The Right to Remain Silent

Poor Joe Emerson. He already admitted his guilt, even though he’s pled not-guilty to the judge. He was the off-duty pilot who allegedly tried to take Flight 2059 down last month when on his way home to SFO. He’s explained to anyone who will listen that he was experiencing a derealization event, perhaps still high on the magic mushrooms he took two days prior.

I’ve read every article about this incident, probably because I can relate to Emerson’s situation. While I was never in a position of power such as the jump seat of a cockpit like he was, I was in a position of privilege, contracting for the largest social media company in the world at the time of my derealization event. I wrote about my experience over on sistasmoke, one of my other blogs, as well as Emerson’s perfect shroom storm. While my experience led me to the psyche ward, Emerson’s led him to the lock-up. He is charged with 83 counts of attempted murder for his actions.

I wonder how much he had already incriminated himself, and if he will spend life in prison for this incident.

Off-duty pilot, off-duty police-officer, off-duty cop, off-duty firefighter, off-duty doctor or off-duty nurse, off-duty teacher. In these professions, are we ever really off duty? In America, wouldn’t you agree that we are what we do? Most of us over-identify with our professions, and it has detrimental effects.