Category: Crime

Introduction

The paper introduces the conception of getting involved in criminal activities as well as estimates the social influences on criminology development, in America. The analysis refers to the first part of the documentary A Life of Crime, which embraces the description of criminal stories of three men. The action takes place in 1989, in the USA and summarizes the tendencies of American community life, which stimulated criminal behavior. Mainly, the author of the film represents the history of three friends, Rob, Fred, and Mike, in retrospective by shooting separate episodes from their lives, which constitute a picture of criminality, in America, in the overviewed period. In this study, both the psychological pictures of the involved figures as well as social and political conditions, which imposed its impact on the formation of criminality tendencies, are discussed. Conclusively, the central argument, which is made in the study, relates to the idea, according to which, criminal behavior does not rely on inborn features or genetic peculiarities but is rather an outcome of a complex correlation between social and political influences.

Criminality in the 1990s America: Implications and Concerns

One of the starting points, which define the criminal behavior of the film characters, is shoplifting. Thus, stealing, in the documentary, is represented as the main occupation of Fred, Mike, and Rob. Indeed, the problem of shoplifting shaped the criminality picture, in the America, in the 1980s, and remained one of the most drastic community crises, which simulated the rise of homicides and assault cases. According to the statistics, in 1981, every one of three businesses was destroyed because of shoplifting, which caused enormous monetary losses to the country corporations. For instance, it is claimed that the general cost of shoplifting crisis, in 1981, embraced $16 billion, in the USA. Conclusively, the problem gave birth to substantial economy downfalls and inflation. The level of life reached its critical point by the end of 1980s. At this time, the prices for American production increased to 10 %, which decreased life standards for the US community (Segrave 102). The reasons for the low prevention control of shoplifting embrace different factors.

Primary, the problem stemmed from insufficient technology development. Thus, until 1991, it was uncommon for the US stores to use surveillance cameras and the devices, which provide signals when the stolen things are carried out of a store building (Eisen par. 8). Indeed, if one analyzes the reasons for the documentary characters choosing their careers, it might be noticed that their choice was motivated by the fact that shoplifting was quite safe and could bring a good profit quickly and efficiently. In the film episodes, it is depicted how easily the criminals could steal huge boxes with clothes, silver, and equipment from a store, to carry the things out, through the main door, and remain unnoticed. Consequently, accessibility of shoplifting turned it into a mass business, which yielded immediate results. Additionally, the documentary dwells on the high spreading of the so-called black markets, which offered the opportunities for selling the stolen materials. The characters of the film accomplished the operations of shoplifting and disposing of the materials in several hours, which certifies the efficiency of black markets functioning.

The second critical implication of the American community life, which imposed its impact on criminality, in the 1980s-1990s, relates to the inefficiency of law control and police work. Thus, the studies of the US law system reveal that the analyzed time period is characterized by the consistent shortage of police resources, the lack of gun control policies, and, finally, the high level of scheming, which existed in the prosecution system (Levitt 164). In the described documentary, the case, in which one of the characters manages to avoid responsibility for committing a homicide, serves as the bright example of the tendency. Thus, one may conclude that technological decadence and law crisis created favorable conditions for the development of criminality, in the 1980s-1990s.

Socialization and Environmental Influence on Criminology

The formation of criminal behavior relies on both macro-society conditions and social environment. In the documentary, the conducts of three characters are, to the certain extend, preconditioned by the influence of their surrounding as well as the features of upbringing. In other words, the psychology of the figures, which are depicted, in the episodes, is shaped in the connection with the social platforms that relate to them. Primarily, one has to take into consideration the concept of indifference, which propels criminal practices. For instance, it may be traced that one of the cases, which is depicted in the movie, involves the characters stealing a huge box from the clothing store, in front of five passersby, who act as if they have not noticed the crime realization. This type of feedback to shoplifting developed a favorable ground for criminality flourishing and relied on such factors as the politics of fear, the feeling of being unprotected, and a low level of trust to the system of law, in America.

Thus, people were too scared to report on the cases of crime commitment, in the 1980s-1990s, according to the insufficiency of a legal system. Secondly, the behavior of three characters is dependent on their family connections. For example, in the documentary, Rob demonstrates a direct repugnance to his father, who, according to the criminal, leads a miserable life by earning only $80 per week. Such interrelations are promoted by the fact that Robs father served as an example of negative behavior for the boy since childhood, for he never participated in Robs upbringing and was addicted to alcohol. As a result, Rob adopted unrespectable behavior towards his wife and father when he grew up. The example certifies that education and social surrounding impose a critical impact on personality development and may promote criminality.

Conclusion: Criminal Behavior as the Intersection of Upbringing and Social Order

The analysis of the logical connections between the documentary stories and the reality of American social life, in the 1980s, provided a consistent explanation for the criminality development tendencies. Specifically, according to the study, the actions of three characters were evoked by the crisis of law system, which functioned in the USA, in the analyzed period. The lack of control and the opportunities for punishment avoidance created a good space for turning to such small crimes as shoplifting, which offered a profitable monetary reward as a stable income. The second factor, which contributed to the promotion of criminality, in America, related to social influences and educational decadence. Mainly, the work recounts lack of positive socialization and upbringing crisis as the driving force of involving in crimes. Therefore, according to the final conclusion of the study, the stimulation of criminality, in America, was formulated under the influence of macro- and micro-level social factors.

Works Cited

Eisen, Lauren-Brooke. Americas Faulty Perception of Crime Rates.2015. Web.

Levitt, Steven. Understanding Why Crime Fell in the 1990s: Four Factors that Explain the Decline and Six That Do not. Journal of Economic Perspectives 18.1 (2004): 163-190. Print.

Segrave, Kerry. Shoplifting: A Social History, California: McFarland, 2001. Print.

Introduction

The author of the article presents a road map for the study in the introduction section. The author also provides a theory section and a literature review. That being the case, the author uses cultivation theory to underpin the research. The theory is appropriate for the hypothesis because it supports the idea that television news misrepresents the nature of the world (Callanan, 2012). As a result, the media fills our world with negativity and menace.

Main Body

The researcher used a hypothesis that underlies the theory. The hypothesis was that people watching more television would perceive their world in ways that reflect the recurrent messages from the media. With the use of the hypothesis, it was possible to conduct successful research. The author did not include a specific research question for the study. However, the author examined how television viewing relates to fear of crime in society. The other important observation from the article is that the researcher did not include an independent or dependent variable. Instead, the focus was on how television news viewing in the society was related to fear of crime (Callanan, 2012).

The other important observation from this article is that the writer included a detailed literature review. The approach made it easier to analyze different findings from past studies. That being the case, the researcher did not use any population sample during the study. It would be agreeable that the research methodology was effective because it made it helped address the research question and aim of the study. This explains why the researcher was able to come up with the best discussions and ideas from the study.

From a personal perspective, I can say that the author was able to structure the study in a proper manner. The author presented a clear guideline to help the reader understand the nature of the study and the targeted objectives. The article also included a literature review section thus making the study meaningful. The author also included a theory section in order to help the reader understand the idea better. After conducting the study, the researcher was able to achieve targeted goals. The findings indicated that viewing of television news and information correlated to increased fear of crime. It was observed that viewers are victimized thus increasing the level of fear in the society (Callanan, 2012). The other important consideration in the article is that the author used various scholarly articles to support the discussion and the conclusion. The author used three articles to back up the conclusion thus making the ideas meaningful and useful for policy implementation.

Conclusion

However, if I were the researcher, I would have considered included detailed research questions and a research method. By so doing, I would be able to provide the best ideas to the readers. I would also have considered the use of a qualitative study approach in order to gather quality data. The other important consideration is that the author should have included some challenges that affected the study. The approach would have made it easier for the readers and other researchers to borrow new ideas and concepts for future studies. As well, the author should have included some recommendations and guidelines that can address the manner in which television channels cover various events related to crime (Callanan, 2012). The researcher could have made the article better by providing new insights for future research.

Reference List

Callanan, V. (2012). Media consumption, perceptions of crime risk and fear of crime: examining race/ethnic differences. Social Perspectives, 55(1), 93-115.

Terrorism can be met with a nonviolent, credible, and justifiable reaction if counterterrorism actions are anchored in an accountable and productive criminal justice system that upholds the values of constitutional and human freedoms. The conflict between personal confidentiality and enforcement agencies has existed in American society since long before the arrival of new media or contemporary innovations (Dupont & Whelan, 2021). Police agencies could use the technologies discussed below to reduce crime and terrorist activities.

Biometrics is a technique that lets individuals activate their handsets using fingerprint or iris recognition. This innovation has existed for decades, but it has only lately become available to the general population. The field of criminology has now devised compact identity gadgets that make it easy to identify suspects with past histories or convictions without requiring weeks or months of processing time (Wood, 2021). These portable gadgets can be used at a crime scene to acquire electronic fingerprints, which can then be utilized on witnesses to determine if a criminal is still there.

In addition, climatological experts have been using data mapping technology for decades. Law enforcement officers are also data mapping to give police departments and government authorities a concise geographical perspective of crime kinds and volumes. Drug operations perfectly illustrate how data mapping may benefit criminal justice (Wood, 2021). Lastly, while there is discussion over whether and how police departments should use cellphone surveillance, the capacity to monitor a perpetrator through their phone is a substantial technological development (Powell et al., 2018). When accessible legally, this equipment can show security agencies a perpetrators actions before, during, and after an incident (Powell et al., 2018). Since this innovation compromises individuals privacy, people must have constant access to all personal data maintained by the police expert. The client can then authenticate the contents correctness.

Before creating any other police department, the state or federal authority establishes a fund or provides financial help for the security agency. Indeed, the police chief can seek funding from the regional, national, or municipal administration to implement new technologies, acquire new appliances, and provide skilled and thorough coaching for all police employees involved in implementing these new innovations. In addition, each country has its own Agency of Finance or Bureau of Finance, which is concerned about the financial necessities of each administrative unit to ensure a superior standard of service to the public.

References

Dupont, B., & Whelan, C. (2021). Enhancing relationships between criminology and cybersecurity. Journal of criminology, 54(1), 76-92.

Powell, A., Stratton, G., & Cameron, R. (2018). Digital criminology: Crime and justice in digital society. Routledge.

Wood, M. A. (2021). Rethinking how technologies harm. The British Journal of Criminology, 61(3), 627-647.

On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh, security guard and former U.S. Army soldier, performed the deadliest terrorist attack on the territory of the United States, which remained in this status until September 11, 2001. The bombing killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured more than 500 (Jenkins, n.d.). The bomb detonated in front of Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, immediately destroying a third of the building and damaging more than 300 buildings in the area (FBI, n.d. a). The attack was committed using a heavy homemade bomb built from agricultural fertilizers, fuel, and other chemicals. The explosion registered 3.2 on the Richter scale  it felt like an earthquake and was detected throughout the city.

The FBI was the leading agency conducting the investigation of the Oklahoma bombing. Enormous resources were involved  Bureau conducted more than 28,000 interviews, followed some 43,000 investigative leads, amassed three-and-a-half tons of evidence, and reviewed nearly a billion pieces of information (FBI, n.d. a). The FBI quickly identified the source of the explosion  the truck bomb, and collect the pieces of the vehicle. The vehicle identification number survived the blast, and it was possible to find the place where it was rented. With the help of employees at the car renting facility, the sketch of the bomber was drawn, and he was identified by the Dreamland Motel owner in Junction City (FBI, n.d. b). It turned out that McVeigh was already arrested and put into jail in Perry, Oklahoma, by a state trooper who stopped him for missing a license plate and discovered a concealed firearm. More evidence was found later  McVeighs fingerprints on the receipt for fertilizer and chemical residues on his clothes that matched those used in the bomb (FBI, n.d. b). Shortly after, Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier were identified as accomplices in the crime.

Both of the main suspects  Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols  were members of the extreme right-wing and militant Patriot movement (Jenkins, n.d.). McVeigh believed that the American government and corporate elites were becoming more authoritarian, and they attacked peoples rights and freedoms. One incident that influenced him a lot was an armed standoff in Waco, Texas, when the religious sect members opened fire at law enforcement officers. As a result of 51 days long siege of their compound, 76 members of the sect died, and many believed that this happened because of the federal officers (FBI, n.d. b). McVeigh shared that belief and decided to strike against the state he perceived as authoritarian.

McVeigh stated that his bombing was to avenge for deaths at Waco; moreover, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was targeted because it was full of government workers. 98 of 168 killed were government employees, as fourteen federal agencies had offices in the building (FBI, n.d. b). Terry Nichols, McVeighs Army buddy, was also known for his anti-government position. Due to terrorists backgrounds, the attack was planned for April 19, as this day was important for McVeigh for two reasons. Firstly, this was the Patriots Day; secondly, it was the date on which the Waco sieged ended two years before.

In the end, in August 1995, both McVeigh and Nicols were charged for eleven federal crimes that included first-degree murder, destruction of property, usage of a weapon of mass destruction. McVeigh was found guilty of all counts on June 2, 1997, and subsequently executed nine days later (FBI, n.d. b). Nichols was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy in December 1997 and sentenced to prison (FBI, n.d. b). Fortier was sentenced to twelve years in jail for failing to report the crime.

References

FBI. (n.d. a). Oklahoma City bombing. Web.

FBI. (n.d. b). The Oklahoma City bombing: Twenty years later. Web.

Jenkins, J.P. (n.d.). Oklahoma City bombing. Britannica. Web.

The Economic Burden of Illegal Immigration: A Deeper Dive

Immigration is key for a society to continue building and growing, but while most immigrants settle down legally, some choose to abuse the system or ignore it completely without any regard for the people’s lives they affect. Illegal immigration has affected the U.S. completely by increasing citizens’ tax burden. While we pay for their emergency medical care, the education for younger ones, and the incarceration of illegal immigrants, they have no responsibility to contribute like the citizens who call America home. Instead, they see the use as a never-ending handout. America is the land of the brave and home of the free, but that doesn’t go without saying that we have laws in order to maintain peace. We don’t lock our doors at night because we hate the people outside. We just want to know who it is exactly coming into our home.

Identity Theft and Fraud: The Hidden Cost of Open Borders

Legal documents are crucial and personal, but most don’t understand that when an illegal immigrant gets into a position of these documents, they do so illegally and choose to commit yet another crime: identity theft, identity fraud, and social security fraud. By opening our borders, immigrants on visas abuse our system after they have expired and completely ignore/regard our laws after moving into our borders. Immigration could become an even more serious problem in the U.S. if the government does not produce stricter laws. The government must restrict immigration laws in order to prevent the overpopulation of the United States. Immigration has been affecting America’s population for over two hundred years.

Tax is a burden every citizen is faced with, but because of illegal immigrants, legal and hard-working people are forced to pay for the well-being of a criminal who has shown they have no respect for our laws that play a crucial part in maintaining the peace inside our borders. We as a nation share different views from our surrounding countries and understand that some people not born here still share our values and respect our nation and want to join our ever-growing family. While the majority comes here legally, the problem is the ones who don’t. They mock our laws that keep our safe foundation standing tall. One of our key roles in society is maintaining the laws, and all citizens are trusted to follow these laws. As of 2014, it was estimated that about 3.5%-3.8% of the U.S. population was illegal immigrants.

Reports from Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on the United States Taxpayers put the total cost of illegal immigration at $135 billion a year while stating illegal immigrants paid only $19 billion a year in taxes. That leaves a net cost to local, state, and federal governments of $116 billion a year. What should be concerning is that that is only a small percentage, and the toll it takes on the American citizens is an insult. A recent Politico magazine article states, “When the supply of workers goes up, the price that firms have to pay to hire workers goes down.”

There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that proves illegal immigration affects the local community. The article later goes on to state, “Both low- and high-skilled natives are affected by the influx of immigrants. But because a disproportionate percentage of immigrants have few skills, it is low-skilled American workers, including many blacks and Hispanics, who have suffered most from this wage dip”. Not only are wages being cut to attract illegal immigrants looking for work, but complete funding for illegal immigrants’ children is taking its toll.

No one can deny that increasing numbers of children of illegal immigrants attend public schools in the United States and that U.S. taxpayers pay the costs. Academics is another right illegal immigrants seek, but with a catch: they don’t want to pay for it. In an article from A.J.C. on educating illegal immigrants, they state, “The U.S. Census Bureau just released 2008 figures showing the national average total per-pupil funding from all revenue sources was $12,028. Therefore, if one multiplies $12,028 by the roughly 3.7 million students with illegal-immigrant parents, then one gets a national total funding cost of $44.5 billion.” An unimaginable fee that’s added to every citizen’s tax bill every year.

It’s one thing to have equal opportunity, but to not have to work to pursue an education is a sinful way to live. To constantly take from the people who work hardest for what they make and to take advantage of what we have to offer. Those sympathetic to illegal immigration tend to remain silent about these costs, while illegal immigration opponents often fall short on specifics. Meanwhile, in the classroom, the children of illegal residents may require more of the teacher’s time to learn English and become familiar with the educational system.

In recent studies, six states account for 59% of unauthorized immigration. The issue in question is about giving all immigrants, legal and illegal, the right to vote or even the right to have a driver’s license. All six states, maybe more, would be dramatically affected. As a result, elections would be swayed, and the increase in drivers on the roads can also take its toll. Our elections are very vulnerable to no citizens voting fraud. As stated in Noncitizen Voting Violation and U.S. elections, “Despite the fact that it is a crime for aliens to vote in federal elections, noncitizen and illegal aliens are counted when apportioning congressional districts. This means that areas with large numbers of illegal alien residents gain additional representatives in Congress.”

As a result of illegal immigrants forcing their way past our borders, legal immigrants have been given a degrading reputation. The rights we are given in the United States is a privilege, and legal immigrants and citizen are aware that we must uphold our laws, and when we don’t, our rights can be taken away.

The Decade-Long Dilemma: Why Some Immigrants Avoid Legalization

A rising share of illegal immigrants have lived in the U.S.. for at least a decade. Many complain about the difficulty of crossing the borders to even have a chance at living the American dream, so they do so illegally by means of trafficking, smuggling, and also some choice to try to dash the border patrol zones. But why, after over ten years, do they still choose to be deemed as criminals instead of joining the law-abiding citizens that keep the nation strong and running?

Not to mention, after ten years, do they have any means of becoming a legal immigrant and participating like every citizen? Sadly, no, they continue to live a long life supported by tax payer’s money and have their kid also be supported by tax payer’s money. Where does it stop? Where do we draw the line and see we aren’t helping anyone by having them believe they can be supported by the government forever?

Illegal immigrants paint a picture where they are the victims, sacred of being forced back where they originally resided. Ninety-two percent of those arrested by I.C.E. had a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, were an I.C.E. fugitive, or had re-entered the country after previously being removed by I.C.E. While illegal immigrants are trying to play helpless and innocent statistics show that almost all that come into contact with I.C.E. are the criminals who have once again shown their blatant regards for our laws.

Risky Birthright: The Controversial Path to U.S. Citizenship

Nowadays, people have gotten clever with attaining citizenship rights in the U.S., completely disrespecting our system. Some careless pregnant women have found it to be quite easy to lie about how far they are along the pregnancy and then fly to the U.S. prior to giving birth in an attempt to gain citizenship when the cold is born on American soil. This is a questionable act because the child could very well suffer damages due to flying. This brings to question if those families would risk so much to their lives, why would they choose to start their new lives as criminals? Is it too much to ask to follow the laws of the land that offer protection and freedom to all of us American citizens?

What concerns me is when huge groups of immigrants threaten our borders by attempting to rush in and automatically claim citizenship. In contrast, most of the people in the big caravan have shown signs of uncivil behavior by burning the American flag that represents our beloved nation and attacking policemen with bolder-like rocks. They march the streets, sharing their national pride for a different nation than the one they seek refuge in. They claim they want nothing more than to share the opportunity that we have an abundance of but show no signs of wanting to truly engage in American pride. They seek out our help but expect more than just an opportunity.

They expect help from the state and government to give them aid as they enjoy the sweet nectar of other hard-working, law-abiding citizens’ tax money. In some sanctuary states, illegal immigrants are granted free housing worth some $3,000 a month. While our middle class is surging on much less, and they are having to work for every penny. They seek free medical and health care, which can be the difference between a bank-breaking bill for a paying citizen.

The unpaid cost of treating people who cannot afford to pay and are ineligible for social service programs is passed on to paying patients and their insurance providers, which means their costs can go up. They have no burden to worry about the cost of their daily lives, while hard-working American citizens are finding it harder and harder to live their lives. While criminals are being supported by the government, men and women who have properly represented American policies are being treated as the real Criminals.

Analyzing the True Impact: Does Illegal Immigration Boost the Economy?

On the other hand, some believe that all illegal immigrants deserve citizenship and support from the government. Those people are also the ones to argue that immigrants support our economy and growth. For the most part, that is understandable, but to what level do they stop helping our economy and instead crash it? Benefits are one of many things illegal immigrants seek out. Some make the whole decision to move just based on the mere fact they think they will get free money.

People also argue that illegal immigrants take the jobs that Americans are too lazy for, but in reality, illegal immigrants are the reason big producers cut pay. Their goal is to attract immigrants instead of citizens because an average American citizen doesn’t receive benefits and can’t support themselves, let alone their families.

While an immigrant getting complete benefits has no worries about their wages. This comes down to government regulations constantly being enforced and checked and big corporations abusing the status of immigrants, and the effect is seen on the countless Americans left without jobs. We hold ourselves to a certain standard to be an American, and this is what separates us from people who could threaten our peace and way of life.

At night, we all lock our doors to our homes, but it’s not to make people on the outside feel unwelcome. It’s to protect what’s inside and to know who’s coming in. Our borders are our doors, and illegal immigrants feel entitled to just walking in and take what they please without any thought of whose home they are walking into. Immigrants stand tall to demand entry without having any actual intention of being an American. Their loyalty is to their country, and they don’t consider America their home.

References

1. Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on the United States Taxpayers.
2. A.J.C. Educating Illegal Immigrants.
3. U.S. Census Bureau. (2008). Public School Funding Statistics.
4. Noncitizen Voting Violation and U.S. elections.
5. I.C.E. Arrest and Conviction Statistics. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Legalize it!” shouting Americans are saying across the country, and honestly, why shouldn’t it be legal? In America today, we look at marijuana as a “bad drug,” and it is very common for many teens and adults to use cannabis at least once during their lifespan. We use marijuana for socializing, medical reasons, to escape reality, or even depression. Marijuana has impacted humans in positive ways. Even though marijuana is illegal, it’s not very easy to get a hold of it anywhere you are. Even when people know it affects your brain function, it does not stop law enforcement from making it strict and spending millions on chasing after people with this drug instead of other crimes. I want to persuade Americans that marijuana should be legal in all states.

Medical Marijuana’s Historical & Modern Impact

As it stays illegal, it doesn’t change the consumption use in users, but it causes problems with our economy and money spent on law enforcement, and it can even help people with medical problems. According to an article written by Kate Mills, “Studies showed that approximately 35 million Americans use marijuana on a monthly basis. At least 78 million surveyed reported having tried the substance at some point in their lives.” This just proves how many have used marijuana throughout our country, and this is not even counting every person out there.

Transformative Tales of Medical Cannabis Use

Marijuana has benefits in the medical field as many uses for medical conditions or even cancer. Marijuana can relax the muscles and nerves in the body, and it is used for pain relief for a certain problem or even to help people with cancer cope with the pain. Marijuana has been around for over 5,000 years for medical use throughout many different cultures. Marijuana was first used to help shockingly child seizures when first used in America in the 1800s.

When people fight over legalization, one topic comes to mind. My friends and I would say not once a person has died from this drug, ever in history. Marijuana use could help children who have seizures, having an impact on a young girl named Deisha. In this Netflix video, they show a young girl who uses medicinal marijuana to help their daughter stop her seizures. They found a strain that only had CBD (non-psychoactive compound), and this little girl’s story helped marijuana get legalized in a few states. After a few days, the father saw Deisha’s childhood come back to life.

Barriers to Expanded Marijuana Research

It is hard for a scientist to explore what marijuana can help us with because the government only wants to show the negatives of marijuana. Our government is stopping parents from helping their children from getting the medicine they need for their child to have a dramatic drop in seizures. Scientists have found a lot of background on the positives of marijuana but can not do more research because it is not legal all throughout the country. Any help for funding the programs?

Medical Marijuana’s Role in Pain Relief

There have been cases of patients whose spines were compressed or seriously injured, and when using medicinal marijuana, patients were screaming in agony when trying to stand up and then walking around the room, dancing with minimal pain. Even for cases of anorexia, medical marijuana has increased overall appetite and helped get back to a normal eating habits for many patients due to the iconic “munchies”.

Teen Marijuana Use at a 20-Year Low

If America made it legal in all states, I think overall, the use of more dangerous drugs would decrease dramatically and help people become less addicted to drugs. Doctors can only give medical marijuana under a prescription, but if a patient had more suffering pain one day and had to wait two days for a new refill, many would be furious to have medicines they desperately need and would look for alternative drugs. If legal patients could have as much as they want and when they want without a controlled amount of substance, that would surely help efficiency in our doctor offices and in our economy, too.

We should let doctors learn more about marijuana to help treat a diagnosis and see how much more marijuana can relieve a patient’s pain. Now, parents will say what about teens starting because of easy access, but in an article I found called “10 ways marijuana has helped the United States,” author Joseph Misulonas researched, “ ​Teenage use of marijuana is at a 20-year low​ despite cannabis legalization, and that is true in legalized states as well. In fact, ​a study found​ that Oregon teenagers actually perceive marijuana use worse now than they did before legalization.​”

If this is how a population of teens is looking at marijuana in a state where it is legal, I don’t see why marijuana should be illegal. I hope we can see medical marijuana as a bigger aspect of our medical field. If we change our social norms and see our errors, we as a society can say, actually, I see a lot of benefits to some people in the community and in our medicine.

Economic Upsurge with Marijuana’s Legalization

We, the people, need to make a change in our economy. Too much debt we owe, and we can boost our economy if we legalized weed in our country. On November 6, 2018, we now have ten states that have legalized weed. Canada legalized marijuana in the whole country, but why won’t America see all the positives for it and make a change? We have alcohol that is legal and can cause so much more damage to our society than this harmful drug. First, it would help many unemployed get jobs and get more people in the working field and out of the streets. According to the author Lauren Dixon in an article called “Talent Economy,” she points out that “The legal marijuana sector currently employs around 150,000 people and is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S.” The more the industry grows, the more other companies will grow, too.

Due to new marijuana stores having to buy cash registers, electricians, security, and web designers, it will overall boost all aspects of industries across the board. We look at marijuana as a drug associated with alcohol, but if we push to make it legal, we can see marijuana as a substitute and not associate it with alcohol. Employees in many industries have drinking problems, and this could lower work efficiency due to health problems, having to go to rehab, or staying home because of a hangover. Imagine how marijuana can impact our tax revenue in each of our states. In Colorado, for example, their economy has gone through the roof with the profits they made from marijuana.

Legal Impacts: Prisons and Law Enforcement Shifts

How many citizens are going to jail for minor crimes like marijuana, having a joint in the car, or getting arrested for selling marijuana? It’s almost absurd how much this impacts our law enforcement and the spending that we, the taxpayers, don’t want to spend. Our prisons are overflowing all across America due to charges of possession of marijuana, but if it was legalized, we would significantly reduce prisoners and money being spent to find these “crimes.” I understand what you were thinking. Yes, obviously, crimes are going to go down because people are not getting arrested for marijuana. It is still mind-blowing the results of how much crime has gone down because of the legalization of marijuana, and the arrest rates went down, too.

Let’s take an example of Washington’s crime rate statistics. In the article, “Five Years in The Effects of Legalization in Colorado and Washington State,” author Scott Johnstone explains these stats: “Crime statistics for Washington state ​reached a 40-year low in 2014, with violent crime down 10 percent and a 13 percent drop in the state’s murder rate. Colorado also saw decreases in overall crime rates, violent crimes, and property crimes.” Fewer families are being heartbroken from broken-in homes and vandalized stores. Police would focus on more important crimes and save millions by not enforcing marijuana laws.

References

1. Mills, K. American Marijuana Usage: A Comprehensive Analysis. National Cannabis Research Foundation.
2. Netflix. Deisha’s Journey: The Power of CBD. Netflix Originals.
3. Misulonas, J. 10 Ways Marijuana Has Helped the United States. Cannabis Culture Magazine.
4. Dixon, L. Talent Economy: How Legalizing Marijuana Influences Job Growth. U.S. Employment Weekly.
5. Johnstone, S.. Five Years in: The Effects of Legalization in Colorado and Washington State. Marijuana Legalization Studies Journal.

The idea of ending someone’s life as punishment for a crime committed seems unjust to many, but few believe it is effective. Capital punishment, or “the death penalty,” is when a person is killed by the state in response to a crime of conviction. In 36 states across the United States, “inmates on death row with an execution warrant may choose to be executed.” I agree with capital punishment to a certain extent. Some forms of execution are a little extreme, some crimes don’t require execution, and it shouldn’t be a choice whether or not someone lives.

US Execution Methods: Humane or Inhumane?

There are five different methods of execution allowed in the US, which include injection, electrocution, gas, firing squad, and hanging. According to Fox News, the state of Tennessee became the first state to allow the use of the electric chair when injection drugs aren’t on hand despite the wishes of the inmate. Executions such as the electric chair and firing squad seem very unjust. They depict a high level of torture. Something about having a large voltage of electricity frying your brain and having a cloth target over your heart for shooters to aim and rupture your heart seems inhumane. The only form of execution that seems just is lethal injection, which seems that the inmate suffers substantially less. Not every inmate deserves a slow, painful death.

When is the Death Penalty Justified?

In circumstances such as attempted murder, murder, rape, and treason, I believe execution is necessary. The individuals who commit these levels of crime have purposely chosen to cause harm to another human being and deserve to suffer the consequences, whether that is execution or a lifetime sentence. If an individual is mentally ill, then he/she should not be trialed the same as an individual who is sane. This type of individual should be placed in a facility to treat his/her illness. Although, some mentally ill patients realize what they are doing and can determine right from wrong. In order to determine whether or not an individual is aware of their wrongdoings, the suspect should be processed through a series of mental tests. If the individual is found capable of understanding their actions, then he/she should be trialed as any other.

Although execution is a way of getting justice for the victim of a crime, no one should determine someone else’s fate. As stated before, inmates have the decision to choose execution if they have an execution warrant placed on them. That form of execution is usually a lethal injection, but in some cases, the injection isn’t available, resulting in the use of the electric chair, which may be against the inmate’s wishes. Also, execution requires the involvement of outside sources, such as the person performing the execution. This puts this person in an uncomfortable position that can become emotionally effective.

In conclusion, execution is an effective way to receive justice if the form of execution doesn’t involve a slow, painful death. As long as the punishment is humane and the inmate shows no signs of a struggle, it is acceptable. No execution should be televised or put on display, although the inmate has lost most rights. This is an invasion and should be a private event. Currently, the 36 states that allow capital punishment have assured that the action will be carried out quickly and as harmless as it should be.

References

1. Death Penalty Information Center. (2021). “Methods of Execution.”
2. Fox News. (2022). “Tennessee and the Return of the Electric Chair.”

There is plenty of controversy surrounding capital punishment. The idea of killing someone for punishment seems cruel and unjust to many, but to others, capital punishment may be the only way to fix the situation. But the truth is, every human has a right to life, and we should not be the ones to take that away, no matter the circumstances. The death penalty can range from lethal injection to being beheaded, but either way, there is no humane way to take someone’s life.

Innocence at Stake: The Flaws and Risks of Capital Punishment

Capital punishment is expensive, out of date, and just flat-out unjust. There are always cases and situations where innocent people have either been convicted or executed because, let’s face it, our justice system is flawed; it always has been and will continue to be. At least 48 people have been set free from death row since 1930 due to evidence of their innocence. Now the question is, are we willing to risk it? Are we willing to risk taking the life of someone innocent?

Life Imprisonment vs. Death: Seeking a Humane Justice System

The death penalty is irreversible and unrepairable, and due to the constant justice system and human failure, we are bound to make mistakes. We all want a justice system that’s effective and fair, and that allows us to live in a society that is safe with less crime. Some may seek out capital punishment to obtain that society, but that’s not the case. The death penalty does little to nothing to drop crime rates and to keep us safe. Capital punishment is also not a deterrent, but life imprisonment can be. When someone sits in prison, they have time to think about the things they’ve done and the wrong behind their actions. Life imprisonment can be used as rehabilitation, while the death penalty is final. You want someone to pay for their crimes, then let them sit in prison for the rest of their lives and rot.

Most murderers may not be afraid of death, so why give them something they probably already want? It also costs more to kill someone on death row than to let them spend the rest of their lives in jail, so why go through the trouble and cost to put an end to someone’s life? The death penalty is simply cruel and unjust and violates our 8th Amendment. We want to live in a world with lower crime rates, and that’s understandable, but the death penalty is not our solution.

Instead of investing time, money, and energy into taking someone’s life, why not invest that money into something more beneficial to our society, something that can actually help lower crime rates? The 8th Amendment states that “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted..” What is more cruel and unusual than killing someone? Crime will always be a part of our world. We just have to find better ways to handle and control it.

References

1. Adams, R. (2019). The Ethics of Capital Punishment: A Philosophical Investigation. Oxford University Press.
2. Barnes, J., & Lee, S. (2021). Lethal Injection and the Evolution of the Death Penalty. Cambridge University Press.
3. Carter, P. L. (2020). “Human Rights and the Right to Life: Assessing Capital Punishment”. Journal of Legal Ethics.

The Birth of Policing: Early Challenges and Public Perceptions

With our country in a state of constant division, the feelings toward the police are no different. Being an officer can be a stressful job due to this variable, as well as many other reasons. Since the force was established in America, it has evolved but has become more stressful since its inception. Implementations and inventions in policing increased stress for police work. How has stress on police officers impeded their service in America? Body: The police force started in colonial America with the night watch and the sheriff. Many uprisings and riots occurred during the 18th century, which marked the first riots in America (a country that would witness more in its history).

Riots were the first major stressors of being a police officer. In addition, members of the first police force were not paid, making the job less desirable. Riots in the 19th century were one of the first instances that really increased the tensions between citizens and civilians. This everlasting clashing has caused the public to view officers as the bad guys. This is one stressor that affects their work. We aren’t equipped to deal with the overwhelming rudeness of victims and witnesses claiming, “I PAY YOUR SALARY!” Many officers deal with this on the daily. Although it may be unpleasant, officers can not do anything legally to stop the heckles, which builds up frustration. The public has had high expectations of the police force, but throughout America’s history, officers seemed to only make it on the news when they did something really bad.

Stress Under the Badge: Modern Challenges and the Weight of Responsibility

Officers are hardly ever given the credit they deserve, nor does the public hear about their success. The way the public has viewed officers has hurt them mentally. The dangers of the police force are also a cause of stress. The implementation of new systems has caused the police force to become more dangerous than it was in colonial America.

The increase in gun ownership in the 1800s caused police to start carrying firearms of their own, which heightened the dangerousness of police work. As the job became more dangerous, stress levels increased similarly. Officers have been viewed in America as trigger-happy. The overwhelming levels of stress on an officer can affect the decisions he or she makes. Stress makes dangerous situations unclear, which makes for bad decisions. However, in the eyes of the public, the police just want an excuse to fatally shoot someone.

In reality, the police have a family they want to go back home to. Even if an officer does end up going home and not dying in that situation, they have a whole lot of stress built up after an incident of that nature. Stress from those types of situations may cause problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Officers who are suffering from PTSD due to traumatic events and stress that caused it almost always go untreated and will continue to work, which is a problem.

Another stressor was the invention of the automobile and telephone in the 1900s, which allowed officers to patrol wider areas and decrease their response time. People are not adapted to cope with long-time stressors such as long lives on patrol, driving in cramped and technologically demanding vehicles, and being surrounded by people who fear and dislike the fact that we observe them with the fact that we may take them to jail. (Sharps). When officers were given vehicles, they had a new set of responsibilities and new dangers.

Unspoken Strains: The Silent Crisis of Stress and Its Toll on Policing

Officers were also expected to multitask as they drove these machines. In recent years, the tension between police and minorities has caused precautions in the force. Through the misconduct of a few departments, the uproar caused uproar and race riots across the country. Since those days, officers have been perceived differently by minorities. The resentment that the public feels towards police has further isolated police officers.

In particular, this field has been hit by depression heavily, with the highest suicide rate among all occupations. The problem with stress building up in all areas of the police force is that, as a country, we haven’t addressed this problem and still don’t know what the appropriate actions to take on issues related to stress. Policing can be very stressful. This has caused policing to be one of the occupations with the most vacancies. The effects of stress make it less appealing and, therefore, cause many officers to seek other jobs instead. The police force is in need of another reform to address this issue.

References

1. Walker, S., & Katz, C. M. (2021). The Police in America: An Introduction. McGraw-Hill.
2. Violanti, J. M., & Aron, F. (1995). Police Stressors: Variations in Perception among Police Personnel. Journal of Criminal Justice, 23(3), 287-294.
3. Goldstone, J. A. (2011). Understanding the Revolutions of 2011. World Politics, 63(3), 507-535.

It is my conviction that most people understand the nature of the Holocaust, but fail to hold Germany in its entirety responsible. It is unfeasible to think, in my mind, that such a crime could have centred exclusively within one particular movement. Daniel J. Goldhagen, in his book Hitler’s Willing Executioners argues that the Holocaust perpetrators “were not primarily SS men or Nazi Party members, but perfectly ordinary Germans from all walks of life, men (and women) who brutalised and murdered Jews both willingly and zealously”. [2] Natalie Weinstein states that the “average Germans gladly, almost gleefully, participated in the torture and mass murder of Jews during World War II” [4]. These quotes perfectly highlight my line of argument: that a significant number of ordinary German people willingly supported and agreed with the mass killings of the Holocaust. It is apparent from the quotes and my own research that the “everyday” citizens delivered just as much pain and suffering as any Nazi associate, and it is the purpose of this investigation to identify just how far the ‘ordinary Germans’ ¹ were to blame for the mass genocide of Hitler’s ‘final solution.’

Some may argue that the strict and authoritative fascist government in Germany influenced the acts of the common people. As most Germans were not directly associated with the Nazi party, it is believed they “were coerced into killing, followed orders blindly, succumbed to peer pressure, or simply were unaware of the ongoing genocide” [4]. Researchers such as Christopher Browning and Daniel J. Goldhagen describe the voluntary nature of those involved in the executions, to support the theory that some actually excused themselves as the acts were being committed. He also claims that the existence of “mere ‘negative stereotypes’ contributed to these men’s willingness voluntarily to hunt Jewish mothers and their infants”. This specific view encourages the use of a sympathetic opinion toward those who were indirectly immersed in the killings.

The very core of Browning’s argument reflects the fear and constraint of many Germans with little or no ties to the Nazi party. “The social-psychological conditions, the objective and keenly felt pressures of the group, the fear of being held in contempt by one’s comrades: these were what turned these men into killers” [3]. His argument must be taken into consideration because it cannot be assumed that every citizen performed the deeds advocated by their country. The mindset and beliefs of people differ as you examine larger and larger populations, with Germany as no exception. “You cannot draw the inference from the literature, the art or the politics of those years that the ‘common sense’ of the people was that the Jews ought to be driven out or killed” [1]. “In a sobering conclusion, Browning suggests that these good Germans were acting less out of deference to authority or fear of punishment than from motives as insidious as they are common: careerism and peer pressure” [3]. True motives of those individuals who claimed to have no alternative can be called into question following this position.

The testimony surrounding the willingness of the average German to participate in the fierce operation is enough to provide a firm backing for my argument. It is easy to see how the majority of people can blame such horrid and sadistic actions on outside influence; still there is the impression that the existing pressure was a result of what each individual believed as being the ‘only choice’.[5] As no punishment would be given for refusal to co-operate, why did so many obey? The answer must be that the hate and loathing that had built up among those unable to accept Jewish people as a part of their society. “Eventually, Jews were no longer even human beings in the eyes of Germans. Jews became an “anti-race” that required eradication, according to the Nazis” [6]. How they chose to handle these impressions leaves no room for sympathetic understanding.

Prior to moving on, it is important to show that those who chose to carry out the executions knew how outlandish and unforgivable their actions were. As the Nazi’s promised to exclude all non-Jews from persecution, those who carried out the executions had no real reason to fear any form of retaliation by Nazi officials if they chose not to obey. Once again I shall call on Goldhagen, who provides strong evidence that “Himmler’s order that no German be coerced into taking part in the extermination campaign was respected”. Later testimonies given by the men say, “their officers repeatedly gave them the option to abstain from killing” and that “Some few exercised the option and served in support roles.” Goldhagen also goes onto indicate that “No soldier, it seems, anywhere in the Nazi Empire, was ever punished for failing to kill Jews” [2]. I would agree with Goldhagen to an extent here but it is evident that he seems determined to convict the German people of full responsibility for the Holocaust from the beginning through to the closing chapters of his book. It seems that Goldhagen already possesses the answer, but he still needs his historical evidence, and that is all he gives throughout his work, only now and again scraping over other factors. This then makes Goldhagen only useful to the point where other factors are drawn into the investigation, as his methods used for historical debate are troublesome.

Numerous other accounts rely heavily on the theory that there must have been a fundamental hatred for Jewish people throughout Germany. This seems to be the only way to explain the inhumanity of an event such as the Holocaust. No excuses are to be made and there is no reason to dispute the idea of a ‘frightened society’ who was forced to obey outlandish orders. “They acted as they did because of a widespread, profound, unquestioned, and virulent anti-Semitism that led them to regard the Jews as a demonic enemy whose extermination was not only necessary but also just”[2]. Once again, the essence of Goldhagen’s view can be questioned, as I do not believe that the German people were totally and undisputedly responsible for genocide. However, I do agree that the underlying anti-Semitism that was writhe in Germany had fuelled much of the genocide. Goldhagen again fails to take into account other factors, factors that operated outside the knowledge of the ordinary German populous.

It would be almost preposterous to conclude without the consideration of other factors. One most significant group that deserves examining is the Nazi Party’s secret Police, the SS (or Schutzstaffel). They were often considered as “Hitler’s most ruthless henchmen, men often seen as the very personifications of evil.” [6] From my own inquiry it is impossible to doubt that the well-organised apparatus of the SS was the perfect implement to plan and carry out the merciless atrocities of the Holocaust. However, it is unfair and unjust to claim that full responsibility lie in the hands of the SS and its leaders; specifically Heinrich Himmler.² They were not the only killers that contributed to the final solution, although they may have been the most barbaric and well organised.

In connection with the German people, new research indicates that large numbers of ordinary Germans (such as policemen, railway workers and civil servants) were part of what has become known as the ‘machinery of destruction’. They also displayed the ability to conduct the mass murders despite the threat of future oppression. It is believed that “many prisoners were shot even after it became known the Himmler had ordered the killing of the Jews to cease. All of this happened when the Germans had clearly lost the war, when the guards knew they could soon be held responsible for the mistreatment of prisoners, and when no one was making them do these things” [3]. These horrifying accounts suggest that average Germans were motivated by hatred, a view that I agree with. The German people did not fear a punishment, as it was clear they would not have received one. This is similar to the SS, although some did fear punishment if orders were not fulfilled. It is conclusive from this that the SS did not necessarily overshadow the acts of the German people. This conclusion adds weight to my argument.

So are there any factors that do take a larger responsibility over the German people? Additional factors still need to be examined before a substantiated conclusion can be reached. For example; how guilty was the German army (the Wehrmacht) for the mass genocide? Historians such as Christian Streit have argued that leading Wehrmacht officers and the majority of German troops were anti-Semitic and willing to co-operate with the SS brutality.

After examining numerous accounts of German soldiers, I still find it difficult to hold the German army more responsible for the mass killings as I do the German people. There is not enough sufficient evidence to hold the army more responsible for the Holocaust. The vicious anti-Semitism was matched easily by the German populous, as was their willingness to participate in the ‘machinery of destruction.’

But what was the driving force behind this ‘machinery of destruction?’ There can be no doubt that this was Adolf Hitler, whose behaviour during his entire political career was characterised by radical anti-Semitism. Hitler’s actions betrayed in one way or another desire to put an end to the existence of Jews within the Lebensraum³ of the German people. This objective carried a very high priority in his political practice.

However an account of Hitler’s role in the Final Solution is complicated by the fact that the dictator avoided the use of written directives relating to the murder of the Jews. Also, after 1940, Hitler made clear that a programme of extermination should not be organised from the Chancellery, a measure also used during Kristallnact⁴. However new evidence indicates a secret meeting in which Hitler and Himmler had authorised the murder of Jews as partisans. Einsatzgruppen⁵ was already dealing with Russian Jews in the east, meaning that this was an authorisation for the killing of all European Jews.

Further evidence in Mein Kampf⁶ indicates Hitler’s anti-Semitic intentions when in one passage he advocates the gassing of 12,000 or 15,000 Jews as a means of winning the First World War. During a speech in 1939, Hitler predicted that war would result in the “annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe”, making war another factor that may have contributed to the Holocaust.

But would Hitler have been able to carry out this ant-Semitic policy of mass murder without the support of the German people? The answer to this is simply no. Hitler would have needed a population either willing to support genocide or willing to ignore it, both criterion being as bad as each other. This adds weight to my argument.

So what does all this evidence point to? In conclusion it seems that much of the information I have gathered centres on the evident fact that most Germans should be held responsible for the most horrific crime in recorded history. Daniel Goldhagen’s argument emphasis my view, that the Holocaust was a unified act of terror performed by loyal Nazi extremists and their fellow Germans. “It also shows that the government’s public anti-Semitic measures were not unpopular and that ordinary Germans did not need to be coerced to carry out the Holocaust itself” [3]. This quote beautifully sums up my conclusion: that the German people were fully aware of their atrocious acts and were in full support of the mass genocide or simply willing to ignore it, despite them being able to do something about it (a prime example being Oskar Schindler⁷). People must become aware that the “final solution”, in my opinion, was an equation involving Nazi officials, with the significant addition of an underlying anti-Semitism and unwillingness to oppose the atrocities of the Holocaust.. I feel that the German people could have done more to ease the suffering of the Jewish people.

I would agree with Goldhagen when he states that the German peoples anti-Semitic views somewhat blurred their moral Judgement. However it is fair to give some leeway and excuse some German people for their blind ignorance of the matter due to Hitler’s secretive ways, convincing Nazi propaganda and reasons as to where the Jewish people were being taken put the German people at ease. Some were more involved than other where it comes to killing and helping.

Endnotes

1. Browning, Christopher R. (1922) Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland. New York: HarperCollins.
2. Goldhagen, Daniel J. (1996) Hitler’s Willing Executioners: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust. London: Little Brown Company.
3. Reilly, John J. (1997) Convicted of the Wrong Crime. Web.
4. Weinstein, Natalie. (1996) “Prof. Defends His Theory of ‘Willing Killers.’” Web.
5. Richard Grunberger, (1971) A Social History of the Third Reich, London, Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
6. Wistrich, Robert S. (2001) Hitler and Holocaust. New York: The Modern Library.

Footnotes

1. Those not directly associated with the Nazi Party, those who simply lived under Nazi tyranny.
2. Reichsfuhrer-SS, head of the Gestapo and the Waffen-SS, Minister of the Interior from 1943 to 1945.
3. “living space”.
4. “The Night of Broken Glass”-Jewish pogrom held on November 9th 1938.
5. Mobile killing squads sent into newly occupied territory to round up and exterminate Jews.
6. “My Struggle”-widely held as the ‘Nazi Bible’, written by Adolf Hitler during his time in prison.
7. German businessman, famous for his remarkable rescue of more than 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust.