America's criminal system has become chaotic and since we have ignored the problem it has just gotten worse. Our failure to address this problem has cause prisons to overflow and become so crowded that they are blursting at the seams. This should mean that there are fewer criminals running throughout neighborhoods--wrong! The crime rate has increased and all America is doing is wasting billions of dollars and deminishing millions of lives!
America needs to fix this system. However, this process will not happen over night. It will require a nationwide recalculation of who goes to jail and how long they stay there. The United States has by far the world's highest incarceration rate. With 5% of the world's population, our country now houses nearly 25% of the world's reported prisoners. America's over crowded prisons are breeding grounds for the same type of criminals that we put into jail. This is because with the little space prisons become places of violence, physical abuse, and hate. The author, Senator Jim Webb, said, "With so many of our citizens in prison compared with the rest of the world, there are only two possibilities: Either we are home to the most evil people on earth or we are doing something different--and vastly counterproductive."
Most of the people that are put into jail suffer from mental illness. This article states that 16% of the population that are in jail, which is 350,000, suffer from a mental illness. Also the article says that our correctional institutions are also heavily populated by the "criminally ill," including inmates who suffer from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
America is not locking up people who are putting the public's safety at risk. We are locking up people who have commited non-violent crimes.
"I believe that American ingenuity can discover better ways to deal with the problems of drugs and nonviolent criminal behavior while still minimizing violent crime and large-scale gang activity. And we all deserve to live in a country made better by such changes."
~Senator Jim Webb
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Survey sees a drift away from religion in America
Christainity is slipping from America and America to slipping to "no faith." A survey taken by the American Religious Self-Identification said that one in every five American adults chose not to identify a religious identity and 15% chose "no religion." The "no religion" group has gained 20 million adults since 1990 and is the only group to have grown in every state, though at a much slower pace in recent years than in the 1990s. However, only ten percent of that group claims atheism and agonstism.
The Denominational group increased during this 18 year period that the survey was taken. They increased from less than 200,000 in 1990 to more than 8 million today.
The survey also found that a little less than 70% believe in a personal God, and 12% believes in a higher power but no personal God. This leave 2.3% that says there is no God, and 10% that does not know what they believe in.
This survey interviewed 54,461 adults in either English or Spanish which gives this a margin of error of less than 0.5 percent.
Reading this article saddens me because I believe in God and I know that He is the one who created this earth and He is the one who sent his son to die for everyone ever created so that one day we could all spend eternal life in heaven. I am a strongly believer in my faith and I think that this is just a survey that CAN be changed.
The Denominational group increased during this 18 year period that the survey was taken. They increased from less than 200,000 in 1990 to more than 8 million today.
The survey also found that a little less than 70% believe in a personal God, and 12% believes in a higher power but no personal God. This leave 2.3% that says there is no God, and 10% that does not know what they believe in.
This survey interviewed 54,461 adults in either English or Spanish which gives this a margin of error of less than 0.5 percent.
Reading this article saddens me because I believe in God and I know that He is the one who created this earth and He is the one who sent his son to die for everyone ever created so that one day we could all spend eternal life in heaven. I am a strongly believer in my faith and I think that this is just a survey that CAN be changed.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
People's Temple
The People’s Temple, headed by Jim Jones, had many characteristics that made it resemble a cult. One of the characteristics is that the members of People’s Temple looked at Jim Jones as their ultimate leader, god, and decision maker. The based all of their decisions that they made by what Jim Jones would tell them. They did not make decisions; Jim Jones made decisions for them.
Whenever a member expressed feeling or emotions that went against what Jim Jones promoted he made them feel guilty without actually coming out and saying that they were wrong.
Jim Jones’ ideas brought forth new theologies. One of his ideas was the interracial congregations were okay. During the time period of People’s Temple anything interracial was looked down upon. Therefore, this idea challenged some norms. Another idea that he proclaimed was “heaven on earth” or a Utopian society. Jim had his members believing that they were living in Paradise and once People’s Temple ended, some survivors could not believe in heaven anymore.
In the beginning of People’s Temple, Jim Jones asked members to give up their homes and their possessions to earn money for People’s Temple. Not only were they giving up everything they owned, but everything that they loved. Jim placed a wall between his members and the rest of society, including their loved ones. He taught “his people” to have a feeling of mistrust towards outsiders. When the congressmen and reporters came he told his members that they were all liars. Jones would come over the intercom and say that he was going to have people pretend like they were going to leave Jonestown and it was their duty to turn them in. This was a loyalty test that turned family members against family members and friends against friends. Another loyalty test that took place was when he made them drink Kool-Aid and then later told them it was poisoned. After everybody panicked, Jim told them that it was just a test of faith and that is was not really poisoned.
This specific test of faith foreshadows what Jim Jones ultimate goal is and what he had in mind. His goal was for them to all commit a revolutionary suicide ad to die for a cause. Later the group does this by drinking poisonous Kool-Aid which was the same thing as the previous loyalty test.
Jim Jones’ constant services, speaker system, and guilt of leaving imprisoned his members in Jonestown. In his services he did not let anyone talk to anyone, punished the ones out of line, and preached leaving as the ultimate sin. Jim Jones’ voice played all day for 24 hours over the speaker system so that his members could always hear him.
Jim Jones was the ultimate leader nothing that he said or did could be questioned of challenged by any means. He claimed all divine powers and his people had to surrender their power and rights over to him. To Jim Jones “society was evil” and Jonestown was the best place to live.
Whenever a member expressed feeling or emotions that went against what Jim Jones promoted he made them feel guilty without actually coming out and saying that they were wrong.
Jim Jones’ ideas brought forth new theologies. One of his ideas was the interracial congregations were okay. During the time period of People’s Temple anything interracial was looked down upon. Therefore, this idea challenged some norms. Another idea that he proclaimed was “heaven on earth” or a Utopian society. Jim had his members believing that they were living in Paradise and once People’s Temple ended, some survivors could not believe in heaven anymore.
In the beginning of People’s Temple, Jim Jones asked members to give up their homes and their possessions to earn money for People’s Temple. Not only were they giving up everything they owned, but everything that they loved. Jim placed a wall between his members and the rest of society, including their loved ones. He taught “his people” to have a feeling of mistrust towards outsiders. When the congressmen and reporters came he told his members that they were all liars. Jones would come over the intercom and say that he was going to have people pretend like they were going to leave Jonestown and it was their duty to turn them in. This was a loyalty test that turned family members against family members and friends against friends. Another loyalty test that took place was when he made them drink Kool-Aid and then later told them it was poisoned. After everybody panicked, Jim told them that it was just a test of faith and that is was not really poisoned.
This specific test of faith foreshadows what Jim Jones ultimate goal is and what he had in mind. His goal was for them to all commit a revolutionary suicide ad to die for a cause. Later the group does this by drinking poisonous Kool-Aid which was the same thing as the previous loyalty test.
Jim Jones’ constant services, speaker system, and guilt of leaving imprisoned his members in Jonestown. In his services he did not let anyone talk to anyone, punished the ones out of line, and preached leaving as the ultimate sin. Jim Jones’ voice played all day for 24 hours over the speaker system so that his members could always hear him.
Jim Jones was the ultimate leader nothing that he said or did could be questioned of challenged by any means. He claimed all divine powers and his people had to surrender their power and rights over to him. To Jim Jones “society was evil” and Jonestown was the best place to live.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Dalai Lama: Tibetans 'suffering' under China
The Dalai Lama said that life for Tibetans under Chinese rule has been "hell on earth." The Dalai Lama said this attacking Beijing in a speech to mark 50 years since the failed uprising that forced him to exile.
"These 50 years have brought untold suffering to the land and people of Tibet," said a 73-year-old Buddhist spiritual leader.
Beijing accusses the Dalia Lama of tyring to split Tibet from China and also causing the recent violence. Beijing said that his speech was full of lies and it had underlined the development it had brought to the Himalayan plateau.
The Dalia Lama's speech was 30 minutes long and it was given in Dharmsala, two-street town next to the foothills of the Indian Himalayas where he set up his headquarters in exile, was a systematic indictment of Chinese rule in Tibet. He said, "Tibet's unique religion, culture, and language are nearing extintction." He talks about how even today Tibetans living in Tibet are in constant fear, and the Chinese authorites are always suspicious of them.
After Dalia Lama's speech young Tibetans tooks to the street chanting "China out, Tibet belongs to the Tibetans!" Other protests were held in South Korea, Switzerland, and Australia.
The words of the Dalia Lama were strong for a man known for his deeply pacifist beliefs, he also usged that any change come peacefully and supported the "Middle Way."
"I have no doubt that the justice of Tibetan cause will prevail if we continue to tread a path of truth and nonviolence."
~ The Dalia Lama
"These 50 years have brought untold suffering to the land and people of Tibet," said a 73-year-old Buddhist spiritual leader.
Beijing accusses the Dalia Lama of tyring to split Tibet from China and also causing the recent violence. Beijing said that his speech was full of lies and it had underlined the development it had brought to the Himalayan plateau.
The Dalia Lama's speech was 30 minutes long and it was given in Dharmsala, two-street town next to the foothills of the Indian Himalayas where he set up his headquarters in exile, was a systematic indictment of Chinese rule in Tibet. He said, "Tibet's unique religion, culture, and language are nearing extintction." He talks about how even today Tibetans living in Tibet are in constant fear, and the Chinese authorites are always suspicious of them.
After Dalia Lama's speech young Tibetans tooks to the street chanting "China out, Tibet belongs to the Tibetans!" Other protests were held in South Korea, Switzerland, and Australia.
The words of the Dalia Lama were strong for a man known for his deeply pacifist beliefs, he also usged that any change come peacefully and supported the "Middle Way."
"I have no doubt that the justice of Tibetan cause will prevail if we continue to tread a path of truth and nonviolence."
~ The Dalia Lama
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Current Event 03/13/09
Man charged again for knowingly spreading HIV
The first person ever convicted in Idaho of knowingly spreading the HIV virus is facing new charges for the same offense.
In Idaho the grad jury returned an indictment charging Kerry Thomas with seven counts of knowingly transfering HIV. Thomas is now 45 years old and in 1990 was charged with four counts of HIV transmission and two counts of rape. He pleaded guilty only to the rape charges.
Thomas received a 12-year sentence and had to serve three years before being eligiblw for parole. He was later granted a early release.
Then in 1996 he was charged again with one count of HIV transmission, and a jury convicted him. This time he received a 15-year sentence with a seven-year minimum. He was later released on parole. Now on parole, he faces possible life in prison on the new charges because prosecutors are seeking his designation as a "persistent violator."
Asked why Thomas would continue to spread the virus, which causes AIDS, Jean Fisher, deputy prospector, said, "That's the $64,000 question, for a person who has been to prison twice."
The first person ever convicted in Idaho of knowingly spreading the HIV virus is facing new charges for the same offense.
In Idaho the grad jury returned an indictment charging Kerry Thomas with seven counts of knowingly transfering HIV. Thomas is now 45 years old and in 1990 was charged with four counts of HIV transmission and two counts of rape. He pleaded guilty only to the rape charges.
Thomas received a 12-year sentence and had to serve three years before being eligiblw for parole. He was later granted a early release.
Then in 1996 he was charged again with one count of HIV transmission, and a jury convicted him. This time he received a 15-year sentence with a seven-year minimum. He was later released on parole. Now on parole, he faces possible life in prison on the new charges because prosecutors are seeking his designation as a "persistent violator."
Asked why Thomas would continue to spread the virus, which causes AIDS, Jean Fisher, deputy prospector, said, "That's the $64,000 question, for a person who has been to prison twice."
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Current Event 03/05/2009
Cheap Gas is History, again
by: Aaron Smith
Gas prices are now beginning to cheap up to 2.00 dollars a gallon. Last year in the summer the price of gas was nearing $4.11, and now the gas prices are half that, but they continue to go up each week. On December 30th the gas prices slummped to $1.61, however, they have jumped more than 20%. At their current rate they could easily reach over two dollars. This is occuring with crude oil prices being $40 dollar per barrel.
"I think what you're seeing now is a backlash of a period, from the end of the summer until the end of the year, when refiners were selling gas into the consumer market at a discount to crude oil," said Ben Brockwell, director of data pricing for OPUS. Brockwell said refineries lost money last year, despite the surge in gas prices. The refineries in the latter half of 2008 were paying top dollar for oil, and then producing gasoline in a low-demand economy, he said. Now, refineries are producing less, driving up prices in even this low-demand economy, while stockpiling discount oil, he said.
People in the United States have cut down on their driving ever since the downturn of the economy to save ever little penny that they can. Gas prices will probably keep going up, as they often do in late winter and early spring, when refineries traditionally conduct annual maintenance on their facilities, said Peter Beutel of energy risk firm Cameron Hanover.
However, because of the low demand prices should not go as sky high as they went last year.
by: Aaron Smith
Gas prices are now beginning to cheap up to 2.00 dollars a gallon. Last year in the summer the price of gas was nearing $4.11, and now the gas prices are half that, but they continue to go up each week. On December 30th the gas prices slummped to $1.61, however, they have jumped more than 20%. At their current rate they could easily reach over two dollars. This is occuring with crude oil prices being $40 dollar per barrel.
"I think what you're seeing now is a backlash of a period, from the end of the summer until the end of the year, when refiners were selling gas into the consumer market at a discount to crude oil," said Ben Brockwell, director of data pricing for OPUS. Brockwell said refineries lost money last year, despite the surge in gas prices. The refineries in the latter half of 2008 were paying top dollar for oil, and then producing gasoline in a low-demand economy, he said. Now, refineries are producing less, driving up prices in even this low-demand economy, while stockpiling discount oil, he said.
People in the United States have cut down on their driving ever since the downturn of the economy to save ever little penny that they can. Gas prices will probably keep going up, as they often do in late winter and early spring, when refineries traditionally conduct annual maintenance on their facilities, said Peter Beutel of energy risk firm Cameron Hanover.
However, because of the low demand prices should not go as sky high as they went last year.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Current Event 2/26/09
Guns in Church Bill Dies in Arkansas
A bill that allowed handguns in church was rejected by the state Senate in Arkansas. This bill would have taken churches off of the list of places in Arkansas where people cannot carry handguns. Churches and bars are the only ones on that list.
The House approved the bill eariler this month, but the Senate Judiciary Committee stalled the bill on a voice vote Wednesday. The bill's sponsor Representative Beverly Pyle told the panal that she would be trying again with this proposal. She states, "This is not a gun question, but a question of religious freedom." Govenor Mike Beebe has said that he would sign the bill if it made it to his desk. Nancy Petty, the pastor of a church, said that churched should have the right to decide whether or not handguns should be allowed on their properties. "It's not the role of the state to preserve the sanctity of the church, and it's not the role of the state to impose religious judgment calls on churches," Petty said. However Debra Freeman, another pastor from Little Rock, said that it was not the nature of the church to have guns in it. She said that it would take churched from feeling safe and peaceful to fear and suspicion.
I think that having guns in church is completely wrong. Yes, it brings fourth a question of religious freedom, but what is religious about bringing a gun with you the church. Nothing. I go to church because I enjoy the singing and love praising God. Do I feel like I need a gun to protect me when I have the ultimate protecter on my side? nope. I believe that people should start having more faith in God and trust in him rather than really on guns and knifes. If people feel the need to be protected while attending church then what kind of society do we live in? Church is a place of peacefulness and safety not violence and fear.
A bill that allowed handguns in church was rejected by the state Senate in Arkansas. This bill would have taken churches off of the list of places in Arkansas where people cannot carry handguns. Churches and bars are the only ones on that list.
The House approved the bill eariler this month, but the Senate Judiciary Committee stalled the bill on a voice vote Wednesday. The bill's sponsor Representative Beverly Pyle told the panal that she would be trying again with this proposal. She states, "This is not a gun question, but a question of religious freedom." Govenor Mike Beebe has said that he would sign the bill if it made it to his desk. Nancy Petty, the pastor of a church, said that churched should have the right to decide whether or not handguns should be allowed on their properties. "It's not the role of the state to preserve the sanctity of the church, and it's not the role of the state to impose religious judgment calls on churches," Petty said. However Debra Freeman, another pastor from Little Rock, said that it was not the nature of the church to have guns in it. She said that it would take churched from feeling safe and peaceful to fear and suspicion.
I think that having guns in church is completely wrong. Yes, it brings fourth a question of religious freedom, but what is religious about bringing a gun with you the church. Nothing. I go to church because I enjoy the singing and love praising God. Do I feel like I need a gun to protect me when I have the ultimate protecter on my side? nope. I believe that people should start having more faith in God and trust in him rather than really on guns and knifes. If people feel the need to be protected while attending church then what kind of society do we live in? Church is a place of peacefulness and safety not violence and fear.
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