Kairos

In class today we discussed how kairos was used in the ending chapters of Missoula by Jon Krakauer.  So, I think I'd like to try to discuss some instances of kairos that stood out to me.

First, as mentioned in class, I saw the timing of Jordan's trial to be an element of kairos.  First, his trial began shortly after Beau (the perpetrator from a previous case) was sentenced to prison.  This made for an opportune time for both the prosecutor and the defense.  For the prosecutor, it was a moment to take a sexual assault case to court.  With Beau's case ending in a plea bargain and the other cases that were mentioned in the book not taking steps towards prosecution, the prosecution had an opportunity to bring justice.  For the defense, however, it was a moment to vindicate a 'wrong' charge.  And it would be these narratives that would determine the outcome. 

When one considers the community climate at that time, it was easy to see how the small town would be so passionately divided.  Fans and non-fans of the UM football team alike.  This, obviously, had an influence on how both the victim and perpetrator was perceived--ultimately leading to the moment that had developed (the trial).  Lawyers on both sides would have to craft their side of the story in order to have the outcome that they each desired.  And the ways in which each side crafted their story was interesting.

When reading the account, the prosecution seemed demure.  Not that they weren't doing all they that could to win the case.  Of course, this may be because, in contrast, the defense was so passionate, over-the-top, even bullying those that were on the stand.  Even this aspect, the way that each side handled the trial, has an element of kairos that affected the outcome of the trial.  And, perhaps, this is why the trial ended the way that it did.

Another instance that stood out to me was Kirsten Pabst election as county attorney.  When looking at how she left the prosecutors office, started her own business, joined Jordan's case, and shared office space with Paoli--one could see how these 'choices' had lead to her appointment.  It begs to question her intention with the way in which she went about things (namely, sharing office space with Paoli who contributed to her campaign).  But it is astounding that she had positioned herself in Missoula, MT to be a viable candidate for county attorney.  Being on the 'winning' team had made for a valid argument for being elected to office.  I realize that my biases are based on what I read in Krakauer's book, but she almost seems deceptive and willing to do whatever it takes to benefit herself.  Far from what some of the other individuals were striving for.