Quote:
Originally Posted by irwin
I realize in the land of rednecks, cowboy hats, and the OK Corral this may sound crazy but why do you agree with "harsh punishment for people who commit crimes?"
Seriously, what is the reason? Do you think that it will prevent them from turning to crime again? Scare them into shape? Because I hate to break it to you but statistics show that simply is not the case. People simply leave feeling angry, dejected, with little legal skills and now a criminal record hanging over their head that in many cases they can NEVER get out from under...no matter what they do. If you want additional proof, just look at our recidivism rates here in the US.
Don't take this personally as this is more directed in a general sense to people who defend or take as second nature Joe's tactics, but I have a feeling there is something inherent in the attitudes of people there that bring on such beliefs; a little bit of hate, a little bit of vengeance, and a little bit of racism. I think most people in the US, despite claiming to be about loving the individual and the land of opportunity are just looking for the opportunity to throw someone in a dark dungeon and forget about them. Other countries (other than places like China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia that is) don't treat people the same way. Interestingly enough they have lower crime rates, lower recidivism, and higher standards of living as well. In a country like Sweden or Switzerland, a man like Sheriff Joe would be called a criminal for the way he treats people; in the US he is cheered by many.
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I don't live in a trailer, don't eat squirrels for lunch, and I've never owned a cowboy hat. Maricopa County has fewer rednecks than yuppies and soccer moms these days, though I do agree that the Sheriff does have a cowboy mentality, even though he's from the east coast.
Maybe I should redefine "harsh", meaning harsher than those prisons which have cable TV and other luxuries.
People leave angry because they don't get gourmet meals and have to sweat? Give me a break. Why should taxpayers pay for them to be more comfortable than many law abiding citizens are? Those who say that it's cruel to subject them to the temps, that's ridiculous. With proper hydration and some shade (the tents), it might be uncomfortable, but the heat is survivable.
I don't take the racism comment personally, especially because it's not true. Sure, we have racists here, just like every city, but for me, and many others, it's about trying to put a stop to increased crime rates. We happen to have a large amount of illegal immigrants and yes, they do get arrested. They are illegal. Notice I didn't say "Mexican illegal immigrants", which I assume is what you were implying with the racism comment. I don't care what color someone's skin is. If they commit a crime and are caught, they deserve to go to jail and not have a luxurious stay.
Joe isn't entirely ethical, no. You're right about that. However, I support the system he put in place in tent city. Maybe countries like Sweden provide more for their citizens, and therefore, fewer citizens are compelled to commit crimes. That's not the case here in the US. What's wrong with trying to create a slightly safer city by arresting meth lab owners, rapists, DUI drivers, child abusers and molesters, murderers, wife beaters, and those who decide to crash the city illegally (some of whom end up murdering, raping, driving under the influence, etc...)?