This is number 5, but the 6th day. I missed a day, but I missed it for a good reason.
I attended a fundraiser for an organization that I have been honored to serve on the Board of Directors. Archcity Defenders is a new law firm in St. Louis that is attempting to bridge the gap between indigent defendants who are represented by attorneys in the Missouri Public Defenders Office and those that cannot afford private counsel. In addition, they would like to fill gaps and represent individuals who would not qualify for PD services because they are charged in municipal court, but they still require representation. Finally, they are also hoping to break the "cycle of criminal conduct" by attempting to resolve the myriad of issues that individuals may have that are causing, or contributing to, the criminal conduct.
Please look at their website and see what they are doing.
The attorneys are all relatively young, recent graduates, but their idea is one that would be unbelievably beneficial to the St. Louis area. Those who work in, or around, the criminal justice system know that system is not efficient and is more akin to a factory line, pushing people through without any real regard to actual rehabilitation or assistance so the criminal conduct does not reoccur.
Though I am not familiar with the criminal justice systems in other cities, I have no doubt they are run the same way, that is, push people through and keep the system moving. That simply is not good enough. This city, and many others, have enough problems and if we do not begin considering ways to address those needs, and the needs of the poorest citizens, then this city, and all cities will become almost inhabitable.
I am one blog down and I will write two in one of the next two days. I will continue with this topic because I believe it is important, but remember, it is just what I think.
Today was a beautiful day. Weather was mid 70s and, as a result, I took longer to walk to my car, drove with the windows open, and listened to some music. Today was a good day. Since I am sure you are curious, I was listening to Snoop Dogg's First CD (Doggystyle). One of the best.
Be Easy
-- CP
It is what the title says, it is simply what I think. nothing more and nothing less.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Its Just What I Think: Day 4 -- Wednesday
Its Just What I Think: Day 4 -- Wednesday: "Its day 4. Today was a productive day, even if I did not get done everything that I wanted. I have a CLE tomorrow, so I will not get too m..."
Day 4 -- Wednesday
Its day 4. Today was a productive day, even if I did not get done everything that I wanted. I have a CLE tomorrow, so I will not get too much finished. As I said when I first started this blog, sometimes i will have nothing to say, other times, I will have actual opinions.
I have been thinking, though, about the current state of this country. I have written before about race, politicians, and other related topics. Today, I saw a Facebook post from a high-school friend commenting on gas prices as the price of oil continues to drop. That got me thinking exactly how much corporations control this county. I am not a "conspiracy" guy, but I do believe that the people have lost all power they were supposed to have in the governing process. I believe this to be true from local to national government. Clearly, the businesses have more money to support various candidates (support is a euphemism for bribe, if I wasn't clear). Is there really any doubt that the companies are running things?
If corporations were not in control, the immigration problem would be significantly helped if enforcement focused on the employers of illegal immigrants. If a couple of businesses were hit with large fines and other criminal penalties they would stop employing them. In addition those jobs might be given to citizens of the US who are looking for work. It seems to me that attacking the poor people looking for a better life is the wrong target. I understand the issue, but if at the same time you are not prosecuting the companies, you are really doing nothing. As long there is demand, then the supply will keep coming.
This is the same issue with the gas companies. How do the prices go up when the price of oil drops. For the longest time you read references to the price of oil and, if OBL was caught, that might help the price. Guess what, it did help the price of oil. Unfortunately, Mobile, Shell, BP, and Exxon are keeping the gas prices high. Has it occurred to anybody to look into this? If the government is in the business of helping its citizens, why not step in? Of course, the reason is clear. Do we think there are four companies with more money to lobby for the type of legislation that benefits them?
Clearly, the Government has stopped working for the people. Certainly they are not working for the regular citizen, the wealthy may get benefits, but the regular citizen has no power in the current structure. when will it change? How will it change?
Today, my wife took a sticker from my oldest daughter (5 stickers equals a trip to the park), but my wife decided to let my daughter earn it back. I got home about 7:30 and was told how all of this went down. I went into my daughter's room and we talked. She asked if she could have her sticker back. I told her it depended on her behavior. Later she called me in to discuss the sticker. I told her that she would get the sticker tomorrow (Thursday). She began crying. i asked why was she crying? She told me she was crying b/c she did not earn her sticker back for Wednesday so she would not have enough stickers for the trip to the park. This was amusing to me b/c she figured she needed the sticker today to get credit today. Funny girl.
as it turns out, she did earn the sticker back and we'll put it on the calendar tomorrow.
Remember, this is just what I think.
Be Easy
- CP
I have been thinking, though, about the current state of this country. I have written before about race, politicians, and other related topics. Today, I saw a Facebook post from a high-school friend commenting on gas prices as the price of oil continues to drop. That got me thinking exactly how much corporations control this county. I am not a "conspiracy" guy, but I do believe that the people have lost all power they were supposed to have in the governing process. I believe this to be true from local to national government. Clearly, the businesses have more money to support various candidates (support is a euphemism for bribe, if I wasn't clear). Is there really any doubt that the companies are running things?
If corporations were not in control, the immigration problem would be significantly helped if enforcement focused on the employers of illegal immigrants. If a couple of businesses were hit with large fines and other criminal penalties they would stop employing them. In addition those jobs might be given to citizens of the US who are looking for work. It seems to me that attacking the poor people looking for a better life is the wrong target. I understand the issue, but if at the same time you are not prosecuting the companies, you are really doing nothing. As long there is demand, then the supply will keep coming.
This is the same issue with the gas companies. How do the prices go up when the price of oil drops. For the longest time you read references to the price of oil and, if OBL was caught, that might help the price. Guess what, it did help the price of oil. Unfortunately, Mobile, Shell, BP, and Exxon are keeping the gas prices high. Has it occurred to anybody to look into this? If the government is in the business of helping its citizens, why not step in? Of course, the reason is clear. Do we think there are four companies with more money to lobby for the type of legislation that benefits them?
Clearly, the Government has stopped working for the people. Certainly they are not working for the regular citizen, the wealthy may get benefits, but the regular citizen has no power in the current structure. when will it change? How will it change?
Today, my wife took a sticker from my oldest daughter (5 stickers equals a trip to the park), but my wife decided to let my daughter earn it back. I got home about 7:30 and was told how all of this went down. I went into my daughter's room and we talked. She asked if she could have her sticker back. I told her it depended on her behavior. Later she called me in to discuss the sticker. I told her that she would get the sticker tomorrow (Thursday). She began crying. i asked why was she crying? She told me she was crying b/c she did not earn her sticker back for Wednesday so she would not have enough stickers for the trip to the park. This was amusing to me b/c she figured she needed the sticker today to get credit today. Funny girl.
as it turns out, she did earn the sticker back and we'll put it on the calendar tomorrow.
Remember, this is just what I think.
Be Easy
- CP
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Its Just What I Think: Day 3
Its Just What I Think: Day 3: "This is day 3. I know it does not seem like much, but it is the most days in a row I have posted. I don't have much to say tonight (surpri..."
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