Be kind of fun seeing them locked up in the same no hoper prisons as the violent crims, might even pay for itself as a reality TV program

She admits that it probably won’t do what it sets out to do. She accepts that it might be unjust. She understands that it will be expensive. Nevertheless she supports it. Why?

In the U.S. the recession, which has its roots in inequality and financial rip-offs by and for the rich and privileged, has experts questioning if this huge and sudden rise in inequality could have ties to burgeoning violent crime as the main burden of the recession falls on the less well off.

From the Washington Post

Though the effects of the recession have not hit New Zealand as hard as America.

If you want to combat violent crime the message is clear. You must end poverty and inequality.

Lengthening and increasing punishments may soothe the hang em’ high talkhate crowd Woodham is a cheerleader for. But simply ratcheting up the level of state sponsored violence in response to crime could even be more destructive by increasing the pressure cooker effect on society caused by the recession.

After all, America, as well as having invented the ‘Three Strikes’ penalty, and as well as having the death penalty, has despite having these laws already in place seen a big rise in meaningless violent of atrocities.

Right wing political parties have a stake in inequality so will choose the latter option over the first, even when it is proven to be inefective.
This is why, even intelligent right wing (and well off),cheerleaders in the media, will also support it, while at the same time with a callous shrug admitting that it is probably pointless.

What Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says about right wing politicians who support ‘Three Strikes’ could also apply to talk back hosts.

And when politicians talk about a safe society, let me ask this question – what about the next generation who have to grow up with the children of those who have been jailed for life, children who grow up with a deep-seated and very real hatred of society for a life below the margins that they have been forced to lead, a hatred that will be visited back upon society through ever-increasing rates of mayhem and murder.

And that of course, will add weight to the calls for more guns for police, and that will lead to more guns for civilians, and that will lead to bigger guns for criminals … until the only question we will have left to ask ourselves will be “when did we become the southern-most state of the gun-loving USA?” because that’s the future we give ourselves with this bill.

That is the only future of a society that treats the punishment of its members with the contempt being contemplated by this legislation, that refuses to take the steps of intelligent societies to reduce offending by reducing the causes of that offending rather than jailing offenders for life.

Heck, even our own Ombudsman admits that “there are smarter ways than prison to prevent crime and make criminals accountable … and that prison is not the most effective or efficient approach to reducing crime.”

Stupid right wing knee-jerk “throw away the key” reactions like ACT and National’s Three strike bill will make no impact.

They know it, and sometimes when they are being honest, supporters of the ‘Three Strikes’, will admit it.

It is self interest that motivates Kerre Woodham. Her choices are, support our politicians to do something she admits is pointless, or alternatively, use her position to take these same politicians to task for overseeing the increase in inequality in our society that results in more crime. Kerre Woodham knows the second alternative would see her risk her privileged job.

Bye gitmo.

You forgot Standadistas on that list . too polite by far as usual Rex !

Nope, they’re very amenable to my critiques of their posts and their political heroes. As, I must say, is DPF over at Kiwiblog.

Anyway it was the commenters I was referring to frustrated, not the bloggers. And sadly there are many who want to hear only their own outlook reflected back at them. Moreso on the right than the left, though, no matter what Redbaiter may think of the “Gramascian infiltration of education”

Ummm looking at the response from felix - wasn't that the offence that I banned you for last time? We will give you a weeks ban for it on the basis that you appear to be capable of learning. If I see it again then I will put a permanent ban in place and fully enforce it. Also removing the URL on all comments. ]

(And please, please try to argue that you weren’t calling ANM a humourless feminist, you were just warning about falling into stereotyped behaviour! Because concern trolling would bring up the trifecta.)