jurors.  So the identity of the alternates, race/gender or otherwise was accepted by everyone from the jump.  But yes, theoretically, it’s 50/50 who ends up in the potential juror pool.

Fair--I could have worded this better.  

In such a personal situation as this, if her reps say it’s for “overall health issues,” you should be reporting it as overall health issues. She’s a celebrity, not a head of state. It’s not a matter of public concern. Addicts suffer in silence because of articles and gossip like this. Yes I know this is a gossip…