Jan 21, 2014
Chilliwack Progress (BC)
Black tie and beans in support of Chilliwack Restorative Justice
Here’s a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!!! Yes, for a mere $50 – provided you are observing the proper dress code, you can have a bowl of the same baked beans preferred by Elvis. The table of ten is discount and goes for $400. Chilliwack RJ is not into fancy and expensive meals – just kind hearts and unusual fund raising. http://www.theprogress.com/lifestyles/240647801.html
Bill Moyers and Company – Joshua Holland
Why the Wealthy Favor Harsh Punishment — for Criminals and Errant Schoolchildren
Holland notes that a majority in the US Congress are millionaires. Further, other scholars and political scientists have studied the voting and concluded that almost always congress votes for the interests of the wealthy. In this conversation, Holland interviewsUC Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner about why. http://billmoyers.com/2014/01/13/why-the-wealthy-favor-harsh-punishment-for-criminals-and-errant-schoolchildren/#.UtSG4kLs9Eg.twitter
American Civil Liberties Union – Georgeanne M. Usova
How Will the Trillions in Federal Spending Affect Immigration?
The US government passed an omnibus appropriations bill this week and buried the appropriations for the immigrations related measures in a number of places. This article explores the good and the bad provisions. https://www.aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights-racial-justice/how-will-trillions-federal-spending-affect-immigration
Richmond News (BC)
Council debates IHIT funding formula
The Integrated Homicide Investigative Team serves 29 communities but involves five police forces while sharing the costs. But how does one design a formula, in advance or after the fact, for spreading the costs around irregular occurrences. http://www.richmond-news.com/news/council-debates-ihit-funding-formula-1.792748
Star-Telegram ( Fort Worth, TX) – Tim Johnson
Mexican priests give blessing to vigilantes’ war on gangs
In the embattled Mexican state of Michoacan, Catholic priests are openly backing armed vigilante groups that are waging war against the Knights Templar gang, a drug and extortion gang that operates with impunity. The anger of the clergy is directed at both the gangs and the local government and military. http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/17/5495316/mexican-priests-give-blessing.html?rh=1
The Telegraph (UK) – Harriet Alexander
Wyoming and Missouri politicians call for use of firing squad as America runs out of lethal injections
A British newspaper is suggesting that the recent problems getting the necessary lethal drugs for state executions is prompting legislators in at least two states to turn to firing squads for executions. The reaction to a recent Ohio execution take took 26 minutes using a substitute lethal cocktail is nation wide and many are calling for an end to the death penalty altogether. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10581563/Wyoming-and-Missouri-politicians-call-for-use-of-firing-squad-as-America-runs-out-of-lethal-injections.html Related article: Kansas City Star – Andrew Welsh-Huggins and Kantele Franko Unclear future for executions after Ohio’s longest http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/17/4758220/ohio-executions-face-obstacles.html Related article: ABC News – US politicians consider firing squads after Dennis McGuire execution http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-18/us-states-consider-firing-squads-after-dennis-mcguire-execution/5206712
Daily Journal On-line (MO)
Prisoners will pay sales tax at canteen
Inmates using the prison canteens in Missouri state prisons will begin paying state, county and possibly city sales taxes on their purchases. The 21 canteens did $28.8 million in business and would have generated $1.2 million in sales taxes last year. The redeeming feature, if there is one, is that the money can not transfer to general funds and must be used, minus expenses, for inmate recreation, religious or educational purposes. http://dailyjournalonline.com/news/local/prisoners-will-pay-sales-tax-at-canteen/article_94a40966-7fd9-11e3-8c91-0019bb2963f4.html
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Prison nation: Rash sentences, not crime, have filled U.S. jails
The editorial estimates the US prison costs overall at $75 billion. And then notes how non-violent crime, parole violations, property crimes, public order convictions all add to the burden and results in 2.2 million in prison with 5 million on probation or parole. http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2014/01/20/Prison-nation-sentences/stories/201401110001