Non Compos Mentis


What's the difference between an idiot and a lunatic?  Basically a lunatic is a one time case of non compos mentis (latin term meaning not having command of one's mind) and an idiot is a lack of mental facilities- thus long term non compos mentis.  Somewhat like the phrase "Ignorance can be fixed- stupid is forever" Lunatic is just a phase- Idiot is forever.  Just in case you were wondering what the legal definitions were.  I'm no lawyer and I don't pretend to be- I was simply curious after reading a local municipal code explaining that people can still be considered attached to a crime if they told an idiot or lunatic to do it.  I didn't know those were acutal legal terms.  They are.  So the next time you call someone an idiot.  Think twice.  Chances are they are simply a lunatic that wants you to think they are an idiot so they can get away with more. 

Note: the picture is the half-wit from 10th Kingdom... I did not find a legal definiton of half-wit.  If you know of one- please comment. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Distinguished Guests....

Image
One of my mental blocks as a writer is trying to figure out my audience. That was always a tricky question for me to answer when writing papers in college? Who am I writing this paper for, exactly? The college professor who is grading me, obviously. But what about the blog? Who am I writing for? Is it just for me and then I launch it out into the world in case someone else needed what I did? Is it a convenient way to communicate with family both near and far? To honor those who have come before me and those who come after? Is my rambling for friends? People with depression? Parents? Women? Mormon? Ex-Mormon? People with chronic pain? (I would argue we all live with chronic pain but I digress...) Will my words find English majors? (They are likely appalled with my lack of editing.) Poets? Artists? Quilters? Lovers of words? Spiritual people, who wonder if it is true that they belong everywhere and nowhere? Thirty-somethings? Teens? The walking wounded w...
Read more

Currently...

Image
DISCLAIMER: these are in no particular order. Links are for more info though I'm confident in your searching skills, I thought I'd make it easier. You're welcome.  Reading:  In physical book form: Sarah Wilson's First, We Make the Beast Beautiful  Ann Dee Ellis's You May Already Be A Winner America Ferrera's collection of essays in American Like Me: Reflections on life between cultures   On my Kindle: Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian In audiobook form:  Michelle Obama's Becoming Listening to: Podcasts: The Hilarious World of Depression Radio West Next Door Strangers Sacred & Profane Recently finished/caught up:  StandOff The Dream Slow Burn Watching: Cloud Atlas   CW: racism, violence, suicide, sex This movie deserves it's own post and I'm curious about the book .  Craving:  Chocolate Frosting...a weakness but oh so good....
Read more

The House that Jack built.

Image
Well I don't know for sure if his name was Jack.  His last name might have been Nielson.  A man, Somebody Nielson came by a few weeks ago and said this was the house his grandfather lived in (and I think built).  He confirmed that the floor in the living room is indeed the original flooring--I'll have to get a better picture because the craftsmanship is beautiful.  This grandson that stopped by (old enough to be 10 or 15 years my parents' senior) enjoyed seeing the house again.  Then just last week when we were finishing the screws on the deck and cutting open windows another old resident came by.  She was tickled to see that someone was fixing up the place.  Her mom bought it from my husband's grandpa (who bought it and flipped it some 20 years ago).  People from all over town have commented on it.  I'm sure glad to see that our hard work is appreciated by the community.  I'd love to get the stories these walls could tell. (Let's be ho...
Read more