Pornography sucks........it becomes an addiction just like any other that will make you lie to your loved ones, it can make you make promises you know you won't keep even as you speak the words. It is an epidemic going unchecked in homes all over America today .....right now there are people choosing to watch porn over spending time with loved ones..... It hurts all that love the addicted person it strains relationships, it makes ME feel dirty. It is an empty place it is chasing something the porn will never satisfy, it is a soul stealing act. More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month.....now tell me this is a victimless crime.....
"At a 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, two thirds of the 350 divorce lawyers who attended said the Internet played a significant role in the divorces in the past year, with excessive interest in online porn contributing to more than half such cases. Pornography had an almost non-existent role in divorce just seven or eight years ago." (Divorcewizards.com)
57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregation (Christians and Sex Leadership Journal Survey, March 2005).
There are over 4.2 million known separate and distinct porn websites on the Internet, with 2,500 new sites coming online every week.
Forty percent of porn addicts lose their spouses, 58 percent suffer severe financial losses, and as many as 40 percent will lose their jobs.
WTF can anyone tell me this isn't a PROBLEM???????
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
crime causation the karla faye tucker example
Karla Faye Tucker was born in Texas on November 18, 1959. Karla had two older sisters and a happy home life for a few years with two parents and a family dog. She had a few early memories of vacationing on Caney Creek with her family, Karla’s parents divorced and remarried several times which was hard on Karla and her sisters, the final divorce happened when she was 10 years old. Karla already felt like an outsider and had trouble relating to the neighborhood and school children. During the final divorce proceedings Karla learns that she is not her father’s child but the result of an extramarital affair. From that moment on Karla said she never believed that she belonged to the Tucker’s.
Karla started smoking marijuana at age nine and graduated to the harder drugs by age 10, by 11 she was shooting heroin and participating in sex orgies. Karla’s parents didn’t have much to say about this behavior her mother had turned to prostitution by this time and her father was always working, Karla dropped out of school in the seventh grade. Under the guidance of her own mother Karla Faye Tucker became a prostitute at age 14. Karla traveled from state to state with her mother prostituting herself to rock bands and basically was a groupie.
At the age of 16 Karla met a mechanic named Stephan Griffith and married him that lasted only a short while. After Karla left her husband she met her best friend Shawn Dean. Shawn introduced Karla to Danny Garrett, and Danny became a perfect match for Karla who was still prostituting herself in Quay Point Texas. They lived together in a small house, though Danny was considerably older than Karla. Danny let Karla do whatever she wanted and supplied her drug habits without any questions he was known as the pill doctor. “It is argued that crime is most likely when motivated offenders come together with attractive targets in the absence of capable guardians.” (Felson)
June of 1983, there was a party weekend in full swing that had been going strong for three days already; the reason for celebration was Karla’s older sister Kari’s birthday. The party went on with sex orgies and many different types of drugs and alcohol. Shawn Dean, Karla’s best friend was present at the party emotionally damaged due to the recent beating from her estranged husband Jerry Dean. Karla didn’t like Shawn’s husband to begin with and there was a history of verbal spats between the two of them. There was much idle talk at the part about “making Jerry pay for what he did to Shawn” but it died down and was just talk.
Around two o’clock in the morning June 13, 1983, Karla picks Danny up from work, both still very much intoxicated. Jimmy Leibrant, a fellow partier joined Danny and Karla, Danny suggests that the three of them go steal Jerry Dean’s motorcycle, the three returns to Danny’s home and change into all black clothing and tell Shawn Dean of their plan to get back at her husband by stealing his motorcycle. Shawn wishes them luck, Jimmy and Danny had a shotgun and a .38, Karla later reported she thought the weapons were for protection and there was no plan to kill anyone. Arriving at Jerry Dean’s apartment the three opened the front door and located the motorcycle in pieces inside the living room. Karla then decided they would just steal a few major components from Jerry instead of the whole bike.
A bedroom light is flickered on at the end of the hallway in Jerry Dean’s apartment. Jerry calls out “who the hell is there?” Danny immediately reacts to Jerry by grabbing a hammer lying on the living room floor and charging down the hall without hesitation he begins swinging on Jerry’s head. During the attack Jimmy was positioned outside the building. Karla grabbed the three foot tall pick axe that was in the living room and proceeded in the bedroom. Karla had seen a girl in Jerry’s bed and was outraged that her best friend Shawn was still bruised from her husband and he had the nerve to have another girl in his bed. Karla swung the axe at the girl later identified as Deborah Thornton. Karla swung the pick axe over 28 times plowing it into Jerry Dean’s body.
Jimmy left the scene of the vicious murders and apologized to his friends the next morning. Karla and Danny went about their business and bragged about the murders to anyone who would listen. The pair was arrested and both convicted and sentenced to die in 1984.
“Tucker had no prior convictions. However, the state did present evidence at the punishment phase concerning Tucker's prior violent acts, which included a previous altercation with Dean during which she punched him in the face while he had glasses on, forcing him to go to the hospital to have glass removed from his eye. Tucker also admitted a history of drug use and prostitution.” (Geringer, 2009)
The classical school theory stresses punishment and deterrence, the basis for crime control perspective; humans seek pleasure and avoid pain under this theory. Classical suggests that people have free will and either choose crime or to conform to the rules of society. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I don’t believe this theory applies to Karla free will is something humans are born with, but I don’t think Karla ever consciously chose a life of crime I believe that was all she saw I can’t find one single positive role model that took an active role in her life.
The choice theory suggests that people weigh the consequences and benefits of their actions; this school of thought suggests that delinquent behavior is a rational choice. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I do not believe that Karla operated under this theory at all she was not in a rational frame of mind during the commission of her crime.
Differential association theory suggests that criminal acts are related to a person’s exposure to excess amounts of antisocial attitudes and values. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) This theory is applicable to Karla, from an early age she saw antisocial deviant behavior and she received positive attention from her own mother by engaging in prostitution and drug use. Karla was taught from an early age beliefs favorable to criminal activity.
Instrumental Marxist theory suggests that capitalist institutions such as the criminal justice systems have a main purpose to control all the poor people and maintain the dominance of the wealthy keeping them in their place. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I think Karla may have seen middle class people through her life but never saw herself as being able to do what they do such as become educated or conform.
Labeling theory suggests that society creates deviance through a system of social control agencies that designate certain individuals as deviants. Then society makes those people feel unwanted and outcast as part of the normal social order the individual then assumes this as his or her identity. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I am sure Karla felt she was an outcast in contrast to other groups of individuals in society.
Self control theory focuses on impulsive personalities, suggesting that people making split decisions engage in criminal behavior. The individual is focused on the short term gratification of the crime at that very moment. This theory also suggests that parental incompetence can play a huge role in the self control issues growing up to be an adult with no self control. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) This theory applied to Karla in the moment of her crime she was in the moment and heavily under the influence of drugs. She did not have a competent parent or model during her youth to instill self control in her at the young age that she should have.
Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn to commit crimes based on their associations with others. Individuals have criminal role models under this theory and are even positively reinforced for their criminal behavior. The interactions that are rewarded and reinforced are copied and the acts that result in punishment are avoided. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) This theory is the one most applicable to Karla in my opinion, she had models from as early as eight years old that were delinquents. Karla was only a child when her protector and mother taught her how to turn tricks for men. The more I study her life the more I realize that all this girl ever knew was social deviance.
Karla Faye Tucker found the power of forgiveness in a Harris county jail cell. Karla had the opportunity for the first time in her life to be sober and think clearly. She was an inspiration to many fellow prisoners and all that she came in contact with. Karla won many souls during her years in prison awaiting her impending death sentence. Some of the victim’s family members were also touched by Karla’s faith and repentance.
Karla was only the second female murder executed since 1976 and the first female murder executed in Texas since 1976. In the end Karla had to pay for her crimes despite the support of religious leaders spanning the country and the recommendation of the pope to commute her sentence to life in prison. George W. Bush had the difficult decision to contemplate as then governor of Texas. “A pardon from a death sentence in Texas reportedly has never been granted to anyone based on a religious conversion. And of the 36 pardons that have been granted to Texas death-row inmates since 1976, not one has been granted solely for humanitarian reasons. In addition, Gov. Bush, who would have had to approve the pardon with a majority vote by the parole board, publicly said that in evaluating Tucker's case, he would only consider whether there was any doubt she committed the crime and whether she had a fair trial.” (Geringer, 2009)
Karla Faye Tucker was put to death by lethal injection on February 3, 1998. The judgment ultimately belongs to God for her crimes, He will decide not our criminal justice system, if you ask me she is forgiven. I don’t generally sympathize with criminals or have faith in rehabilitation, but the good she did in the years she spent in prison counted for something. Studying Karla made me wonder how many other people she may have positively affected to change their own lives had she been given that chance.
Karla started smoking marijuana at age nine and graduated to the harder drugs by age 10, by 11 she was shooting heroin and participating in sex orgies. Karla’s parents didn’t have much to say about this behavior her mother had turned to prostitution by this time and her father was always working, Karla dropped out of school in the seventh grade. Under the guidance of her own mother Karla Faye Tucker became a prostitute at age 14. Karla traveled from state to state with her mother prostituting herself to rock bands and basically was a groupie.
At the age of 16 Karla met a mechanic named Stephan Griffith and married him that lasted only a short while. After Karla left her husband she met her best friend Shawn Dean. Shawn introduced Karla to Danny Garrett, and Danny became a perfect match for Karla who was still prostituting herself in Quay Point Texas. They lived together in a small house, though Danny was considerably older than Karla. Danny let Karla do whatever she wanted and supplied her drug habits without any questions he was known as the pill doctor. “It is argued that crime is most likely when motivated offenders come together with attractive targets in the absence of capable guardians.” (Felson)
June of 1983, there was a party weekend in full swing that had been going strong for three days already; the reason for celebration was Karla’s older sister Kari’s birthday. The party went on with sex orgies and many different types of drugs and alcohol. Shawn Dean, Karla’s best friend was present at the party emotionally damaged due to the recent beating from her estranged husband Jerry Dean. Karla didn’t like Shawn’s husband to begin with and there was a history of verbal spats between the two of them. There was much idle talk at the part about “making Jerry pay for what he did to Shawn” but it died down and was just talk.
Around two o’clock in the morning June 13, 1983, Karla picks Danny up from work, both still very much intoxicated. Jimmy Leibrant, a fellow partier joined Danny and Karla, Danny suggests that the three of them go steal Jerry Dean’s motorcycle, the three returns to Danny’s home and change into all black clothing and tell Shawn Dean of their plan to get back at her husband by stealing his motorcycle. Shawn wishes them luck, Jimmy and Danny had a shotgun and a .38, Karla later reported she thought the weapons were for protection and there was no plan to kill anyone. Arriving at Jerry Dean’s apartment the three opened the front door and located the motorcycle in pieces inside the living room. Karla then decided they would just steal a few major components from Jerry instead of the whole bike.
A bedroom light is flickered on at the end of the hallway in Jerry Dean’s apartment. Jerry calls out “who the hell is there?” Danny immediately reacts to Jerry by grabbing a hammer lying on the living room floor and charging down the hall without hesitation he begins swinging on Jerry’s head. During the attack Jimmy was positioned outside the building. Karla grabbed the three foot tall pick axe that was in the living room and proceeded in the bedroom. Karla had seen a girl in Jerry’s bed and was outraged that her best friend Shawn was still bruised from her husband and he had the nerve to have another girl in his bed. Karla swung the axe at the girl later identified as Deborah Thornton. Karla swung the pick axe over 28 times plowing it into Jerry Dean’s body.
Jimmy left the scene of the vicious murders and apologized to his friends the next morning. Karla and Danny went about their business and bragged about the murders to anyone who would listen. The pair was arrested and both convicted and sentenced to die in 1984.
“Tucker had no prior convictions. However, the state did present evidence at the punishment phase concerning Tucker's prior violent acts, which included a previous altercation with Dean during which she punched him in the face while he had glasses on, forcing him to go to the hospital to have glass removed from his eye. Tucker also admitted a history of drug use and prostitution.” (Geringer, 2009)
The classical school theory stresses punishment and deterrence, the basis for crime control perspective; humans seek pleasure and avoid pain under this theory. Classical suggests that people have free will and either choose crime or to conform to the rules of society. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I don’t believe this theory applies to Karla free will is something humans are born with, but I don’t think Karla ever consciously chose a life of crime I believe that was all she saw I can’t find one single positive role model that took an active role in her life.
The choice theory suggests that people weigh the consequences and benefits of their actions; this school of thought suggests that delinquent behavior is a rational choice. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I do not believe that Karla operated under this theory at all she was not in a rational frame of mind during the commission of her crime.
Differential association theory suggests that criminal acts are related to a person’s exposure to excess amounts of antisocial attitudes and values. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) This theory is applicable to Karla, from an early age she saw antisocial deviant behavior and she received positive attention from her own mother by engaging in prostitution and drug use. Karla was taught from an early age beliefs favorable to criminal activity.
Instrumental Marxist theory suggests that capitalist institutions such as the criminal justice systems have a main purpose to control all the poor people and maintain the dominance of the wealthy keeping them in their place. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I think Karla may have seen middle class people through her life but never saw herself as being able to do what they do such as become educated or conform.
Labeling theory suggests that society creates deviance through a system of social control agencies that designate certain individuals as deviants. Then society makes those people feel unwanted and outcast as part of the normal social order the individual then assumes this as his or her identity. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) I am sure Karla felt she was an outcast in contrast to other groups of individuals in society.
Self control theory focuses on impulsive personalities, suggesting that people making split decisions engage in criminal behavior. The individual is focused on the short term gratification of the crime at that very moment. This theory also suggests that parental incompetence can play a huge role in the self control issues growing up to be an adult with no self control. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) This theory applied to Karla in the moment of her crime she was in the moment and heavily under the influence of drugs. She did not have a competent parent or model during her youth to instill self control in her at the young age that she should have.
Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn to commit crimes based on their associations with others. Individuals have criminal role models under this theory and are even positively reinforced for their criminal behavior. The interactions that are rewarded and reinforced are copied and the acts that result in punishment are avoided. (Senna&Siegal, 1999) This theory is the one most applicable to Karla in my opinion, she had models from as early as eight years old that were delinquents. Karla was only a child when her protector and mother taught her how to turn tricks for men. The more I study her life the more I realize that all this girl ever knew was social deviance.
Karla Faye Tucker found the power of forgiveness in a Harris county jail cell. Karla had the opportunity for the first time in her life to be sober and think clearly. She was an inspiration to many fellow prisoners and all that she came in contact with. Karla won many souls during her years in prison awaiting her impending death sentence. Some of the victim’s family members were also touched by Karla’s faith and repentance.
Karla was only the second female murder executed since 1976 and the first female murder executed in Texas since 1976. In the end Karla had to pay for her crimes despite the support of religious leaders spanning the country and the recommendation of the pope to commute her sentence to life in prison. George W. Bush had the difficult decision to contemplate as then governor of Texas. “A pardon from a death sentence in Texas reportedly has never been granted to anyone based on a religious conversion. And of the 36 pardons that have been granted to Texas death-row inmates since 1976, not one has been granted solely for humanitarian reasons. In addition, Gov. Bush, who would have had to approve the pardon with a majority vote by the parole board, publicly said that in evaluating Tucker's case, he would only consider whether there was any doubt she committed the crime and whether she had a fair trial.” (Geringer, 2009)
Karla Faye Tucker was put to death by lethal injection on February 3, 1998. The judgment ultimately belongs to God for her crimes, He will decide not our criminal justice system, if you ask me she is forgiven. I don’t generally sympathize with criminals or have faith in rehabilitation, but the good she did in the years she spent in prison counted for something. Studying Karla made me wonder how many other people she may have positively affected to change their own lives had she been given that chance.
what criminal justice means to me
What does criminal justice mean to me? I think criminal justice is a necessary entity in our society today. Criminals exist in our society so it makes sense to have a system of justice to deal with the criminals. Criminal element has been around as long as established order in classes of society. Justice is the moral principle determining just conduct. Bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's misdeeds. (Justice n.d.).
Justice has different meaning for different people. For a victim of crime it can just be peace and security, knowing I can sleep soundly tonight with the perpetrator of the crime locked in prison. It could be getting even or taking revenge, it could be retribution paying me back monetarily. Personally in my opinion justice is accountability. If a crime is committed against myself or my loved one I need to know the perpetrator is accountable for their actions. That is being brought to justice, to have to answer for the choices an individual knowingly made, and then going through the steps of our criminal justice system and accepting their consequence.
Life is not fair and I have yet to read anywhere that life supposed to be fair. Sometimes I wonder why bad things happen to good people, and why good things happen for bad people. I do know that laws are in place to protect society, when the laws are broken some form of justice must be carried out to send the message to society that we are on the right track. What I mean by on the right track is that the offender doesn’t just get away with being a social deviant. A correct measure of justice can serve as a deterrent to prevent would be criminals.
Just deserts, this is a philosophy of justice that says if someone violates the rights of others they deserve to be punished. I tend to agree with that. I think reasonable people in society have the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. What I don’t agree with in the just deserts model is that punishment is not based on deterring or the likely hood of future crime committed. I feel that people should be punished harshly and I agree with three strikes you’re out laws. I don’t have all the answers, I suppose some criminals can be rehabilitated but not sexual predators. I think sexual predators are the worst kind of criminals and will strike again. (Senna & Siegel, 1999)
My feelings on the death penalty are conflicting. A society that respects human’s life does not end human life. On the other hand I think there are some crimes that are just so horrible maybe the offender doesn’t deserve life. The ACLU has some convincing points regarding the death penalty, it is cruel and unusual, it is irrevocable, and not a viable for of crime control. I tend to think the death penalty is not so great but what can we do with the people that cannot be rehabilitated? (Bedau, 1997)
I would like to enter in to one of two fields after earning my bachelors in criminal justice administration. I have always had a strong desire to help younger people. I believe that juvenile probation officer would be a great fit. I believe strongly that if we step in at the right time in a young person’s life we can affect them for the good. To cause a young person to change the path of social deviance they were headed down would be a wonderful feeling. It may be pessimistic but I have little hope for adults in the system.
Another path I can see myself on is in the victim’s advocate field. To be that voice and support for a person who has been put through a nightmare would be rewarding. I can see that it would be an emotionally hard job to do, and that’s something I will have to determine if I can handle the emotion that comes with that job.
I have some time to make a final decision, I have to earn this degree and wait until my children are all in school. Another important factor in deciding on a career is the schedule, I have to be available to my four children I won’t allow them to come home to an empty home. Part of the problem with young offenders in my opinion is not having someone home. I will do everything I can through my career choice to see justice carried out and less crime committed. My children have to grow up in this world, it’s scary but I will do all I can to make it more just.
Justice has different meaning for different people. For a victim of crime it can just be peace and security, knowing I can sleep soundly tonight with the perpetrator of the crime locked in prison. It could be getting even or taking revenge, it could be retribution paying me back monetarily. Personally in my opinion justice is accountability. If a crime is committed against myself or my loved one I need to know the perpetrator is accountable for their actions. That is being brought to justice, to have to answer for the choices an individual knowingly made, and then going through the steps of our criminal justice system and accepting their consequence.
Life is not fair and I have yet to read anywhere that life supposed to be fair. Sometimes I wonder why bad things happen to good people, and why good things happen for bad people. I do know that laws are in place to protect society, when the laws are broken some form of justice must be carried out to send the message to society that we are on the right track. What I mean by on the right track is that the offender doesn’t just get away with being a social deviant. A correct measure of justice can serve as a deterrent to prevent would be criminals.
Just deserts, this is a philosophy of justice that says if someone violates the rights of others they deserve to be punished. I tend to agree with that. I think reasonable people in society have the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. What I don’t agree with in the just deserts model is that punishment is not based on deterring or the likely hood of future crime committed. I feel that people should be punished harshly and I agree with three strikes you’re out laws. I don’t have all the answers, I suppose some criminals can be rehabilitated but not sexual predators. I think sexual predators are the worst kind of criminals and will strike again. (Senna & Siegel, 1999)
My feelings on the death penalty are conflicting. A society that respects human’s life does not end human life. On the other hand I think there are some crimes that are just so horrible maybe the offender doesn’t deserve life. The ACLU has some convincing points regarding the death penalty, it is cruel and unusual, it is irrevocable, and not a viable for of crime control. I tend to think the death penalty is not so great but what can we do with the people that cannot be rehabilitated? (Bedau, 1997)
I would like to enter in to one of two fields after earning my bachelors in criminal justice administration. I have always had a strong desire to help younger people. I believe that juvenile probation officer would be a great fit. I believe strongly that if we step in at the right time in a young person’s life we can affect them for the good. To cause a young person to change the path of social deviance they were headed down would be a wonderful feeling. It may be pessimistic but I have little hope for adults in the system.
Another path I can see myself on is in the victim’s advocate field. To be that voice and support for a person who has been put through a nightmare would be rewarding. I can see that it would be an emotionally hard job to do, and that’s something I will have to determine if I can handle the emotion that comes with that job.
I have some time to make a final decision, I have to earn this degree and wait until my children are all in school. Another important factor in deciding on a career is the schedule, I have to be available to my four children I won’t allow them to come home to an empty home. Part of the problem with young offenders in my opinion is not having someone home. I will do everything I can through my career choice to see justice carried out and less crime committed. My children have to grow up in this world, it’s scary but I will do all I can to make it more just.
communication
The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives” (Robbins, 2009)
Communication has been around as long as life has existed. It’s the way people commu-nicate, or don’t communicate that measures the peace in their lives. I am going to explore the different aspects of communication in this paper. Communication can be effective or outright dysfunctional. Not everyone has the same communication style which can require some conflict resolutions in communication. Ultimately, communication is necessary in relating to other people on every level in life; business, home and personal. This paper will discuss types of communication and demonstrate how you can ensure you are communicating effectively.
One type of communication is assertive communication. How we communicate; naturally express ourselves when our self esteem is intact. This type of communication gives us the confi-dence to communicate without games or manipulation. Being assertive allows for two people with different views to reach a resolution in a conflict. By demonstrating assertive behavior a person is able to get to their point and not get personal. An assertive individual is confident and exercises good judgment. (Podesta, retrieved April 20, 2009)
“The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs, the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas.” That is one definition of communication. “The exchange of thoughts, messages, information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior.” Behavior is mentioned in this definition, as it plays a role in how people communicate. “Interpersonal rapport, the art and technique of using words effec-tively to impart information or ideas.” (communication. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved April 26, 2009, from Dictionary.com website)
Communication is the process of transferring information from one source to another. Communication is commonly defined as "the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs")Communication can be perceived as a two-way process in which there is an exchange and progression of thoughts, feelings or ideas towards a mutually accepted goal or direction. (Wikipedia, retrieved 2009)
Not everyone has the same communication style and some people don’t want to commu-nicate effectively at all. People that only have their own interests in mind are not willing to communicate effectively. The purpose of communication isn’t to make the other person agree with you or change their mind. The ultimate goal in communication is to understand each other. An example of dysfunctional communication is to act aggressively or passive aggressively. When a person has these types of aggressiveness, communication can rarely take place. When a person demonstrates passive aggressive behavior it prevents communication.
When someone is communicating in person body language can be as important as having a positive attitude. Nonverbal communication can be very dysfunctional as well. “Nonverbal communication is the single most powerful form of communication. More than voice or even words, nonverbal communication cues you in to what is on another person’s mind.” (Heathfield,)
Communication comes in many different forms with all the new technology available to-day. Technology is a way to transport communication but it can also confuse the message. “The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate” (Priestly) Communica-tion is about relaying information both in work or school environment, do your best to stick with the facts and leave emotions out of it.
Remaining non judgmental and allowing others to express themselves without interrupt-ing or thinking about what you want to say requires discipline and maturity. Remaining in the present and focused on what is being communicated to you is the best way to actively listen in my opinion. A lot of us walk around on auto pilot and fail to truly hear what others say to us; by staying in the present and focusing we can truly communicate.
Communication has been around as long as life has existed. It’s the way people commu-nicate, or don’t communicate that measures the peace in their lives. I am going to explore the different aspects of communication in this paper. Communication can be effective or outright dysfunctional. Not everyone has the same communication style which can require some conflict resolutions in communication. Ultimately, communication is necessary in relating to other people on every level in life; business, home and personal. This paper will discuss types of communication and demonstrate how you can ensure you are communicating effectively.
One type of communication is assertive communication. How we communicate; naturally express ourselves when our self esteem is intact. This type of communication gives us the confi-dence to communicate without games or manipulation. Being assertive allows for two people with different views to reach a resolution in a conflict. By demonstrating assertive behavior a person is able to get to their point and not get personal. An assertive individual is confident and exercises good judgment. (Podesta, retrieved April 20, 2009)
“The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs, the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas.” That is one definition of communication. “The exchange of thoughts, messages, information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior.” Behavior is mentioned in this definition, as it plays a role in how people communicate. “Interpersonal rapport, the art and technique of using words effec-tively to impart information or ideas.” (communication. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved April 26, 2009, from Dictionary.com website)
Communication is the process of transferring information from one source to another. Communication is commonly defined as "the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs")Communication can be perceived as a two-way process in which there is an exchange and progression of thoughts, feelings or ideas towards a mutually accepted goal or direction. (Wikipedia, retrieved 2009)
Not everyone has the same communication style and some people don’t want to commu-nicate effectively at all. People that only have their own interests in mind are not willing to communicate effectively. The purpose of communication isn’t to make the other person agree with you or change their mind. The ultimate goal in communication is to understand each other. An example of dysfunctional communication is to act aggressively or passive aggressively. When a person has these types of aggressiveness, communication can rarely take place. When a person demonstrates passive aggressive behavior it prevents communication.
When someone is communicating in person body language can be as important as having a positive attitude. Nonverbal communication can be very dysfunctional as well. “Nonverbal communication is the single most powerful form of communication. More than voice or even words, nonverbal communication cues you in to what is on another person’s mind.” (Heathfield,)
Communication comes in many different forms with all the new technology available to-day. Technology is a way to transport communication but it can also confuse the message. “The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate” (Priestly) Communica-tion is about relaying information both in work or school environment, do your best to stick with the facts and leave emotions out of it.
Remaining non judgmental and allowing others to express themselves without interrupt-ing or thinking about what you want to say requires discipline and maturity. Remaining in the present and focused on what is being communicated to you is the best way to actively listen in my opinion. A lot of us walk around on auto pilot and fail to truly hear what others say to us; by staying in the present and focusing we can truly communicate.
causes of crime
Studying the causes of crime can help us greatly in the area of reducing crime in America. The American family is directly related to social problems in society. A direct link between children being born into single family homes and poverty is evident. Those children then grow up with a likelihood of becoming dependent on welfare themselves. A few things to consider when asking the question how criminals come to commit crime, one consideration is that during the past 30 years the increase of crime parallels the increased number of families with absent fathers. High crime neighborhoods have a common denominator of absent fathers. Interestingly enough the rate of violent teenage crime also corresponds with the number of families abandoned by their fathers. A child that is rejected by other children in early childhood and then forms his own group is often the future delinquent.
On the other hand, neighborhoods with a higher level of religious practice are less likely to be high crime neighborhoods. Taking a look at high crime areas in the inner cities over 90 % of the children that come from stable secure homes do not go on to become delinquent. In contrast only 10 % from unstable homes are able to avoid the criminal lifestyle. The mother’s attachment to her child along with the father’s strong authority and involvement can be the best buffer between the child and crime. Data suggests that crime is not on the rise during times of economic struggle but on the rise during economic growth. During the time of the great depression crime dropped right along with economic stability. Another example is the Chinese in San Francisco in the 1960s they were the poorest subculture with average income around 4,000 dollars a year but had the lowest crime rate.
Some assume that race can be blamed for criminal activity being on the rise, not true. Upon taking a harder look, the common denominator is in fact good family structure. Illegitimacy is a key factor not dependent on the race. Kevin Wright, a professor of criminal justice at the University of New York at Binghamton writes: “Research confirms that children raised in supportive, affectionate, and accepting homes are less likely to become deviant. Children rejected by parents are the most likely to become delinquent.”
Being a single mother means getting less support in critical times such as childbirth and early developmental years when children’s needs demand a great deal from the mother. This can lead to less emotional attachment to the child even resentment towards the child for all the extra responsibilities that mother must take on. The lack of parental attachment in turn leads to the child having diminished ability to form bonds and have empathy for others. Empathy is one emotion that may prevent a criminal act from ever taking place. I care for others, therefore, I don’t want to harm them or take what they have worked hard for. Absence of a father also increases the chance of the mother being to hard on the child. So many young people have detached broken homes and parents, the implications are disturbing.
In a healthy family situation the simple presence of the father can evoke obedience, he is the authority and especially for our young men. Young boys abandoned by their fathers have many issues lack of personal security and self worth to name a few. The rates of emotional and behavioral problems are more than double in step families.
Monitoring young children’s behavior is key, clearly state what the rules are and punish deviance immediately, supervision and structure are necessary to produce good members of society. Rejection as a child can set the stage for criminal behavior, the family is the child’s first little community and to be rejected from can be devastating. Child abuse is huge in relating to criminal behavior the rates are astounding, when studying the arrest records and official records on child abuse the percent is around 14 to 26 %. But this percent triples to 50 to 70 % when the delinquents were interviewed and reported the abuse. Having criminal parents obviously predispositions young people to crime as well.
Knowing some of the information that has been presented, what can society do as a whole to reduce crime in America? Well the answer seems very clear to me. I think the family unit is the key, and our youth is the only place to start. But my solution presents a whole different problem in dealing with the criminal behavior in the adults who are raising our youth. The most important thing a child can witness growing up is marital commitment. Then a relationship of love between the two parents and toward the child accompanied with good supervision. Proper socialization of the child and the ability to relate to his peers must be provided, then strong neighborhoods and community support. We need to emphasize the importance of bringing children into the world in stable loving family environments. The traditional family has all the ingredients to lower future crime rates, but how to make the traditional family popular again is another thing.
A great example of turnaround is the reverend Lee Earl started a church in a horrible neighborhood in Detroit. The people who lived there were prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers and so on., Over the next decade with the church involvement in the community those same people started businesses and bought homes and married. That suggests to me that religious influence is also a strong weapon in reducing crime.
On the other hand, neighborhoods with a higher level of religious practice are less likely to be high crime neighborhoods. Taking a look at high crime areas in the inner cities over 90 % of the children that come from stable secure homes do not go on to become delinquent. In contrast only 10 % from unstable homes are able to avoid the criminal lifestyle. The mother’s attachment to her child along with the father’s strong authority and involvement can be the best buffer between the child and crime. Data suggests that crime is not on the rise during times of economic struggle but on the rise during economic growth. During the time of the great depression crime dropped right along with economic stability. Another example is the Chinese in San Francisco in the 1960s they were the poorest subculture with average income around 4,000 dollars a year but had the lowest crime rate.
Some assume that race can be blamed for criminal activity being on the rise, not true. Upon taking a harder look, the common denominator is in fact good family structure. Illegitimacy is a key factor not dependent on the race. Kevin Wright, a professor of criminal justice at the University of New York at Binghamton writes: “Research confirms that children raised in supportive, affectionate, and accepting homes are less likely to become deviant. Children rejected by parents are the most likely to become delinquent.”
Being a single mother means getting less support in critical times such as childbirth and early developmental years when children’s needs demand a great deal from the mother. This can lead to less emotional attachment to the child even resentment towards the child for all the extra responsibilities that mother must take on. The lack of parental attachment in turn leads to the child having diminished ability to form bonds and have empathy for others. Empathy is one emotion that may prevent a criminal act from ever taking place. I care for others, therefore, I don’t want to harm them or take what they have worked hard for. Absence of a father also increases the chance of the mother being to hard on the child. So many young people have detached broken homes and parents, the implications are disturbing.
In a healthy family situation the simple presence of the father can evoke obedience, he is the authority and especially for our young men. Young boys abandoned by their fathers have many issues lack of personal security and self worth to name a few. The rates of emotional and behavioral problems are more than double in step families.
Monitoring young children’s behavior is key, clearly state what the rules are and punish deviance immediately, supervision and structure are necessary to produce good members of society. Rejection as a child can set the stage for criminal behavior, the family is the child’s first little community and to be rejected from can be devastating. Child abuse is huge in relating to criminal behavior the rates are astounding, when studying the arrest records and official records on child abuse the percent is around 14 to 26 %. But this percent triples to 50 to 70 % when the delinquents were interviewed and reported the abuse. Having criminal parents obviously predispositions young people to crime as well.
Knowing some of the information that has been presented, what can society do as a whole to reduce crime in America? Well the answer seems very clear to me. I think the family unit is the key, and our youth is the only place to start. But my solution presents a whole different problem in dealing with the criminal behavior in the adults who are raising our youth. The most important thing a child can witness growing up is marital commitment. Then a relationship of love between the two parents and toward the child accompanied with good supervision. Proper socialization of the child and the ability to relate to his peers must be provided, then strong neighborhoods and community support. We need to emphasize the importance of bringing children into the world in stable loving family environments. The traditional family has all the ingredients to lower future crime rates, but how to make the traditional family popular again is another thing.
A great example of turnaround is the reverend Lee Earl started a church in a horrible neighborhood in Detroit. The people who lived there were prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers and so on., Over the next decade with the church involvement in the community those same people started businesses and bought homes and married. That suggests to me that religious influence is also a strong weapon in reducing crime.
The USA Patriot Act was signed into law on October 26, 2001 by George W. Bush. This came shortly after the September 11, 2001 world trade center attacks. The advantages of the USA Patriot Act are beneficial to us as a country in dealing with terrorists. Section 203 of the patriot act is one advantage. Before the infamous attacks of September 2001 domestic law enforcement and foreign intelligence collection functioned separately. Now included in section 203 of the Patriot act is the sharing of this information which may have been unavailable before. (Podesta, 2002)
Another advantage is the law enforcement agents can now track terrorists by using a roving wiretap. This can be done specific to the terrorist not the device which is a positive point for law enforcement. A third advantage to law enforcement is they now can obtain a search warrant anywhere a terrorist activity has occurred. Whereas before they were limited to in district boundaries, this is a logical way to streamline the process.
The advantages sound great in theory but like anything they can be abused and overused. I think many of the sections listed in the USA patriot act could be wrongfully used against citizens. I think the advantages are positive tools and more freedom for the people trying to do their jobs and combat terrorism.
The Patriot Act allows FBI Agents to investigate American citizens for criminal matters without probable cause of crime if they say it’s for “intelligence” purposes.”Permits non-citizens to be jailed based on mere suspicion and to be denied re-admission to the US for engaging in free speech. Suspects convicted of no crime may be detained indefinitely in six-month increments without meaningful judicial review. (ACLU, 2003)
Many are the disadvantages to the Patriot act. The scariest disadvantage in my opinion is simply unchecked power. The power is seemingly endless; I can now be subjected to surveillance based on a library book I check out or a search online. Those are first amendment rights and if I choose to exercise them in a way that is undesirable I could be investigated, without even so much as a search warrant. This could lead to many unconstitutional situations violating a person’s rights to freedom of speech and religion. Under the Patriot act a person or organization that was forced to disclose records is forced to remain silent about it by the gag order include in the Act.
The USA Patriot Act violates the fourth amendment which says the government must have a warrant or probable cause. Failure to provide notice to the person that their privacy may have been compromised which is part of due process, guaranteed part of the Fifth Amendment. The war on terror is being fought on the orders from the executive branch; constitutional guarantees of citizens have very much been set aside. There does not seem to be much within the USA Patriot Act that is compatible with democracy the secrecy is unconstitutional.
Allow the government to collect DNA samples from individuals who have not consented or been found guilty of a terrorism-related crime and without a judicial order based on the showing of need. (Section 302) That is frightening.
“The PATRIOT Act legitimates the notion that if we give up certain freedoms, the government will keep us safer. I reject that notion from a moral and legal point of view. I also reject it from a practical point of view. It doesn't work. The government doesn't need our freedoms to keep us safer. No one--no lawyer, judge, or historian--can point to a single incident in American history where national security was impaired because someone insisted on their right to free speech or their right to privacy or their right to due process.” (Napolitano 2005)
I am learning a great deal about myself in this last week that I have been in this class and researching the USA Patriot Act. I am trying to get to the heart of what I really believe, I enjoy my freedom and I would like to keep it. Freedom isn’t given to me by the government it is something I already possess. I want all people to experience the freedom I have, I support our efforts to bring democracy to other countries. At what point are we going to be when the Bill of Rights has no meaning? I think there has to be a system of checks and balances in place that holds the people in authority to be responsible and have to back up their suspicions and not just be able to go on a hunch because they suspect terrorism.
This is similar to the strategy Hitler used in burning the Reichstag building and blaming the Communists that would make the people willingly sign away their freedom for protection. I don’t think the government wanted the attacks on September 2001 to occur but more and more freedoms keep slipping away. The question brought up is; can willingly giving up personal freedoms and rights for the greater good and safety work? Or will the government abuse the power, time will tell.
Another advantage is the law enforcement agents can now track terrorists by using a roving wiretap. This can be done specific to the terrorist not the device which is a positive point for law enforcement. A third advantage to law enforcement is they now can obtain a search warrant anywhere a terrorist activity has occurred. Whereas before they were limited to in district boundaries, this is a logical way to streamline the process.
The advantages sound great in theory but like anything they can be abused and overused. I think many of the sections listed in the USA patriot act could be wrongfully used against citizens. I think the advantages are positive tools and more freedom for the people trying to do their jobs and combat terrorism.
The Patriot Act allows FBI Agents to investigate American citizens for criminal matters without probable cause of crime if they say it’s for “intelligence” purposes.”Permits non-citizens to be jailed based on mere suspicion and to be denied re-admission to the US for engaging in free speech. Suspects convicted of no crime may be detained indefinitely in six-month increments without meaningful judicial review. (ACLU, 2003)
Many are the disadvantages to the Patriot act. The scariest disadvantage in my opinion is simply unchecked power. The power is seemingly endless; I can now be subjected to surveillance based on a library book I check out or a search online. Those are first amendment rights and if I choose to exercise them in a way that is undesirable I could be investigated, without even so much as a search warrant. This could lead to many unconstitutional situations violating a person’s rights to freedom of speech and religion. Under the Patriot act a person or organization that was forced to disclose records is forced to remain silent about it by the gag order include in the Act.
The USA Patriot Act violates the fourth amendment which says the government must have a warrant or probable cause. Failure to provide notice to the person that their privacy may have been compromised which is part of due process, guaranteed part of the Fifth Amendment. The war on terror is being fought on the orders from the executive branch; constitutional guarantees of citizens have very much been set aside. There does not seem to be much within the USA Patriot Act that is compatible with democracy the secrecy is unconstitutional.
Allow the government to collect DNA samples from individuals who have not consented or been found guilty of a terrorism-related crime and without a judicial order based on the showing of need. (Section 302) That is frightening.
“The PATRIOT Act legitimates the notion that if we give up certain freedoms, the government will keep us safer. I reject that notion from a moral and legal point of view. I also reject it from a practical point of view. It doesn't work. The government doesn't need our freedoms to keep us safer. No one--no lawyer, judge, or historian--can point to a single incident in American history where national security was impaired because someone insisted on their right to free speech or their right to privacy or their right to due process.” (Napolitano 2005)
I am learning a great deal about myself in this last week that I have been in this class and researching the USA Patriot Act. I am trying to get to the heart of what I really believe, I enjoy my freedom and I would like to keep it. Freedom isn’t given to me by the government it is something I already possess. I want all people to experience the freedom I have, I support our efforts to bring democracy to other countries. At what point are we going to be when the Bill of Rights has no meaning? I think there has to be a system of checks and balances in place that holds the people in authority to be responsible and have to back up their suspicions and not just be able to go on a hunch because they suspect terrorism.
This is similar to the strategy Hitler used in burning the Reichstag building and blaming the Communists that would make the people willingly sign away their freedom for protection. I don’t think the government wanted the attacks on September 2001 to occur but more and more freedoms keep slipping away. The question brought up is; can willingly giving up personal freedoms and rights for the greater good and safety work? Or will the government abuse the power, time will tell.
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