tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post794419710671294099..comments2023-09-06T01:36:44.050-07:00Comments on Journey of Hope...From Violence to Healing Blog: TRAGEDY IN GERMANY: How can we be about Prevention?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-23347111705281616952009-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:002009-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00Right now, I want to respond to Alison's last comm...Right now, I want to respond to Alison's last comment. Her's are in quotes, mine not.<BR/><BR/>"My prevention approach would start with children, with trying to intervene when families are over their heads and children suffer as a result..."<BR/><BR/>How completely I agree with you! I see this need often across the street from me in the subdivision.<BR/><BR/>I see some of this happening in our town - however - so much more is needed. And do you notice how it's often the kids/families in most need who aren't fitting into the most "successful" programs with the most volunteers? Some possible reasons are the lack of consistent transportation they are given, the fact that often they don't "look good" on paper as far as quick and obvious success. <BR/><BR/>Also, as you say, Alison "...enriching opportunities for expression for all children rather than just learning for tests which not all children will be good at nor enjoy."<BR/><BR/>Yes, Yes, Yes - so many of the going programs are understandably geared toward homework, testing...yet there are so many children who are so creative, artistic, great with their hands, etc. etc. or could be - if only there were other choices available - other venues. <BR/><BR/>Here is more from Alison's clear Wish List:<BR/><BR/>"I would also in my dream world make it that no one could ever be turned away for voluntary mental health treatment for any reason when they ask for it, child, family or adult. There would be a respite/crisis center in every region where people could go when they knew they needed help and a break from stress."<BR/><BR/>I left that comment in full because it's so so crucial. How might we go about writing a bill/petition to that effect nationally? Wow, this one provision could prevent so many problems including crime out of frustration. I'm hearing all the time that there are so few affordable options for mental health!<BR/><BR/>And more which is the world surely many of us could be working toward: <BR/><BR/>"And also there would be choices in mental health care not determined by corportate or other interests so that some folks could get therapy, some folks would get help with social skills and integrating into their community, some folks could have art therapy or music and everyone who wanted help getting a job could get that help including job coaches if needed on the job. <BR/><BR/>'We are so far from that dream now. We used to be closer to it actually in the '80's. Now people are put on waiting lists and have to meet strict criteria to get help they want. <BR/><BR/>'Thank you again for your openness."<BR/><BR/>I hope you don't mind me quoting you here again hoping MANY readers see this. Keep in touch. And let me know if you run across some good actions, ideas. I hope to keep reflecting on these truly insightful, reasonable expressions of great need for children, families and prevention.<BR/><BR/>And thank YOU Alison as well for sharing and your openness!CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-70863222398928013942009-03-13T07:39:00.000-07:002009-03-13T07:39:00.000-07:00This is about Prevention rather than Executions......This is about Prevention rather than Executions...Also, keep watching the blogsite on lower right column: Prevention Not Punishment by the stellar Leader among Texas Abolitionists<BR/><BR/>Please consider urgently getting this out to all appropriate folk!<BR/><BR/>Edit, add, delete according to your own purposes & needs - just please get the word out before all these unemployed and their families suffer without need and so do we at large because of this!<BR/><BR/>Texas Governor Refuses $556 Million Federal Aid For Unemployed:<BR/>http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014397570<BR/><BR/>US/Texas Priorities are all messed up!<BR/><BR/>Texas Governor's Office Contact Info: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/<BR/><BR/>Various URLS for contacting US Legislators<BR/><BR/>http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress<BR/><BR/>http://www.house.gov/<BR/><BR/>http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/calendar.html<BR/><BR/>http://judiciary.house.gov/<BR/><BR/>http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=NC<BR/><BR/>http://www.judiciary.house.gov/hearings/calendar.html<BR/><BR/>Those of you who may complain that the above comments are not related to the death penalty: In loving understanding - I am being given quite a bit of freedom by Bill Pelke & will ALWAYS defer to his judgement whenever I see/hear from him--as far as narrowing my focus.<BR/><BR/>Still, I can't help but see in the Subdivision (mini-South Central) aross the street from my home- for years & what I know from Texas & groups who care for the poor online, etc. that there is a DIRECT correlation between how we care for the poor, unemployed & disenfranchised and what we end up having years later in prison, costs and also finally executions.<BR/><BR/>There are huge moral, strategic and Rights concerns which only the least aware could see as disconnected -- especially in times such as these...<BR/><BR/>However, there are often other days & times when here we must stay completely focused on CURRENT EXECUTIONS and Journey of Hope events.<BR/><BR/>If you would differ, feel free to respond & if polite, we will do our best to publish your comments.<BR/><BR/>Stay tuned on this particular post only for now - in COMMENTS section only - more on Prevention...more in response to Alison's very helpful Comments and more on Action possibilities for your state and town.<BR/><BR/>Also, more as it comes in on the Whys & How Nots in the future of the terrible recent killings/tragedies in Germany and Alabama, USA.<BR/><BR/>As always, Thanx for tuning in!<BR/><BR/>Alison, sorry to put you off on response to your last perfectly poignant post...wanted to get this news item out today...<BR/><BR/>Please look back tomorrow.CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-61251986931724839272009-03-13T06:54:00.000-07:002009-03-13T06:54:00.000-07:00Alison & Others, Although this isn't a dir...Alison & Others, <BR/>Although this isn't a direct answer to your last response which focuses on children, I think it's related. I still hope to speak personally to that last of yours pretty soon. I work with neighborhood children from our "rough" part of town...from where there is the densest group of children who end up selling, using drugs and/or going to jail/prison -making babies too young & generally having a pretty rotten life...<BR/><BR/>Here's the headline just found today on positiveuniverse dot com<BR/><BR/>USA/TEXAS: PRIORITIES ARE ALL MESSED UP !!!<BR/><BR/>LOOK AT THIS HEADLINE: Texas Governor Refuses $556 Million Federal Aid For Unemployed<BR/><BR/>(DESPITE resounding disapproval from Republicans and Democrats - including Senators)<BR/><BR/>GO: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014397570<BR/><BR/>LET'S SEND A STREAM AND MASS OF LETTERS TO THIS GOVERNOR FROM AROUND THE WORLD!!!!<BR/><BR/>SEND LETTERS FAXES AND CALLS to Perry & to legislators/leaders/pastors/priests etc. (I will try to post some links & addresses in another Comment soon - but don't let that stop you from acting now please!)<BR/><BR/>First, my intro:<BR/>Then, one of the last things this state does is execute the poor - who whether not guilty yet perhaps in the wrong place as a young person trying to find themselves, under the influence OR perhaps guilty or simply because of their poverty & how easy it is to frame those without means and advocacy - <BR/><BR/>Often those who end up in prison or on death row are from very poor families or sections of the community - where there are few if any decent resources for help...they go to prison & to the executioner's axe often with the feeling American people don't care! <BR/><BR/>(Interestingly & sadly for Americans, sometimes these bereft of friendship, advocacy and other support are supported by Europeans who are seeing what we are doing to our poor and reporting the same!)<BR/><BR/>The headline:<BR/><BR/>March 13, 2009 1:02 a.m. Houston, TX (AHN) - Texas Governor Rick Perry on Thursday announced he will not accept the $556 million in federal stimulus money to aid unemployed Texans because it runs counter to state rules and will burden employers.Speaking at the Bering's Hardware in Houston, <BR/><BR/>Perry said the aid money comes with strings attached from Washington such as requiring the state to assist qualified out-of-work residents seeking part-time jobs. <BR/><BR/>He said the state has been against this benefit because of the potential to discourage them from seeking full-time employment.Perry also said the fund extends benefits to more low-paid workers, including women, elderly and students resulting in higher unemployment insurance payments by employers."Employers who have to pay more taxes have less money to make their payroll" and would have to raise prices on their products, the governor said, according to the Houston Chronicle.<BR/><BR/>When the federal money runs out, business will still have to pay the added cost, Perry said.<BR/><BR/>Though applauded by business groups, the governor's decision was criticized by Democratic and Republican senators for forsaking tens of thousands of Texans, who need financial help.<BR/><BR/>A legislative solution is being mulled by some Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate to bypass Perry's decision or amend Texas' unemployment eligibility laws and overrule a likely veto by the governor.<BR/><BR/>PLEASE SEND YOUR CALLS, FAXES AND LETTERS from around the world now. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR OWN STATE LEGISLATORS & LEADERS IN THIS EFFORT!<BR/><BR/>Thanx for tuning in...look for more Comments here, including one with some info on contacting legislators, leaders and Perry's Texas office.CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-16371792876120290722009-03-12T09:46:00.000-07:002009-03-12T09:46:00.000-07:00Your second comment is much deserving of a thought...Your second comment is much deserving of a thoughtful answer in like kind...so I will do my best later to respond. And by the way, we have SO much in common here!<BR/><BR/>ConnieCNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-55619654805217591012009-03-12T08:03:00.000-07:002009-03-12T08:03:00.000-07:00I'll find my URL's later but wanted first to thank...I'll find my URL's later but wanted first to thank you for such a kind and thoughtful reply to my comment.<BR/><BR/>My prevention approach would start with children, with trying to intervene when families are over their heads and children suffer as a result, with offering children mentors and community supports as needed and definitely with enriching opportunities for expression for all children rather than just learning for tests which not all children will be good at nor enjoy.<BR/><BR/>I would also in my dream world make it that no one could ever be turned away for voluntary mental health treatment for any reason when they ask for it, child, family or adult. There would be a respite/crisis center in every region where people could go when they knew they needed help and a break from stress. And also there would be choices in mental health care not determined by corportate or other interests so that some folks could get therapy, some folks would get help with social skills and integrating into their community, some folks could have art therapy or music and everyone who wanted help getting a job could get that help including job coaches if needed on the job. <BR/><BR/>We are so far from that dream now. We used to be closer to it actually in the '80's. Now people are put on waiting lists and have to meet strict criteria to get help they want. <BR/><BR/>Thank you again for your openness.Alison Hymeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263601066114275597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-47161076359919684782009-03-12T05:33:00.000-07:002009-03-12T05:33:00.000-07:00Thank you so much for your comment which is so wel...Thank you so much for your comment which is so well-thought out and knowledgeable. Please do send the urls to your studies if they are available!<BR/><BR/>There are no conclusions I was proposing -So I'm glad you raised that question.<BR/><BR/>Of course there is a lot of mental illness without substance abuse. Then, again, I know of quite a few cases where there is a lot of substance abuse and various other kinds of addictions involved - where there has been violence and where there's been none.<BR/><BR/>How do you best see the use of our resources used for prevention?<BR/><BR/>In my awareness of some folk in prison - there is sometimes correlation - ie that various kinds of addictions may at least pre-dispose folk to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes a temporary lack of judgement will lead to being arrested whether guilty or not. <BR/><BR/>There are some mental illnesses which would appear to be mistreated by some medicines which in some people can lead to various kinds of violence - even to oneself. And sometimes the lack of the right kind of treatment may be a problem. And of course there are many other factors and combinations.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes folk forget to separate mental illness from deep and long-term depression although they may mask one another. And sometimes folk confuse the various types of mental illness of which there is such an array.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps there appears sometimes to be a fine-line between apparent mental illness and creativity or art which is so often dishonored in our various societies. Maybe we should also study this: the lack of outlet for the arts for so many who go nuts when they don't have the possibility of developing or expressing this?<BR/><BR/>Surely we all have traits of mental illness from time to time and may actually be somewhat mentally ill for awhile - surely we can recognize ourselves in each other. <BR/><BR/>My whole point is: let's as societies put our money and resources - into prevention and into looking into the various causes of violence rather then spend these on executions and other non-rehabilitative programs.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps we will find as you suggest that much of mental illness has nothing to do with addiction or crime. Let's at least be seriously looking into these questions.<BR/><BR/>By the way, have your read -The Soloist- ? It's a book I thoroughly loved and it really honors the homeless and menatlly ill. I am so looking forward to the movie which is due out very soon!CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488869.post-81422962824126884402009-03-11T20:10:00.000-07:002009-03-11T20:10:00.000-07:00I am concerned that without information on motive ...I am concerned that without information on motive with the shooter dead, and with the issue that he shot girls more than boys on the table, that you are although well-intentioned causing harm to people with mental illness who live in this country. I saw what happened in my state after Virginia Tech. and it was horrible, the fearmongering and the scapegoating of every person with a psychiatric history in this state has had a lasting negative impact. <BR/><BR/>Institutions can create people who are violent on release due to very real human rights abuses, indignities, being treated as less than etc. State hospitals are NOT a good place for anyone and only slightly better than our prisons, in some cases worse. Contrary to popular belief, people with psychiatric diagnoses are not more violent than the general population, and are far more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the general population. <BR/><BR/>We do not know if one or more of the victims of this young man was a person with a psychiatric disability so are you willing to dishoner their memory so soon by jumping to conclusions? <BR/><BR/>This kind of speculation causes more harm and does nothing to prevent violence. Violence is not easy to predict as studies have shown and the best predictors are age, male gender and history of past violence, mental illness without substance abuse doesn't even make the cut on the best predictors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com