Author Topic: Land of the free.....  (Read 1849 times)

Offline Russian

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Land of the free.....
« on: February 28, 2008, 03:28:29 PM »
http://wcbstv.com/national/prison.americans.prison.2.665053.html

Quote
Using updated state-by-state data, the report said 2,319,258 adults were held in U.S. prisons or jails at the start of 2008 -- one out of every 99.1 adults, and more than any other country in the world.


I really don't understand... why is that a country that boasts about democracy and freedom keeps over 2milion people behind bars?

Offline ROX

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2008, 03:36:15 PM »
Commit a felony...go to jail.

I am VERY happy we have a system that imprisons convicted felons.  Personally, I think our judicial system is too lenient in some cases.

Offline Yeager

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2008, 03:43:48 PM »
dear god.......PLEASE TAKE THE DUMB ONES AWAY....




that would at least solve SOME of the overcrowding problems in our prison system :aok
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Offline Vulcan

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Re: Land of the free.....
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2008, 03:50:13 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Russian
http://wcbstv.com/national/prison.americans.prison.2.665053.html

 

I really don't understand... why is that a country that boasts about democracy and freedom keeps over 2milion people behind bars?


Russian, you appear to only read into these statistics what you want to read. Perhaps you should read up on the justice systems in other countries  before you put both feet in your mouth. Tell  me, what does the most populated country in the world  do with their criminals?

BTW I'm not American so this is an unbiased view.

Offline Shamus

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2008, 04:01:48 PM »
More behavior that used to be considered misdemeanor is now prosecuted as felonies, you know drug laws, simple A&B can be labeled a hate crime and elevated, drunk driving, child support, all kinds of other stuff.

We have decided that that is what we want, and one thing that you have to understand is that if you clammer for tougher laws and sentences, that is one wish that history has shown will be granted without much discourse by the government for some reason.

I bet we can get the figure up to 3 million in 10 years.

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Offline Maverick

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2008, 05:46:46 PM »
Perhaps Russian would rather the law abiding folks be forced to stay behind fortified walls rather than the thieves, rapists, child molesters and murderers.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
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Offline john9001

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2008, 06:26:33 PM »
too many laws, if you make everything a crime then everyone is a criminal.

go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Offline john9001

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« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2008, 06:29:16 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Maverick
Perhaps Russian would rather the law abiding folks be forced to stay behind fortified walls rather than the thieves, rapists, child molesters and murderers.


i do not have the numbers but i think the majority of people in jail are not thieves, rapists, child molesters and murderers.

Offline DREDIOCK

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2008, 06:49:11 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by john9001
too many laws, if you make everything a crime then everyone is a criminal.

go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.


that is in part part of the problem.

I've talked to several people who have either come to or vitied the US and asked them what they thought.

Surprisingly alot of them tell me that for all the touting of "freedom" we talk they are amazed at our lack of freedoms.
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Offline Yeager

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2008, 07:01:32 PM »
they are amazed at our lack of freedoms.
====
amazed are they?  lol

Do they ever mention what freedoms we lack?  just out of curiosity......
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Offline lasersailor184

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« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2008, 07:02:36 PM »
Dred, don't spout that bull****.  There are very few countries in the world that could even come close to touching the freedom we have.
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Offline sling322

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Re: Land of the free.....
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2008, 07:12:22 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Russian
http://wcbstv.com/national/prison.americans.prison.2.665053.html

 

I really don't understand... why is that a country that boasts about democracy and freedom keeps over 2milion people behind bars?



Because we can't just ship them to Australia and New Zealand the way the Brits used to?

Offline Maverick

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2008, 07:20:22 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by john9001
i do not have the numbers but i think the majority of people in jail are not thieves, rapists, child molesters and murderers.


John,

You really ought to go look at some of the folks in prison. Keep in mind that given the limits on housing there it can take some doing to actually end up there instead of probation.

I've dealt with some of them, helped put some in there and am happy to have them there than outside.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
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Offline Russian

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2008, 07:20:59 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Maverick
Perhaps Russian would rather the law abiding folks be forced to stay behind fortified walls rather than the thieves, rapists, child molesters and murderers.


Are you saying that American way of life produces those in extra amounts compare to other nations? I lived here half of my short life and haven't noticed....

Offline Maverick

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Land of the free.....
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2008, 07:29:17 PM »
Perhaps we are just better at finding and keeping them incarcerated rather than just giving out a slap on the wrist for first through fourth convictions.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
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