"Haha I'm just making the case that our generation doesn't have it as bad as the 1960's and 70's generation so there isn't as much protest. "
This set this off. This was a response to a long note about Arkansas politics and the actions of the youth and progressive populations. Here is my response:"
The protest generation may have been faced with the draft, so it may have seemed like the threat loomed more closely, but Gen Y faces the complacency of Gen X and problems that don't seem to be as serious as the draft. But lets get real about the soon to come disasters of our time.
Peak oil is going to RAPIDLY transform our world and Americans are going to feel the pain (perhaps mainly culturally) of a messy shift in energy consumption patterns through ALL aspects of production and consumption.The huge public debt of the last two generations is going to catch up to us. It will catch up at a time when Americans have greater personal debt than at any other time in our nation. Combine this with a sour economy triggered in part by the ever growing demand for oil, and economically MILLIONS of Americans will be stressed. As this hits the fabled millions of Boomers will be retiring (the first boomer just retired early this year, did you see the story), coming into Social Security, and their strongest VOTING years! They will demand full funding of Social Security with not only NO changes, but probably increased benefits for things like Part D, etc.
And what if perhaps we do want to limit carbon emissions? Who will feel that pain? For sure Gen X, but most accutely will Gen Y feel it.
I argue though, that Gen Y is a greater protest generation than the Boomers and Co. Only about 25% of Gen Y could vote in 2004, yet we saw a huge increase in their numbers voting and they solidly voted a PROTEST vote against Bush. In 2006 it strengthened. They protested with their vote and by getting their fellow Gen Yers to vote. Just wait until November. Even more of us are eligible to vote, and the trend will be huge to protest the policies of the past and putting Obama in office.
Just wait. Fine.. here you go. I propose the largest youth protest in the history of the US. Tuesday November 4th. Be there or be square.
A great story on how the Millenials (Gen Y) may affect politics: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/16/102625/574
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sexual Predator/Offender
On April 17th 2008, I came home to a plastic bag hanging on our doorknob. It contained a notification that a sexual predator/offender had moved into the neighborhood. One Gary L. Whipple now lived just two short blocks behind our house, facing the park I run around. Reading this sheet set off my frustrations with how "we" handle sexual offenders in the U.S. justics system. Why do I need to know about this 53 year old black man (very large black man) whose crime may have been committeed 20 or even 30 years ago?
Now, I am usually in the vast minority when I speak up in conversations opposing more restrictions on the lives of those convicted (or even suspected) of a sexual offense. Most of my objections come from the fact that many crimes can easily be described as a sexual offense and this be imprinted upon the person for life. Yes, sexual molesters do tend to have higher rates of recidivism, and yes I understand the fear a parent has that their child may be harmed. But remember that many people get statutory rate charges in cases of a mutual relationship. Imagine the 16 and 23 year olds, especially if mom and dad don't want little Bobby sleeping with that 23 year old man. Slap rape charges on the 23 year old that was doing exactly what the 16 year old wanted. That will teach little Bobby to not be gay, right? What about dater rape? Do those offenders get branded FOR LIFE as sexual predators?
Now let's look at the punishment. It varies by state, but many offenders have rules that go beyond correction or rehabilitation. In the name of protections of children, many offenders are forbidden from living within 500, 1000, or 1500 feet of schools, libraries, parks, beaches or other public spaces. Some may not even be able to walk their dog in a park ever again! In many compact cities these laws could be quite onerous to someone just trying to get on their feet and live a normal life. Secluding criminals in common ghettos probably doesn't creat the positive atmosphere needed to alter the course of these people's lives.
Okay, so I have these opinions in my head about the justice meted out to "predators", "perverts", and offenders. It seems we treat them in all together different ways than other offenders of other laws. People who send thousands of young American men to death in war using lies and coercion, sure they get legacies and libraries, but one screw up with biological impulses that may be quite natural (though prohibited) can sully your name for your entire life. What's consent in Britian is an offense in the U.S. Go figure.
My opinions on this once case changed, though, as I read down the notification. His qualifying offense was Sex Battery, Coerces by threat. His victim was an adult male! Whoa now! Okay, now visions of Casey running shirtless (hey, I like to get a tan while I run) in the park and being confronted by a big, scary black man with one thing on his mind. I know I am playing into stereotypes and racism, but that is where my brain first went. The irrational, or perhaps perfectly rational, fear that parents feel about their children just ran through me, about myself.
So I remain torn on the issue. Thanks for the note, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. I hope everyone is safe, but that there is a way to not terrorize this many long after his crime. I don't know all the details so I can't judge it though.
Should I change my habits to make me safer? Sure, but not because of this, but because this is a just a reminder that things happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. My neighborhood is rough, but I refuse to lock myself away. Participation in everyday life in a neighborhood is necessary to improve the feeling of community. Kids need to see good role models. They need to see adults excercising, walking the dog, picking up litter near their house, communicating respectfully, with out fear, and in a friendly way with their neighbors. Plus, I am probably safer if the folks on the street know who I am and respect me.
Just another day in the (neighbor)hood.
Now, I am usually in the vast minority when I speak up in conversations opposing more restrictions on the lives of those convicted (or even suspected) of a sexual offense. Most of my objections come from the fact that many crimes can easily be described as a sexual offense and this be imprinted upon the person for life. Yes, sexual molesters do tend to have higher rates of recidivism, and yes I understand the fear a parent has that their child may be harmed. But remember that many people get statutory rate charges in cases of a mutual relationship. Imagine the 16 and 23 year olds, especially if mom and dad don't want little Bobby sleeping with that 23 year old man. Slap rape charges on the 23 year old that was doing exactly what the 16 year old wanted. That will teach little Bobby to not be gay, right? What about dater rape? Do those offenders get branded FOR LIFE as sexual predators?
Now let's look at the punishment. It varies by state, but many offenders have rules that go beyond correction or rehabilitation. In the name of protections of children, many offenders are forbidden from living within 500, 1000, or 1500 feet of schools, libraries, parks, beaches or other public spaces. Some may not even be able to walk their dog in a park ever again! In many compact cities these laws could be quite onerous to someone just trying to get on their feet and live a normal life. Secluding criminals in common ghettos probably doesn't creat the positive atmosphere needed to alter the course of these people's lives.
Okay, so I have these opinions in my head about the justice meted out to "predators", "perverts", and offenders. It seems we treat them in all together different ways than other offenders of other laws. People who send thousands of young American men to death in war using lies and coercion, sure they get legacies and libraries, but one screw up with biological impulses that may be quite natural (though prohibited) can sully your name for your entire life. What's consent in Britian is an offense in the U.S. Go figure.
My opinions on this once case changed, though, as I read down the notification. His qualifying offense was Sex Battery, Coerces by threat. His victim was an adult male! Whoa now! Okay, now visions of Casey running shirtless (hey, I like to get a tan while I run) in the park and being confronted by a big, scary black man with one thing on his mind. I know I am playing into stereotypes and racism, but that is where my brain first went. The irrational, or perhaps perfectly rational, fear that parents feel about their children just ran through me, about myself.
So I remain torn on the issue. Thanks for the note, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. I hope everyone is safe, but that there is a way to not terrorize this many long after his crime. I don't know all the details so I can't judge it though.
Should I change my habits to make me safer? Sure, but not because of this, but because this is a just a reminder that things happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. My neighborhood is rough, but I refuse to lock myself away. Participation in everyday life in a neighborhood is necessary to improve the feeling of community. Kids need to see good role models. They need to see adults excercising, walking the dog, picking up litter near their house, communicating respectfully, with out fear, and in a friendly way with their neighbors. Plus, I am probably safer if the folks on the street know who I am and respect me.
Just another day in the (neighbor)hood.
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