Help with HS Sociology project

WHS Sociology Department ^ | 3/27/04 | Self

[ladyjane]

Interesting set of questions. Just don't let your son major in sociology. No jobs for those majors.

[jonefab]

I,myself, believe a felon should lose his right to vote in all elections (state,local and national), his right to run for any and all public offices (state,local and national), and be ineligible for any public monies -- in cash or vouchers -- whether in the form of compensation for work done, public assistance, etc; albeit, these are not Constitutional rights.

Does this include social security, state retirement plans that have been paid into? Programs in different states that provide reform for felons to get jobs and recover from addiction. What about those felons that have had their records expunged or what ever the term is. What about expunged records in regards to employment, should certain felons records be open to scrutinization for certain types of employment? This brings a whole new area into the debate, expunged records.

[mathluv]

"2. Do you believe that if prisoners are treated more humanely (own TV's, liberal use of telephone priviledges, family/cojugal visits, more activities inside and out, etc.) that they would be less likely to be violent or a danger upon release from prison? Expalin your answer. "

No. Prison should be for punishment.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

think this is what his sociology project should be-- should parents ignore their responsibility to raise kids to vote for candidates who seek to preserve constitutional principles

That isn't what his project is and regardless of how/what you believe, I have raised excellent and intelligent children who have read the constitution and would like to see it remain as sacred as it is.

or should parents stick their head in the sand and pretend that they should be hands-off best buddies of their kids?

I am so very glad you wrote that - you are one of those people who like to start flame wars when none is called for aren't you? If you bothered to read all of my posts, you would not have gathered such an insane idea - but no, it is just so much easier to insult people. I refuse to insist that my children vote/think/act exactly as I do under threat of "throwing them out of my house". Didn't Nazi Germany institute such a program? Wasn't it wrong under punishment of death to not toe the party line?? Of course I instruct my children in right and wrong morally and in activities of daily life. Of course I explain why I believe the way I do or why I vote the way I do and all the reasons behind them and I expect that if they hold a differing opinion to state their reasons for believing such and have the facts to back them up - but I refuse to force them to be carbon copies of me or brainwash them.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

I have two parents who are democrats, and I'm a very conservative independent/republican. Go figure.

same here.....

[CAPPSMADNESS]

Believe it or not - He wants to join the military after high-school.

[FITZ]

1. What Constitutional rights should be required to be given up if one is sentenced to a felony & why?

I think that should depend on the felony --- if they committed a violent crime like murder or rape, they should be kept in prison ---- which isn't about having rights.

2. Do you believe that if prisoners are treated more humanely (own TV's, liberal use of telephone priviledges, family/cojugal visits, more activities inside and out, etc.) that they would be less likely to be violent or a danger upon release from prison? Expalin your answer.

No --- because most like they had those things before they went to prison and that didn't stop them from committing a violent crime. Prisoners should do hard manual labor so they can feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

3. Do you agree with capitol punishment? Why or why not?

Yes --- for crimes like child rape and killing or any murder of an innocent person, crimes like murdering someone to watch them die.

4. How long should someone be allowed to remain on death row before their sentence is carried out?

Not very long --- DNA testing and other modern technology can establish proof fairly fast so that many appeals aren't usually necessary --- only when there is some reasonable doubt, important lack of solid proof.

5. Should lethal injection be the only form of carrying out the death penalty? Expalin.

No --- electrocution is just as humane.

6. Whould you ever consider a career in law enforcement? Why/Why not?

I don't know why---- I never have.

7. What would be the most difficult part of being a police officer and why?

Going from a calm almost boring situation to immediate danger. Police friends will tell me that it can be very quiet, very boring one minute and then all hell is breaking loose --- and they can be facing extreme danger within seconds.

[Mr. Mojo]

"Sociology? .....Oh you'll go far." </ sarcasm> - Harry Callahan to his new partner Chico Gonzalez, Dirty Harry (1971)

[CAPPSMADNESS]

oh, sorry - not much into TV lore...

[Mr. Mojo]

Dirty Harry was a movie, not a TV show. ....And it spawned one of the most famous characters in the history of film.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

oops again - haven't seen that move....

Maybe I need to get out more....

=0)

[yankeedame]

Does this include social security, state retirement plans that have been paid into?

IMHO -- and that's all it is, my humble opinion -- yes, I believe this should include SS, SRP, et. al. To be realistic when it comes to your typical felon how much have they really "put in" to SS or a SRP? Going out on a limb I'd hazard to say that the better part of them have never had an honest job in their life. As re: to those "white-collar" felons who have paid into SS and/or SRP why would they not loose it? It is a punishment. Besides, honestly speaking, how would this deter a potential felon? "Oh, man, we'd better not stick up this bank/sell these drug/not properly recycle this half empty can of paint. If they catch us we could lose our SS 40 years from now!"

Programs in different states that provide reform for felons to get jobs and recover from addiction. What about those felons that have had their records expunged or what ever the term is. What about expunged records in regards to employment, should certain felons records be open to scrutinization for certain types of employment?

Oh, without a doubt. The rights of John Doe re: his criminal record do not trump those of the employer seeking to discover what sort of individual he may be hiring. Remember: While it is important to protect the individual from society, it is no less important to protect society from the individual.

[kilowhskey]

It is apparent to me that young Matt's mind has not been corrupted by his indoctrinators. Here are my thoughts point by point:
1. No disagreement on any of his ideas.
2. Agreed.
3. and 4. I would simply add that every parent knows that discipline, in order to be effecive, must be both swift and certain. Given that criminals for the most part suffer from some form of arrested development, the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent would be enhanced if its delivery came with a shorter fuse (I would advocate 13 weeks.) and greater certainty.
5. I agree with Matt again. The method should be left to the states.
6. and 7. No argument there.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Good job.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

Thank you for all the varied responses - Although I seemed to get alot of crtiques of my parenting skills even though that wasn't the treads intent. I again will confirm that I am comfortable with how I have raised my kids, including my fsoter daughters and step-son.

For the most part, you have all been very helpful. This is exactly what I wanted him to see and read - but mostly I wanted him to LEARN and THINK before answering these questions put to him. And of course I wanted him to have great sources.

Thank you all again from both of us!

One more favor - I am undergoing spinal fusion Monday at 5am - can you guys send up some prayers? I have suffered ARDS twice in the past 13 years during sugery but I have no choice and have to get this done or look forward to being a quadrapalegic in about 5 years. Any prayers will do.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I never said to force your kids to vote in a certain way.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

before the spelling police get me - let me make my corrections now.....

1. Critiques
2. treads = thread's
3. fsoter = foster
4. any other spelling errors found - I apologize for in advance.....

[bboop]

Sounds great. You were right, I misunderstood. There is so much "we are just going to let them choose their religion" etc. in today's parenting, I jumped to that conclusion. Sounds like you will have terrific and thoughtful kids. Good work.

[bboop]

Sounds great. You were right, I misunderstood. There is so much "we are just going to let them choose their religion" etc. in today's parenting, I jumped to that conclusion. Sounds like you will have terrific and thoughtful kids. Good work.

[ChevyZ28]

I agree with you on the area of the truly reformed. As I said, there is a process by which they can have their rights of citizenship restored. I believe it is different for each state. I have no idea how difficult this will be, but it is worth a try. I think the only right that they may never get back is the right to bear and keep arms. These guys could even look into having their records expunged so they don't have to share their past indiscretions. How easy this will be, I can not answer. I agree no one should have to pay time and again for a crime that has already been answered and paid for.

As for the felony question, this has been a hotly debated issue for years. Certainly, murder, rape, and any other sexual offense should be felonies. Also, certain drug offenses should be felonies. Even certain assaults should be felonies, according to severity and type. I guess the over riding point is, just try and define what the worst offenses are, since this can be as diverse from one person's opinion to another. All I can say in the end is good luck. There is one thing about our society that has not changed, and probably never will, and that is once convicted a person will never escape that mark.