Traficant trial is lesson in politics

By TRISTAN ULA
UPNEXT COLUMNIST
Before you look away and read the section about being boy crazy, what I have to say may interest you.
On March 18, I had the privilege of sitting in on the well-publicized trial of U.S. Rep. James A Traficant Jr. in Cleveland.
I am not a part of the "Traficant Task Force," nor am I a radical of his cause. I'd like to think of myself as a safe impartial.
A friend from my church, Robert Wagner, offered to take me to see the trial, and I jumped at the chance.
Politics never really interested me, but I wanted to experience the drama that I've been hearing and reading about almost every day.
It was a cold, cloudy day in Cleveland. After sipping some Italian brand of hot chocolate, we set out for the courthouse. We ventured through two metal detectors, while mingling with the U.S. marshals stationed in the building.
Court began promptly at 9:30 a.m. with Traficant's cross-examination of Albert Lange. Figures and details were thrown at my 16-year-old mind, and I am still not sure that even the adult spectators and jury could understand some of the FBI's terminology.
Judge Lesley Brooks Wells seems like a sensible woman. She held her ground and did not allow Traficant to wander on about irrelevant information.
During the morning break, Traficant informed the court artists that they were depicting him as too fat, either to create humor, or to hide his nervousness.
How I see things: In my opinion, as big as this case is, no one should act as his own legal help, for the sake of the jury and the case. That morning no one knew what Traficant was trying to prove, or if he had any tactics up his suit sleeve.
This case involves everyone. The teens of today will be the decision-making adults of tomorrow. We need to learn from our mistakes that corruption of anyone should not be rewarded.
As we left the courthouse at 2:30 p.m., I signed out my camera from the U.S. marshal, releasing it from its "forbidden item" status.
I found out later that at 2:35 J.J. Cafaro took the stand. I probably missed the better drama of the day, but I had had enough politics for the time being.
I commend the members of the jury for their patience. The job seems extremely difficult, especially in this case.
So as I conclude, I want to encourage teens today to become aware of the issues around them. Chances are they will pop up again when we will be in charge.
As for Traficant, good luck in your endeavors, whatever they are.
As for me, I can go without another day in court. I can leave the Traficant examination to the paid reporters. Besides, my history teacher missed me.
As I left Cleveland, the skyline was fading, and I realized I would have rather been on the lake.
XTristan, 16, is a sophomore at Poland High School, where she is a member of the band, choir and cross country team.