Katy, we keep agreeing that we agree, and then you assume I don't agree, about criminal negligence, that is.
The smoke and mirrors I'm referring to are about intent. The recreation of how hot the car is just the latest example. My DH is a (civil) trial attorney. I know all about how each side can manipulate expert reports and expert witness testimony, including by essentially shaping the results of the investigation/interview /experiment/report they want the expert to undertake. The question asked determines the reply given.
It's common practice, but juries don't know that. Smoke and mirrors.
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And, I think it's entirely healthy and normal and fine for parents to need "escapes" from their kids and spouse, escapes I understand to be just another word for "break."
Doesn't have anything in the world to do with not loving either kids or spouse, it just means needing time and opportunity to continue being one's own self on one's own. Nothing new about the idea at all, think girls' night out, etc. etc.