January 19, 2011
Crime Doesn’t Pay; or Does it?
By Steve Spain
This week I watched a TV show called CSI Miami which has a character-detective played by David Caruso, who insinuated a crime on a suspect who beat his former girlfriend enough to do damage to her ribs. Eight months later, that same woman became a victim in a murder case. The victim would probably not have died had it not been for that previous injury. David Caruso’s character, in the end of the show, portrayed an angry police detective who took this man who no longer could be prosecuted for his criminal behavior (beating up on his former girlfriend) and locked the door of the interrogation room to prevent any interference, to dole out his own vigilante justice.
What is this teaching our children? We are taught to trust and emulate law enforcement personnel because they represent the highest standards of right and decency. In fact, it is often considered a higher crime when someone kills a police officer than an ordinary citizen. This is normally justified. This example of a TV police detective doling out punishment to an individual he personally hated shows poor judgment on the behalf of the writers and the sponsors of this program. It justifies criminal behavior.
The police are never justified to “punish” someone. They are only there to serve and protect; to arrest criminals and not be judge, jury, and executioner. Sponsors for this “Wheels Up” episode of CSI Miami are: Ford, Burger King, AT&T, Lunesta, Farmers Insurance, Discover, Campbell’s Soup, Apple iPad, Dunkin Donuts, H&R Block, Petsmart, Travelers Insurance, Office Depot, Verizon, Pizza Hut, Outback, Staples, Dove, Sprint, Chevy, Menards, Cox, Universal ad for “Sanctum”, Got Milk, Metlife, Air Optix, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Monsanto and The Nebraska Medical Center. All of these companies (29) and more (did not include ads for other TV shows or internal ads for other products shown) are responsible for the message sent to our children by this one TV episode.
This type of TV show is just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who watches “Bones” has heard of the “Grave Digger.” The murders that have been done over many episodes of this TV show are all attributed to the “Grave Digger.” The “Grave Digger” is thought to be someone too smart to catch. Many episodes later, the “Grave Digger” is finally caught. What is this teaching our children? That, if you’re smart enough, you too can commit murder and get away with it? I believe everyone should have the freedom to express themselves; be it on the big or small screen and especially in books. You have to be aware of the message being sent. It should also be the responsibility of the “Sponsor” to filter out what that message should be. Further, it is also the responsibility of parents to see what their children are watching and turn off the TV when “Sponsors” become irresponsible.
Another TV show is the “Mentalist” where the character “Patrick Jane” is portrayed as an intellectual crime solver, unmatched except for “Red John” who kills and kills without an ending. He too is too smart to be caught. This type of show is happening more and more. It’s almost a challenge for any unstable individual to see if he too is smart enough to get away with murder.
What happened to shows like: Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Dragnet, Sky King, Adam 12, Chips, Cagney and Lacey, and so many others that caught their suspects in the same episode and turned them over to be prosecuted by the judicial system? Dragnet at the end of their episode usually explained what penalty was given to the convicted person. Are we allowing an entire generation of children to think that murder may solve their problems? Are you willing to be the next victim?
Are all of these shootings across our country in schools and shopping centers just the beginning of what’s to come?
Crime Doesn’t Pay; or Does it?
By Steve Spain
This week I watched a TV show called CSI Miami which has a character-detective played by David Caruso, who insinuated a crime on a suspect who beat his former girlfriend enough to do damage to her ribs. Eight months later, that same woman became a victim in a murder case. The victim would probably not have died had it not been for that previous injury. David Caruso’s character, in the end of the show, portrayed an angry police detective who took this man who no longer could be prosecuted for his criminal behavior (beating up on his former girlfriend) and locked the door of the interrogation room to prevent any interference, to dole out his own vigilante justice.
What is this teaching our children? We are taught to trust and emulate law enforcement personnel because they represent the highest standards of right and decency. In fact, it is often considered a higher crime when someone kills a police officer than an ordinary citizen. This is normally justified. This example of a TV police detective doling out punishment to an individual he personally hated shows poor judgment on the behalf of the writers and the sponsors of this program. It justifies criminal behavior.
The police are never justified to “punish” someone. They are only there to serve and protect; to arrest criminals and not be judge, jury, and executioner. Sponsors for this “Wheels Up” episode of CSI Miami are: Ford, Burger King, AT&T, Lunesta, Farmers Insurance, Discover, Campbell’s Soup, Apple iPad, Dunkin Donuts, H&R Block, Petsmart, Travelers Insurance, Office Depot, Verizon, Pizza Hut, Outback, Staples, Dove, Sprint, Chevy, Menards, Cox, Universal ad for “Sanctum”, Got Milk, Metlife, Air Optix, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Monsanto and The Nebraska Medical Center. All of these companies (29) and more (did not include ads for other TV shows or internal ads for other products shown) are responsible for the message sent to our children by this one TV episode.
This type of TV show is just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who watches “Bones” has heard of the “Grave Digger.” The murders that have been done over many episodes of this TV show are all attributed to the “Grave Digger.” The “Grave Digger” is thought to be someone too smart to catch. Many episodes later, the “Grave Digger” is finally caught. What is this teaching our children? That, if you’re smart enough, you too can commit murder and get away with it? I believe everyone should have the freedom to express themselves; be it on the big or small screen and especially in books. You have to be aware of the message being sent. It should also be the responsibility of the “Sponsor” to filter out what that message should be. Further, it is also the responsibility of parents to see what their children are watching and turn off the TV when “Sponsors” become irresponsible.
Another TV show is the “Mentalist” where the character “Patrick Jane” is portrayed as an intellectual crime solver, unmatched except for “Red John” who kills and kills without an ending. He too is too smart to be caught. This type of show is happening more and more. It’s almost a challenge for any unstable individual to see if he too is smart enough to get away with murder.
What happened to shows like: Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Dragnet, Sky King, Adam 12, Chips, Cagney and Lacey, and so many others that caught their suspects in the same episode and turned them over to be prosecuted by the judicial system? Dragnet at the end of their episode usually explained what penalty was given to the convicted person. Are we allowing an entire generation of children to think that murder may solve their problems? Are you willing to be the next victim?
Are all of these shootings across our country in schools and shopping centers just the beginning of what’s to come?
December 28, 2010
Most Everyone is Looking Forward to Social Security / Medicare
By Steve Spain
Most everyone I know is looking forward to Social Security and Medicare when they retire. We have been paying into it all of our working lives, and let's face it, -- without it, most of us could only look forward to working for the rest of our lives, doing whatever we could to earn a living; most likely some fast food burger joint, or a greeter at the local Wal-Mart. Employers aren’t going to pay the large salaries to people who may forget things or aren’t physically capable of doing any laborious jobs that could easily have been done by most anyone that didn’t have the elderly aches and pains that we all will eventually get. Do you want to work for the rest of your life? What happens when you can’t work anymore? That day will come and you still will have to live somewhere. Do you want the government to send you to the poor farm as they did in the 1920’s? That was before Social Security and Medicare. These are the “Safety Nets” put in place; created to allow you to live out the last years with dignity, not panhandling on the streets to survive.
Have you been listening to the candidates from the “Tea Party” and the “Conservatives”? - Libertarians, Republicans, or even Independents, all talking about saving our economy by making the needed cuts in Social Security/Medicare; in order to save future generations from having to pay back the enormous debt that has been piling up, thanks to the “Conservatives” in power during the Bush Administration. Now, the Obama Administration is being held hostage by filibusters and impending “Conservative Party” growth. Every one of you who sat on your hands and claimed not to be political and didn’t “VOTE” will be the reason that we lose these “Safety Nets.” I hope you like flipping burgers because that is where we are headed.
Think of this, how many people are out of work now? The current unemployment rate is 9.6%; add all of the retired people to those same lines and the unemployment rate will rise to 45 -50%. Do you think you will get a job when you are 70 years old with an unemployment rate of 50%? Unemployment benefits will not be available for you. You will be living on the streets. Only the wealthy will survive. This is a “Class” WAR.
The only way we are going to survive is to elect representatives that look to help the “Poor” and “Middle Class”; - not the “Wealthy” and the “Ultra-Rich”. The “Conservatives” are saying that only the “Wealthy” and the “Ultra-Rich” can save us from our economic problems. That is partly true. It won’t be by cutting or eliminating Social Security and Medicare which is the unmentioned spending cuts that the “Conservatives” keep referring to. “Listen to them” - they keep saying we need to make spending cuts to save future generations and that we need to make the sacrifices to make it happen. Are you ready to live on the streets, begging for your next meal at age 70? This is what they have in mind for you. The real way the “Wealthy” and the “Ultra-Rich” can help is to pay their fair share of taxes; eliminate “Tax Loopholes”, increase taxes. Just because they were given chances that very few have - to make the kind of money that everyone dreams of - doesn’t mean they get to play God. Most of the “Wealthy” and “Ultra-Rich” hoard their money and try to make it impossible to tax. They pass it along to their children who then do the same thing. They influence our government officials to make these “Tax Loopholes” and try to buy into Political Races for power and more influence.
You may think I’m crazy. You may think I'm just one of those “Liberals” who tax and spend. The truth is... Democrats try to look at the whole picture; not just one side. Everyone wants to be rich. We all can’t be rich. There isn’t enough money in the economy for everyone to be rich. The “Wealthy” and “Ultra-Rich” are an important part of our society if they are participants. They can be the catalyst to millions of good paying jobs. I’m all for the “Wealthy” and Ultra-Rich” IF they become part of the system. They need to pay a lot more in taxes and this will reduce the need to change our “Safety Nets.” That also will allow people to buy the goods and services that the participating “Rich” people made; this in turn will provide what’s needed to live a quality life that you yourself would prosper in.
In the next election, don’t forget to vote (Liberal) “Democrat”; it’s our only “Salvation”.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Most Everyone is Looking Forward to Social Security / Medicare
By Steve Spain
Most everyone I know is looking forward to Social Security and Medicare when they retire. We have been paying into it all of our working lives, and let's face it, -- without it, most of us could only look forward to working for the rest of our lives, doing whatever we could to earn a living; most likely some fast food burger joint, or a greeter at the local Wal-Mart. Employers aren’t going to pay the large salaries to people who may forget things or aren’t physically capable of doing any laborious jobs that could easily have been done by most anyone that didn’t have the elderly aches and pains that we all will eventually get. Do you want to work for the rest of your life? What happens when you can’t work anymore? That day will come and you still will have to live somewhere. Do you want the government to send you to the poor farm as they did in the 1920’s? That was before Social Security and Medicare. These are the “Safety Nets” put in place; created to allow you to live out the last years with dignity, not panhandling on the streets to survive.
Have you been listening to the candidates from the “Tea Party” and the “Conservatives”? - Libertarians, Republicans, or even Independents, all talking about saving our economy by making the needed cuts in Social Security/Medicare; in order to save future generations from having to pay back the enormous debt that has been piling up, thanks to the “Conservatives” in power during the Bush Administration. Now, the Obama Administration is being held hostage by filibusters and impending “Conservative Party” growth. Every one of you who sat on your hands and claimed not to be political and didn’t “VOTE” will be the reason that we lose these “Safety Nets.” I hope you like flipping burgers because that is where we are headed.
Think of this, how many people are out of work now? The current unemployment rate is 9.6%; add all of the retired people to those same lines and the unemployment rate will rise to 45 -50%. Do you think you will get a job when you are 70 years old with an unemployment rate of 50%? Unemployment benefits will not be available for you. You will be living on the streets. Only the wealthy will survive. This is a “Class” WAR.
The only way we are going to survive is to elect representatives that look to help the “Poor” and “Middle Class”; - not the “Wealthy” and the “Ultra-Rich”. The “Conservatives” are saying that only the “Wealthy” and the “Ultra-Rich” can save us from our economic problems. That is partly true. It won’t be by cutting or eliminating Social Security and Medicare which is the unmentioned spending cuts that the “Conservatives” keep referring to. “Listen to them” - they keep saying we need to make spending cuts to save future generations and that we need to make the sacrifices to make it happen. Are you ready to live on the streets, begging for your next meal at age 70? This is what they have in mind for you. The real way the “Wealthy” and the “Ultra-Rich” can help is to pay their fair share of taxes; eliminate “Tax Loopholes”, increase taxes. Just because they were given chances that very few have - to make the kind of money that everyone dreams of - doesn’t mean they get to play God. Most of the “Wealthy” and “Ultra-Rich” hoard their money and try to make it impossible to tax. They pass it along to their children who then do the same thing. They influence our government officials to make these “Tax Loopholes” and try to buy into Political Races for power and more influence.
You may think I’m crazy. You may think I'm just one of those “Liberals” who tax and spend. The truth is... Democrats try to look at the whole picture; not just one side. Everyone wants to be rich. We all can’t be rich. There isn’t enough money in the economy for everyone to be rich. The “Wealthy” and “Ultra-Rich” are an important part of our society if they are participants. They can be the catalyst to millions of good paying jobs. I’m all for the “Wealthy” and Ultra-Rich” IF they become part of the system. They need to pay a lot more in taxes and this will reduce the need to change our “Safety Nets.” That also will allow people to buy the goods and services that the participating “Rich” people made; this in turn will provide what’s needed to live a quality life that you yourself would prosper in.
In the next election, don’t forget to vote (Liberal) “Democrat”; it’s our only “Salvation”.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Comment: From Ralph Gauthier, Omaha, NE
Honestly, it boggles my mind that there are so many middle-class conservatives, and I must confess that I am at somewhat of a loss when it comes to explaining the phenomenon. The things that conservatives say they stand for: fiscal responsibility, smaller government, less bureaucracy, less government spending, … These all make perfect sense conceptually. It’s not until you look at what The Tea Party and the Republicans are talking about eliminating that the logic breaks down. It occurred to me as I was writing this that the movers and shakers in the conservative camp have very effectively transferred the blame for all of the country's ills onto liberals and the poor who are bleeding out the system by taking advantage of government entitlement programs; the great “Transfer of Wealth” that has become one of the worn out battle cries of the right. The thing that just doesn’t make sense to me is that when I look at my conservative family, friends and neighbors, it is obvious (to me anyway) that they are in the same boat as I am: struggling to pay bills, fearful of the consequences of losing their jobs, dismal retirement prospects, … Why then do they so rabidly support the very people and political organizations who are bent on making their lives that much more miserable?! - Remember those Bush Era tax cuts that the Republicans fought tooth and nail to extend? Those tax cuts were enacted under the guise of making American businesses “more competitive” and following the logic of Trickle-down Economics, what’s good for American businesses is good for the American people. Well in case you weren’t paying attention, those tax cuts did not result in any meaningful growth in employment, the American economy tanked, we lost over 8 million jobs and the unemployment rate is still over nine and a half percent despite claims that the country has entered an economic recovery. Wake up, people! What is it going to take to get you to see the light and realize that unless you are among the wealthy, the Republicans and the Tea Party are not your friends?
Honestly, it boggles my mind that there are so many middle-class conservatives, and I must confess that I am at somewhat of a loss when it comes to explaining the phenomenon. The things that conservatives say they stand for: fiscal responsibility, smaller government, less bureaucracy, less government spending, … These all make perfect sense conceptually. It’s not until you look at what The Tea Party and the Republicans are talking about eliminating that the logic breaks down. It occurred to me as I was writing this that the movers and shakers in the conservative camp have very effectively transferred the blame for all of the country's ills onto liberals and the poor who are bleeding out the system by taking advantage of government entitlement programs; the great “Transfer of Wealth” that has become one of the worn out battle cries of the right. The thing that just doesn’t make sense to me is that when I look at my conservative family, friends and neighbors, it is obvious (to me anyway) that they are in the same boat as I am: struggling to pay bills, fearful of the consequences of losing their jobs, dismal retirement prospects, … Why then do they so rabidly support the very people and political organizations who are bent on making their lives that much more miserable?! - Remember those Bush Era tax cuts that the Republicans fought tooth and nail to extend? Those tax cuts were enacted under the guise of making American businesses “more competitive” and following the logic of Trickle-down Economics, what’s good for American businesses is good for the American people. Well in case you weren’t paying attention, those tax cuts did not result in any meaningful growth in employment, the American economy tanked, we lost over 8 million jobs and the unemployment rate is still over nine and a half percent despite claims that the country has entered an economic recovery. Wake up, people! What is it going to take to get you to see the light and realize that unless you are among the wealthy, the Republicans and the Tea Party are not your friends?
Comment: From Steve Spain, Omaha, NE
I think the Conservative Party is being led by the “Pulpit”. Most churches today have ministers who live under a totally different retirement system than most Americans. They don’t pay into Social Security and Medicare because they have their own system. These same ministers are preaching every Sunday to unsuspecting church members thinking that the ministers live under the same restraints as they do. All of the “Safety Nets” could disappear and it would not affect most of the ministers around the world. Only until the money dries up at the offering table would it affect them. -- I think most Conservatives pride themselves as “Religious, church-going members of society”, but they better watch out where their bread is buttered and where the “Demons” really are.
I think the Conservative Party is being led by the “Pulpit”. Most churches today have ministers who live under a totally different retirement system than most Americans. They don’t pay into Social Security and Medicare because they have their own system. These same ministers are preaching every Sunday to unsuspecting church members thinking that the ministers live under the same restraints as they do. All of the “Safety Nets” could disappear and it would not affect most of the ministers around the world. Only until the money dries up at the offering table would it affect them. -- I think most Conservatives pride themselves as “Religious, church-going members of society”, but they better watch out where their bread is buttered and where the “Demons” really are.
Comment: From Mac Kull
The question is posed: "...Why then do they so rabidly support the very people and political organizations who are bent on making their lives that much more miserable?!"
It is my belief that conservatives, in particular--conservtism, is indoctrined into people from the time they are born and that by the time they are old enough to experience the real world it takes an extrodinary effort for them to understand the bias/beliefs they carry, if they ever do.
In contrast, a progressive baby experiences more changes in their parents philosphies and beliefs because, I believe, of their willingness to understand, expand, and learn...AND being able to accept a change when they realize it, whereas, a conservative has a hard time doing so.
The question is posed: "...Why then do they so rabidly support the very people and political organizations who are bent on making their lives that much more miserable?!"
It is my belief that conservatives, in particular--conservtism, is indoctrined into people from the time they are born and that by the time they are old enough to experience the real world it takes an extrodinary effort for them to understand the bias/beliefs they carry, if they ever do.
In contrast, a progressive baby experiences more changes in their parents philosphies and beliefs because, I believe, of their willingness to understand, expand, and learn...AND being able to accept a change when they realize it, whereas, a conservative has a hard time doing so.
