Social Chat

So this is an interesting STORY that surfaced this week. Apparently, actress Allison Mack has been charged with 4 counts of sex trafficking in New York State. Equally interesting is her alleged involvement in a secret group that supposedly filters women into the trafficking. Seems like some Hollywood drama series, but it’s real life.

Looks as though the Feds have a pretty solid case. Definitely worth following, right?

Thoughts?

There’s are two sides to every story, but something seems amiss at a Philadelphia Starbucks where 2 Black men were handcuffed, arrested, and taken to the police station for…wait for it…sitting in their establishment without buying a cup of coffee.

Hmm…

Check out the STORY

And the Philly Police Chief is playing street lawyer with his statement. Last time I checked police officers have discretion regarding making arrests and it seems to me they used theirs in the wrong manner. To me, the officers should have left it alone. All the while, videos (and eyewitness accounts) show the 2 men were quiet and not causing any disturbances.

Can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen in Starbucks and not buying anything.

Thoughts?

This week’s blog highlights the issue of female prisoners. Watch the VIDEO and read the short article about some of the issues facing female offenders when they arrive in US jails and prisons. While I’m aware that some women have committed crimes that should result in jail/prison sentence, I’m pretty taken aback by what happens to some once they walk through the doors of our jails and prisons. I’m particularly shocked by the plight of pregnant female offenders.

QUESTION: Can’t we find an alternative to sending pregnant females offenders to jail/prison?

Thoughts?

This week’s article focuses on a topic that is at the forefront of many minds in America: opioid addiction. I imagine most of us know or have come into contact with another who has struggled with this addiction (click HERE to learn more about opiate addiction) This week’s ARTICLE focuses on one of the more challenging aspects facing treatment providers and opiate addicts: medication-assisted treatment. I’ll let you read over the article. There are two sides to every story and this one is no exception. What are your thoughts regarding medication-assisted treatment for opiate addicts and why?

I was taken aback when I realized the picture from this week’s ARTICLE was taken in the USA, not the third world. It is Joshua Tree, CA. A couple with their 3 children (ages 11-14) was arrested last week for a form of child abuse when police found they were living in this wooden box. The children weren’t physically abused and didn’t seem malnourished. Still, apparently, the conditions they were living in were criminal. That said, the authorities did admit that the family has been beset by extreme poverty. Neighbors living close by stated that the family was only guilty of being poor.

Not to worry, however, as the parents were being held in the county jail unable to make the $300,000 bond. The children were taken from the dwelling and placed in foster care. To me, this article is challenging. I personally wouldn’t want to live under these conditions; however, are they criminal? Maybe. Maybe not?

Thoughts?

This week’s ARTICLE focuses on Wisconsin lawmakers consideration of new OWI laws. Specifically the permanent revoking of one’s license after their 4 OWI offense. Yes, I said PERMANENTLY losing one’s right to drive after their 4th OWI offense. The House passed the bill unanimously and it is now headed to the Senate.

Yes, 4 times drunk driving is very serious. But the permanent loss of one’s license? Hmm, I’ll have to think about this one for a bit. Thoughts?

In Buddhism, the term “Middle Way” refers to the Buddha’s “…conclusion that an individual who seeks enlightenment in his pursuit of Nirvana needs to avoid both- sensual self-indulgence as well as self-mortification.”* This idea of living one’s life in the middle (and not the extremes) might be good advice for the US regarding mass shootings/gun control. Maybe we could gain some ground by leaving the partisan politics at the door and working together on an answer for this issue?

What are some ideas about how republicans and democrats can work together in reducing mass shootings? Put another way, is there a middle ground we can pursue to help reduce mass shootings?

*https://www.zen-buddhism.net/buddhist-principles/middle-way.html

This week’s STORY focuses on love, loss, community, intolerance and maybe tolerance. I know it’s a bit longer than most of the stories we’ll read this semester, but it’s worth it. Multiple layers exist here and I’m wondering which part stood out to you the most? Let me know.

This week’s article/recording focuses on California’s recent vote to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Many of you were probably aware of this, but the more interesting (for me) was the San Francisco District Attorney’s announcement that “…his office will expunge or reduce convictions for possession and recreational use going back to 1975.” Now you may asking, “What is expungement?” You can click HERE to learn more about this term, but briefly it is the legally deleting one’s criminal conviction. Currently individuals can petition for expungement/reduction of her/his sentence, but apparently this process is complex and convoluted. As a result, the DA is proactively doing this or at least making the process much easier. So check out the sound recording of the interview as well as read over the article.

QUESTION: What do you think of this and why?