The ACLU reported that Mississippi is the second highest in prison incarceration rates in the nation just under Louisiana. Between 1997 to 2007 the ACLU reported 155 percent rise in the states prison population. According to the United States Burea of Justistic Statistics the national prison population went from roughly 250,000 to 2.5 Million. Also, only 7 percent of federal prison inmates are violent offenders and 52 percent of state prisoners are violent offenders. The rise of the state's prison population is in part to due with the national "War on Drugs." Federal agencies work together with state agencies in an attempt to stop the flow of drugs. With this strong fight comes heavy sentences for these offenders, mostly non- violent. In 1995 Mississippi pushed it's"truth-in-sentencing" act, which requires inmates to serve 85 percent of their time regardless to crime. This mentality is of police state industry, in my opinion with the struggle of individuals to fight their non-rehabilitation punishment, as prison has claimed to be a place for, and when released having little social acceptance. I hope lawmakers and activist to perform true unity as a people can adapt the message of the ACLU of humanity.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Westboro
Westboro Baptist Church out of Kansas has won the Supreme Cout case in favor of the first amendment and the right to protest at solider's funerals. The members of Westboro have been protesting in favor of "God's Wrath" at the funeral of soliders who they claim to fight for the rights of gay citizens.
Ruling
The rhetoric of the membrs of the church are very frustrating and cause emotional distress on the ones they are encountering. There message is written load and clear on signs, shirts and materials about the disgust in the country's actions. Many do not like the actions of the church and are willing to physically take down them, but what they are doing is not breaking the law.
Attack on Westboro
Shelia Phelps is the daughter of Fred Phelps, founder of the church, and carries on his. She has also studied law and knows the restrictions and limits of their protest. She has been the cover person for the church's actions and has been, on many times, talking-head's broadcast fighting with the host.
Shelia Phelps on Fox News
Now that history of the members and church have been addressed, my opinion on the Supreme Court ruling is in favor of the ruling. The right to speak is a value part of our first amendment and has one of the remaining true testaments of time. I do not agree with the organization in any way, and speak against the ways, but as I have the right to do so, as do they.
If the court was to take away the right for one organization to speak would be dangerous move. Citizens protest are already at the cutting point with "free speech section," which totally takes away from the right to assemble. Everyone single person, no matter the belief, should have the right to speak freely and be prepared for counter motives.
With that said, I do not understand the ideology behind the church as a serious organization in any way. Their message, in my opionion, is the expansion of religious rhetoric spread in the country to more of an extent. To protest at a funeral setting of a person that has died in some act of combat should not be protested by an anti-gay organization. I understand they believe that the soliders are fighting for the rights of "fags," but the protest causes nothing but bitterness to their group. If the true meaning of the church was to spread this word, attack and slander would not play as big as part as it has. Westboro seems to seek the attention for the message rather than inviting members with documented reasons why an individual should follow their way.
Basically to conclude the topic, I am in favor of freedom of speech and believe that Westboro Baptist Chuch has every right to say, display and wear any messages on their personal, but with their acts of aggrevation, they have to expect retaliation.
Ruling
The rhetoric of the membrs of the church are very frustrating and cause emotional distress on the ones they are encountering. There message is written load and clear on signs, shirts and materials about the disgust in the country's actions. Many do not like the actions of the church and are willing to physically take down them, but what they are doing is not breaking the law.
Attack on Westboro
Shelia Phelps is the daughter of Fred Phelps, founder of the church, and carries on his. She has also studied law and knows the restrictions and limits of their protest. She has been the cover person for the church's actions and has been, on many times, talking-head's broadcast fighting with the host.
Shelia Phelps on Fox News
Now that history of the members and church have been addressed, my opinion on the Supreme Court ruling is in favor of the ruling. The right to speak is a value part of our first amendment and has one of the remaining true testaments of time. I do not agree with the organization in any way, and speak against the ways, but as I have the right to do so, as do they.
If the court was to take away the right for one organization to speak would be dangerous move. Citizens protest are already at the cutting point with "free speech section," which totally takes away from the right to assemble. Everyone single person, no matter the belief, should have the right to speak freely and be prepared for counter motives.
With that said, I do not understand the ideology behind the church as a serious organization in any way. Their message, in my opionion, is the expansion of religious rhetoric spread in the country to more of an extent. To protest at a funeral setting of a person that has died in some act of combat should not be protested by an anti-gay organization. I understand they believe that the soliders are fighting for the rights of "fags," but the protest causes nothing but bitterness to their group. If the true meaning of the church was to spread this word, attack and slander would not play as big as part as it has. Westboro seems to seek the attention for the message rather than inviting members with documented reasons why an individual should follow their way.
Basically to conclude the topic, I am in favor of freedom of speech and believe that Westboro Baptist Chuch has every right to say, display and wear any messages on their personal, but with their acts of aggrevation, they have to expect retaliation.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
NORML
National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws
NORML is an organization battling the fight for positive imagining and research of marijuana and the biased laws our country has in system. The group fights to push individual responsibility and leadership when dealing with substance in life. This progressive minded organization has helped many who are oppressed in our society for a small possession of a naturally growing plant.
NORML is an organization battling the fight for positive imagining and research of marijuana and the biased laws our country has in system. The group fights to push individual responsibility and leadership when dealing with substance in life. This progressive minded organization has helped many who are oppressed in our society for a small possession of a naturally growing plant.
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