A New World .... Navigating the Juvenile Justice System

Lately, my posts have been few and far between, reason. Three weeks ago, I obtained a position in the juvenile justice system, which is challenging in many ways. I welcome the challenge. I am also challenging myself to return to posting several times of week.

My previous employment was less than stimulating, though not unrewarding. The latest employment requires forwarding thinking and sparks my passion for public service and reducing recidivism. As I instill a new routine, I will be incorporating and resuming my passion for writing.

The Terrorist's Agenda ...... Life After Boston

When Americans think terrorism, the first image to appear is the image of 9/11 in Osama Bin Laden, Radical Islam. However, the world is filled with terrorists with different types of agendas. Ultimately, terrorists have one major goal that is to instill terror in the hearts and minds of people. Some terrorism target religious groups, some political groups, others Americans in general. Terrorist are sated with hate, and those targeting America hate American way of life. It is ironic though in the sense that America embraces so many walks of life. America is such a diversified society that when a terrorist targets America that take a small piece of everyone.

If a terrorist succeeds in altering our everyday life, they have completed at least part of their mission. Certain modifications occur over time when a need is realized to ultimately achieve a safer community. But if events, such as the Boston marathon, are deprived of their sense of community, then society has lost something important, a part of its core. While it is unfortunate and tragic, American law enforcement, both local and federal, cannot prevent every tragedy, if so there would be no child abuse or murders. Society needs to practice faith and diligence without losing their sense of all encompassing American community.

A poll by the National Journal suggests people feel US policies for security of at major events do not need reassessing. There have been a number of attempted attacks since 9/11 that never came to fruition, probably just as many more for which Americans are unaware. Post 9/11, modifications were implemented to help prevent another attack of that magnitude, such as heighten airport security but Americans still fly. This is the approach that should be taken when assessing life after Boston. Boston, America, keep on running.

The Boston Bombing Trial...... Let's Get It Right

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Boston, and those people affected by the Boston bombings. However, to one degree or another, all of America has been affected. Now that the suspects are caught, one dead, and the investigation and case is being compiled for trial, experts are beginning to debate the aspects of the trial.

Let’s get this right. This trial is not one that needs to be hindered by technicalities. One of the decisions being made revolves around how to try the young man, Mr. Tsarnaev. Will he be read his Miranda rights? Was this an act of war? Is he an enemy combatant? Where the trial should be held?

The answer to these questions will lay the groundwork for the construction of the trial. To begin to answer these questions, we must discover the motivations behind this act of terrorism. And yes, although this at one point was a matter of debate, this bombing was an act of terrorism. Beyond popular belief, there are many reasons behind terrorism besides Radical Islam, and sometimes individuals just manipulate a cause as an outlet for their own hatred. Were the Tsarnaev brothers targeting just the Boston community or were they targeting Americans and their way of life by instilling fear?

So is he an American citizen who committed an act of domestic terrorism or is he an enemy combatant? Personally, I feel this was definitely an act of terrorism, ultimately targeting Americans. His citizenship is irrelevant. Enemy combatant, act of war, I would say yes, let’s try it as such. But let us prevent another tragedy, by not letting this trial get caught up in technicalities.

Great articles in NY Times discussing the complexities:

Legal Questions Riddle Boston Case

Syria .... Fightin' Dirty

What happens to a country who violates international law? The International Police Officers arrest the violator, not exactly. International law violations often seems vague and arbitrary. The intentions are well directed, but it is often attempted to be enforced with sanctions. Sanctions are only effective if they have the support of the entire international community. It is not often the G8 countries unanimously decide on one concise action. Everyone has an agenda.

The conflict in Syria seems to be a free for all. No one is heeding international law. Cluster bombs are falling on communities. Local shops and hospitals are targeted. There are no rules of war. The opposition argues the large civilian grouping is a strategy to vilify them. They are laying the blame on the Syrian government, accusing the government of fear mongering. Civilian causalities are appearing to overrun those of the fighters. The diligent Human Rights Watch seem to continuously strive to find relief for the Syrians, but it is very difficult to actually make a difference without a decisive move from a major player in the international community.

Sequestration .... Fend For Yourself

Sequester Effects: Top Public Defender Force To Fire Himself

Well it is a sad day America. The six-figure publicly elected workers (Mr. President and fellow Senators) should take heed of everyday Americans who make sacrifices such as this local public defender. Steve Nolder, director of the Public Defender's officer in southern Ohio, forced with sequestration effects fired himself to save the jobs of others in his office. Anyone in Washington want to follow the lead make a sacrifice, maybe a pay cut, to save the jobs of the Americans who put them in office? Anyone?

Public defender serve the public. Not necessarily a glamorous post, but it is a post the upholds one of the great ideals of the American justice system. Everyone is afforded someone to represent them. Steve Nolder worked as a public defender for 18 years, which was a great service to the community. Sequestration is affecting people on a real level, and the effects are happening now, not ten years down the road. When will the decisions made in Washington affect the decision makers? Will they ever? Is it easier for Washington to make decisions that they will not even notice? How many in the White House are worried about feeding their household?

The Cracks in Criminal Justice ..... Parole

James Lohr Arrested In Connection To Murder Of Colorado Corrections Director Tom Clements - The Huffington Post

What a tragedy? The news since the murder of the Colorado Corrections Director by a white supremacist gang member with a vendetta reads like a crime novel. Aside from the motivations behind the crime, this crime was a preventable crime.

 

Just study the long rap list of James Lohr, and it will be evident. Why was James Lohr walking free? Discussing recidivism with a young man serving time in prison, he made a comment about the prison population. He said there were two types of inmates: those who would never return to prison and those who would never stay out of prison. A felon realizes the reality, but the criminal justice system cannot recognize this problem?

 

James Lohr should have already spent his last chance. The logic of the prison inmate suggests one chance should be sufficient enough to determine whether someone will offend again. Why does the justice system afford so many second chances to offenders? One less chance for Mr. Lohr would have given Tom Clements another chance at life.

Reality Ignored .... Israel

Obama Walks the High Wire, Eyes Closed - The Huffington Post

Kudos! Ira Chernus hits the nail on the head. There are people who realize political rhetoric when they see it. Obama said just enough to satisfy a person in ever political corner in recent trip to Israel. Words with no action. Will any American President have the courage or tenacity to the actions that will incite change? Or will they continuously just reiterate the "go to" historic Presidential view that in reality is prehistoric?