posted by: Benjamin Anello #10
source: The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/world/europe/13paris.html
A woman, Ms. Broueilh, 50, found herself the target of police investigation after posting a comment online criticizing french leadership.
"The police said Ms. Morano, a combative politician and one of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s closest allies, had subpoenaed Ms. Broueilh’s Internet protocol address, obtained her identity and brought suit against her for “public insult toward a member of the ministry,” an offense punishable by a fine of up to $18,000."
"“The Internet is a danger for democracy,” said Jean-François Copé, parliamentary chief for the governing party, the Union for a Popular Movement, in a recent radio interview."
The internet allows for freedom of expression, but sometimes governments don't share the same views.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jailing Juveniles
posted by: Benjamin Anello #9
source: The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121302444.html
This article discusses reforms to laws dealing with juveniles. The law "provides funds for those that choose to comply with the legislation's guidelines. In this way, the Justice Department, which administers the act, can provide incentives to states to comply with what it considers best practices." So the state is controlled by how it deals with juveniles and if they don't conform then they don't get money. The law also helps keep juveniles separate from the adult inmates. "Statistics show that juveniles held in adult facilities are more likely to be attacked, more likely to commit crimes once released and more likely to commit suicide than those held in facilities that house only minors."
source: The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121302444.html
This article discusses reforms to laws dealing with juveniles. The law "provides funds for those that choose to comply with the legislation's guidelines. In this way, the Justice Department, which administers the act, can provide incentives to states to comply with what it considers best practices." So the state is controlled by how it deals with juveniles and if they don't conform then they don't get money. The law also helps keep juveniles separate from the adult inmates. "Statistics show that juveniles held in adult facilities are more likely to be attacked, more likely to commit crimes once released and more likely to commit suicide than those held in facilities that house only minors."
Mentors help teens avoid crime
posted by: Benjamin Anello #8
source: Augusta Chronicle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/27/met_557249.shtml
We talked in class about how mentors in our lives help shape how we behave and view the world. They help us form stigmas and provide role models for us to follow. This article talks about a program called Men Making a Difference and pairs troubled young men with mentors who help fill a void left by their absent fathers and lower the chance of them becoming delinquents.
"Dr. Rojek, who is the author and co-author of several books on juvenile delinquency, said the rate of unwed mothers has increased since 2002 and is highest for the 20- to 24-year-old group. Single mothers have a series of disadvantages that can encourage delinquency among their children, including the difficulty in balancing care for their child and finding work that pays well enough so they can afford child care when they aren't around."
source: Augusta Chronicle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/27/met_557249.shtml
We talked in class about how mentors in our lives help shape how we behave and view the world. They help us form stigmas and provide role models for us to follow. This article talks about a program called Men Making a Difference and pairs troubled young men with mentors who help fill a void left by their absent fathers and lower the chance of them becoming delinquents.
"Dr. Rojek, who is the author and co-author of several books on juvenile delinquency, said the rate of unwed mothers has increased since 2002 and is highest for the 20- to 24-year-old group. Single mothers have a series of disadvantages that can encourage delinquency among their children, including the difficulty in balancing care for their child and finding work that pays well enough so they can afford child care when they aren't around."
Gaps in DNA databanks have led to tragedy
post by: Benjamin Anello #7
source: The Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ivGnoKW8S6YEwg1ErNFygXEAdjkwD9CJ552O1
In prison, DNA samples are suppose to be taken of all the inmates, but Walter Ellis managed to ditch the DNA sampling by getting another inmate to pose as himself. Had investigators had access to his DNA it might have prevented him from murdering his seventh victim.
We've discussed DNA in class as a form of medical social control, but in this case DNA would have helped prevent a murder. "Crime lab supervisors, state police and prison officials blame the failure to collect samples on new and confusing laws and a lack of coordination among the many different law enforcement agencies and institutions responsible for taking DNA."
"Over the past 15 years, tough-on-crime legislators expanded laws to require DNA from more offenders. First it was sex offenders. Today, 47 states demand DNA from every convicted felon. Twenty-one take it from anyone arrested for homicide or a sex crime, according to Gordon Thomas Honeywell."
source: The Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ivGnoKW8S6YEwg1ErNFygXEAdjkwD9CJ552O1
In prison, DNA samples are suppose to be taken of all the inmates, but Walter Ellis managed to ditch the DNA sampling by getting another inmate to pose as himself. Had investigators had access to his DNA it might have prevented him from murdering his seventh victim.
We've discussed DNA in class as a form of medical social control, but in this case DNA would have helped prevent a murder. "Crime lab supervisors, state police and prison officials blame the failure to collect samples on new and confusing laws and a lack of coordination among the many different law enforcement agencies and institutions responsible for taking DNA."
"Over the past 15 years, tough-on-crime legislators expanded laws to require DNA from more offenders. First it was sex offenders. Today, 47 states demand DNA from every convicted felon. Twenty-one take it from anyone arrested for homicide or a sex crime, according to Gordon Thomas Honeywell."
New Swedish Surveillance Draft
posted by: Benjamin Anello #6
source: ZeroPaid
http://www.zeropaid.com/news/87380/new-swedish-surveillance-draft-legislation-leaks/
"The safeguards that were put in place was that police would not have direct access to the massive amounts of intercepted data flowing through the networks. The main concern back in 2008 when laws such as the Lex Orwell laws were being discussed was that a vast amount of internet traffic would flow through Swedish networks and become subject to this law."
This new law would allow police access to vast amounts of data that goes through Swedish networks.
"The legislation is aimed at giving Swedish police and domestic intelligence the power to automatically intercept internet traffic that passes through Sweden. After a heated debate, a related mass-surveillance law was passed late last year, allowing the Swedish National Radio Defense Establishment (Sweden’s “NSA”) to intercept internet traffic. About 80% of regular Russian internet traffic, as of Dec 2008, passed trough Sweden, giving Sweden a bulk intelligence exchange position with the United States and other powers."
Should the police be able to peek into internet and phone information? This is further evidence of the smaller and smaller cage of surveillance we find ourselves in.
source: ZeroPaid
http://www.zeropaid.com/news/87380/new-swedish-surveillance-draft-legislation-leaks/
"The safeguards that were put in place was that police would not have direct access to the massive amounts of intercepted data flowing through the networks. The main concern back in 2008 when laws such as the Lex Orwell laws were being discussed was that a vast amount of internet traffic would flow through Swedish networks and become subject to this law."
This new law would allow police access to vast amounts of data that goes through Swedish networks.
"The legislation is aimed at giving Swedish police and domestic intelligence the power to automatically intercept internet traffic that passes through Sweden. After a heated debate, a related mass-surveillance law was passed late last year, allowing the Swedish National Radio Defense Establishment (Sweden’s “NSA”) to intercept internet traffic. About 80% of regular Russian internet traffic, as of Dec 2008, passed trough Sweden, giving Sweden a bulk intelligence exchange position with the United States and other powers."
Should the police be able to peek into internet and phone information? This is further evidence of the smaller and smaller cage of surveillance we find ourselves in.
Merced gets more video surveillance
posted by: Benjamin Anello #5
source: Merced Sun-star
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1747334.html
This is a great example of increasing social control using surveillance. The city installs a $93,000 eight-camera video system in the downtown area "meant to prevent crime". "Despite the city's efforts to increase public safety and prevent vandalism, civil liberties groups and several studies have questioned the effectiveness of surveillance cameras. The growing use of video surveillance also has raised worries about the civil rights implications of an increasingly watchful government."
source: Merced Sun-star
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1747334.html
This is a great example of increasing social control using surveillance. The city installs a $93,000 eight-camera video system in the downtown area "meant to prevent crime". "Despite the city's efforts to increase public safety and prevent vandalism, civil liberties groups and several studies have questioned the effectiveness of surveillance cameras. The growing use of video surveillance also has raised worries about the civil rights implications of an increasingly watchful government."
Walking away from a mortgage
post by: Benjamin Anello #4
source: Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112504186.html
Brent T. White is pointing out that "the social control of the housing crisis" -- pressures and messages continually sent to consumers by the "social control agents," namely banks, government and the media. The mantra these agents -- all the way up to President Obama -- pound into owners' heads, White says, is that "voluntarily defaulting on a mortgage is immoral.""
"Not only is the professor urging consumers to break legally binding contracts, but if large numbers of them did so it would send home mortgage rates soaring and "tear apart the very basis" upon which mortgage lending rests -- the understanding that borrowers will honor their commitments and pay back the money they borrowed. "
source: Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112504186.html
Brent T. White is pointing out that "the social control of the housing crisis" -- pressures and messages continually sent to consumers by the "social control agents," namely banks, government and the media. The mantra these agents -- all the way up to President Obama -- pound into owners' heads, White says, is that "voluntarily defaulting on a mortgage is immoral.""
"Not only is the professor urging consumers to break legally binding contracts, but if large numbers of them did so it would send home mortgage rates soaring and "tear apart the very basis" upon which mortgage lending rests -- the understanding that borrowers will honor their commitments and pay back the money they borrowed. "
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