DISQUS

sp1der · 1 year ago

Great points, Baratunde. The prison culture in this country - what was sold to the American people as being 'tough on crime' - comes from the same sensibilities that have led our politicians to line up, with little deliberation - behind the Patriot Act, the AUMF, and most recently, FISA, and the continued shredding of our once-sacrosanct civil liberties.

Imprisoning citizens for 'victimless crimes' like drug possession has always been a way to scare 'law abiding' citizens. Rove getting away with his litany of crimes, on the other hand, is nothing new, at least in the context of the very powerful people in this country being able to avoid the long arm of the law, thanks to high powered connections to corrupt politicians. Like Bush.

rdxtion · 1 year ago

Also, why can't people who served their time vote? It is nothing other than voter suppression that convicted felons automatically lose their right to vote in this country.

lexusoakland · 1 year ago

Once they have complete parole or probation, felons can petition to have civil rights restored.

rdxtion · 1 year ago

It's actually done on a state-by-state basis. Some states still don't let people who have completed parole vote.

http://www.sentencingproject.org/Admin/Document...

TruthSeeker · 1 year ago

Yes, it is voter suppression....along with the Military recruitment component of No Child Left Behind.....the occupation of Iraq, where the recruited kids die.....and the Prison system, for those who escape recruitment. It is an elaborate conspiracy to thwart democracy and ensure the continued power of the wealthy class.

msmartin · 1 year ago

Amen.

Karmi · 1 year ago

Recidivism is a problem, i.e. it is considered before Civil Rights can be restored...recidivist: One who commits a second (or higher numbered) crime; a repeat offender; a habitual criminal. In 2005, the recidivism rates for released prisoners in the United States of America was 60%.

The wait can be long, and in my case it was about 11-years after release. Some findings from a 1994 report: 1) Released prisoners with the highest rearrest rates were robbers (70.2%), burglars (74.0%), larcenists (74.6%), motor vehicle thieves (78.8%), those in prison for possessing or selling stolen property (77.4%), and those in prison for possessing, using, or selling illegal weapons (70.2%). 2) The 272,111 offenders discharged in 1994 had accumulated 4.1 million arrest charges before their most recent imprisonment and another 744,000 charges within 3 years of release.

msmartin · 1 year ago

You assume that because you're on a predominantly black blog that we don't know the definition of recidivism?

Karmi · 1 year ago

It is you doing the assuming...

GreenLadyHere · 1 year ago

msmartin: Got your back!! Tell me how it is rational to say "It is you doing the assuming. . ." What is that non-sequitur in response to? [dang those dangling participles! :>) :>)]

lexusOakland · 1 year ago

TruthSeeker... on my way to a meeting, but had to respond... the years I spent both raising my own kids, and in child welfare with other people's children, speak to the truth of your assessment. We are seeing a generation devastated ...

TruthSeeker · 1 year ago

Thanks for the response.

I searched for some equivalent in Canada that allows military recruitment in high school, but it seemed that it's primarily on University campus career fairs. Recruiters are often strenuously opposed by University student groups, which is great. I have less unease about the College recruitment because I imagine those "kids" have matured enough to make a better decision. High school recruitment sends a cold chill down my spine.

Did you hear about the recruiter who repeatedly raped a teenage girl?

lexusOakland · 1 year ago

Yes, that was a California case (my state)... although I believe there have been similar instances in other states. I share your discomfort with high school military recruiters. I think most schools get enough military exposure through ROTC; to additionally plant recruiters on site who, in California at least, do not even have to notify the office of their presence on campus, is way over the top. I worked for years as a social worker, and we were required to sign in at the office even though the schools knew us, yet a Marine recruiter can be on campus all day, without admin being aware of his/her presence. One would wish that colleges would recruit in urban high schools with the same fervor... If a kid who has been through our failing school system can be remediated to make it in the military, why not in college? I would love to see a system where local college recruiters put in the same time and effort courting students that military recruiters do--and I mean the students who are NOT in the top 10 percent... rather the ones who perceive they have no where to go but the military.

CPL · 1 year ago

Y'all, I watched Baratunde live from Netroots Nation and am really proud of how he represented, especially with the nugget about the prison industry and how brothers are going to jail for a whole lot less than that slimy SOB Rove has done. In any other country, Rove wouldn't be allowed to tell Congress to kiss his ass after being slapped with a subpeona.

I hope he gets sent to Pelican Bay State Prison, where he becomes the prison girlfriend of guys named Biscuit, LeRoy, Skillet and Hard Time.

baratunde aka jack turner · 1 year ago

oh this is too much! Biscuit!!? LOL

msmartin · 1 year ago

Rove should have to go to the Cook County jail where prisoners are having to sleep in shifts and the guards are abusing prisoners and they're not getting medical treatment because of the overcrowding.

Noelani · 1 year ago

Send his big-headed ass to jail ... asap!

Nell · 1 year ago

Great job on the debut show of Meet the Bloggers! The two-tier system of "justice" is the heart of the issue with Rove's defiance of the law, and you brought it home.

Glad I followed the link here to find your pointer to the Katrina petition. Thanks, and hope to see you regularly on MtB.

Karmi · 1 year ago

Rove is no criminal...such thoughts are the figment of minds blinded by hatred. We agree that non-violent drug offenses should be done away with, by legalizing any and all drugs. However, as Obama pointed out, there are other factors and crimes, besides non-violent drug offenses, that lead to a “twenty times more likely to end up in prison” scenario. Denial and finger-pointing is not a solution, it’s a contributing factor…

baratunde aka jack turner · 1 year ago

Rove ignored a subpoena from the US Congress. He is a criminal.

Karmi · 1 year ago

Ignoring a subpoena from the Volksgerichtshof is not a criminal act. John “Freisler” Conyers is attempting another one of his Nazi moves, in order to impress the Dems Brownshirts base.

Rove’s lawyer says that he is immune and protected by executive privilege, so the ball is back in John “Freisler” Conyers’ Volksgerichtshof.

Karmi · 1 year ago

Another point, in favor of legalizing all drugs, it that many violent-crimes stem from the use of drugs, e.g. robberies and/or burglaries being committed in order to supply a drug habit. Legalizing drugs would also cut down on violent-crimes.

TruthSeeker · 1 year ago

Dangerous precedents are being set if he's allowed to set his own terms, then walk. It's all very chilling.

msmartin · 1 year ago

So was the Scooter Libby incident.

rikyrah · 1 year ago

His ass should be UNDER the jail. Period.

lexusOakland · 1 year ago

Baratunde is right... "Meanwhile, a brother in California is late to a meeting with his probation officer and goes right back to prison." And sometimes it's a sister... and there are children who end up in the foster care system as a result... and the cycle perpetuates itself. Rove and his ilk see themselves as beholden to no law, to no governing body. That his arrogance is supported by GW and company, is indeed "very chilling" and unfortunately predictable.

TruthSeeker · 1 year ago

I commented about the No Child Left Behind act in the open thread. I see a conspiracy here. Poor kids, struggling kids, minority kids are intercepted/recruited in high school and sent off to die or be disabled. Those that escape that first "net", are later weeded out to end up in jail for non-violent crimes....ensuring that their children also falter and the cycle begins again. This plays in concert with the incessant testing of the "Educational Program" that leaves kid ill equipped for life..virtually ensuring contact with law enforcement.

No Child Left Behind..that allows military recruiters access to kids - is a crime. Parents should be outraged. And here parents are worrying about strangers on the internet gaining access to their kids, particularly teenage girls. Recruiters/strangers have access to phone, address of high school kids.

msmartin · 1 year ago

I'm sure it was designed to feed the military and don't forget McCain didn't want to allow those children any benefits to complete their education after service thereby forcing them to remain in the military. Wow.

GreenLadyHere · 1 year ago

jack: Thanks for the information which includes petition sites! Still waters run deep! Karl Rove et al have been perpetuating criminal behavior - all their lives! Glad for the "exposure"!!
P.S. Are the comments of Karmi to be ignored, thought of to come from a mind based in non-reality, or ?????

baratunde aka jack turner · 1 year ago

hey sorry for the delay. been out at the conference all day. i just hit up karmi with a quick reply

GreenLadyHere · 1 year ago

baratunde: Thanks! Continue to enjoy the conference!