February 3, 2013
Victoria Times Colonist (BC) – Jack Knox
No justice for mentally ill caught in the cracks
Knox reports on the mental health implications for two murder trials now taking place. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe thinks there is insanity in the way we deal with mental disorder. “We in B.C., in Canada, in the West have moved away from providing asylum in the good sense of the word,” Lohrasbe says. http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-no-justice-for-mentally-ill-caught-in-the-cracks-1.64906
Orange Blog: Victoria Hetherington
Immigration Has Lowered Canadian Crime Rates: Why Are We Surprised?
Hetherington offers an excellent commentary on immigration and stereotypical characterization of immigrants as criminals in a very well documented reflection on why and how the myths remain pervasive. http://orangellp.ca/blog/immigration-has-lowered-canadian-crime-rates-why-are-we-surprised
Forbes Magazine (US)
Peter Lipson: Only Criminals Have Guns
Jeffrey Brown: What the NRA is Assuming (and Why They are Wrong)
Jim Zirim: Gun Control–The Only Way To Disarm Is To Disarm
Here are a few refreshing reflections on the easy sway of slogans in the gun control debate. Logic and truth rarely visit here! Lipson: http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterlipson/2013/02/01/only-criminals-have-guns Brown: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreybrown/2012/12/21/what-the-nra-is-assuming-and-why-they-are-wrong Zirim: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jameszirin/2013/01/03/the-only-way-to-disarm-is-to-disarm
Journal Inquirer (CT) – Chris Powell
Mental Illness isn’t such a crime issue
Powell takes issue with the thought of the political agenda that mental illness needs a place in the gun control debate. Human decency should dictate greater availability of treatment for young people. http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2013/02/02/chris_powell/doc510bdc5f53d17666666552.txt
Business Insider – Paul Szoldra
Private Prisons Will Get Totally Slammed By Immigration Reform
The current buzz in the US about reforming immigration will likely extend to immigration detention and in the process may shed enough light to reform or eliminate private for-profit prisons. A second offense for crossing the US border illegal can bring a twenty year federal sentence and is partly to blame for mass incarceration. http://www.businessinsider.com/a-3-billion-industry-is-going-to-be-slammed-by-immigration-reform-2013-1#ixzz2JlIgUIsL
Human Rights Watch (US) –
US: Immigration Reform Should Uphold Rights
A new 19 page policy briefing has four principles and 26 recommendations to prevent further rights abuses. “The current US immigration system is unsustainable, practically, economically, and morally,” said Alison Parker, US program director at Human Rights Watch. http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/01/us-immigration-reform-should-uphold-rights Human Rights Watch Policy briefing in pdf format: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/related_material/US%20Immigration%20Reform%20-%20Within%20Reach_1.pdf
Metro Regina News – Alyssa McDonald
Taking a look at Regina police’s community crime map
Hoping to increase the current 10,000 plus tweeter followers, the Regina Police site has revised its digital presence to show crime maps of the city. The site includes a missing person’s page as well. http://metronews.ca/news/regina/533591/taking-a-look-at-regina-polices-community-crime-map/# Regina Police Services site: http://www.reginapolice.ca
Winning Progressive
Shooting Down More NRA Myths
This blogger invites consideration of differences when comparing international crime rates and offers analysis on the use of guns for self-defense. The former thesis suggests that stricter gun control also brings higher crime rates, the latter that guns in the house and hand are ensuring protection and safety against criminals. http://www.winningprogressive.org/shooting-down-more-nra-myths?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shooting-down-more-nra-myths
National Justice Network:
The January newsletter is available in pdf format at: http://www.rjbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/NJN-Jan-2013.pdf You can sign up to receive the monthly newsletter at: http://crcvc.ca/en/newsletter