I think that it is insulting to assume that the person who committed this crime was necessarily "poor". Being poor and being a criminal are not the same thing. Being poor and being depraved enough to rape a stranger at gunpoint is not the same thing. I have no sympathy for anyone who would victimize or destroy another person. I don't care why a KKK'er or Nazi would murder innocent people, and likewise, I don't care why street criminals do what they do. People make conscious choices, and when they make bad ones they must be held accountable.
On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 12:26 AM, Richard Conrad <[email protected]> wrote: >> I think the financial squeezing by parasitic economics has increased the >> plight of all especially those of poor people and those dependent on seizing >> as their way of coping with economics, do you disagree? On Sep 14, 2011, at 11:52 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: > Not funny Brian! > On Sep 14, 2011, at 11:24 PM, Brian Siano wrote: > >> I'm so glad Glenn's taken the occasion of a woman's rape to remind us >> that the real evil is "upscale." >> >> On 9/14/11, Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: >>> We must somehow figure out how to make our schools and our streets safe >>> so our young people can flourish. I don't have the answers. >>> >>> Jo Ann, >>> >>> There is extreme chronic fear and for good reason. Many people, from >>> cradle to grave, are denied basic security in their lives. When you >>> have no hope for your health care, education, food, etc; anyone can >>> easily become a primal animal capable of torture, lies, and violence. >>> Aren't those the values we represent around the world? I know that >>> without my study of Buddhism, I would be capable of very intelligent >>> violence! >>> >>> Why would we expect young people, who do not have middle class >>> securities, to ignore that all forms of violence and power are the way >>> of life? It's not cute that we guarantee this message to hopeless young >>> people. But that is what we do with corporate megalomania. >>> >>> The answers aren't so far away. We choose to turn our backs on our >>> neighbors because we beg and worship extreme power. I'm not being >>> disrespectful or glib about any violent crimes happening now! But if we >>> don't recognize the cleaner safer lies of our upscale paradise, how are >>> we going to get past this addiction stage called DENIAL? >>> >>> Schools are underfunded and sabotaged. Teachers and parents are >>> vilified in fake "research" The poor are blamed as evil sub-human >>> creatures. >>> >>> As I said to Joe, I'm surprised there is not more violence. The middle >>> class answer has long been to abuse the poor and minority populations >>> more, so that the power of the parasite rulers is increased! Let's stop >>> throwing in the towel, and start standing for truth and humanity!!!!!! >>> >>> On 9/14/2011 9:45 PM, Jo Ann Fishburn wrote: >>>> Joe, I agree with all that you said. To add to that, over the years I >>>> realized that so much of young people's behavior in school and in the >>>> neighborhoods is in reaction to fear. Some neighborhoods, and >>>> unfortunately often schools, are so dangerous that a top priority of >>>> growing up is developing some way to cope with constant fear. Many >>>> believe, perhaps correctly, that they must project a tough, strong >>>> image to stay safe. Unfortunately, some extend that to victimizing and >>>> terrorizing others to maintain that appearance. We must somehow figure >>>> out how to make our schools and our streets safe so our young people >>>> can flourish. I don't have the answers. >>>> >>>> Jo Ann Fishburn >>>> >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>> *From:* Joe Clarke <[email protected]> >>>> *To:* Glenn <[email protected]> >>>> *Cc:* Summer Still <[email protected]>; [email protected]; >>>> [email protected] >>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:11 PM >>>> *Subject:* Re: [UC] Rape at Gunpoint, 900 block of 48th St., 10 pm >>>> Tuesday night >>>> >>>> Glenn, I hear you. It's like the argument for not putting seat belts >>>> in cars: they might make the customer feel that driving is unsafe. >>>> Many in the neighborhood are long-time, resident home-owners, and need >>>> to do something immediately to protect their homes and families. >>>> There is a difference between treating the symptom and curing the >>>> disease. The surge in personal crime may be caused by inequality, but >>>> the immediate and often life-threatening symptom needs to be dealt >>>> with immediately. >>>> Most of the young men and women involved in these crimes are >>>> extremely dangerous; partly, because they have no sense of what the >>>> consequences are for their actions. I don't think it's just >>>> economics: I think that there is a glorification of the gun/gangster >>>> culture that has been commod-ified by the entertainment industry and >>>> patronized by liberal society as being "cool". Having worked with >>>> young homeless people, the biggest challenge is the attitude that >>>> prevails among them, and is largely nihilistic. At a graduation in >>>> the shelter, many of the graduates were asked to select a favorite >>>> saying or slogan to live by. Most chose: "It is what it is!". No >>>> sense of future, goals. We in the social services thought it was >>>> cute. What seems cute to me - with a work history and two degrees - >>>> is disastrous for someone who has neither. >>>> The crime needs to be dealt with swiftly and forcefully; the larger >>>> issue needs to be worked on as well, but it is a complex situation >>>> that has many facets - gun control, failing schools, no jobs, >>>> addiction, no parenting and the marketing of violent nihilism as a >>>> life style - set us all up for a long haul to change these destructive >>>> patterns. >>>> >>>> Joe C. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 5:05 PM, Glenn <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 9/14/2011 11:24 AM, Joe Clarke wrote: >>>> >>>> It may be time again to organize a town watch for the >>>> neighborhood(s), since town watch works the best when it is >>>> localized in specific areas. >>>> >>>> Joe Clarke >>>> >>>> >>>> Joe, >>>> >>>> I recall conversations with former town watch participants, when I >>>> was first blowing the whistle about the real purposes of UCD and >>>> the gentrification. As I recall, supports were withdrawn from >>>> town watch because high income consumers would be made cleaner and >>>> safer through the gentrification. If residents became dependent >>>> on and obedient to the new saviors, there was supposedly no reason >>>> for town watch anymore than the great culture that we created >>>> ourselves. >>>> >>>> Crime is correlated to income inequality and not a simple lack of >>>> material possessions. I'm sure that increases in chronic stress, >>>> desperation, and powerlessness would also predict increased crime. >>>> The gentrification solutions that have been shoved down our >>>> throats are not only fake, but actually increase the likelihood of >>>> violent senseless crime. Frankly, I'm surprised that there is not >>>> more crime, but we've known for a long time that learned >>>> helplessness defines the lives of most people in third world >>>> America. But violent crime shouldn't be surprising anyone in our >>>> violent immoral society. >>>> >>>> >>>> Joe, the work you are doing with a youth chess club is wonderful, >>>> and is one small example of projects that make society a safer >>>> place. (I've taught chess before to gifted kids and I would love >>>> to help you if I were in Philadelphia consistently). I would make >>>> chess part of the junior high curriculum for all kids. >>>> >>>> When we had a strong UNDIVIDED community, we had a great culture >>>> and were much safer. The police state does not make any of us >>>> safer, while we lose our souls and freedom. The University of >>>> Plutocracy and their corporate cronies should be forced to pay >>>> their fare share of taxes or payments for services in lieu of >>>> taxes. Then, we could support town watch, community driven >>>> culture, and the compassionate/empowering interventions that will >>>> help crime be reduced to a minimum. (Boston University pays five >>>> million a year to the city of Boston) >>>> >>>> Glenn >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength. >>>> Etty Hillesum >>>> <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/ettyhilles124704.html> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>>> Version: 9.0.914 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3897 - Release Date: 09/14/11 >>>> 14:34:00 >>>> >>> >> ---- >> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the >> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see >> <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. -- I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength. Etty Hillesum
