Striking You Tube Video... Putting a Face on Poverty...

["MarceeLeeWinthrop's Introduction and Poem:  I AM A FACE OF POVERTY IN AMERICA"; as submitted to You Tube by MarceeLeeWinthrop on November 12, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ23scj2ubI]

Truth, Love, Peace, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Is This a Bad Joke... Why I Feel Like Puking... Fair Elections NOW... You Tube Video

Presedent of the United States of America

Barack Obama

2009

Photo [By NS] of a Photo

For More on the Following:

"I'm biting my nails waiting for the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which could come down as early as Tuesday. At issue: whether corporations, as 'unnatural persons,' can make contributions to political campaigns.

The outcome is foregone: the five GOP appointees to the court are expected to use the case to junk federal laws that now bar corporations from stuffing campaign coffers...

And if so, our future elections, while nominally a contest between Republicans and Democrats, may in fact come down to a three-way battle between China, Saudi Arabia and Goldman Sachs."

Go to:  http://www.alternet.org/rights/144502?page=entire

Source:  "Rights and Liberties"; "Supreme Court's Ruling Would Allow Bin Laden to Donate to Sarah Palin's Presidential Campaign"; Greg Palast, AlterNet; December 11, 2009; http://www.alternet.org/rights/144502?page=entire

---------------------------------------------------------------

From one of the books I wrote:

"What is good?

What is evil?

Can you tell me?"

----------------------------------------------------

Doesn't anyone is charge of this country have a conscience and some [excuse me] "balls"?

---------------------------------------------------- 

If Bush Jr. could issue Executive orders in violation [my opinion] of the "US Constitution" ---

Why can't Obama issue some Executive orders [reinstating the "separation of church and state"; reinstating our basic rights and liberties (in general); mandating free ("by the people and for the people") elections; doing away with the "electoral college"; holding the Bush Jr. Administration accountable for the crimes that they (my opinion / allegedly) committed and/or covered up...] in order to restore and save the US Constitution?

---------------------------------------------------

This parody of law and order
is enough
to make
me
puke.

---------------------------------------------------- 

["Highlights from Panel on Fair Elections Now Act featuring Sen. Durbin and Rep. Larson"; as submitted to You Tube by publicampaign on
December 09, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C7ToFHN-fk]

Important Links: 

"Public Campaign Clean Money Clean Elections":  http://www.publicampaign.org/

"Clean Elections Public Campaign": http://www.publicampaign.org/clean-facts

"New York Citizen Action":  http://www.citizenactionny.org/

jwisneski@citizenactionny.org

----------------------------------------------------------

Peace, Love, Truth and Humane Justice,

NS

Christmas 2009... Trolls at Play... Photo and Poem by NS

Photo and Poem by NS

Christmas 2009 [Trolls At Play]

As the year closes
like so many shops
on Broadway

As the children hope
for Ipods
and some things

I can neither
pronounce

or
fathom

or
afford

In this time
of excess

and disparity

and despair

one can only hope
that Santa

has food
in his own pantry

has spare parts 
for his sled

has become 
techologically savy

doesn't allow
toxic substances
in the elf shop

and remembers

just how much
a coloring book
and crayons

a stocking full of
apples
love 
and oranges

a heartfelt song
a belly laugh
and a
dream

still matters

in this imperfect world

that is so quickly evolving

into

a snowy field...

[What might 2010 yield?]

of tomorrows...

borne

from the seeds

[We really must pull the weeds]

Too often selfishly planted...

the day before

the year before

the decade before

[Give me more, more, more...]

yesterday.

Updated... Public Awareness Post... MIdTown... Violence Prevention... Prisons... Recidivism... SUSN... More

                                    

Photo by BF / Utilized with Permission

Some interesting links for those concerned with violence in Midtown and/or youth violence in general:

1.  "Culture of poverty" [Oscar Lewis; 1966] - "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_poverty

2.  "Rape [C]ulture" - "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_culture

3.  "Computer Games - Violence - Case Study Mortal Kombat and Manhunt - M-Cyclopedia of New Media"; http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Computer_Games_-_Violence_-_Case_Study:_Mortal_Kombat_and_Manhunt

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For those interested in some research on Prisons and Recidivism Rates:

A.  Some information on facilities and services that are "generally provided [INSIDE] prisons":

a.  A religous chapel, mosque or similar worship facility (or facilities)

b.  Individual and group counciling facilites.

c,  Educational facilities and services, including a library and adult education / continuing education opportunities.

d.  An exercise area.

e.  A hospital or other health care facility.

f.  An area to meet with visitors.

g.  A kitchen (or kitchens) and other housing and service-oriented facilities.

h. Agricultural and/or industrial plants / vocational training / labor opportunities

i.  Recreational area (s) with pool table (s), television (s), etc.

-----------------------------------------------------------

B.  Some safety and security factors generally associated with prisons:

a.  Fencing, walls and/or other barriers geared towards preventing escape.

b.  Armed guards, dogs, regular patrols, solid (guarded) doors and gates.

c.  Monitoring systems, alarms, etc.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

C.  Some information on recidivism rates:

In 1994:  Out of 272,111 individuals that were released from prisons in 15 different states - an estimated 67.5% were rearrested for a serious misdemeanor or felony within three years - almost 47% were reconvicted - and over 25% were sent back to prison in relation to a new crime.  Within three years of their release, "2.5% of released rapists" had been arrested for committing another rape - and "1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for a new homicide."  Out of the 272,111 offenders that were released in 1994 (correction made) - over 740,000 new charges had been made (against a portion of same) within three years.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Figures from a 1994 DOJ study on recidivism indicated that compared to non-sex offender felons, a sex offender was 4 times more likely to be rearrested for a sex crime (5.3% vs. 1.3%)[2]."

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#recidivism

----------------------------------------------------- 

D.  Some General Information on Sexual Offenders and Their Victims:

a. 1991:  In one study, almost 25% of convicted / imprisoned rapists - and nearly 20% of those that were serving time for a sexual assault (s) - were on "probation or parole at the time of the offense."

b.  In 1994 [USA] there were over 225,000 sex offenders [sexual assault or rape] in the care or custody of the corrections system.  Almost sixty percent of these offenders were "under conditional supervision in the community..."

c.  In one study the median age of sexual assault and rape victims ranged between age 13 (sexual assault median) and 22 (rape median) years. 

d.  Out of "9,691 male sex offenders" that had been "released from prisons in 15 States in 1994" --- over 5% had been arrested - again [for a new (alleged) sexual crime] within three years of their having been released [Nearly half of those that (allegedly) committed another sexual offense had reputedly done so within a year of their discharge.]

Source: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#child

e.  1994:  15 states released over 4,000 [actually, 4,300] child sex offenders [sixty percent of these had been convicted of molesting a child at or under the age of 13 years...]  - and over three percent of these child sex offenders were arrested again - for allegedly committing a new sex offense against a child - within three years of their release..

-----------------------------------------------------------------

E.  On Sex Offender Registries and "Megan's Law":

1.  "A sex offender registry is a system in place in a number of jurisdictions designed to allow government authorities to keep track of the residence and activities of sex offenders, including those who have completed their criminal sentences. In some jurisdictions (especially in the United States), information in the registry is made available to the general public via a website or other means. In many jurisdictions registered sex offenders are subject to additional restrictions, including housing. Those on parole or probation may be subject to restrictions that don't apply to other parolees or probationers.[5] Sometimes these include (or have been proposed to include) restrictions on being in the presence of minors, living in proximity to a school or day care center, or owning toys or other items of interest to minors."

2.  "Megan's Law is designed to punish sex offenders and reduce their ability to re-offend. The law is enacted and enforced on a state-by-state basis. Most U.S. states also place restrictions on where convicted sex offenders can live after their release, prohibiting residency within a designated distance of schools and daycare centers (usually 1,000 - 2,000 feet)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_offender

---------------------------------------------------------------

F.  On General Recidivism Rates:

In 1994, the "'United States Department of Justice" tracked [in a study involving the release of prisoners in 15 states] the "rearrest, re-conviction, and re-incarceration of former inmates for three years after their release..."

Key findings:

a.  Released robbers had a 70.2% recidivism [rearrest] rate.

b.  Released burglars had a 74% recidivism [rearrest] rate.

c.  Released larcenists had a 74.6% recidivism [rearrest] rate.

d.  Released motor vehicle thieves had a 78.8% recidivism [rearrest] rate.

e.  Those released from prison after having served time for selling or possessing stolen goods had a 77.4% recidivism [rearrest] rate.

f .  Those released from prison after having served time for using, possessing or selling illegal weapos had a 70.2% recidivism [rearrest] rate.

g.  Within 3 years, 2.5% of released rapists were arrested for another rape, and 1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for homicide...
------------------------------------------------------------ 

G.  Overall:

"The recidivism rate for prisoners released from prison within one year [Early 20th Century] [was] 44.1%; this number [rose] to 67.5% within three years of being released from prison. Sixty-seven percent of the people who were rearrested were charged with 750,000 new crimes, which include property offenses, drug offenses, public-order offenses, other offences, unknown, and over 100,000 of these crimes were violent crimes. Of the new violent crimes committed, 2,871 were murder and 2,444 were rape..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recidivism#United_States_Nationwide

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Updated Statistics and Additional Information Go To:

Department of Justice" - "*Office of Justice Programs" - "Bureau of Justice Statistics":  http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1504194539343627680

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Cumulative Sources [With Additional Sources Listed On the Sites]:

"Oscar Lewis" - "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Lewis

"Culture of poverty" - "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_poverty

"Rape culture" - "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_culture

"Aestheticization of violence" - "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aestheticization_of_violence

"Computer Games - Violence - M-Cyclopedia of New Media":  http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Computer_Games_-_Violence

"Computer Games - Violence - Case Study Mortal Kombat and Manhunt" - "M-Cyclopedia of New "Media:  http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Computer_Games_-_Violence_-_Case_Study:_Mortal_Kombat_and_Manhunt

"Prison - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison

"Recidivism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recidivism#United_States_Nationwide

"Bureau of Justice Statistics Reentry Trends in the U.S. Recidivism":  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/reentry/recidivism.htm

---------------------------------------------------------------

Some important information and links that I received (via email) today [I have not done my own analysis of this yet...] regarding recidivism:

Interesting Excerpts [Credited to the DOJ, "eAdvocate, geocities.com and/or the person (Would you like to be identified in any way?) that sent the email (the emphasis in red is mine)]: 

1.  "...  [Following] release 1.3% of non-sex offenders committed a sex offense [not something they had done before]. Now, sometimes looking at percentages is misleading, so, translating these to real numbers: 5.3% is 517 sex offenders -and- 1.3% is 3,328 non-sex offenders. Looking close shows us that non-sex offenders committed 3,328 sex crimes while sex offenders committed 517 sex crimes. That means, non-sex offenders are more dangerous to the community and will commit 6 sex crimes to every one committed by a sex offender. You might want to review that a few times to get over the shock, lawmakers ignore this fact.)..."

2.  "Approximately 4,300 child molesters were released from prisons in 15 States in 1994. An estimated 3.3% of these 4,300 were rearrested for another sex crime against a child within 3 years of release from prison. ( Again, percentages can be misleading. [ 4,300 was actually 4,295 X 3.3% = 141 new sex crimes]. Now, missing is, some non-sex offenders released committed sex crimes against a child 0.4% [262,420 X .4% = 1,042 new sex crimes]. Again, non-sex offenders are more dangerous to the community and lawmakers ignore this fact.)..."

http://www.tinyurl.com/yhhm54x

[Please note that I have not located the statistics related to the two statements above --- but that I will attempt to do so.  In the meantime, the statements above [although I couldn't begin to address numbers...] make sense to me - due to the fact that a lot of sexual abuse / trauma occurs (I believe most of us have heard this...) inside detention facilities and prisons --- and that suffering the grave psychic wound inflicted by sexual abuse / truama - even in adulthood - "can" (not the norm, but certainly a factor to consider...) lead to twisted psychological connections --- and a certain percentage of victims (This is apparently particularly true of male victims...) will transition "From Victim to Offender..." (the name of a book written by  Freda Briggs / http://www.amazon.com/Victim-Offender-Sexual-Victims-Offenders/dp/1863737596/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260405702&sr=1-15 ]

------------------------------------------------------------- 

Many thanks to the person that sent this information to me.  I will hold it "lightly" --- and encourage my readers to do so also --- whilst doing further research. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Please be aware that my own input - in this area - is not coming from a vacuum... 

My BA degree is in psychology - my life has included repetitive traumas - I have known and advocated for victims of trauma - I have already done extensive research on this topic - and I am very angry [oh yes I am...] that perpetrators seem --- so very often --- to:

1.  Get away with their crime entirely

2.  Get a ridiculously low sentence (like "community service..."  What a BAD joke!) even when convicted...

3.  Get all kinds of "benefits" [Yes, benefits!  (From free legal cousel to access to higher education...)] from the system; and...

4.  That we, the taxpayers, are continuously victimized [monetarily; as a community; in other ways...] by this ongoing atrocity that pretends to represent "justice."

[I "am" for humane sentencing and justice; but NOT at the expense (as so often appears to be the case...) of  the victim's humane treatment, the protection of children --- and an ongoing (Yes, this is hitting all of our pockets, in a multitude of ways...) financial rape!]

------------------------------------------------------------

Peace, Love, Truth and Humane Justice,

NS

[If any errors are noted in this report, please let me know and (after examination) the appropriate corrections will be made.  Thank you.]

Upcoming Meetings and Events... WTWM... SUSN... Input Welcome...

City of Kingston Backdrop

On the Wall in the Council Chambers

Kingston City Hall

Photo by NS

A number of upcoming meeting announcements - upcoming Holiday events - and more [occurring in the City of Kingston, but not necessarily directly or even indirectly officially attached to official City business]  - have been posted in the sidebar >>>>>

Amongst these are:

An organizational meeting to garner ideas about addressing the sporadic violence in MidTown...

A Public Hearing on the "Save Them Now" proposal (as recently / see below / addressed...) [This one is at City Hall...]

And two early January meetings that I am hosting - in accordance with White House regulations - regarding Community employment issues...

Your imput here - particularly around community safety and employment issues - is welcome and encouraged!

For now...

Consider how you can...

"Walk Tall Without Malice"
(WTWM)...

And...

Ask yourself...

"What will it take to...

 'Save US Now'"?
(SUSN)

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Prison Early Release Issue... You Tube Videos... Local Violence Prevention Efforts... Save US Now...

Something to Think About...

["Prison early release programs are back"; as submitted to You Tube by WTNH on December 04, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKylUCK_9Y]

["Judge Rules That Early Release Prison Program Is Illegal"; as submitted to You Tube by 27newsfirst on May 01, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c39liG1jtzw]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the Local Front:

Having talked with a couple of the people, from different generations - who appear to be "in the know" - the word is that the "Black" (Please give me the word of your choice...) community, for the most part, does not appreciate being referred to as "colored"; and thus, some of them have an inherent issue (from the get-go) with the "National Alliance for the Advancement of 'Colored' People" (NAACP) - one of the organizations (I don't know if there are any other organizations with their name in the hat, as of yet...) that is apparently going to add their input to the "Stop the Violence" (midtown)  organizational meeting.

This leads me to believe that the people in the target community should be asked if there is an empowerment term (for those in this community that feel disempowered and threatened by the violence in their community (whether they be black, white, Hispanic or other) that might work [I have thought of WTWM (Corrected / Duh...  I screwed up my own acronym!)  and/or  "Walk Tall Without Malice" (I consider this a copyright notice.)] for them?

Other thoughts that occur, regarding this upcoming organizational meeting - include the following proposed priorities:

1.  How do we best protect and positively engage the children in the community?
2.  How do we identify the strengths in the community and capitalize on these?
3.  How do we identify the problem areas and a solution to the gang (Is PTSD an issue?) situation?
4.  How do we get the individuals that are interested and willing (Perhaps this should be the first priority?) involved in (via Community Groups, attending City meetings, etc.) the political process?

I've been told that the Church is very influential in the mid-City, and that is (in my opinion) a positive thing - as long as a non-violent empowerment theme is associated - and the necessary (in my opinion) separation of church and state factors are in place.

I do not know where any of this stands.  It is another question, perhaps, to address to the population itself.

Some KPD officers are (as I understand it) remaining at the High School under the 2010 Budget - and I consider this (along with the videocameras) a positive.

However, it would seem to me that these KPD (another correction; I guess you can tell the stress is getting to me as well...) officers could use a little help in regard to touching on the issues that are periodically (at least) wreaking havoc in Mid-Town - and that it might bode the school (and the students well) to let organizations --- such as the U.C. Crime Victims Assistance Program, those that employ certified Domestic Violence Education and Awareness Educators, those that employ Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselors and those that employ qualified Gang Awareness Educators (etc.) --- come in.

This used to be one facet of the Youth Empowerment Series (YES) Program that I was associated with when I worked for the YWCA --- and it was incredibly difficult, at times, to get permission (these services were free of charge to the schools...) to go into the schools - so I hope a new push could be implemented in that (YES!) direction...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Save US Now!

Other than that, the fact that the "Save Them Now" program is once again trying to set up an expanded [they already have some sort of facility uptown...] temporary housing facility / job training facility for former jail inmates and/or prison inmates (?) - in the City of Kingston [the last attempt was in a residential area; this attempt involves a building in a commercial area just off Broadway] - has me a little "bugged out."

And I wonder how many citizens, in the City of Kingston, would be into forming a group called "Save US Now! (SUSN) - another term I'll claim the copyright to! 

And I AM serious!

There is some sort of facility uptown already...
Broadway does not need anymore "potential" problems than it already has...
The area might be commercial, but it is the main drag in the City of Kingston with lots of walkers, including school children...

It is my opinion that these types of programs should go INTO the jails and prisons - if they aren't (and I believe they are...) already there!  [Don't we hear (I know I have) about folks in jail and/or prison having support-group meetings (AA/NA/Other) in-house?  Getting their GED whilst there?  Receiving vocational training?  Etc?????]  Why do they need additional services [This whole society is "transitioning" folks!] when they get out?

See, a lot of US folks out here - that haven't ever found ourselves [We are probably doing something right...  Right?]  sitting in a jail or prison cell - are getting a "little" upset with the number of sex offenders, rapists, etc that are already situated all over our city - putting children and women (in particular) at heightened risk - most of whom (yes, I know, all ex-cons are not offenders of this sort...) are living on our tax dollars AND receiving better medical benefits [via Medicaid and/or associated programs] than we are!

Save US Now!

Save US Now! --- From this constant drain on the system --- this constant strain of being surrounded by potential preditors --- this constant onslaught of (excuse me, sorry...) Bullsh*%!

A much better use for a building in Kingston's COMMERCIAL district?

Hey! 

How about a Business?????

How about a Factory?????

How about SAFE and AFFORDABLE Child Care Facility (fingerprinting and record check for employees required...) that would enable some of the folks in Mid-Town (and other areas of the city) to get and maintain a job?

How about a facility [Anyone want to chip in funds - on the books - for such a project?] for Save US Now [SUSN]?

Sure, some of this is "tongue in cheek"...

I'm human.  I'm not perfect.  I'm limited in what I can personally do...

But my ideas are worth something - as are everyone elses - and as the old Helen Reddy song said (so very well...) - mine is "wisdom born of pain", and I'll "roar" (or at least post my ideas) - if and when I can - when such appears (to me) to be called for!

[According to the article in today's Sunday Freeman there will be Public Hearing on the Save Them Now proposal on 12/14/09 - at City Hall - at 6PM; which will be followed up by a meeting (regarding this issue) of the Planning Board.]

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Sources: 

"Post-prison Program sets sight on Mid-town Kingston building..." - "The Daily Freeman News Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871(DailyFreeman.com)": http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/12/06/news/doc4b1b3e579dd99598381651.txt

"Kingston police officers will stay in schools" - "The Daily Freeman News Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871(DailyFreeman.com)": http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/12/06/news/doc4b1b409d2665c646739475.txt