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. "
Drugging unruly children is a method of social control
post by: Benjamin Anello #3
source: Nature - International weekly journal of science
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7178/full/451521a.html
1. Kids diagnosed with ADHD
2. Give children Ritalin
As we discussed in class about medical social control, this is a perfect example. Just drug the kids and it'll get them to act how we want them to. South Park makes a great commentary on this trend in their episode "Timmy 2000"
The Federal Drug Administration calls attention to the rampant use of Ritalin as an 'epidemic'. They are concerned about the results it could have on young developing brains. All in all, looks like we're medicating our way to calm and domesticated children.
source: Nature - International weekly journal of science
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7178/full/451521a.html
1. Kids diagnosed with ADHD
2. Give children Ritalin
As we discussed in class about medical social control, this is a perfect example. Just drug the kids and it'll get them to act how we want them to. South Park makes a great commentary on this trend in their episode "Timmy 2000"
The Federal Drug Administration calls attention to the rampant use of Ritalin as an 'epidemic'. They are concerned about the results it could have on young developing brains. All in all, looks like we're medicating our way to calm and domesticated children.
No Charges In Death Of Woman Shot 9 Times
post by: Benjamin Anello
source: The Denver Channel
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21929709/detail.html
I'm not quite sure how shooting someone 9 times can be called self-defense. That seems a little excessive to me. The first shot would probably drop a person and then if they were still moving you'd have to stand over them and shoot them another 8 times. I'd be interested to know if any of the exit wounds that were present showed signs of shored exits. That would indicate if the body was pressed up against something (like the floor) instead of standing when it was shot.
Another interesting note about this article is it includes a google map street view of the location where the shooting took place. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't like my neighborhood shown off in that way. Seems like a violation of privacy for that whole neighborhood to me.
source: The Denver Channel
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21929709/detail.html
I'm not quite sure how shooting someone 9 times can be called self-defense. That seems a little excessive to me. The first shot would probably drop a person and then if they were still moving you'd have to stand over them and shoot them another 8 times. I'd be interested to know if any of the exit wounds that were present showed signs of shored exits. That would indicate if the body was pressed up against something (like the floor) instead of standing when it was shot.
Another interesting note about this article is it includes a google map street view of the location where the shooting took place. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't like my neighborhood shown off in that way. Seems like a violation of privacy for that whole neighborhood to me.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Police Arrest 65 Protesters on University of California, Berkeley Campus
I got this article from FoxNews.com
In this article students are arrested for taking their protest a little to far and letting it become more of a party. Police had been in and out of the building that the protesters were in all week and had no problem with the protest then the students said they were caught off guard when the police came in while they were sleeping to arrest everyone. 65 people were arrested in this one incident but the protests continue in California because of the budget cuts and rising fees in the state. I think this is a good reason for these students to be upset. This is a form of social control because we cannot set our tuition price. we are having to pay more and more each year and with he economy the way it is it is becoming harder to do so. students are trying to get an education and as long as prices go up more and more students will not be able to afford it. This is something that effects everyone not just the State of California. This is something that is being thought about all over the country by many different institutions. some are just trying to avoid this problem as much as they can.
By: Araceli
In this article students are arrested for taking their protest a little to far and letting it become more of a party. Police had been in and out of the building that the protesters were in all week and had no problem with the protest then the students said they were caught off guard when the police came in while they were sleeping to arrest everyone. 65 people were arrested in this one incident but the protests continue in California because of the budget cuts and rising fees in the state. I think this is a good reason for these students to be upset. This is a form of social control because we cannot set our tuition price. we are having to pay more and more each year and with he economy the way it is it is becoming harder to do so. students are trying to get an education and as long as prices go up more and more students will not be able to afford it. This is something that effects everyone not just the State of California. This is something that is being thought about all over the country by many different institutions. some are just trying to avoid this problem as much as they can.
By: Araceli
Addiction on 2 Fronts: Work and Home (Sarah Winter Post #10
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/science/08prof.html?ref=science
This article is from the New York Times, is discussing the personal life of Thomas McLellan who is one of the nations leading researchers on addiction. He also just accepted a nomination to be the government’s No. 2 rug-control official. Not long before he accepted this nomination his son overdosed on anti-anxiety medication at age thirty. His wife is also a recovered cocaine addict. This article also discussed how this could be change in the way the drug administration in this country is being handled. The administrations say that they are starting to consider making changes on the war on drugs and the policy changes that must be made.
I believe that this should bring good hopes to many of the problems in our criminal justice system, and the deaths that the war on drugs cause. I believe also that we should have more people like Thomas McLellan in such aspects of policy such as addiction because he is not only educated in his subject matter but he also has first hand experience through this for his life. Something as personal as addiction needs to be handled by someone that has had some sort of personal experiences that involve it.
Shell, Petronas win Iraq Oilfield contract
I found this article in CNN.com
This article talks about how companies are bidding on the oilfields in Iraq and the major companies from all over the world are trying to get their hand s on these oilfields. These fields, however, are not coming very cheap. in fact they are needing to produce double what they have been producing and they must pay Iraq for each barrel that is produced. This is a form of social control because their is so much at stake with the oil companies. Countries like the United States depend on the oil in order to function. we are a society of materialistic people. every other person in America drives a car and there are enough cars for every person in America to own one but this is not the only thing that oil is used for. Oil is a dangerous commodity, everyone wants to get their hands on it because with oil comes wealth and with wealth comes power and in this world power is everything.
By: Araceli
This article talks about how companies are bidding on the oilfields in Iraq and the major companies from all over the world are trying to get their hand s on these oilfields. These fields, however, are not coming very cheap. in fact they are needing to produce double what they have been producing and they must pay Iraq for each barrel that is produced. This is a form of social control because their is so much at stake with the oil companies. Countries like the United States depend on the oil in order to function. we are a society of materialistic people. every other person in America drives a car and there are enough cars for every person in America to own one but this is not the only thing that oil is used for. Oil is a dangerous commodity, everyone wants to get their hands on it because with oil comes wealth and with wealth comes power and in this world power is everything.
By: Araceli
Poor Children Likelier to Get Antipsychotics (Sarah Winter #9)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/health/12medicaid.html?ref=health
This article is about the conflict of health care and social economic status. They have found that children that have lower SES are more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic drugs because it’s what their medicate will not be accepted for the drugs that are more appropriate for their conditions. This is a huge issue because antipsychotic drugs can be very dangerous if not used appropriately.
This is an issue of social control because it is a prime example of how the poor are considered deviant and are not offered the same opportunities as people with higher social economic status. This can cause many other problems to the kids affected with these drugs that could further relate to other problems in their lives. Children using these drugs improperly could also suffer permeate damage. It just shows us time and time again that our poor in this country are a not given the same opportunities as the rich in this country. What’s even more disturbing that psychiatrists in this article that were prescribing the antipsychotic drugs actually believed that they were being used for good on their patients with such as a patient with bipolar disorder. A antipsychotic is not a drug that is recommended in most cases of a bipolar patient. Antipsychotic drugs should only be used on disorders such as schizophrenia, even in some schizophrenic patients the drugs can be too intense or actually make the disorder worse.
Drugs like this would have never be used on patients with higher social economic status.
Paul Aitken #10
University, and Institution of Banking
What better way to end my blogging than talk about the system of education in the world. We essentially have built up a giant business that creates money and maeks moeny at virtually the same exact time. The university charges money to teach a certain subject or cirriculum. In return those who go to a university are pretty much guaranteed to make more money that thoses who don't go to college. Thus by spending money, we are able to make moeny in the future. Before going to college was a big deal, it meant you were smart, you actually wanted to learn, and you wanted to become better at whatever you believed would become the right thing for you to follow in life. But with this social control of making money, we are forced to join into a system in which we pay money to make more long term money.. it comes back to a circle of spending.
What better way to end my blogging than talk about the system of education in the world. We essentially have built up a giant business that creates money and maeks moeny at virtually the same exact time. The university charges money to teach a certain subject or cirriculum. In return those who go to a university are pretty much guaranteed to make more money that thoses who don't go to college. Thus by spending money, we are able to make moeny in the future. Before going to college was a big deal, it meant you were smart, you actually wanted to learn, and you wanted to become better at whatever you believed would become the right thing for you to follow in life. But with this social control of making money, we are forced to join into a system in which we pay money to make more long term money.. it comes back to a circle of spending.
Hitler Is Welcomed Here
Julie Parker
SOC 313
Olson
Woman Spray-Paints Hitler Comment on Own Home in Protest
A woman who was having difficulties with a neighbor, spray painted the side of her house stating that Hitler was welcomed to live next door and merry xmas (hahahaha).
The neighbor was upset because the home owner had potted plants and more than two vehicles parked in the front drive way. Because they're part of a neighborhood association she was violating rules. Also the neighborhood association president stated that she didn't belong there as she never followed the rules.
Okay, I'm biased anyhow because I have had to deal with neighborhood associations regarding house color and how much grass I can have in my front yard. It is a form of social control because ultimately you cannot have creative freedom with your personal property. BUT when you sign that loan/lease you are agreeing to hand over those creative and expressive rights. It is horrible because you are being judged for being different and of course that is the root of all social control.
More and more of these associations are controlling everything. Their argument is that different decreases value, and yes a yard with ten cars can be unattractive, but it's their yard! This ties into the chapter in Innes's textbook that discusses how planning and building is a form of social control. The neighborhood associations control aesthetics to achieve higher value and deter lower class individuals and families.
Reference:
Paul Aitken #9
Facebook, a stalkers profile.
Although facebook is a great tool to find your friends, meet up with people you haven't seen in years or go out on a date with that beautiful girl you just met, it is really an opportunity for people with deviant actions in mind to stalk the crap out of you.. Obviously there are privacy settigns on facebook and the ability to block users. But when information is on the internet its practically public. it is so easy for people to hack your facebook, find out whatever they want and then use it to their advantage. So how do we stop this, get rid of facebook...Oh wait we can't do that because facebook has become so big now, that everyone has it. And if you don't have it, it will say something serious about your personality and people will begin to judge you rather quickly.
Paul
Although facebook is a great tool to find your friends, meet up with people you haven't seen in years or go out on a date with that beautiful girl you just met, it is really an opportunity for people with deviant actions in mind to stalk the crap out of you.. Obviously there are privacy settigns on facebook and the ability to block users. But when information is on the internet its practically public. it is so easy for people to hack your facebook, find out whatever they want and then use it to their advantage. So how do we stop this, get rid of facebook...Oh wait we can't do that because facebook has become so big now, that everyone has it. And if you don't have it, it will say something serious about your personality and people will begin to judge you rather quickly.
Paul
For Judges on Facebook, Friendship Has Limits (Sarah Winter Post #8
The judges just had a ruling that they must limit their online use. Judges in Florida decided that when a judge befriends a lawyer that may be appearing for them it becomes a conflict of interest. They make this claim because they feel that facebook friends in many cases are not “traditional friends” They also say that lawyers could become a fan of certain judges.
This is an example of social control because it shows us the conflict between the good and bad sides of technology. Facebook holds true to this. Facebook can be a good thing to social network with people, but you have to be careful whom you network with and what you make public for the world to see. Whether or not it is a conflict of interest I’m not sure that there is enough evidence to decide either way it should be warning to everyone the dangers this site can cause to our professional and personal life if used to carelessly.
Paul Aitken #8
family structures
After listening to other people in class speak about family structures and how families are supposed to work, they tend to bitch about the same thing. I asked my girlfriend, honey what would you rather do, make a crap load of money if you and i worked together, but our kid was in day care, or simply i'll work, you take care of our kid and the house? she was down to watch over the house and make sure our kids grow up properly. Which is the same thing that is going on in magazines. many women are fighting this. I don't understand why.. It is because of the social control of divorce, it has become seemingly so simple to get a divorce and people dont ever realize how important it is to get married, till death do us part! It means something, but to people now a days it doens't mean shit. This society is not founded on anything meaningful anymore, people have no reason to do, or not to do certain actions.
Paul
After listening to other people in class speak about family structures and how families are supposed to work, they tend to bitch about the same thing. I asked my girlfriend, honey what would you rather do, make a crap load of money if you and i worked together, but our kid was in day care, or simply i'll work, you take care of our kid and the house? she was down to watch over the house and make sure our kids grow up properly. Which is the same thing that is going on in magazines. many women are fighting this. I don't understand why.. It is because of the social control of divorce, it has become seemingly so simple to get a divorce and people dont ever realize how important it is to get married, till death do us part! It means something, but to people now a days it doens't mean shit. This society is not founded on anything meaningful anymore, people have no reason to do, or not to do certain actions.
Paul
Paul Aitken #7
Iran and Nuclear Power
should iran be able to make nuclear power supplies? I mean the media only ever says that they are trying to enrich their uranium, but how do they know that? they are not allowed in the plants, they dont' have sources inside the secure facilities and frankly it is all speculation.. But it is all to give the american people the ideaology that iran is trying to create weapons of mass destruction and that is pretty much going to turn into the next iraq. I understand why were in afganistan now, but simply i think we are waging a war bigger than ever expected. One day the united states will be trying to take over that entire region of the world to obtain the last bits of oil. Its a social game to construct theories now of these countries, then let them bomb the shit out of each other, and here come the americans to just pick it all up, start making trillions on oil, and become the next saudi arabia. The reason saudi arabia doesnn't have more presence in the world? the lack of legitmacy.
should iran be able to make nuclear power supplies? I mean the media only ever says that they are trying to enrich their uranium, but how do they know that? they are not allowed in the plants, they dont' have sources inside the secure facilities and frankly it is all speculation.. But it is all to give the american people the ideaology that iran is trying to create weapons of mass destruction and that is pretty much going to turn into the next iraq. I understand why were in afganistan now, but simply i think we are waging a war bigger than ever expected. One day the united states will be trying to take over that entire region of the world to obtain the last bits of oil. Its a social game to construct theories now of these countries, then let them bomb the shit out of each other, and here come the americans to just pick it all up, start making trillions on oil, and become the next saudi arabia. The reason saudi arabia doesnn't have more presence in the world? the lack of legitmacy.
Paul Aitken #6
Facebook
To be or not to be, for that is the question. To be or not to be on facebook. It is rather funny because it has become such a social thing to be on facebook and connect with all your friends and let them know what you're doing all the time, but it has set a new set of rules for everything you do. For instance on my facebook i have significantly changed the spelling of my last name. And now that i have had it like that for so long, people actually believe it is the truth. someone wrote me a check with the wrong name on it, and i said um this isn't even my name, and they said well on facebook it is. I recently met a local politician and he believed it was my last name too, even though its an accronym. Facebook has set social rules to let people know what you're doing at all times, and when you haven't been on facebook recently, it puts up suggestions on your friends pages to say something to you. Why facebook why.
Paul
To be or not to be, for that is the question. To be or not to be on facebook. It is rather funny because it has become such a social thing to be on facebook and connect with all your friends and let them know what you're doing all the time, but it has set a new set of rules for everything you do. For instance on my facebook i have significantly changed the spelling of my last name. And now that i have had it like that for so long, people actually believe it is the truth. someone wrote me a check with the wrong name on it, and i said um this isn't even my name, and they said well on facebook it is. I recently met a local politician and he believed it was my last name too, even though its an accronym. Facebook has set social rules to let people know what you're doing at all times, and when you haven't been on facebook recently, it puts up suggestions on your friends pages to say something to you. Why facebook why.
Paul
Paul Aitken #5
Streets in Grid Patterns
Have you ever noticed that the east side of albuquerque is very gridlike? have you ever paid attention to the fact that you can see remarkably far down the road, and that even if you turn off onto another road you can see that road for miles as well? it is one thing i noticed moving here from virginia. I honestly think its a way in which police can control traffic, flow of traffic, and people and be able to track down criminals easily. I really think its a social construction of the flow of people and how to watch over them. ever think about that?
Paul
Have you ever noticed that the east side of albuquerque is very gridlike? have you ever paid attention to the fact that you can see remarkably far down the road, and that even if you turn off onto another road you can see that road for miles as well? it is one thing i noticed moving here from virginia. I honestly think its a way in which police can control traffic, flow of traffic, and people and be able to track down criminals easily. I really think its a social construction of the flow of people and how to watch over them. ever think about that?
Paul
Paul Aitken #4
Economy and Percieved economy
The economy as every knows is rather in the dumps as they say. But recently people have said that the economy is coming back. But if you look at the statistics of how the economy is really donig we are not getting better, in fact its getting worse. Sure some things have come up, but overall they are still down significantly from where they were 2 years ago. The way in which the media reports the economy and how the people perceive the economy is essentially how its going to be. For instance if the people think that the economy is bad, they will save their money, not go out and make sure that they are finaically stable as a family. This would then promote the discinigration of the economy even further. Spending goes down, the economy goes down, it is rather easy.
paul
The economy as every knows is rather in the dumps as they say. But recently people have said that the economy is coming back. But if you look at the statistics of how the economy is really donig we are not getting better, in fact its getting worse. Sure some things have come up, but overall they are still down significantly from where they were 2 years ago. The way in which the media reports the economy and how the people perceive the economy is essentially how its going to be. For instance if the people think that the economy is bad, they will save their money, not go out and make sure that they are finaically stable as a family. This would then promote the discinigration of the economy even further. Spending goes down, the economy goes down, it is rather easy.
paul
Paul Aitken #3
Gay rights. Crying while in a catholic university.
Catholic University in D.C. is home to many students, all of which are catholic. It is a very religion based university and tends to be very traditional. well Recently there have been a few gay people roaming campus and causing up a stir because they are gay and feel bad. They say that they get called names and are offended when their roommates parents try to move their child away from the gay kid. Honestly the catholic community does put a strong social structure of everything but on the other hand why would you put yourself in a community where gays are hated... literally... Are you trying to prove a point that you're strong? Its not going to work.
Paul
Catholic University in D.C. is home to many students, all of which are catholic. It is a very religion based university and tends to be very traditional. well Recently there have been a few gay people roaming campus and causing up a stir because they are gay and feel bad. They say that they get called names and are offended when their roommates parents try to move their child away from the gay kid. Honestly the catholic community does put a strong social structure of everything but on the other hand why would you put yourself in a community where gays are hated... literally... Are you trying to prove a point that you're strong? Its not going to work.
Paul
Paul Aitken #2
Smoking on Campus
Is smoking on campus such a serious matter? This is the ultimate form of social control from the government/or institutions in this case to the people. This whole sanction is rediculous, UNM is just trying to be one of the first universities to go smoke free. So now some is telling me whether or not i can smoke in the fresh air outside with nothing but nature around me. What is this world coming to. The lack of freedom is compelling to say we live in a world run by the next best thing to do, whether or not its the next best thing to do. UNM frankly wanted to make headline news, well they did. NO one cares! If anything it would deter people from coming here. Some people smoke because their addicted adn others because they express themselves, dont' take away our civil liberties.
Paul
Is smoking on campus such a serious matter? This is the ultimate form of social control from the government/or institutions in this case to the people. This whole sanction is rediculous, UNM is just trying to be one of the first universities to go smoke free. So now some is telling me whether or not i can smoke in the fresh air outside with nothing but nature around me. What is this world coming to. The lack of freedom is compelling to say we live in a world run by the next best thing to do, whether or not its the next best thing to do. UNM frankly wanted to make headline news, well they did. NO one cares! If anything it would deter people from coming here. Some people smoke because their addicted adn others because they express themselves, dont' take away our civil liberties.
Paul
Paul Aitken #1
Health Care finally passes. While many countries in the indrustrialized nations in europe have some kind of health care system in place, the united states does not. It has been argued that the ameican's have one of the best health care systems in the world. But realistically it may be argued differently. I have heard both sides, and both from americans with experience outside the country. The matter of fact is although that it is a very seriuos type of social control. This social control can give the government the power to give live, or take it away. Personally i'm agains the whole thing. There is too much political bullshit that takes place. seriously if you can't run social security and medicare is all screwed up and still privatized, (most sections) how the hell are they going to control our health care? its so jumbled, really life, liberty and the freedom of all has vanished. social control...umm yes
Paul
Paul
Red Light Cameras Effective?
Julie Parker
SOC 313
Olson
Mayor Orders Independent Study Of Traffic Cam Program
The title pretty much sums up the article--the red light cameras in Albuquerque will be studied for effectiveness. The red light camera is a method of social control, where we agreed to have them to ease officer jobs, but then later changed our opinions because the technology was busting our chops left and right. Since the camera cannot be fair in catching raw footage it is only fair that we are able to appeal the process (which is what drivers were denied in the beginning).
So to dig a little deeper, we can say that we are able to create technology to record traffic violations, image what those cameras will be able to do in the near future and what kind of fines we'll be getting then. It might end up being like that movie "Demolition Man".
Of course Darren White is in charge...yay...that was sarcasm...
Reference:
Jessica Clum # 10 Civil Rights or Gay Rights?
I found an article in The Washington Post from December 2, 2009. It describes the controversy that is developing over the fact that some people are equating gay marriage rights to the civil rights movement. It is an interesting article because many of those who oppose this idea are the same people who were involved in the civil rights movement itself. Their opposition does not stem from a prejudice against homosexuals but from the fact that they believe the two issues are separate and find comparing them rather offensive. Many see gay rights as the final chapter in civil rights. As long as one group is being oppressed, they see it as a civil rights issue. On the other hand some people point out that while you can choose to live your life one way or another, there is just no way to fake your skin color. I think the whole argument is rather silly. That fact that society can put so much emphasis on simple comparisons is ridiculous. That is what makes language itself such an important part of social control, by changing the phrase gay rights to civil rights you can create a very controversial issue.
Jessica Clum # 9 Pot in Michigan
I found an article on the New York Times Website from November 28, 2009 that immediately caught my attention. It was titled, "At this school, It's Marijuana in Every Classroom". The article is about a school that has recently opened up in Michigan (where marijuana was recently legalized for medical use). The school teaches students all of the skills necessary to successfully grow and harvest marijuana. They see it as a product that will create a multitude of jobs and have a positive impact on their state economy but are currently working out the kinks of legal technicalities. One of the problems they have found is that in order to grow pot you either have to have a prescription or be designated a caregiver by one who has a prescription and is intending to buy it from you. The problem with this is that when someone is given a prescription they probably want to but the product immediately and will not want to wait for it to grow. I think this is a very interesting social control issue because I really like the idea of individuals being able to grow pot on a small scale and make a profit from it but how do you get the product to the consumer in a more timely manner without breaking the law or without putting the management of it into the hands of a larger company?
Jessica Clum # 8 Licensing Yoga Instructors
I found an article on the Foxnews website published originally in the Associated Press on December 1, 2009 that reports that Virginia wants to make it mandatory for all yoga instructors to be licensed. Three yoga instructors are now suing the state claiming that it is unconstitutional for them to require this because it is an infringement on their freedom of speech. According to them it should not be the state who determines who can teach a yoga class, they believe that it's the students who determine who is a competent instructor siting that if people are willing to pay for their instruction they must be competent. The state feels it is their responsibility to watch out for the interests of the students and because they regulate the licensing of other kinds of vocational training, their regulations should extend to yoga as well. This kind of social control is interesting because while the arguments of the state make sense to me, I see it as going a little too far as well. When you take a karate class your instructor is given their status through the authority of the institution. I don't know if there is anything comparable in the world of yoga but I don't think this is an issue for the state. The state might be extending their grip too far. Are these yoga instructors hurting anyone?
Jessica Clum # 7 Sex Offenders on Facebook and Myspace
There was an article published in the Associated Press on December 1, 2009 called, "NY sex offenders purged from Facebook, Myspace". The article describes how in New York new laws have passed to make it easier for these social networking sites to kick members off who are convicted of such crimes. Recently the state made it mandatory for all offenders to register their e-mail addresses with the state registry. Since the implementation more than 3,500 members have been removed from these sites. According to the article both Myspace and Facebook have had policies banning sex offenders from participating in their online networks and have used registries to filter these people out but it has been difficult to verify who the vast majority of these people are. This is an example of social control because obviously they are choosing who can and can not use their services. The problem I see with this is quite obvious (beyond the fact that there are major problems withe sex offender registry) e-mails are not difficult to change or acquire multiples of. If I were a sex offender determined to use a social networking site I would go on gmail or hotmail or yahoo and create a new e-mail address and use that to create a new Facebook account. There is absolutely no way for them to regulate it and this measure does not even make it difficult. To me it seems more like a public distraction then anything (which in itself is a form of social control).
Jessica Clum # 6 Mandatory PE in College for the Overweight
I found an article published on Foxnews.com on November 21, 2009. It reports that Lincoln University in Pennsylvania mandated that all entering freshmen in 2006 had to have their Body Mass Index tested and fall below the line that the BMI scale considers obese in order to graduate. Those who have a BMI of 30 or higher must take a course in “fitness for life” in order to graduate. “The course involves walking aerobics, weight training and other physical activities, as well as information on nutrition, stress and sleep”. The mandate is creating a lot of controversy because many students feel it is an invasion of privacy and an infringement on their rights. The purpose of attending a university is to gain an education not have your lifestyle choices be dictated to you. To mandate what an adult individual does or does not do with their body seems not only unethical but also illegal and definitely bordering on segregation at very minimum. If this is not social control, I don’t know what is. I totally agree that obesity is a major issue in America, but does that give us the right to enforce this kind of rule?
Jessica Clum # 5 Global Warming Hacker
According to an article published on Foxnews.com on November 21, 2009, a group of hackers recently hacked into the e-mails files dating back over twenty years of a British climate research center of the University of East Anglia and found some information climate change skeptics describe as a “smoking gun”. The e-mails talk about their need to “hide the decline” and describe the tricks they use to alter data and cover up the evidence that changing temperatures may not be our fault. The author of those letters claims that he had no idea what he meant in those e-mails and that they are not working to mislead people. The hacker has been traced to a Russian file-serve and a hacker who calls himself FOIA. In this example of social control there are two things that could be going on. Either the climate researchers are controlling us with fear about a hyped up problem or those against the idea of global warming are using lies and speculation to distract us. The reason that people would want to discredit it is simple, the money, but the researchers motives for deception would be similar too. Their research funding, credibility and jobs depend on their findings.
Jessica Clum # 4 Insurance Companies Using Facebook as a Tool
I found this article on Yahoo News (originally from the Associated Press) on November 22, 2009. The article describes a Canadian woman who was receiving insurance benefits because she was unable to work as a result of diagnosed major depression. When she stopped receiving payment she contacted her insurance company and was told that her benefits had been cut off because of some Facebook pictures of her having a good time. The woman claims that these pictures were taken when she was engaging in activities that her doctor suggested would be beneficial for her mental health and would help her return to normalcy and do not accurately reflect her depression. Now she is taking legal action to get her benefits back. According to her story the representative who responded to her inquiry initially told her that the reason was the result of their findings on Facebook and although the insurance company would not comment directly they did state that they would not deny a claim solely because of evidence found on social networking sites. This is an interesting aspect of social control because in a way it seems like privacy invasion is going too far. The fact that you have to willingly create this window into your life seems to legitimate it being used this way though. If we could control for the fact that a picture or a comment could easily be taken out of context, it would be a tool too good to pass up. Why would anyone want to ignore such a valuable resource? We are creating this avenue of social control for ourselves.
Jessica Clum # 3 Government Healthcare Conspiracy
There was segment on the Fox News show The O’Reilly Factor that I thought was a really interesting topic so I found the transcript. The interview aired October 16, 2009 and it discussed the possibility the Obama administration could be using network television to push political propaganda or more specifically healthcare reform. The government together with the entertainment industry foundation was pushing Hollywood to promote “volunteerism” and “service” within their story lines. Although this is undoubtedly a good thing, The Factor is reporting that several shows are going beyond this and advertising Healthcare propaganda. The segment then went on to a clip from CBS's "The New Adventures of Old Christine" that exemplified this. Following this was an interview where this question was discussed where it seems to be pretty well agreed upon that the government's call for “volunteerism” is a separate thing entirely form things like this show. They stated that they agreed that it is not the government pushing propaganda but the political agenda of the writers of these shows. Whether Hollywood is pushing it or the government is pushing it is still social control, the media is attempting to influence the feeble minded through propaganda. My opinion is that it is a reflection of Hollywood, but it is much more fun to believe it is a government conspiracy.
Jessica Clum # 2 Obama and The Patriot Act
This article is from the Associated Press and I believe I found it on foxnews.com. It was written September 23, 2009. It talks about the Obama administration’s lack of comment on the subject of instituting further safeguards for civil liberties in the current US Patriot Act. So far there has been no comment of this or on whether or not the Patriot Act will be extended at the end of the year when it is set to expire. The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy, is proposing that that the Act be extended for another four years with revisions and with more government accountability and an increase in internal audits. With a new administration many were expecting to see changes in the way that the government dealt with civil rights but so far democrats in the senate are not impressed and contend that the Obama administration is abusing American’s rights under the Patriot Act as fully as the Bush administration did. The article makes it sound like lawmakers were surprised by these continued abuses but to me it seems perfectly logical. This is social control because the Patriot Act gives the government the right to take away our rights with no accountability. Why would our government want to hand us back our privacy when it gives them so much power?
Jessica Clum #1 Police Chases in South Carolina
I found an article from the Associated Press on September 23, 2009. It addresses the danger of enacting a law without carefully considering the wording. The article describes the mayor of a small South Carolina town who banned police officers from pursuing suspects on foot after one officer was injured while chasing a suspect. It was determined by the mayor that it was more costly to society to pay the hurt officer for his injury and time away from work then letting the suspect (who was carrying crack) go. The order was only meant to apply to pursuit on foot but the language used in the mandate made it sound rather ambiguous. It states that the mayor does "not want anyone chasing any suspects whatsoever." The article suggests that the mayor became irritated with the media for dwelling on such trivial problems within the language of the order, never the less, from a legal standpoint if her intention was to exclude car chases from the ban this slip up of wording could become a legal issue for the town and the police force. Not only is this an example of social control because it exemplifies how much language controls us socially, it also shows the way that the officials in our society can way the costs of controlling deviant behavior.
Gerardo Sanchez # 10 California DUI Law – NEW DUI LAWS GO INTO EFFECT JAN 1, 2009
The start of the 2009 year, drivers on probation for any DUI conviction face a zero tolerance if they drive on California highways with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .01% or higher. The result of these could be in a suspension or revocation of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year to three years. In order to give a dui test to a driver the officer should have reasonable cause to believe a motor vehicle in a violation he or she did. These will result in giving a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test to the offenders
This law controls all the probation offenders of taking a single drop of alcohol when they drive if they get pulled over. This helps the state of California and makes the streets safer because mostly a lot of people who are in probation are probably on probation because of alcohol. This law is kind of harsh because it prevents a lot of guys who on probation the right to enjoy an alcohol beverage and drive home.
http://www.serenitygroup.com/california-dui-law-new-dui-laws-go-into-effect-jan-1-2009/
This law controls all the probation offenders of taking a single drop of alcohol when they drive if they get pulled over. This helps the state of California and makes the streets safer because mostly a lot of people who are in probation are probably on probation because of alcohol. This law is kind of harsh because it prevents a lot of guys who on probation the right to enjoy an alcohol beverage and drive home.
http://www.serenitygroup.com/california-dui-law-new-dui-laws-go-into-effect-jan-1-2009/
Gerardo Sanchez #8 New laws to target texting, reptiles
Starting Tuesday, sending a text message or reading an e-mail while driving will become illegal for all North Carolina drivers as this and dozens of other new laws go into effect Dec. 1. Young drivers on graduated licenses are prohibited from using most features on their cell phones while at the wheel. Adult drivers are still able to talk on the phone, but texting can get you a find of $100 fine plus court laws. According to Arthur Goodwin he said when you are texting, your brain and your hand and your eyes all off the road at the same time, it’s one of the most dangerous things you can do when you are driving. Studies have shown that talking on a cell phone while driving increases the risk of having an accident nearly fourfold because it makes drivers split their concentration between the conversation and the road. The risk of an accident increases by 32 times while texting. On some studies they have mad texting drivers not only had slower reaction times to emergencies but also were more likely to cross out of their lanes or cross double-yellow center lines.
Everyone who knows how to text have text while driving and everyone is still going to try to text because if you receive a message you are so eager to want to see what is said and if it’s important they will replay. This law is to control people who text and drive and fine them for their violations.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/28/article/new_laws_to_target_texting_reptiles
Everyone who knows how to text have text while driving and everyone is still going to try to text because if you receive a message you are so eager to want to see what is said and if it’s important they will replay. This law is to control people who text and drive and fine them for their violations.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/28/article/new_laws_to_target_texting_reptiles
Gerardo Sanchez # 8Our view on illegal immigrants: New immigration laws expose downside of getting tough
When Congress gave up trying to pass a balanced immigration law last year, it opened the door for states, counties and towns to write thier own immigartion laws. The result has been a disquieting national experiment in handling illegal immigration almost solely with arrest and deportation. Several states have enacted laws that show no mercy, even for immigrants with steady jobs, deep community roots, a history of paying taxes and children who are citizens. They want all immigrants’ out with no exceptions. The law must have meaning, so if the federal government won't act against wanton law-breaking, then the states must. Oklahoma, which has one of the toughest new laws, now bars illegal immigrants from receiving state services, requires employers to verify that new workers are legal, gives people a way to sue companies that hire illegal immigrants, and makes it a felony to transport, harbor or conceal an illegal immigrant. It was meant to be harsh, and it is.
Something interesting I found inside the articles is this paragraph, Legal residents and citizens are hurt, too. When spouses, parents or children are illegal, a relative can be placed at risk for "harboring" them at home or "transporting" them to church. There are persistent reports that police in some places target Hispanic drivers for roadside stops and document checks. Some citizens have taken to carrying passports or birth certificates to avoid being jailed.
This is the states controlling the immigrants’ and having the immigrants’’ be more careful and possibly even throwing them out the country. This article seams kind of racist because they are targeting Hispanics and asking them for all their identification.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/our-view-on-ill.html
Something interesting I found inside the articles is this paragraph, Legal residents and citizens are hurt, too. When spouses, parents or children are illegal, a relative can be placed at risk for "harboring" them at home or "transporting" them to church. There are persistent reports that police in some places target Hispanic drivers for roadside stops and document checks. Some citizens have taken to carrying passports or birth certificates to avoid being jailed.
This is the states controlling the immigrants’ and having the immigrants’’ be more careful and possibly even throwing them out the country. This article seams kind of racist because they are targeting Hispanics and asking them for all their identification.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/our-view-on-ill.html
Caitlin Landskroener # 3
In this article from CNN, they talk about Tiger Woods taking an indefinite break from golf. This relates to social control because his private life has now been taken over by the media after his infidelity. If he were any other person he would had to deal with the media digging into his life and most likely his mistresses would not have come out. I think we would as the consumers who pay attention to the media should just leave Tiger Woodsalone. Let him deal with his problem with the people who matter the most, his wife, kids, and family.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/11/tiger.woods.golf.break/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/11/tiger.woods.golf.break/index.html
Caitlin Landskroener # 2
In this article, a ruling from Florida's Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee said that Florida judges and lawyers could no longer be friends on Facebook because they are afraid that it might look like some judges might be favoring certain lawyers. This is an example of social control because our private life has now become public. What if some of those judges are actually really good friends and now they cant even share photos or other things because people are afraid they are being favored. I think you should be allowed to be friends with whom ever you want but maybe if a judge and lawyer are friends maybe they shoul set their privacy controls so that no one can friend them.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091211/ap_on_hi_te/us_facebook_judges;_ylt=AhYGcQo_c0WGSib2QTAIo.pfVLR_;_ylu=X3oDMTM3dXExZXZjBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMjExL3VzX2ZhY2Vib29rX2p1ZGdlcwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzUEcG9zAzUEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNmbGFqdWRnZXNsYXc-
Caitlin Landskroener # 1
This article relates to social control because the law is trying to control us from not killing people. I really like these laws because studies have shown that people tend to pay less attention to the road if they are talking to people on cell phones. Meaning that it makes our roads more dangerous with the amount of people who still do this even if they have hands free laws. Text is even more dangerous but i agree that cops have a harder time catching people doing this because most hold there phones down in their laps. I agree that we should have laws banning all forms of comunication while we are driving but it is just so hard to enforce.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091211/tc_nm/us_usa_drivers_texting
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091211/tc_nm/us_usa_drivers_texting
Chris Mooney Article # 10
(CNN) -- As a gay man in Uganda, Frank Mugisha is used to the taunts, the slurs and the daily harassment of neighbors and friends.
But if a new bill proposed in the east African country becomes law, Mugisha could be put away for life, or worse, put to death for having sex with another man.
"Right now, you can't go to places that are crowded, because the mob can attack us or even burn us. We can't walk alone. We are ostracized by relatives. But if this bill passes, it will become impossible for me to live here at all. And that part hurts the most," Mugisha said.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill features several provisions that human rights groups say would spur a witch hunt of homosexuals in the country:
• Gays and lesbians convicted of having gay sex would be sentenced, at minimum, to life in prison
• People who test positive for HIV may be executed
• Homosexuals who have sex with a minor, or engage in homosexual sex more than once, may also receive the death penalty
• The bill forbids the "promotion of homosexuality," which in effect bans organizations working in HIV and AIDS prevention
• Anyone who knows of homosexual activity taking place but does not report it would risk up to three years in prison
"Who will go to HIV testing if he knows that he will suffer the death sentence?" Elizabeth Mataka, the U.N. Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa, told reporters last week. "The law will drive them away from seeking counseling and testing services."
Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda under colonial-era laws. But the bill, introduced in October, is intended to put more teeth into prosecuting violators.
It applies even to Ugandans participating in same-sex acts in countries where such behavior is legal.
"They are supposed to be brought back to Uganda and convicted here. The government is putting homosexuality on the level of treason," Mugisha said.
Lawmakers have indicated that they will pass the bill before year's end.
It has the blessing of many religious leaders -- Muslim and Christian -- in a country where a July poll found 95 percent opposed to legalizing homosexuality.
The Rev. Esau Omara, a senior church leader, said over the weekend that any lawmaker opposing the bill will pay for it during the next election, according to local newspaper reports.
And a leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje, has called for gays to be rounded up and banished to an island until they die.
Several media outlets also have inflamed sentiments in recent months by publicly pointing out gays and lesbians.
Who will go to HIV testing if he knows that he will suffer the death sentence?
--Elizabeth Mataka
In April, the Observer newspaper published tips to help readers spot homosexuals. And over the summer, the Red Pepper tabloid outed 45 gays and lesbians.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has not publicly stated his position on the bill, but last month blamed foreign influence in promoting and funding homosexuality.
"It is true that, if the president has said that, he must have information that European nations are promoting (homosexuality) and recruiting homosexuals," government spokesman Fred Opolot said. "You must note that the president or the legislators are responding to the concern of the citizenry of the country."
At the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago late last month, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he pulled aside Museveni to deplore the bill.
"We find them inconsistent with, frankly, I think any reasonable understanding of human rights, and I was very clear on that with the president of Uganda," Harper told reporters.
In the United States, a coalition of Christian leaders released a statement Monday denouncing the bill.
"Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God's children, worthy of respect and love," the statement read.
Human rights groups have called on Western nations to withhold aid from Uganda if the measure passes. About 40 percent of the country's budget comes from international aid.
"This draft bill is clearly an attempt to divide and weaken civil society by striking at one of its most marginalized groups," said Scott Long, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at the New York-based Human Rights Watch. "The government may be starting here, but who will be next?"
Opolot, the government spokesman, said consideration of the bill in parliament is merely "democracy at work."
"We as a country are engaging and debating a pertinent issue," he said. "So if a foreign country chooses to cut aid simply because Uganda is debating its destiny, then it is quite outrageous and quite wrong."
Mugisha, who now heads the group Sexual Minority of Uganda, said he is working with lawyers and other activists to change minds and defeat the measure.
"I have put a lot of effort in this struggle. I just want to live freely every day," he said. "I want to be happy knowing that if I'm going to meet someone, I'm not going to be taken to jail forever."
this article is talking about Uganda proposing a bill to make being gay illegal. the prison sentence is a minimum of life if you are gay and if you have hiv you can be executed for it. This is probably the biggest social control because it is taking sexual preference and making it illegal as well as making a disease a crime punishable by death. they are also denning any help from health organizations to try to help those with aids and hiv saying that they support being gay. this law takes away human law and is one of the harshest laws i have ever came across .
But if a new bill proposed in the east African country becomes law, Mugisha could be put away for life, or worse, put to death for having sex with another man.
"Right now, you can't go to places that are crowded, because the mob can attack us or even burn us. We can't walk alone. We are ostracized by relatives. But if this bill passes, it will become impossible for me to live here at all. And that part hurts the most," Mugisha said.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill features several provisions that human rights groups say would spur a witch hunt of homosexuals in the country:
• Gays and lesbians convicted of having gay sex would be sentenced, at minimum, to life in prison
• People who test positive for HIV may be executed
• Homosexuals who have sex with a minor, or engage in homosexual sex more than once, may also receive the death penalty
• The bill forbids the "promotion of homosexuality," which in effect bans organizations working in HIV and AIDS prevention
• Anyone who knows of homosexual activity taking place but does not report it would risk up to three years in prison
"Who will go to HIV testing if he knows that he will suffer the death sentence?" Elizabeth Mataka, the U.N. Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa, told reporters last week. "The law will drive them away from seeking counseling and testing services."
Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda under colonial-era laws. But the bill, introduced in October, is intended to put more teeth into prosecuting violators.
It applies even to Ugandans participating in same-sex acts in countries where such behavior is legal.
"They are supposed to be brought back to Uganda and convicted here. The government is putting homosexuality on the level of treason," Mugisha said.
Lawmakers have indicated that they will pass the bill before year's end.
It has the blessing of many religious leaders -- Muslim and Christian -- in a country where a July poll found 95 percent opposed to legalizing homosexuality.
The Rev. Esau Omara, a senior church leader, said over the weekend that any lawmaker opposing the bill will pay for it during the next election, according to local newspaper reports.
And a leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje, has called for gays to be rounded up and banished to an island until they die.
Several media outlets also have inflamed sentiments in recent months by publicly pointing out gays and lesbians.
Who will go to HIV testing if he knows that he will suffer the death sentence?
--Elizabeth Mataka
In April, the Observer newspaper published tips to help readers spot homosexuals. And over the summer, the Red Pepper tabloid outed 45 gays and lesbians.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has not publicly stated his position on the bill, but last month blamed foreign influence in promoting and funding homosexuality.
"It is true that, if the president has said that, he must have information that European nations are promoting (homosexuality) and recruiting homosexuals," government spokesman Fred Opolot said. "You must note that the president or the legislators are responding to the concern of the citizenry of the country."
At the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago late last month, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he pulled aside Museveni to deplore the bill.
"We find them inconsistent with, frankly, I think any reasonable understanding of human rights, and I was very clear on that with the president of Uganda," Harper told reporters.
In the United States, a coalition of Christian leaders released a statement Monday denouncing the bill.
"Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God's children, worthy of respect and love," the statement read.
Human rights groups have called on Western nations to withhold aid from Uganda if the measure passes. About 40 percent of the country's budget comes from international aid.
"This draft bill is clearly an attempt to divide and weaken civil society by striking at one of its most marginalized groups," said Scott Long, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at the New York-based Human Rights Watch. "The government may be starting here, but who will be next?"
Opolot, the government spokesman, said consideration of the bill in parliament is merely "democracy at work."
"We as a country are engaging and debating a pertinent issue," he said. "So if a foreign country chooses to cut aid simply because Uganda is debating its destiny, then it is quite outrageous and quite wrong."
Mugisha, who now heads the group Sexual Minority of Uganda, said he is working with lawyers and other activists to change minds and defeat the measure.
"I have put a lot of effort in this struggle. I just want to live freely every day," he said. "I want to be happy knowing that if I'm going to meet someone, I'm not going to be taken to jail forever."
this article is talking about Uganda proposing a bill to make being gay illegal. the prison sentence is a minimum of life if you are gay and if you have hiv you can be executed for it. This is probably the biggest social control because it is taking sexual preference and making it illegal as well as making a disease a crime punishable by death. they are also denning any help from health organizations to try to help those with aids and hiv saying that they support being gay. this law takes away human law and is one of the harshest laws i have ever came across .
Should your kids pay for college themselves?
Upon the economic hardship of today, the current issue being brought forth is whether or not its a good idea for young adults entering into colleges and universities to be on their own financially. "Some college financial aid officers say that finances alone might not explain that 21 percentage-point difference in graduation rates. Many parents cut off students who are already on their way to flunking out. David Gelinas, senior associate dean of admission and financial aid at Davidson College, says he's seen plenty of students come into his office and declare that their parents are cutting them off because they are partying, not studying. But Jean Johnson, author of the new report, says that many of those who don't get help are spending so much time working to pay rent, utilities, and other basic living costs that they don't have enough time to devote to their studies, and end up having to drop out for scheduling or financial reasons. Part of the problem, she says, is that today's parents may not realize how much things have changed. Parents may have been able to work their own way through college. But tuition prices have risen much faster than wages and financial aid in the past 20 years. Many states, in fact, are reducing the number and size of grants they hand out to students even as they raise tuition at public universities. And it is harder for students to find jobs in the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression." The issue of social control here is based on the economic status of the individuals who are pursing their degrees. If costs of tuition and cost of living continues to rise, we begin to see that more individuals are having a hard time paying for school and paying for their daily living expenses. Thus, economic play a huge role in social control as a means of limiting individuals who seek to break free from their economic hardship by advancing in academics.
Article can be found at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20091211/ts_usnews/shouldyourkidspayforcollegethemselves
Arlinda Smith, blog post #10
Chris Mooney Article # 9
BARRE, Vt. --
Morgan Weiss runs an unusual business: breeding snakes out of her home in Barre.
Weiss is worried about the future of her hobby and livelihood. She said a bill currently in the U.S. Senate could ban the sale of all pythons -- including the ball pythons she breeds.
The bill, introduced by Florida Democrat Bill Nelson, aims to make the import or sale of nine "giant constrictor snakes" illegal. Nelson drafted the bill to protect the Florida Everglades, an area he said is in danger.
But according to Weiss and others, the bill could also end up banning all of the python species, including 45 smaller species of the snakes, like ball pythons.
Weiss said ball pythons are not dangerous, and the ones in her home have never posed a problem.
"Not one has escaped, not one has hurt a person, nothing like that. And I know I'm a responsible pet owner and breeder just like millions of other people," Weiss said.
The bill was passed by a Senate committee Thursday, with an amendment that would limit the ban to just the nine big snake varieties, including Burmese pythons and Boa Constrictors. Next up is the Senate floor, where Weiss and others said they'll be watching carefully.
This article is about a bill being passed in Florida. this bill makes the breading of large snake species illegal and posing a threat to breeders. this is connected to social control because a governor that is worried about the everglades is trying to ban big snake breading. This is the lively hood of many people and the governor failed to realize that if this bill is passed it is going to say what the breeders can or cannot breed. i think this is way to harsh and they should make breeders get liciens to breed and if you don't have one then you are doing an illegal act.
Morgan Weiss runs an unusual business: breeding snakes out of her home in Barre.
Weiss is worried about the future of her hobby and livelihood. She said a bill currently in the U.S. Senate could ban the sale of all pythons -- including the ball pythons she breeds.
The bill, introduced by Florida Democrat Bill Nelson, aims to make the import or sale of nine "giant constrictor snakes" illegal. Nelson drafted the bill to protect the Florida Everglades, an area he said is in danger.
But according to Weiss and others, the bill could also end up banning all of the python species, including 45 smaller species of the snakes, like ball pythons.
Weiss said ball pythons are not dangerous, and the ones in her home have never posed a problem.
"Not one has escaped, not one has hurt a person, nothing like that. And I know I'm a responsible pet owner and breeder just like millions of other people," Weiss said.
The bill was passed by a Senate committee Thursday, with an amendment that would limit the ban to just the nine big snake varieties, including Burmese pythons and Boa Constrictors. Next up is the Senate floor, where Weiss and others said they'll be watching carefully.
This article is about a bill being passed in Florida. this bill makes the breading of large snake species illegal and posing a threat to breeders. this is connected to social control because a governor that is worried about the everglades is trying to ban big snake breading. This is the lively hood of many people and the governor failed to realize that if this bill is passed it is going to say what the breeders can or cannot breed. i think this is way to harsh and they should make breeders get liciens to breed and if you don't have one then you are doing an illegal act.
Gun laws are getting looser across much of US
The regulation of guns is a prominent form of social control because it can help deter crimes involving the use of firearms. "It's been the year of the gun in Tennessee. In a flurry of legislative action, handgun owners won the right to take their weapons onto sports fields and playgrounds and, at least briefly, into bars. A change in leadership at the state Capitol helped open the doors to the gun-related bills and put Tennessee at the forefront of a largely unnoticed trend: In much of the country, it is getting easier to carry guns. A nationwide review by The Associated Press found that over the last two years, 24 states, mostly in the South and West, have passed 47 new laws loosening gun restrictions. Among other things, legislatures have allowed firearms to be carried in cars, made it illegal to ask job candidates whether they own a gun, and expanded agreements that make permits to carry handguns in one state valid in another." Although many individuals affirm that it is their right to bear arms, these looser laws about posession of firearms could potentially lead to more and more crimes involving firearms. The lack of social control here will be displayed in the future, however, now we are only left with the conclusion that the social control here is lacking.
Article can be found at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091211/ap_on_bi_ge/us_looser_gun_laws
Arlinda Smith, blog post #9
Chris Mooney Article #8
(CNN) -- A new policy at Tufts University prohibits students in dorms from having sex while their roommate is in the room, according to the university's 2009-2010 student handbook.
A school spokeswoman says students have expressed concerns over roommate having sex in the dorms.
The Massachusetts university's formal rule also bars so-called "sexiling" -- exiling a roommate from the room so the other roommate can engage in sexual activity.
The new policy "is really about consideration and respect for others and the need for students to be mindful of their roommates' need for privacy, study and sleep," university spokeswoman Kim Thurler told CNN.
She said while she did not have an exact number of complaints from students about their roommates' behavior, "over the last few years, the Office of Residential Life and Learning received approximately a dozen expressions of concern about this issue."
Callie Morton, a freshman at Tufts, told CNN affiliate WHDH-TV, "If someone is going to go and have sex while their roommate is in the room, I mean I think that's kind of gross. I think it's kind of funny that they would have to make a rule about it." Watch Tufts students talk about policy »
The new guidelines for students hosting overnight guests say, "You may not engage in sexual activity while your roommate is present in the room. And sexual activity within your assigned room should not ever deprive your roommate(s) of privacy, study, or sleep time."
Other students agree that the new rule is going to be difficult to implement.
"I don't think it's something that can really be enforced per se," an unidentified Tufts University student told WHDH. "I don't understand how that's going to work."
Thurler explained that if a problem is identified and brought to the attention of residence officials, the university will help the affected student have a conversation with his/her roommate to address the situation.
"In some cases, we might intervene on behalf of the student," Thurler said, "and speak with their roommate directly and explain what is expected of them while they live in the residence halls."
Thurler wouldn't comment on possible disciplinary action by the university if a student breaks the rules.
This article talks about how a school policy at Tufts University is now saying that you cannot have sex in your dorm room wile your roommate is there. this is a huge social control act. they are telling students when they can and cannot have sex. yes it is in an invasion of privacy on both parts so i can see y they want to implement it but it is still controlling when and where students should have sex. it is a form of control that i do not agree with this rule if your roommate doesn't like it then work something out the school should not have to get involved in it at all.
A school spokeswoman says students have expressed concerns over roommate having sex in the dorms.
The Massachusetts university's formal rule also bars so-called "sexiling" -- exiling a roommate from the room so the other roommate can engage in sexual activity.
The new policy "is really about consideration and respect for others and the need for students to be mindful of their roommates' need for privacy, study and sleep," university spokeswoman Kim Thurler told CNN.
She said while she did not have an exact number of complaints from students about their roommates' behavior, "over the last few years, the Office of Residential Life and Learning received approximately a dozen expressions of concern about this issue."
Callie Morton, a freshman at Tufts, told CNN affiliate WHDH-TV, "If someone is going to go and have sex while their roommate is in the room, I mean I think that's kind of gross. I think it's kind of funny that they would have to make a rule about it." Watch Tufts students talk about policy »
The new guidelines for students hosting overnight guests say, "You may not engage in sexual activity while your roommate is present in the room. And sexual activity within your assigned room should not ever deprive your roommate(s) of privacy, study, or sleep time."
Other students agree that the new rule is going to be difficult to implement.
"I don't think it's something that can really be enforced per se," an unidentified Tufts University student told WHDH. "I don't understand how that's going to work."
Thurler explained that if a problem is identified and brought to the attention of residence officials, the university will help the affected student have a conversation with his/her roommate to address the situation.
"In some cases, we might intervene on behalf of the student," Thurler said, "and speak with their roommate directly and explain what is expected of them while they live in the residence halls."
Thurler wouldn't comment on possible disciplinary action by the university if a student breaks the rules.
This article talks about how a school policy at Tufts University is now saying that you cannot have sex in your dorm room wile your roommate is there. this is a huge social control act. they are telling students when they can and cannot have sex. yes it is in an invasion of privacy on both parts so i can see y they want to implement it but it is still controlling when and where students should have sex. it is a form of control that i do not agree with this rule if your roommate doesn't like it then work something out the school should not have to get involved in it at all.
Chris Mooney Article 7
(CNN) -- The maker of Zhu Zhu hamsters, one of the hottest-selling toys of the holiday season, defended its product after a consumer Web site said one of the toy hamsters carries high amounts of a potentially hazardous substance.
The light-brown version of the Zhu Zhu hamsters, "Mister Squiggles," has unsafe levels of antimony, according to Dara O'Rourke, co-founder of the California-based GoodGuide.
"We found levels of about 93 to 106 parts per million," O'Rourke told CNN. "The new federal standard is about 60 parts per million."
Antimony is used in textiles and plastics to prevent them from catching fire, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. Prolonged exposure can cause lung and heart problems, ulcers and diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The toy manufacturer, St. Louis, Missouri-based Cepia LLC, disputed GoodGuide's findings and said its products are safe.
"All our products are subjected to several levels of rigorous safety testing conducted by our own internal teams, as well as the world's leading independent quality assurance testing organization, and also by independent labs engaged by our retail partners," Russ Hornsby, CEO of Cepia, said in a written statement. "The results of every test prove that our products are in compliance with all government and industry safety standards."
Bruce Katz, a senior vice president of Cepia, told CNN: "They do not contain high levels of antimony in any way."
"None of these tests have failed over the many months we've been producing this product," Katz said.
The toys are popular in Europe as well as in the United States. Their British distributor, Character Options, said the products, sold there as "Go Go Pets," are "fully compliant" with U.S. and European Union standards.
"In addition, as part of Character Options' standard due diligence, the toy has been further tested on three separate occasions by the company's own safety experts and found to fully comply with all EU standards," the company said in a statement issued Sunday.
GoodGuide is a "for benefit organization" that partners with for-profit businesses and addresses social and environmental problems, according to its Web site.
This article talks about the levels of antimony in it which is a chemical that prevents things from catching fire. This chemical can cause many health problems if there is too much of it present. the company said that all of their toys are safe and have never been not safe. they stand to the U.S.'s laws and test their products for hazards. This is an example of social control because companies have to watch every step of their production or someone will complain and say they they are doing something wrong. it is like they are being watched 24 7 and this is all over a cute and cuddly hamster toy. not saying that regulations for safety are bad it is just that companies are controlled by those rules.
The light-brown version of the Zhu Zhu hamsters, "Mister Squiggles," has unsafe levels of antimony, according to Dara O'Rourke, co-founder of the California-based GoodGuide.
"We found levels of about 93 to 106 parts per million," O'Rourke told CNN. "The new federal standard is about 60 parts per million."
Antimony is used in textiles and plastics to prevent them from catching fire, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. Prolonged exposure can cause lung and heart problems, ulcers and diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The toy manufacturer, St. Louis, Missouri-based Cepia LLC, disputed GoodGuide's findings and said its products are safe.
"All our products are subjected to several levels of rigorous safety testing conducted by our own internal teams, as well as the world's leading independent quality assurance testing organization, and also by independent labs engaged by our retail partners," Russ Hornsby, CEO of Cepia, said in a written statement. "The results of every test prove that our products are in compliance with all government and industry safety standards."
Bruce Katz, a senior vice president of Cepia, told CNN: "They do not contain high levels of antimony in any way."
"None of these tests have failed over the many months we've been producing this product," Katz said.
The toys are popular in Europe as well as in the United States. Their British distributor, Character Options, said the products, sold there as "Go Go Pets," are "fully compliant" with U.S. and European Union standards.
"In addition, as part of Character Options' standard due diligence, the toy has been further tested on three separate occasions by the company's own safety experts and found to fully comply with all EU standards," the company said in a statement issued Sunday.
GoodGuide is a "for benefit organization" that partners with for-profit businesses and addresses social and environmental problems, according to its Web site.
This article talks about the levels of antimony in it which is a chemical that prevents things from catching fire. This chemical can cause many health problems if there is too much of it present. the company said that all of their toys are safe and have never been not safe. they stand to the U.S.'s laws and test their products for hazards. This is an example of social control because companies have to watch every step of their production or someone will complain and say they they are doing something wrong. it is like they are being watched 24 7 and this is all over a cute and cuddly hamster toy. not saying that regulations for safety are bad it is just that companies are controlled by those rules.
Chris Mooney Article # 6
Jerusalem (CNN) -- An Israeli high court ruled Wednesday that a female college student deported to Gaza by the Israeli military will not be allowed to return to the West Bank to finish her studies.
Berlanty Azzam, 22, was a senior studying business at Bethlehem University with two months left to graduate when she was stopped at an Israeli army checkpoint in late October. Azzam said the Israeli military blindfolded and handcuffed her before deporting her to Gaza.
At the time, the Israeli military released a statement saying Azzam was residing illegally in the West Bank and had overstayed a permit "allowing her to stay in Jerusalem for a few days in August 2005."
Azzam, who grew up in Gaza, left her home four years ago after receiving a travel permit from the Israeli government to visit Jerusalem. After her deportation, Azzam said she was "scared of something like this happening" and had not returned home to Gaza for that reason. She acknowledged that the Israeli government had issued a temporary permit, but said she went to the West Bank because it was the only way for her to attend school.
Azzam's case was taken up by Gisha, an Israeli organization that advocates for Palestinian freedom of movement, which petitioned the Israeli court to reverse the military's deportation of Azzam.
In its ruling, the court noted that while Azzam was not considered a security risk, it accepted the military's argument that Azzam had entered the West Bank illegally.
I cannot imagine why the state of Israel is so insistent on preventing Palestinian young people ... from accessing higher education.
--Yadin Elam, Gisha attorney
U.S. Department of State
Yadin Elam, a Gisha attorney, questioned the factual basis for the court's decision Wednesday and noted the lack of consistency in the decision.
"It is unfortunate that the court, which in its interim decision asked state officials to permit Berlanty to return to Bethlehem to complete her degree, refrained from ordering them to do so when they refused," Elam said. "I cannot imagine why the state of Israel is so insistent on preventing Palestinian young people, against whom it makes no security claims whatsoever, from accessing higher education."
In a statement released by Gisha, Azzam said she was disappointed by the decision and did not "understand why Israel is preventing me from continuing my studies."
The Israeli government has imposed extremely tight restrictions on Palestinians leaving Gaza in an effort to isolate the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas, which controls Gaza. The restrictions have extended to Gaza residents who have been accepted to universities in Europe and the United States in addition to the West Bank.
The issue received notoriety last year when the U.S. State Department exerted pressure on Israel to allow some Fulbright scholarship winners to leave Gaza to attend schools in the United States
This article talked about how a girl from Gaza was deported from the west banks and is being denied access to return to finish her last two months of school to finish her degree. This relates to social control because one country is denying a girls education simply because of where she is from. This girl is no threat to the country and is being wrongfully punished. Being denied access to education simply because of the location of where you were born and live is a huge miss use of power. The power of the government is controlling this girl and not letting her do what she wants to do.
Berlanty Azzam, 22, was a senior studying business at Bethlehem University with two months left to graduate when she was stopped at an Israeli army checkpoint in late October. Azzam said the Israeli military blindfolded and handcuffed her before deporting her to Gaza.
At the time, the Israeli military released a statement saying Azzam was residing illegally in the West Bank and had overstayed a permit "allowing her to stay in Jerusalem for a few days in August 2005."
Azzam, who grew up in Gaza, left her home four years ago after receiving a travel permit from the Israeli government to visit Jerusalem. After her deportation, Azzam said she was "scared of something like this happening" and had not returned home to Gaza for that reason. She acknowledged that the Israeli government had issued a temporary permit, but said she went to the West Bank because it was the only way for her to attend school.
Azzam's case was taken up by Gisha, an Israeli organization that advocates for Palestinian freedom of movement, which petitioned the Israeli court to reverse the military's deportation of Azzam.
In its ruling, the court noted that while Azzam was not considered a security risk, it accepted the military's argument that Azzam had entered the West Bank illegally.
I cannot imagine why the state of Israel is so insistent on preventing Palestinian young people ... from accessing higher education.
--Yadin Elam, Gisha attorney
U.S. Department of State
Yadin Elam, a Gisha attorney, questioned the factual basis for the court's decision Wednesday and noted the lack of consistency in the decision.
"It is unfortunate that the court, which in its interim decision asked state officials to permit Berlanty to return to Bethlehem to complete her degree, refrained from ordering them to do so when they refused," Elam said. "I cannot imagine why the state of Israel is so insistent on preventing Palestinian young people, against whom it makes no security claims whatsoever, from accessing higher education."
In a statement released by Gisha, Azzam said she was disappointed by the decision and did not "understand why Israel is preventing me from continuing my studies."
The Israeli government has imposed extremely tight restrictions on Palestinians leaving Gaza in an effort to isolate the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas, which controls Gaza. The restrictions have extended to Gaza residents who have been accepted to universities in Europe and the United States in addition to the West Bank.
The issue received notoriety last year when the U.S. State Department exerted pressure on Israel to allow some Fulbright scholarship winners to leave Gaza to attend schools in the United States
This article talked about how a girl from Gaza was deported from the west banks and is being denied access to return to finish her last two months of school to finish her degree. This relates to social control because one country is denying a girls education simply because of where she is from. This girl is no threat to the country and is being wrongfully punished. Being denied access to education simply because of the location of where you were born and live is a huge miss use of power. The power of the government is controlling this girl and not letting her do what she wants to do.
Allison Pitts Article #10
This article that I found on MSNBC.com illustrates the use of extreme social control. The Brazilian government is taking control to an extreme. Brazilian police are approaching law enforcement with lethal force. This is extreme in that it is either you do what is asked of you, or lose your life. With the exertion of control this extreme, it seems to me that whatever police demand is going to be done.
Brazilian police accused of 'extrajudicial' force
Human Rights Watch says ‘lethal force’ often used in effort to combat crime
NEW YORK - Brazil has recently generated positive headlines with its 2016 Olympic bid victory, as well as its increased economic and political visibility.
Based on current economic trends, it could be one of the world’s five biggest economies — along with China, the United States, India and Japan — by the middle of this century, according to The Economist.
Yet, the evidence of progress has been marred by the nation’s troubling crime statistics — and reports of unlawful methods employed by the security forces.
A report issued Tuesday by Human Rights Watch —“Lethal Force: Police Violence and Public Scrutiny in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo” — concludes that in fighting heavily armed gangs, Brazilian police in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo routinely resort to “lethal force, often committing extrajudicial executions and exacerbating violence in both states.”
According to the report, more than 1,000 people a year are killed in Rio and Sao Paulo during confrontations with the police, more than 11,000 since 2003. The police classify these deaths as “resistance killings,” but Human Rights Watch reports that they studied 51 cases which showed that victims were not killed in shootouts; in fact, some had been killed at point blank range.
Moreover, the report alleges that police in Rio de Janeiro arrested 23 people for every person killed in police confrontations in 2008. In Sao Paulo, the number was 348 for every person killed. “By contrast,” the report said, “police in the United States arrested over 37,000 for every person they killed in alleged confrontations that year.”
The report further added that even top prosecutors in Brazil acknowledged that “extrajudicial executions” are a major problem. Human Rights Watch Americas Director, Jose Miguel Vivanco, said that “the residents of Rio and Sao Paulo need more effective policing, not more violence from the police.”
Not New
The scale of the violence isn’t new. In 2007, Philip Alston, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, issued a report that stated that Rio police recorded 694 "acts of resistance followed by death" in a six-month period. “This is very often a euphemism for extrajudicial executions by the police killings and it is a category which virtually ensures that impunity will follow,” he said.
In a follow-up report in March of 2009 Alston said, “There is no conflict between the right of all Brazilians to security and freedom from criminal violence and the right not to be arbitrarily shot by the police. Murder is not an acceptable or effective crime control technique.”
Both the Human Rights Watch report and the United Nations report have recommended that Brazil create units independent of the police to investigate the “resistance killings.” The new report also urged the establishment of a crime scene protocol that deters police officers from engaging in false “rescues” and other cover-up techniques.
Brazilian government response
Last June, in response to the United Nations report, the Permanent Representative of Brazil at the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Maria Nazare Farani Azevedo, outlined Brazil’s ongoing work to guarantee that “the right of every person to security and social justice, must be in full compatibility with the rule of law.”
Azevedo cited investments in areas such as police intelligence and training, as well as a commitment to increase police salaries, improve police investigations and create national guidelines on the use of force.
The ambassador also noted that the rates of homicide in Brazil have dropped, from 30.4 per 100,00 inhabitants in 2002 to 24 per 100,000 in 2007.
Don’t militarize crime?
“We are living in a very difficult period in Brazil, especially Rio de Janeiro. The police are in constant battle against the drug traffickers,” said Sandra Cavalho, co-founder of Justica Global, a Brazilian human rights organization.
Cavalho received a Human Rights First 2009 Award for her work denouncing allegations of human rights abuses in Brazil, including violence at the hands of the police.
During her recent visit to New York, Cavalho noted how incidents, including a Brazilian police helicopter shot down by drug traffickers, demonstrate the challenge in fighting powerful armed gangs.
She added, “Unfortunately many human rights violations, especially the killing of innocent people, are perpetrated in the name of fighting this war against crime. The police see the inhabitants of the “favelas” (Brazilian shantytowns) as criminals, and as an enemy that has to be contained, and at times, exterminated.”
The Brazilian government has acknowledged the problems with the favelas. Ambassador Azevedo said that the government is investing over $450 million on improving conditions in these neighborhoods.
In the meantime, human rights activists such as Cavalho think that the spotlight on Brazil should be a force for change.
“I think there is a tendency to make Brazil’s crime a ‘spectacle,’" she said. “But now that the world’s attention is focused on Brazil, we need to develop a ‘politics of security’ which is not based on combating crime as an all-out ‘militarization’ or a war. Now we have an opportunity to construct a policy of crime-prevention and safety that also safeguards human rights.”
For Judges on Facebook, Friendship Has Limits
Tomas Segovia
Soc 313-003
Blog Post #10
This article was published in the New York Times which says that Judges and lawyers in Florida can no longer be Facebook friends. The state’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee decided it was time to set limits on judicial behavior online. When judges “friend” lawyers who may appear before them, the committee said, it creates the appearance of a conflict of interest, since it “reasonably conveys to others the impression that these lawyer ‘friends’ are in a special position to influence the judge.” The committee did recognize, however, that online friends were not the same as friends in the traditional sense. The committee emphasized that their decision was advisory and that lawyers could still have the option to declare themselves "fans" of judges.
As we discussed in class, social networking sites are growing more and more. With the potential to reach out and spread word to the online audience, its no wonder why Facebook is being used more frequently by politicians and judicial officials. It creates another front in the political campaign to get elected but with it mixes personal life with public duty. Now, Judges and lawyers are being limited on who they can and cannot befriend in order to preserve their overall credibility. This just goes to show how ideas and impressions can influence and control our actions and behavior. To go against the Committees decision would preserve an friendship but potentially destroy a career. Therefore the pressure comes from the possibility of a conflict of interest rather than an actual case, and judges and lawyers are potentially sacrificing personal relationships in order to comply with public opinion.
Soc 313-003
Blog Post #10
This article was published in the New York Times which says that Judges and lawyers in Florida can no longer be Facebook friends. The state’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee decided it was time to set limits on judicial behavior online. When judges “friend” lawyers who may appear before them, the committee said, it creates the appearance of a conflict of interest, since it “reasonably conveys to others the impression that these lawyer ‘friends’ are in a special position to influence the judge.” The committee did recognize, however, that online friends were not the same as friends in the traditional sense. The committee emphasized that their decision was advisory and that lawyers could still have the option to declare themselves "fans" of judges.
As we discussed in class, social networking sites are growing more and more. With the potential to reach out and spread word to the online audience, its no wonder why Facebook is being used more frequently by politicians and judicial officials. It creates another front in the political campaign to get elected but with it mixes personal life with public duty. Now, Judges and lawyers are being limited on who they can and cannot befriend in order to preserve their overall credibility. This just goes to show how ideas and impressions can influence and control our actions and behavior. To go against the Committees decision would preserve an friendship but potentially destroy a career. Therefore the pressure comes from the possibility of a conflict of interest rather than an actual case, and judges and lawyers are potentially sacrificing personal relationships in order to comply with public opinion.
Daniel Balderston -- Social Control -- #10
Climate activists are demanding a deal on the global warming issue, according to CNN correspond Graham Fitzgerald. "Climate Gate" is social control on a global scale. Since former Vice president Al Gore (a lawyer not a scientist) started promoting the issue that the earth was being warmed due to our fossil fuel emissions, global warming has been in the forefront of the news. many scientists have support this belief but many have also stated that this climate change is a natural function of the earth and not caused by humans. Billions of dollars have been spent and will be spent on research and other areas in order to deal with this "crisis". The recent exposure of hundreds of emails from the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University in England appeared to reveal that scientists had fudged some of the stats on climate warming by excluding evidence that the earth has been cooling for some time, has added to the controversy on global warming. Cries of conspiracy, greed, and deception are everywhere.
What a way to force us to get rid of oil as an energy source, send any fuel prices soaring, devaste the economy and cause overall confusion in the world! So, wo do you trust? There is a Climate Summit taking place this month in Copenhagen that is estimated to bring some type of global warming solution, but is this a "solution" to a problem that does not exist? Those billions of dollars have to come from somewhere...the taxpayer again?
Daniel Balderston -- Social Control -- #09
Roswell Daily Record ( AP) November 29, 2009:
Boston police have offered citizens another anoynimous way to report criminal information-texting them! Heretofore, people have been hesitant to call 911 or otherwise be a witness to a crime for fear of repercussions by the criminal community. Even Crimestoppers does not seem to increase report ing as much as texting does...perhaps because the identity of a crimestopper has to be known sometime in order to pay them.
Court testimnony is not necessary since the police have to corroborate the information themselves. Texting to the police seem to be extremely popular in the schools and has led to drug arrests and possibly prevented other crimes. Being a "snitch" was always considered a negative trait but that might be changing. What the article does not mention is how to deal with false reporting. Much harm can be done from a misinformed person or a vindictive one. This form of social control can make us safer but it can also bring about a gestapo type of environment where your neighbor or best friend can turn you in by just texting.
Daniel Balderston -- Social Control -- #08
Sunday's Roswell Daily Record contained a story entitled "Saudi female jounalist gets lashes for sex show". Apparently, a Saudi court sentenced a 22 year old female journalist to 60 lashes for allegedly participating in a tv show where a Saudi man spoke openly about sex. Ms. Al-Yami denies that she did not work on that show but worked as a coordinator for that program. This is the first time a female has been punished by lashes. In all fairness, the other men that participated in the show were also convicted and sentenced.
At first this appeared to be a case of double standards between the sexes but it seems to be the muslim government setting an example that this type of freedom in the media will not be tolerated. The muslims are trying desperately to keep their country ultra conservative in the wake of the liberal media of most other countries. This social control is an effort to categorize a liberal media as deviant behavior that will not be tolerated. We have seen the constraints put on muslim women but here both sexes are being restrained. The result of this case can have great impact on the religious and political status of the country.
Daniel Balderston -- Social Control -- #07
AP Santa Fe: (Roswell Daily Record
“Scandals may lead to reform”
An independent Think Tank (Think New Mexico) is recommending that New Mexico ban political contributions from lobbyists and government contractors in an effort to stodp the many public scandals that involve public corruption. New Mexico has been frought with cases involving illegal acceptance of monies by political figures, note the case of former state Treasurer Robert Vigil, the article states, who accepted illegal kickbacks in the amount of $10,000. Vigil was convicted of attempted extortion. Vigil's defense was that the monies were legal campaign contributions so the Think Tank has recommended that the law ban contributions within 2 years of a contract bid or award and that the amount be limited to $5000 per election.
The hope is that this stricter law will discourage kickbacks. This attempt to curb crime might deter some but some laws exist right now and that has not been a deterrent. The greater the amount of money involved, the greater the temptation for high risk gambling. There are other incentives that lobbyists could offer that do not directly involve money that can circumvent this method of behavior control.
Daniel Balderston -- Social Control -- #06
A New York Times story today focused on California's welfare-to-work program, "California's Zigzag on Welfare Rules Worries Experts". Governor Schwarzenegger has often stated that their system was to soft on the work requirement and that the benefits paid out were too high. In an effort to reduce the welfare system's budget however, he was forced to discontinue the requirement that welfare recipients look for work...This was a very surprising move but explicable when you consider the cost of staffing offices to assist the recipients in job hunting and the cost of paying for the recipient's child care when they did work.
Now, the state administration is afraid that folks will get used to the free handouts which was why the welfare-to-work program was started in the first place! This form of manipulation can perpetuate generations of "entitled" individuals who may never find a reason to better their situations.
Daniel Balderston -- Social Control -- #05
A New York Times story today focused on California's welfare-to-work program, "California's Zigzag on Welfare Rules Worries Experts". Governor Schwarzenegger has often stated that their system was to soft on the work requirement and that the benefits paid out were too high. In an effort to reduce the welfare system's budget however, he was forced to discontinue the requirement that welfare recipients look for work...This was a very surprising move but explicable when you consider the cost of staffing offices to assist the recipients in job hunting and the cost of paying for the recipient's child care when they did work.
Now, the state administration is afraid that folks will get used to the free handouts which was why the welfare-to-work program was started in the first place! This form of manipulation can perpetuate generations of "entitled" individuals who may never find a reason to better their situations.
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