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Mackerel Economics in Prison
WSJ ^ | OCTOBER 2, 2008 | By JUSTIN SCHECK

Posted on 10/06/2008 12:20:08 PM PDT by HaplessToad

Packs of Fish Catch On as Currency, Former Inmates Say; Officials Carp

...There's been a mackerel economy in federal prisons since about 2004, former inmates and some prison consultants say. That's when federal prisons prohibited smoking and, by default, the cigarette pack, which was the earlier gold standard.

...Unlike those more expensive delicacies, former prisoners say, the mack is a good stand-in for the greenback because each can (or pouch) costs about $1 and few -- other than weight-lifters craving protein -- want to eat it.

...

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: currency; mackerel; prison

1 posted on 10/06/2008 12:20:09 PM PDT by HaplessToad
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To: HaplessToad

If the drive-by media get a hold of this story, it’ll go like this:

Sarah Palin and her husband Todd operated a commercial fishing vessel in Alaska.

Mackerel are native to Alaska.

The Palins could have caught and sold mackerel to canneries which then sold the mackerel to the Bureau of Federal Prisons.

Therefore Sarah Palin could have profited from the prison trade in mackerel.

QED.


2 posted on 10/06/2008 12:36:30 PM PDT by Loyalist (Tory! Tory! Tory!)
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To: HaplessToad

How many Mackerals would anyone pay for a real lunch with Obama HUSSEIN? I dont think I wold give One Mackeral, and thats even if the can was being sold at distress prices!

John McCain just asked Live, “WHO IS THIS OBAMA?”
“DID OBAMA EVER DO ANYTHING IN GOVERNMENT??”
JOHN IS HOT!! AND HE IS FIRED UP!!

OBAMA HUSSEIN IS A LIAR AND A FRAUD!! YEA! JOHN MCCAIN!!


3 posted on 10/06/2008 12:41:23 PM PDT by NOBAMA in 08 ( OBIE HUSSEIN IS AN EMPTY BRAIN and BODY with NO Redeeming Value!)
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To: Loyalist
Don't forget that she is a member of a looney fringe church that worships the Holy Mackerel!

/sarc

4 posted on 10/06/2008 1:16:28 PM PDT by who_would_fardels_bear (The cosmos is about the smallest hole a man can stick his head in. - Chesterton)
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To: HaplessToad

I found this to be very interesting and perplexing at the same time. Apparently the inmates don’t like the mackerel, so why would it be of value to them? Cigarettes as a currency substitute make perfect sense. Smokers desire them, and even if you don’t smoke they still have value because of those who do. Mackerel however is only consumed by a few freaks like myself who happen to like it. Most people find it overpowering. Myself, I’ve always eaten fresh mackerel. I’m not sure even I would like the canned version.


5 posted on 10/06/2008 1:49:42 PM PDT by elmer fudd (Fukoku kyohei)
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To: elmer fudd

What inherent value does the greenback have ?

Or Gold, or ... ?


6 posted on 10/06/2008 3:37:11 PM PDT by MetaThought
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