So if you're a long time reader of my blogs, you know that I used to be a huge fan of writing about Justice and how our system's punishments are obviously not working. I know I haven't written about things like that in a while, but I just couldn't pass this up.
[Original story from MSNBC]
We all know that "troubled teens" is a sensitive issue-- you have to be careful what you say and how you act around those who are in desperate need of help. It is no surprise that you'd have to extend the same caution to said teenagers in a re-education home.
Punishments must be well thought out, effective, and must not negatively affect the teens. Even if they misbehave, discipline has to be incredibly, well, disciplined: there are Do's and Don'ts.
Common sense, right? Apparently not for the staff who were put in place to "help" these troubled teens.
The staff was ordered by a "supervisor" via telephone to administer electric shock punishment on two of these teens (who apparently were doing nothing wrong according to staff and other teens in the residence). Sounds kind of Hitler-esque to me, but nonetheless, the staff administered said punishment on the two boys, 16 and 19, who recieved 77 and 29 shocks. Electric shocks. Green-Mile-style.
There is a little justice... the staff was fired if for nothing else but "poor judgement." They failed to realize that their supervisor was not in fact the one who called; the failed to check into the situation to see if the boys really did deserve the punishment. Basically, they exercised extremely poor judgement in a situation where caution must be exercised.
I can't help but want more justice from this situation. The boys did nothing wrong, and yet they received a punishment that seems to fall under the "cruel and unusual punishment" category. I don't know what made the staff think the punishment was okay-- but somehow, they thought it was.
Which leads me to wonder why rapists and murderers are pampered in prison. If someone suggested (or even ordered) that my aunt's murderer be shocked 77 times, it wouldn't be done. Shock a murderer? That would be cruel.
Apparently it's even too much to ask that someone who rapes multiple little girls get more than nine years in prison. That would be cruel. Someone who actually does something wrong getting punished?
Blasphemy.
But when those damn kids behave... just shock 'em.
That'll show 'em.
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I'd have shot them in the shins. With a shot gun. At point blank range. 7 times.
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
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I'll keep that in mind if you ever tell me you want to switch to be a counselor or anything of the sort.
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If You Swear That There's No Truth And Who Cares, How Come You Say It Like You're Right? [Bright Eyes]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
People are useless sheep who do what they're told. Almost any amount of questioning or thought in the corrections system breaks the system down. Discipline and the natural tendency of people to obey a strongly given order by authority will get you plenty of this stupid bull shit. They've done plenty of controlled experiments that show the same tendency. Free thought is not actually a prized commodity among employers.
Res ipsa loquitur.
memento mori, mahalo.
"Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real-estate above principles."
I'm sure you've heard this study; it's in practically every Psych book out there... but just to enlighten those who may have not heard it (or not paid attention in psych 101, lol):
Different subjects were put in a room and given a device that they were told would shock a person in the next room.
The people conducting the study told the subjects when to administer the shocks, and told them to up the amps at different intervals.
Most of the subjects continued to up the amps and administer shocks even when people in the next room [who were part of the study and not actually being harmed] were screaming for their lives, some of them showing symptoms of heart attacks and extreme pain.
It's amazing what a human being will do when he is told to do it.
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If You Swear That There's No Truth And Who Cares, How Come You Say It Like You're Right? [Bright Eyes]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
One scream and I would drop the thing....actually just knowing it could potentially hurt someone would make me stop before I start. Especially with the possibility that they could turn around and do it to me...crazy people.
As for the article: A prank caller ordering shocks and those two idiots believed it. Disgusting.
Think about it...
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tomorrowtoday
Me too!
I can't imagine someone would continue to do something like that just because someone was standing over their shoulder saying "it's okay. It's for science." Or "it's okay, they deserve it." Or whatever it is they told them.
If someone even asked me to be a part of that study, I can't imagine going along with it.
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If You Swear That There's No Truth And Who Cares, How Come You Say It Like You're Right? [Bright Eyes]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
That was extremely poor judgement. This goes does somehow fit into the people that work hard don't get what they want but people who skate by get everything easily. I just momentarily forgot how it fits. If I remember I'll come back. :\
How sad... As I read there was no doubt in my mind that it happened in America.
Great entry, Burning Example.
Seriously, what was the point in shocking those two teens? What could they have possibly done (or in this case, not done) in order to recieve such a punishment. I was under the impression that electric shock was only used on mental patients and people put to death. There is something wrong here.
Is electric shock therapy still used on mental patients?
I'm pretty sure we're done being that barbaric.
If you can find sources, let me know. I'd be interested...
EDIT: Just kidding... my boyfriend tells me it is still used in some cases :-) Anyway, offer still stands... I'm interested in the hows and whys, so any sources are appreciated.
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Success Is In The Eye Of The Beholder [The Dresden Dolls]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
Ok first off ... you rock! second as a teenager I must say I am highly offended . I am so sick of hearing that teenagers are the reason for the monstrosity in the world. I get good grades,going to an ivy league school I dont do drugs just like the ads suggest but I am still written off as a second rate, but let me tell you this I would rather be shocked then become one of the hipocrites we call "adults" Being over 18 doesnt make you an adult by my standards ,accepting responsiblity does so the next time someone tells me its all my falut I will just say right back at ya!
Now smile and make a difference