Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Water Warrior
3-D, I'll clarify my statement. 50 years is better than 5 years and community service.
|
Sorry, WW, can't agree (though, initially, I was just cheesed-off by having "liberal" bad-mouthed)
Man is a social animal who forms into groups and societies, good and bad. Good, and you have clean water, the discovery of America, and a man landing on the moon. Bad, and you have an unaccomplished people, cultural malaise, and unnecessary wars.
Societies have an obligation to protect themselves and their members from harm. They have an obligation to provide what services they can to promote their charter: In the U.S., our charter is contained in the Constitution and in the Bill of Rights. These are not just abstract notions of who we, they define who the American people are, and should be in the back of everyones' mind who writes a law, prosecutes a law, and sentences on behalf of that law.
I find that sheriff Joe is operating fully within this framework (though the underwear seems a bit much). By having his prisoners work for their keep, their presence is not a burden. They are honorably discharging their debt to society, and have earned the right to a clean slate. Those whose don't have such an enlightened detention, I think, would be more likely to live on the fringes of society, and more likely to return to prison.
However, 50 years is an absurd and meaningless period of incarceration. After 3 to 5 and most become bitter, institutionalized messes. If that Atlanta judge wants to look tough, he should go shoot a puppy in the face. Save thousands in tax payer money, and give the girl some reasonable chance of becoming something instead of making her a burden for the rest of her life. Make her work off some time in an emergency room. Something useful.
Here's my liberal bent: I like to see people being empowered.
I think the bad guys like to have power over people.
And, I think 50 years is just plain nuts.