...The Future of Media...

Juvenile Justice System Needs Investigated

Authorslegacy — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:13:19 GMT

My editorial of the day...I've had about enough stress...can't handle anymore!

To all of my wonderful friends here...thanks for listening to my pointless rambles. This time, it's not pointless and parents everywhere should be concerned. It's not a figment of my imagination...it's not my warped sense of reality...it's real life...and real life sucks!

I'm here to let everyone know that the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania really needs to be investigated. I've already began contacting people...waiting for one reporter to call me back! What's wrong with society when juveniles aren't given the same civil rights as adults. It's not right that they can sit in "lock-up" when there are NO charges...and there won't be charges. Something is amiss when you take a kid to detention without any charges and then sue the parents for child support...

Yes...it's a fact...scary thought...

I've informed you all of my new wordpress blog and on that page, I just detailed everything that is going on. Hopefully, you will visit that site and read about the current issue. Feel free to drop me a line at authorslegacy@hotmail.com after you do. I'm looking forward to hearing other peoples opinions and I would really like to get in touch with some parents who are dealing with that same thing.

It's an outrage and someone needs to stand up...it takes one person to make a difference...I'm trying to do just that

Does Pornography Cause Rape...

Authorslegacy — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:52:24 GMT

Leaning on a moral standpoint, it would have to be said that pornography causes rape. Although it doesn’t commit the rape personally, it surely plays its part in contributing to those events. It’s common knowledge that pornography is addictive and sometimes carries violence along with it. Dominance, violence, and bondage are all perfect examples of different types of pornography that can be found rather easily. Internet sites are an easy avenue for any porn addict...they are vulgar and degrading. In my opinion, there comes a time when what’s in front of you isn’t enough. Just like with any addiction, there is an increased need to have more...to have better. If these pictures and videos aren’t enough for an addict, their next option would be the real thing. That leaves me to wonder who’s really safe out there in the world of pornography and predators.

As for me, I do not possess any adult rated videos...I don’t own any ‘adult store’ items...I don’t visit morally degrading web sites. I’ve raised my sons to respect every aspect of a woman - most importantly, her body. My boys are very protective of every female they encounter. I can remember an instance where I took them to the store...there was a man being very abusive to his girlfriend when we were there and my oldest son (who was 12 at the time) said something loud enough for that man to hear. I let my son know that what he did was commendable, but he should be careful vocalizing his opinions while in public. He told me that at least he stuck up for the girl. It made me feel good about how I was raising him.

It seems there is violence and lack of respect everywhere we look. A lot of it probably stems from these perpetrators not having a moral upbringing. While my family may not be perfect, at least I know that I’m protecting my children from such a lifestyle while educating them about it at the same time. Pornography is so easily accessible that anyone can get their hands on it. The web sites should be regulated and monitored by the federal government on some level. There are ratings on movies...age limits for adult stores...rules are everywhere except on the world wide web. Children of any age can accidentally type in the wrong web site and be flooded with images of violent sex acts...something should be done to prevent that.

Determining is pornography causes rape is less pertinent that asking yourself...how do we prevent rape...maybe then we can do something about it. A high majority of rapists out there have a stockpile of porn at home...videos, web pages, magazines. They all admit that they couldn’t control their urges. Maybe if we take those items away...or extremely regulate them...we would see a decrease in the number of sexual assaults. It all boils down to the fact that YES pornography does cause rape. It dehumanizes a woman to the point that a rapist doesn’t even see her as a person. I think it would be a good idea to bring to trial the companies that feed into it. That would be a great stepping stone that might lead these victimized women down the path of healing.

Non-violent Criminals Behind Bars

Authorslegacy — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:25:11 GMT

Just in case no one knows, the overcrowding in our county prisons is astronomical. It’s the taxpayers that pick up the slack for most of it with our taxes...why not do something about it. There are counseling programs and halfway houses that could help these non-violent offenders. The court system should give those things a shot before just throwing them behind bars. I’ve been reading some things in the media lately that have me concerned about the whole justice system. There are violent, repeat criminals that have lighter sentences than some first time minor offenders. To me, something is wrong with that picture.

Now, I’m not saying we should sit here and have compassion for them all. If you think about it, maybe there are some that deserve a little compassion...another chance. Before sending them off to prison, it would be nice to get a complete picture of who that person is. Possibly look at the entire background of what led them down that path. The economy is spiraling out of control to begin with, this could be a step in the right direction. I know not everyone thinks the same as me regarding this topic...that’s fine. My desire here isn’t to have everyone agree with me, I just have a point to prove. After reading what I have to say...maybe a few more people will understand...

There are some people I know that are currently in county prison for unpaid child support...here’s the catch. They have been paying support, just can’t get caught up on the arrears that got added from the filing date to the hearing date. When someone files for support, they back date that amount to when it was originally filed. That means if the hearing isn’t for 2 months after the filing date, support is automatically in arrears. I have a few friends that pay well over $1000 a month for 2 kids...so, if you go in for the hearing, that puts you over $2000 behind instantly. These are people that spend an equal amount of time with their kids, but their ex-spouse doesn’t feel like getting a job. One of them has his kids a majority of the time...and his ex is out partying with his money. Maybe it’s more than just the criminal justice system that needs looked at here!

The non-violent criminals that I just mentioned are all in county jail even though they pay what they’re supposed to and just can’t get caught up. They couldn’t even afford to have their own place...they moved in with family members while their ex’s end up in nice big houses! When they go off to work release, the county takes their incarceration fee before anything and whatever is left will go towards the support. There’s never enough left to pay the current monthly amount, which leaves the arrears becoming higher and higher. It’s a lose/lose situation!

It’s more than just the domestic end of it that frustrates me as well...there are minor DUI offenders that are sent there instead of having the chance at ARD...even after they prove they don’t drive on a suspended license. Some are locked away because of a non-violent disorderly conduct charge that has a total fine of $144...what’s the sense in that. These are offenders that didn’t hurt anyone...never had an intention of hurting anyone...and attempt to be good citizens. Let’s teach them a lesson in a different way instead of overcrowding the prison system even more. Maybe we’ll all save some tax money if that was to happen!