Mar 08 2009
Birdie 101
We will begin with words one should be familiar with prior to reading my blog or attempting to have some form of discourse with me, ever.
As I repeatedly said in my last post, along with my helpful examples, I am not fascist. Anything said indicating should be read through the lens of either sarcasm or irony. Now we’ll focus on words that have been used in regards to me, as they are obviously misunderstood. A common understanding of the vocabulary being used is necessary to continue any form of meaningful conversation, therefore:
Now, I’m going to clarify a few points the delightful gentleman brought up.
First, I did not say being in jail put one in the same league as a murderer, rapist, or thief; I said prison. Rather specifically, too. I think that if you are in prison after having a fair trial and representation (which I said was necessary for a civilized society) then you ought to be punished. I do, in fact, understand the judicial system is not perfect and would be more than happy to entertain any solutions to increasing the accuracy of the system should the gentleman wish to put forth same. That, however, is not my focus.
Second, as to the effectiveness of my ‘homework’. I do not care if some of the prisons are growing some of their own food. I was outlining a way to make all prisons self sufficient. As in completely independent from any need to rely on the general population for their survival. As for the ER remark, when I said ‘take ‘em out of the ER’ I was referring to the interns and not the prisoners. As in the rotations interns put in at the ER or other areas of a hospital. I do apologize for not making that clear enough. I see nothing wrong with people who are considered good enough to be treating civilians to practice, instead, on inmates.
Third, if incarceration in and of itself were in fact punitive enough then the rates at which the prison population is rising would not be so dramatic. Further, it isn’t as if I suggested some form of hideous torture, I only suggested hard work. I tend to think that many people in prison would benefit from work and in fact might find a sense of pride and accomplishment in seeing their work bring forth some form of immediate result such as food, clothing, and shelter. One might even think that such an experience would make reintegration into society easier.
Finally, I don’t believe I stated my views about drug laws one way or the other. What I said was that many drug offenses do result in violent crimes and, as using and distributing drugs is illegal in this country that those found guilty should be punished for their crime. It does not matter whether you, or I, like a law. Laws can be changed if they are not suitable. The rule of law, however, must be followed or else chaos will ensue.
As for the final clichéd remarks as to labeling a person as one chooses and commenting on their choice of footwear, that is of course, the gentleman’s right.
I’d like to address again the underlying point of the first post. Prisoners should have to work. I know, in a sarcastic rant it might have been difficult for those unfamiliar with me to come away with the main idea so I’ll repeat it:
Prisoners should have to work hard and should not have time to play. I didn’t say kill them, maim them, or beat them bloody. So instead of trying to label my political fidelity how about telling me why hard work is such a horrible idea?
Hey birdie where’d you get that little twitter message box widget? Would you mind sending me the code for it I can’t find it anywhere…
Oh birdie,
Thanx for the education, we could play semantical games all day..
Ok you’re not a fascist does that make you feel better?… Authoritarian (arguablly) yes fascist no, Jason hit it on the head.. As for the details, since you have shifted ground and edited what you said in text it’s not really worth continuing this. Look you’re pissed off because you have the impression that these guys who get some yard time are evil fucks…. OK that’s how you feel.. And I’m sure some of them are. So go a head be angry and direct that anger at prisoners.. Stiffer sentences, harsher conditions, whatever. But know this, plenty of innocent people are in jail they will be treated the same way. And plenty of decent people who simply ran afoul of the law. To stand on the concept that because one broke the law we should necessarily be strict with them is authoritarian if you prefer not fascist. I guess it was just sarcasm when you said you didn’t want your money wasted on appeals. haha funny stuff birdy your a regular Stephen Colbert. Gee who should we punish in return for locking people up wrongfully? Your anger is directed at the weakest link, we have far worse things being done by government officials and that’s the same government you want to trust to institute harsher conditions in prison. Maybe like Abu-ghraib? As I said I spent 6yrs working with prisoners and your perception that some yard time is recess is ignorant. You don’t get knifed and beaten to death at recess. Furthermore I never said anything was wrong with hard work, I simply have a clue about how the Prison Industrial Complex works and I recognize right wing rhetoric when I hear it. Take a peek at how this system you want to trust to be more harsh is already acting. http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2009/2/18/amy_goodmans_new_column_jailing_kids_for_cash
As for your text I will assume I am in error resend and apologize. But to review your text and deal with the shifting ground is more trouble than it is worth. As to vocabulary, school me all you like, you haven’t given me anything I didn’t know and I gave you a specific reference as to why I used the language I used, sorry if you don’t like that it covers your views in my opinion.
Now, as regards not agreeing with you and the value of a “self sustaining penal system”, where do I begin. Look, I’m disgusted when I hear things from people like, they don’t like to see their money spent on the appeals process. I think the appeals process is of tremendous value. I also identify this type of complaint with right wing ideologues. Speaking to a “self sustaining penal system” , again I think of that as meaningless inflammatory language designed to elicit feelings of resentment in the electorate over the cost of imprisoning people… And true that they should be outraged. But for entirely different reasons. The suggestion that simply working people hard will put an end to abuse ignores the fact that much of the abuse is systemic and we are talking about increasing power of those who are already being abusive. OK you trust your government to get stricter on prisoners… I don’t. I have seen WAY to much abuse of authority. When I am faced with serious issues of abusive authority its really hard for me to get worked up over those being abused having an hour a day to exercise. I have seen how abusive and corrupt the penal system is, so I am not likely to buy into the idea that the problem with this system is it’s to easy on prisoners. That’s absurd to me… Yes I want to have them spend their time more productively. That’s not what I’m taking exception with.. It’s the lack of comprehension about how out of control that system is already and the suggestion, that we should increase the power of the already abusive authorities. I’m just guessing of course but I bet you haven’t spent much time working with prisoners or been inside the walls of a prison. If that is the case I encourage you to consider the possibility that you just don’t know whats actually going on inside there.
Reason and passion are not mutually exclusive. I will have a more lovely day when I see my fellow citizens complaing about abuse of power more than they complain about humane treatment of prisoners. I repeat you complained about due procesess! Did you listen to the story I sent you? Have you been in a prison? Have you worked with prisoners? I’m simply saying it’s a good idea to know what your talking about before you go public with your “bitchy” rants. No need address anything I said, lets just make nice… OK fine. I did not respond because I wanted conflict I responded because I saw views being expressed that were uninformed and emotional. You are upset becaue you belive bad men are getting a chance to shoot hoops once in a while.. Oh no.. We have bigger fish to fry! Our government has been torturing people, and you want to trust them to be stricter! ???? WTF..
” The broadest and most prevalent error requires the most disinterested virtue to sustain it. The slight reproach to which the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable, the noble are most likely to incur. Those who, while they disapprove of the character and measures of a government, yield to it their allegiance and support are undoubtedly its most conscientious supporters, and so frequently the most serious obstacles to reform.” Thoreau
My expressions have passion my positions are not emotional. There is a meaningful difference.