So nothing.

Right.
But it's a dumb question.

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

When I look at high crime urban areas I see a need to make our justice system more responsive, and hire more cops, but also hire more social workers and figure out a way to get ex cons some real job opportunities. I don't care which party does it.

What criminal wants to work a dead end job that doesn't pay anything? Working is hard and the pay is bad. Sitting at home, collecting benefits, and then committing some crimes is a lot easier and probably provides them the same money or even more if they are a good criminal.

You aren't going to social work a criminal who doesn't see the benefits of having a job and doesn't think much past the current moment.

Sent from my SM-T970 using Tapatalk

---

When I look at high crime urban areas I see a need to make our justice system more responsive, and hire more cops, but also hire more social workers and figure out a way to get ex cons some real job opportunities. I don't care which party does it.

What criminal wants to work a dead end job that doesn't pay anything? Working is hard and the pay is bad. Sitting at home, collecting benefits, and then committing some crimes is a lot easier and probably provides them the same money or even more if they are a good criminal.

You aren't going to social work a criminal who doesn't see the benefits of having a job and doesn't think much past the current moment.

Sent from my SM-T970 using Tapatalk

The problem is more fundamental then.  Why would it have to be a "dead end job" that "doesn't pay anything?"  Those are both subjective, psychological determinations that social workers are trained to help people overcome.  Unless you're the President of the United States, every job has opportunities for advancement.  So "dead end" is juvenile thinking.  Anything over 0 is something so "doesn't pay anything" is illogical and ungrateful.  We should expect adults to understand basic logic, search for self improvement, and cultivate gratitude in their hearts.  It should be taught in schools and it can be taught to adults too.  But first people like you need to quit denigrating yourself, your kids, and your neighbors with attitudes like "dead end job" and "doesn't pay anything."

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

What criminal wants to work a dead end job that doesn't pay anything? Working is hard and the pay is bad. Sitting at home, collecting benefits, and then committing some crimes is a lot easier and probably provides them the same money or even more if they are a good criminal.

You aren't going to social work a criminal who doesn't see the benefits of having a job and doesn't think much past the current moment.

Sent from my SM-T970 using Tapatalk

The problem is more fundamental then.  Why would it have to be a "dead end job" that "doesn't pay anything?"  Those are both subjective, psychological determinations that social workers are trained to help people overcome.  Unless you're the President of the United States, every job has opportunities for advancement.  So "dead end" is juvenile thinking.  Anything over 0 is something so "doesn't pay anything" is illogical and ungrateful.  We should expect adults to understand basic logic, search for self improvement, and cultivate gratitude in their hearts.  It should be taught in schools and it can be taught to adults too.  But first people like you need to quit denigrating yourself, your kids, and your neighbors with attitudes like "dead end job" and "doesn't pay anything."

I see you don't understand the Paid Speaker racket. It's a huge step up from being President.

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

The Obamas know.

---

C'mon, dude... that was all from his book sales.

---

The problem is more fundamental then.  Why would it have to be a "dead end job" that "doesn't pay anything?"  Those are both subjective, psychological determinations that social workers are trained to help people overcome.  Unless you're the President of the United States, every job has opportunities for advancement.  So "dead end" is juvenile thinking.  Anything over 0 is something so "doesn't pay anything" is illogical and ungrateful.  We should expect adults to understand basic logic, search for self improvement, and cultivate gratitude in their hearts.  It should be taught in schools and it can be taught to adults too.  But first people like you need to quit denigrating yourself, your kids, and your neighbors with attitudes like "dead end job" and "doesn't pay anything."

I see you don't understand the Paid Speaker racket. It's a huge step up from being President.

Once you're in that echelon the psychological challenge is humility, not gratitude.

Street crime isn't really on the radar at that point.

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

C'mon, dude... that was all from his book sales.

Oh, you mean “Dreams of my father (who I didn’t really know because he abandoned me as a young boy so I was raised by my white mother which I largely disregarded because celebrating my African heritage was the quickest way to politically capitalize)”?

That book?

---

Obama's own brother thinks he's a joke too..

---

So nothing.

Right.
But it's a dumb question.

An allegory, inspired by Mikesez:

The Ascent of Folly

In the days of the ancients, when the sun danced upon the land, and the winds whispered the secrets of the world, there lived a tribe, a people bound by their ways and traditions, guided by their wise leader, Grey Eagle.

Grey Eagle was a beacon of wisdom and guidance, his heart filled with love for his people. His days were many, but even the mightiest oak must one day bow to the winds of time. And so, on a day when the sky wept tears of sorrow, Grey Eagle passed away, leaving his tribe in the divided and dismayed.

As the tribe gathered to mourn their leader, they were torn by a great dispute. Two factions arose, each with a vision for the future. One group believed in staying in their bountiful homeland, where the land provided plenty, and each person could fend for themselves. The other faction feared the occasional wolf attacks that plagued a small group of outlying villagers. Though these attacks were infrequent, they inspired fear and unrest.

The leader of those who wished to stay, a wise elder named Strong Oak, suggested that the outlying villagers should strengthen themselves and protect against the wolves. But it was a charismatic orator named Swift Wind, who swayed the hearts of the tribe with his honeyed words. Swift Wind spoke of equality and unity. Pointing to the mountain peak, high above the world, he painted a vivid picture of a place where no harm could befall them. He said that the tribe must ascend the mighty mountain, together, as one, and, in turn become mighty themselves. And so, with hope in their hearts, the people chose to follow Swift Wind on this treacherous journey.

As they began their ascent of the towering mountain, the land grew harsh, and resources became scarce. Swift Wind, in his newfound role as leader, ordered that he would ration food for the sake of the people. He spoke of sacrifice and endurance, and his words still found fertile ground in the hearts of the tribe. While he remained comfortable and well fed, many of the tribe's people began to suffer. 

One fateful night, as they climbed ever higher, a wolf descended upon them, swift and silent as the shadows. It claimed the life of a young boy, the son of a Strong Oak who had argued against leaving their homeland.

The tribe gathered to mourn the loss, tears falling like rain. But Swift Wind, in his twisted wisdom, pointed to the fallen child and said, "See, my brothers and sisters, this tragedy is not isolated to the outskirts. We are making progress. The wolves no longer discriminate."

But Strong Oak, a resolute man, rose above the murmurs of agreement. He spoke with clarity and strength, saying, "If a herd of buffalo is running towards a cliff, it is the one that turns around who makes the most progress. What have we gained from Swift Wind's empty promises, my people? We are starving, and yet the wolf still attacks. Would it not be better to run back now, where we can find food and have strength to fight the wolf? We have climbed to great heights, but our hearts remain heavy, and our future uncertain. Is there one among us that can show how our lives have been improved by Swift Wind?"

A silence fell upon the crowd, and it seemed that the wisdom of the ancients was whispering to the people once again. Swift Wind said nothing. 

It was then that Stone Head, stood up to speak. The tribe let out a collective groan. It was well known that Stone Head was the village idiot, but he desperately wanted to prove them wrong. In his best attempt to sound wise, he said, "We stand on the precipice of the unknown, and our people are considering your words, Strong Oak. Even though I am widely considered to have the least wisdom in the tribe, and many think me to be really, really dull-minded, like, really dumb, I ask them to reconsider and weigh me by the strength of my following argument... Strong Oak, you ask dumb questions. Let's keep voting for Swift Wind everybody!"

The End.

You ruined my story, Mikey.

---

I'm aware of how our criminal justice system works theoretically, thanks.  Unlike you however, I'm not blind to its failure in reality.  The problem is not with maximum sentences, but with minimum, or the lack thereof.  If the likelihood of being caught is minimal and the penalty, if any, is a joke, where is the deterrent?   

Yes, there are already work release programs in effect for low-risk inmates.  As for the others, haven't you ever seen "Cool Hand Luke"?

Are you really indifferent to the prospect of your family out shopping, then suddenly surrounded by a mob of looters?  What is an appropriate minimum sentence for this crime?

When the DA publicly announces that certain crimes won't be prosecuted, here's the message it sends to the offender.

You literally wrote that a convict should remain in jail until they've learned their lesson.  Two problems with that.  Obvious ones.  One, no one can know if they've learned their lesson, and two, there is a maximum sentence.  There is a limit on how long a person can be held for a given crime. 

Don't flail at me with more red herrings.  Don't imply or infer that I voted for or supported any of these silly "soft on crime" DA's.  Don't refer to 50 year old movies as if they represent today's reality when they didn't even represent reality then. 

Deal with the fact that the unemployment rate is insanely high among ex-cons.  Deal with the fact that many prisons are already overcrowded. Deal with your own ugly stupidity and pipe down until you do.  Reality is your problem, man, not me.

True to form, when faced with a tough question that you either can't answer, or are afraid to answer, you toss out an insult and run away.  

Here's reality, the Left is SOFT on crime, and you unfailingly regurgitate the rhetoric being spoon-feed to you in defense thereof.  If you don't support "soft on crime DA's", break the mold (or grow a pair), and say so.  I've twice asked you about the possibility of a mob-robbery erupting in a store where your wife and kids could be, and you won't even state how you would feel about it???

Of course the unemployment rate is sky-high with ex-cons.  There are very valid reasons why this is true now and can be expected to remain so into the future.  Personally, I would be happy to pay more taxes to fund the construction of as many additional prisons as we need to keep the streets safe, would you?  

If there is no threat of penalty, there is no deterrent.

---

When you get into the endzone, act like you've been there before.

Right.
But it's a dumb question.

An allegory, inspired by Mikesez:

The Ascent of Folly

In the days of the ancients, when the sun danced upon the land, and the winds whispered the secrets of the world, there lived a tribe, a people bound by their ways and traditions, guided by their wise leader, Grey Eagle.

Grey Eagle was a beacon of wisdom and guidance, his heart filled with love for his people. His days were many, but even the mightiest oak must one day bow to the winds of time. And so, on a day when the sky wept tears of sorrow, Grey Eagle passed away, leaving his tribe in the divided and dismayed.

As the tribe gathered to mourn their leader, they were torn by a great dispute. Two factions arose, each with a vision for the future. One group believed in staying in their bountiful homeland, where the land provided plenty, and each person could fend for themselves. The other faction feared the occasional wolf attacks that plagued a small group of outlying villagers. Though these attacks were infrequent, they inspired fear and unrest.

The leader of those who wished to stay, a wise elder named Strong Oak, suggested that the outlying villagers should strengthen themselves and protect against the wolves. But it was a charismatic orator named Swift Wind, who swayed the hearts of the tribe with his honeyed words. Swift Wind spoke of equality and unity. Pointing to the mountain peak, high above the world, he painted a vivid picture of a place where no harm could befall them. He said that the tribe must ascend the mighty mountain, together, as one, and, in turn become mighty themselves. And so, with hope in their hearts, the people chose to follow Swift Wind on this treacherous journey.

As they began their ascent of the towering mountain, the land grew harsh, and resources became scarce. Swift Wind, in his newfound role as leader, ordered that he would ration food for the sake of the people. He spoke of sacrifice and endurance, and his words still found fertile ground in the hearts of the tribe. While he remained comfortable and well fed, many of the tribe's people began to suffer. 

One fateful night, as they climbed ever higher, a wolf descended upon them, swift and silent as the shadows. It claimed the life of a young boy, the son of a Strong Oak who had argued against leaving their homeland.

The tribe gathered to mourn the loss, tears falling like rain. But Swift Wind, in his twisted wisdom, pointed to the fallen child and said, "See, my brothers and sisters, this tragedy is not isolated to the outskirts. We are making progress. The wolves no longer discriminate."

But Strong Oak, a resolute man, rose above the murmurs of agreement. He spoke with clarity and strength, saying, "If a herd of buffalo is running towards a cliff, it is the one that turns around who makes the most progress. What have we gained from Swift Wind's empty promises, my people? We are starving, and yet the wolf still attacks. Would it not be better to run back now, where we can find food and have strength to fight the wolf? We have climbed to great heights, but our hearts remain heavy, and our future uncertain. Is there one among us that can show how our lives have been improved by Swift Wind?"

A silence fell upon the crowd, and it seemed that the wisdom of the ancients was whispering to the people once again. Swift Wind said nothing. 

It was then that Stone Head, stood up to speak. The tribe let out a collective groan. It was well known that Stone Head was the village idiot, but he desperately wanted to prove them wrong. In his best attempt to sound wise, he said, "We stand on the precipice of the unknown, and our people are considering your words, Strong Oak. Even though I am widely considered to have the least wisdom in the tribe, and many think me to be really, really dull-minded, like, really dumb, I ask them to reconsider and weigh me by the strength of my following argument... Strong Oak, you ask dumb questions. Let's keep voting for Swift Wind everybody!"

The End.

You ruined my story, Mikey.

The problem with your story is, if "the mountain" is welfare policies, there is no "Strong Oak" out there talking about reversing them.  None of the Republicans today are talking about cutting welfare.  In reality, both "Stong Oak" and "Swift Wind" are just blaming each other for the wolf attack, with no logic or evidence, neither of them are proposing to do much that will change it, and I'm just over here trying to focus on actual differences the two might have before I vote.

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

You literally wrote that a convict should remain in jail until they've learned their lesson.  Two problems with that.  Obvious ones.  One, no one can know if they've learned their lesson, and two, there is a maximum sentence.  There is a limit on how long a person can be held for a given crime. 

Don't flail at me with more red herrings.  Don't imply or infer that I voted for or supported any of these silly "soft on crime" DA's.  Don't refer to 50 year old movies as if they represent today's reality when they didn't even represent reality then. 

Deal with the fact that the unemployment rate is insanely high among ex-cons.  Deal with the fact that many prisons are already overcrowded. Deal with your own ugly stupidity and pipe down until you do.  Reality is your problem, man, not me.

True to form, when faced with a tough question that you either can't answer, or are afraid to answer, you toss out an insult and run away.  

Here's reality, the Left is SOFT on crime, and you unfailingly regurgitate the rhetoric being spoon-feed to you in defense thereof.  If you don't support "soft on crime DA's", break the mold (or grow a pair), and say so.  I've twice asked you about the possibility of a mob-robbery erupting in a store where your wife and kids could be, and you won't even state how you would feel about it???

Of course the unemployment rate is sky-high with ex-cons.  There are very valid reasons why this is true now and can be expected to remain so into the future.  Personally, I would be happy to pay more taxes to fund the construction of as many additional prisons as we need to keep the streets safe, would you?  

If there is no threat of penalty, there is no deterrent.

I think people who steal stuff or try to steal stuff should go to jail.  I've never said any different.  If I was in a city where I didn't feel like the cops were doing enough to stop theft and catch thieves, I would move. It's why I live in a city now, not an unincorporated area. In my personal experience, Orange County Sheriff doesn't care about robbery, but the various cities in Orange County do.

I don't know what kind of mold you think I'm in that I need to break.  Where do you come up with this stuff?

I'm happy to pay more taxes to put more cops out there to catch the bad guys and more prosecutors and public defenders and judges to process them, but I think sentences are long enough already. I would pay more taxes on efforts to get ex cons back into the workforce (where they will pay tax dollars) than I would to keep them in jail longer (where they will consume tax dollars).

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

An allegory, inspired by Mikesez:

The Ascent of Folly

In the days of the ancients, when the sun danced upon the land, and the winds whispered the secrets of the world, there lived a tribe, a people bound by their ways and traditions, guided by their wise leader, Grey Eagle.

Grey Eagle was a beacon of wisdom and guidance, his heart filled with love for his people. His days were many, but even the mightiest oak must one day bow to the winds of time. And so, on a day when the sky wept tears of sorrow, Grey Eagle passed away, leaving his tribe in the divided and dismayed.

As the tribe gathered to mourn their leader, they were torn by a great dispute. Two factions arose, each with a vision for the future. One group believed in staying in their bountiful homeland, where the land provided plenty, and each person could fend for themselves. The other faction feared the occasional wolf attacks that plagued a small group of outlying villagers. Though these attacks were infrequent, they inspired fear and unrest.

The leader of those who wished to stay, a wise elder named Strong Oak, suggested that the outlying villagers should strengthen themselves and protect against the wolves. But it was a charismatic orator named Swift Wind, who swayed the hearts of the tribe with his honeyed words. Swift Wind spoke of equality and unity. Pointing to the mountain peak, high above the world, he painted a vivid picture of a place where no harm could befall them. He said that the tribe must ascend the mighty mountain, together, as one, and, in turn become mighty themselves. And so, with hope in their hearts, the people chose to follow Swift Wind on this treacherous journey.

As they began their ascent of the towering mountain, the land grew harsh, and resources became scarce. Swift Wind, in his newfound role as leader, ordered that he would ration food for the sake of the people. He spoke of sacrifice and endurance, and his words still found fertile ground in the hearts of the tribe. While he remained comfortable and well fed, many of the tribe's people began to suffer. 

One fateful night, as they climbed ever higher, a wolf descended upon them, swift and silent as the shadows. It claimed the life of a young boy, the son of a Strong Oak who had argued against leaving their homeland.

The tribe gathered to mourn the loss, tears falling like rain. But Swift Wind, in his twisted wisdom, pointed to the fallen child and said, "See, my brothers and sisters, this tragedy is not isolated to the outskirts. We are making progress. The wolves no longer discriminate."

But Strong Oak, a resolute man, rose above the murmurs of agreement. He spoke with clarity and strength, saying, "If a herd of buffalo is running towards a cliff, it is the one that turns around who makes the most progress. What have we gained from Swift Wind's empty promises, my people? We are starving, and yet the wolf still attacks. Would it not be better to run back now, where we can find food and have strength to fight the wolf? We have climbed to great heights, but our hearts remain heavy, and our future uncertain. Is there one among us that can show how our lives have been improved by Swift Wind?"

A silence fell upon the crowd, and it seemed that the wisdom of the ancients was whispering to the people once again. Swift Wind said nothing. 

It was then that Stone Head, stood up to speak. The tribe let out a collective groan. It was well known that Stone Head was the village idiot, but he desperately wanted to prove them wrong. In his best attempt to sound wise, he said, "We stand on the precipice of the unknown, and our people are considering your words, Strong Oak. Even though I am widely considered to have the least wisdom in the tribe, and many think me to be really, really dull-minded, like, really dumb, I ask them to reconsider and weigh me by the strength of my following argument... Strong Oak, you ask dumb questions. Let's keep voting for Swift Wind everybody!"

The End.

You ruined my story, Mikey.

The problem with your story is, if "the mountain" is welfare policies, there is no "Strong Oak" out there talking about reversing them.  None of the Republicans today are talking about cutting welfare.  In reality, both "Stong Oak" and "Swift Wind" are just blaming each other for the wolf attack, with no logic or evidence, neither of them are proposing to do much that will change it, and I'm just over here trying to focus on actual differences the two might have before I vote.

The mountain is just symbolic of utopia that can't deliver what's promised. The problem with my story is Stone Head, who is too stupid to realize he's not asking the right questions, so he enables a group that is bringing destruction to his people.

---

The problem with your story is, if "the mountain" is welfare policies, there is no "Strong Oak" out there talking about reversing them.  None of the Republicans today are talking about cutting welfare.  In reality, both "Stong Oak" and "Swift Wind" are just blaming each other for the wolf attack, with no logic or evidence, neither of them are proposing to do much that will change it, and I'm just over here trying to focus on actual differences the two might have before I vote.

The mountain is just symbolic of utopia that can't deliver what's promised. The problem with my story is Stone Head, who is too stupid to realize he's not asking the right questions, so he enables a group that is bringing destruction to his people.

Lots of twists and turns in this story!!

I bet Mikey is Stone Head lolol

---

The problem with your story is, if "the mountain" is welfare policies, there is no "Strong Oak" out there talking about reversing them.  None of the Republicans today are talking about cutting welfare.  In reality, both "Stong Oak" and "Swift Wind" are just blaming each other for the wolf attack, with no logic or evidence, neither of them are proposing to do much that will change it, and I'm just over here trying to focus on actual differences the two might have before I vote.

The mountain is just symbolic of utopia that can't deliver what's promised. The problem with my story is Stone Head, who is too stupid to realize he's not asking the right questions, so he enables a group that is bringing destruction to his people.

Sure, utopian vision rhetoric never delivers and usually makes things worse.
We don't have any elected officials preaching any utopian vision right now.  We haven't for decades.  You're shadowboxing.

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

The mountain is just symbolic of utopia that can't deliver what's promised. The problem with my story is Stone Head, who is too stupid to realize he's not asking the right questions, so he enables a group that is bringing destruction to his people.

Sure, utopian vision rhetoric never delivers and usually makes things worse.
We don't have any elected officials preaching any utopian vision right now.  We haven't for decades.  You're shadowboxing.

You just went off the cliff with the rest of the herd..

---

The mountain is just symbolic of utopia that can't deliver what's promised. The problem with my story is Stone Head, who is too stupid to realize he's not asking the right questions, so he enables a group that is bringing destruction to his people.

Sure, utopian vision rhetoric never delivers and usually makes things worse.
We don't have any elected officials preaching any utopian vision right now.  We haven't for decades.  You're shadowboxing.

[BLEEP] are you talking about? Almost everything on the democratic platform is designed to eradicate some injustice. The right has its fair share of utopian ideas, too, like the war on terror. Anything that doesn't allow breathing room for the natural predation that falls in this broken world is an attempt to achieve utopia, and you don't undo solid, successful practices to eliminate anomalies. It will result in tyranny.

---

Sure, utopian vision rhetoric never delivers and usually makes things worse.
We don't have any elected officials preaching any utopian vision right now.  We haven't for decades.  You're shadowboxing.

[BLEEP] are you talking about? Almost everything on the democratic platform is designed to eradicate some injustice. The right has its fair share of utopian ideas, too, like the war on terror. Anything that doesn't allow breathing room for the natural predation that falls in this broken world is an attempt to achieve utopia, and you don't undo solid, successful practices to eliminate anomalies. It will result in tyranny.

I would gladly tell you why you're wrong in person but I can't address this one without crossing the line to religion.

The basic point is we define utopianism differently. Today in America there are no Trotskys or Robespierres among us. Our hopes of improving society are moderate and in check. Our problem today is animosity towards each other.

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

Stone Head lololol

---