Nancy was raped by her stepfather for 5 long years. She was his second prey. Nancy’s stepfather was a registered sex offender when he decided to become “weak” according to her. “If they knew he was capable of committing another crime, why did they release him?” Nancy said referring to the court of justice. Individuals are debating the delicate balance between individual rights and public safety, when it comes to housing sex offenders. About 27 states have enacted legislation that forces serial sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies upon moving into a community and Washington State is one of them. In this country safe housing can be a privilege but to what extent can that privilege be given to sex predators? I strongly believe sex predators have the right to safe housing but with limits. Depending on where their crime stands and why the crime was committed in the first place. If the sex offender committed the crime due to a mental illness he/she should be placed in a mental institute. If not the only other place for that offender is prison for life. I definitely consider prison and mental institutes safe housing for these predators. Having these predators released and thrown out to the communities would be risking more children. Laws against sexual offenders should be harshly enforced to the fullest extent to prevent reoffends. Most of these sex cons desperately wait their release just to commit an even more horrific crime.
I read an article about a detective named Glenn Quantz of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office who believes sex cons are the most manipulative of criminals and will most likely reoffend. Quantz came across a sex offender named Leroy David Fulton, a guy who was sentenced to three life sentences for raping young boys but only served 10 years in jail. Fulton got his master’s degree in psychology while he was in prison and was extraordinary. Fulton’s therapist had stated “I don’t think of Fulton as a client, I think of him as a co therapist.” “This guy is dangerous, and his reoffend cycle says he should be offending right now.” When Fulton was released he was exposed to the community. He was a registered sex offender but that did not stop him from “hunting his prey.” Detective Quantz soon found out Fulton had joined an astronomy club where he befriended two families with children and had already been giving the kids gifts. To me this is a clear example of why I believe sex offenders should be in prison for life or in a mental institute. I do not think there is any other way for it. Now does this clash with the sex offender’s individual rights? Not so much because they had a choice either comply with the laws and have his/her rights respected or break the law and loose that right. The choice was theirs to make and they made it by committing the crime. They still have their right to safe housing maybe not in the way they would like to but better than living under a bridge or roaming in our neighborhoods endangering our children. What is the best solution? A life sentence is a possible deterrence.
Supporters to this idea believe lengthy mandatory prison sentences would deter repeat child sex offenders. But there are those who oppose to such thing. An article in the Houston Chronicle in 2007 stated that some opponents agreed that lengthy sentences would prompt prosecutors to charge offenders with lesser crimes and would deter families from reporting child sexual abuse. It also stated that predators might be more likely to kill their victims to silence them. I see the opponents point but I do not agree with this because lengthy sentences might not stop sexual abuse but will deter sexual abuse offenders. As for short sentences, this will also not stop sexual abuse but will allow for offenders to commit a crime again because they know they will be released sooner rather than later. This allows them to plot their next crime. As for if they are incarcerated for life or in a mental institute they will not have the slight chance to commit another crime. An article I found in the CQ Researcher online talks about a Washington State resident in the late 1980s named Earl Shriner who was a sexual predator.
Earl Shriner had a 24 year history of sexual violence and had spent a decade in prison after kidnapping and raping two 16 –year-old girls. Shortly before he was scheduled to be released from a Washington state prison in 1988, prison officials came across a dilemma. Shriner had drawn pictures and written in his diary about torturing children once he was free. As awful as this looks nothing was done in regards to this because he had already served his time. Shortly after Shriner was released he raped, stabbed, and sexually mutilated a 7 year old boy, who survived the attack and was able to identify his aggressor. It is ridiculous how many children have to go through such a nightmare in order for the law to finally put a sex con in prison. I really believe the only way to decrease sexual crimes and properly place sexual offenders in a safe housing environment for them and ourselves is prison or mental institutes. It cannot be said that these sex cons housing rights are being taken away from them, but it can be said that they have been modified. With every right we also have a choice to either keep our right or lose it. These sex offenders made the choice to possibly lose their right to live in a normal setting. Therefore, they should not be given a second chance and should be incarcerated for life. The victim’s where not given a second chance when they were living such awfull crime, then why should the offenders?
links: Nancy V. (friend/victim)
R.G. Ratcliffe (Houston Chronicle 2007)
Congressional Quarterly 16 (2006)
Congressional Quarterly 6 (1996)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tougher laws for sex offenders ( essay roughdraft)
Many Americans are debating the delicate balance between individual rights and public safety, when it comes to housing sex offenders. Having tougher laws could serve two purposes, properly house sex offenders and protect public against sex cons. About 27 states have enacted legislation that forces serial sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies upon moving into a community and Washington State is one of them. In this country safe housing is a right but to what extent can that right be given to sex predators? I strongly believe sex predators have the right to safe housing but with limits. Depending on where their crime stands and why the crime was committed in the first place. If the sex offender committed the crime due to a mental illness he/she should be placed in a mental institute. If not the only other place for that offender is prison for life. I definitely consider prison and mental institutes safe housing for these predators. I am against having these predators released and thrown out to the communities risking more children. I think laws against sexual offenders should be harshly enforced to the fullest extent to prevent reoffends. I read an article about a detective named Glenn Quantz of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office who believes sex cons are the most manipulative of criminals and will most likely reoffend.
Quantz came across a sex offender named Leroy David Fulton, a guy who was sentenced to three life sentences for raping young boys but only served 10 years in jail. Fulton got his master’s degree in psychology while he was in prison and was extraordinary. Fulton’s therapist had stated “I don’t think of Fulton as a client, I think of him as a co therapist.” “This guy is dangerous, and his reoffend cycle says he should be offending right now.” When Fulton was released he was exposed to the community. He was a registered sex offender but that did not stop him from “hunting his prey.” Detective Quantz soon found out Fulton had joined an astronomy club where he befriended two families with children and had already been giving the kids gifts. To me this is a clear example of why I believe sex offenders should be in prison for life or in a mental institute. I do not think there is any other way for it. Now does this clash with the sex offender’s individual rights? I do not think so because they had a choice either comply with the laws and have his/her rights respected or break the law and loose that right. The choice was theirs to make and they made it by committing the crime. They still have their right to safe housing maybe not in the way they would like to but better than living under a bridge or roaming in our neighborhoods endangering our children.
Many people including myself believe lengthy mandatory prison sentences would deter repeat child sex offenders. But there are those who oppose to such thing. An article in the Houston Chronicle in 2007 stated that some opponents agreed that lengthy sentences would prompt prosecutors to charge offenders with lesser crimes and would deter families from reporting child sexual abuse. It also stated that predators might be more likely to kill their victims to silence them. I see the opponents point but I do not agree with this because lengthy sentences might not stop sexual abuse but will deter sexual abuse offenders. As for short sentences, this will also not stop sexual abuse but will allow for offenders to commit a crime again because they know they will be released sooner rather than later. This allows them to plot their next crime. As for if they are incarcerated for life or in a mental institute they will not have the slight chance to commit another crime. An article I found in the CQ Researcher online talks about a Washington State resident in the late 1980s named Earl Shriner who was a sexual predator.
Earl Shriner had a 24 year history of sexual violence and had spent a decade in prison after kidnapping and raping two 16 –year-old girls. Shortly before he was scheduled to be released from a Washington state prison in 1988, prison officials came across a dilemma. Shriner had drawn pictures and written in his diary about torturing children once he was free. As awful as this looks nothing was done in regards to this because he had already served his time. Shortly after Shriner was released he raped, stabbed, and sexually mutilated a 7 year old boy, who survived the attack and was able to identify his aggressor. It is ridiculous how many children have to go through such a nightmare in order for the law to finally put a sex con in prison. I really believe the only way to decrease sexual crimes and properly place sexual offenders in a safe housing environment for them and ourselves is prison or mental institutes. It cannot be said that these sex cons housing rights are being taken away from them, but it can be said that they have been modified. With every right we also have a choice to either keep our right or lose it. These sex offenders made the choice to possibly lose their right to live in a normal setting. Therefore, they should not be given a second chance and should be incarcerated for life. The victim’s where not given a second chance when they were living such awful crime, then why should the offenders?
links; CQ Researcher online (most articles were found here)
Houston Chronicle 2007
Quantz came across a sex offender named Leroy David Fulton, a guy who was sentenced to three life sentences for raping young boys but only served 10 years in jail. Fulton got his master’s degree in psychology while he was in prison and was extraordinary. Fulton’s therapist had stated “I don’t think of Fulton as a client, I think of him as a co therapist.” “This guy is dangerous, and his reoffend cycle says he should be offending right now.” When Fulton was released he was exposed to the community. He was a registered sex offender but that did not stop him from “hunting his prey.” Detective Quantz soon found out Fulton had joined an astronomy club where he befriended two families with children and had already been giving the kids gifts. To me this is a clear example of why I believe sex offenders should be in prison for life or in a mental institute. I do not think there is any other way for it. Now does this clash with the sex offender’s individual rights? I do not think so because they had a choice either comply with the laws and have his/her rights respected or break the law and loose that right. The choice was theirs to make and they made it by committing the crime. They still have their right to safe housing maybe not in the way they would like to but better than living under a bridge or roaming in our neighborhoods endangering our children.
Many people including myself believe lengthy mandatory prison sentences would deter repeat child sex offenders. But there are those who oppose to such thing. An article in the Houston Chronicle in 2007 stated that some opponents agreed that lengthy sentences would prompt prosecutors to charge offenders with lesser crimes and would deter families from reporting child sexual abuse. It also stated that predators might be more likely to kill their victims to silence them. I see the opponents point but I do not agree with this because lengthy sentences might not stop sexual abuse but will deter sexual abuse offenders. As for short sentences, this will also not stop sexual abuse but will allow for offenders to commit a crime again because they know they will be released sooner rather than later. This allows them to plot their next crime. As for if they are incarcerated for life or in a mental institute they will not have the slight chance to commit another crime. An article I found in the CQ Researcher online talks about a Washington State resident in the late 1980s named Earl Shriner who was a sexual predator.
Earl Shriner had a 24 year history of sexual violence and had spent a decade in prison after kidnapping and raping two 16 –year-old girls. Shortly before he was scheduled to be released from a Washington state prison in 1988, prison officials came across a dilemma. Shriner had drawn pictures and written in his diary about torturing children once he was free. As awful as this looks nothing was done in regards to this because he had already served his time. Shortly after Shriner was released he raped, stabbed, and sexually mutilated a 7 year old boy, who survived the attack and was able to identify his aggressor. It is ridiculous how many children have to go through such a nightmare in order for the law to finally put a sex con in prison. I really believe the only way to decrease sexual crimes and properly place sexual offenders in a safe housing environment for them and ourselves is prison or mental institutes. It cannot be said that these sex cons housing rights are being taken away from them, but it can be said that they have been modified. With every right we also have a choice to either keep our right or lose it. These sex offenders made the choice to possibly lose their right to live in a normal setting. Therefore, they should not be given a second chance and should be incarcerated for life. The victim’s where not given a second chance when they were living such awful crime, then why should the offenders?
links; CQ Researcher online (most articles were found here)
Houston Chronicle 2007
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thesis
Sex offenders should be categorized as a mental illness. If sex offenders commit crime due to mental illness and housing is a human right, then sex offenders should be institutilized.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Teen prostitution (free write)
"Children of the Night tries to ensure the closest thing to a middle-class life for the girls". Teen prostitution is a living nightmare for those who live it. Wether it is by choice or forced into prostitution I believe it is a horrible event. Some of these girls come from broken down homes. Have no families and no support. At times this is the only way out of the particular problem they are facing. Without knowing that prostitution is not the right choice, it is only going to make matters worse. There are some established shelters who are willing to help these girls and one of these is Children of the Night. COTN is an institute that provides hope for young prostitutes. It provides means for these young girls to live a happy life. Which I believe is a human right. We all have the right to live a happy life. Lee Lois is the devoted founder of COTN. It is good to know there are people who are interested in these teens. To most teen prostitution might be a careless matter. To know that there is someone who really cares can really give hope to these teens.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
"OUT IN THE STREETS" (Final draft 1)
Adjusting to the American life after serving in the military is a daunting challenge for the troops. Some troops returning home face the harsh reality of becoming homeless. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless in any given night. The Urban Institute, in conjunction with the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC) estimated and projected that: each year, 2.3 million to 3.5 million people experience homelessness in America. By taking 23% in that range for veterans, that would indicate there are between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans who are homeless at some time during the year. A question frequently asked is, "why are veterans homeless?" Well in addition to the factors affecting homelessness such as; no access to healthcare and affordable housing to name a few. Two major complex factors affecting those veterans are the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse which often leads to depression, anxiety attacks and mental illnesses. Which eventually makes it impossible for the vets to live a normal and secure life.
The psychological effects of taking lives of other human beings are a lifetime effect often leading to a mental disorder. Most would agree with me when I say that this experience would in a way disfunction ones mind. Nicole Goodwin a vet diagnosed with PTSD stated she found herself walking the streets of New York, with a backpack full of her belongings and her 1 yr old daughter. "When I first got back I just wanted to jump into a job and forget about Iraq, but the culture shock from the military to the civilian world hit me", she said. "I was depressed for months". "I couldn't sleep". "I couldn't eat". "The worst thing wasn't the war, it was coming back, and because nobody understood why I was the way I was". This made it difficult for her to maintain a steady job, therefore, a place to live in. Another Iraq soldier by the name "JOE”, expressed to The Christian Science MONITOR in 2005 his trauma in war. "My first time killing somebody was very devastating". He recalled, saying that he fired at a minivan carrying a family of unarmed civilians. Unable to cope with "normal life". The haunting flashbacks of his experiences in war made iit impossible for "Joe" to live a normal life. "Joe" turned to alcohol and drugs. Having these factors interfering with the ability to maintain a secure job, a stable relationship with family or even society often leads vets to become homeless. Some of them do not know anything else other than the war. Often beause some vets go into the military right out of highschool. For those it may be their first "real job".
I experienced something similar with a friend of mine. Jonathan* joined the U.S. Marines in 2001 after he graduated highschool. He became homeless at the age of 23. I remember asking him "why are you homeless, you are a Marine"? He had told me that his aggressiveness and anxiety attacks did not allow him to have control of himself at times. He could not keep a job. If something would upset him he would react violently to the point where he would physically hurt someone at his job sight. He did not have a relationship with his family for the same reason. Fully depressed, he turned to drugs and alcohol which lead him to the streets. His only way out, was going back to what he knew best, the Marines. In 2006 he got killed by a bomb in Iraq. I remember wanting to join the service when I was in high school. Even though I was totally against war. I was enchanted by the advertising of "Be all you can be". To this day I still do not know what was so enchanting to me about that. After I found out what had happened to my friend and knowing all he went through, I was glad I had made the right choice for myself. One would think that the troops will be well taken care of due to the fact that they risk their lives for our country in combat. But as the facts shown above state the opposite, it is not always true. Even though the downfalls do not apply to all service men and women the chances are still there and that was enough for me to think twice about enlisting.
Most of these issues can be corrected with some effort and are generally dealt with by the average Veteran. Those who cannot learn to cope with a regular everyday life will most likely become outcasts, homeless and lost. I believe there is absolutely no excuse for letting this happen to the Veterans. All Americans have the right to a "home". I mean it sounds ridiculous to say there is enough money to pay millions of dollars for bombs, but not enough money to provide shelter. I asked myself now what is the government willing to do about all of this? The Military news stated that in April, Obama introduced legislation dubbed "Homes for Heroes Act". This act would establish grant and voucher programs to encourage development of affordable housing for veterans. Personally, I think this issue will definitely need more than just an act to provide a "normal life", for the veterans. Reality is that we cannot make an overnight change in helping homeless Veterans. Say mainly because war is not an easy intake in a person's life nevertheless, coming out of that "zone". By doing the research about homeless veterans really opened up my eyes. Whenever I saw a homeless veteran standing in a corner holding a sign that read "homeless veteran spare some change", I just thought "oh he's crazy and lazy that is why he is homeless". Little did I know there was a lot more to just being "crazy and lazy". I know that is definitely not where that person wants to be.
links: http://www.nchv.org/
http://www.military.com/
http://www1va.gov/
http://www.csmonitor.com/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles
The psychological effects of taking lives of other human beings are a lifetime effect often leading to a mental disorder. Most would agree with me when I say that this experience would in a way disfunction ones mind. Nicole Goodwin a vet diagnosed with PTSD stated she found herself walking the streets of New York, with a backpack full of her belongings and her 1 yr old daughter. "When I first got back I just wanted to jump into a job and forget about Iraq, but the culture shock from the military to the civilian world hit me", she said. "I was depressed for months". "I couldn't sleep". "I couldn't eat". "The worst thing wasn't the war, it was coming back, and because nobody understood why I was the way I was". This made it difficult for her to maintain a steady job, therefore, a place to live in. Another Iraq soldier by the name "JOE”, expressed to The Christian Science MONITOR in 2005 his trauma in war. "My first time killing somebody was very devastating". He recalled, saying that he fired at a minivan carrying a family of unarmed civilians. Unable to cope with "normal life". The haunting flashbacks of his experiences in war made iit impossible for "Joe" to live a normal life. "Joe" turned to alcohol and drugs. Having these factors interfering with the ability to maintain a secure job, a stable relationship with family or even society often leads vets to become homeless. Some of them do not know anything else other than the war. Often beause some vets go into the military right out of highschool. For those it may be their first "real job".
I experienced something similar with a friend of mine. Jonathan* joined the U.S. Marines in 2001 after he graduated highschool. He became homeless at the age of 23. I remember asking him "why are you homeless, you are a Marine"? He had told me that his aggressiveness and anxiety attacks did not allow him to have control of himself at times. He could not keep a job. If something would upset him he would react violently to the point where he would physically hurt someone at his job sight. He did not have a relationship with his family for the same reason. Fully depressed, he turned to drugs and alcohol which lead him to the streets. His only way out, was going back to what he knew best, the Marines. In 2006 he got killed by a bomb in Iraq. I remember wanting to join the service when I was in high school. Even though I was totally against war. I was enchanted by the advertising of "Be all you can be". To this day I still do not know what was so enchanting to me about that. After I found out what had happened to my friend and knowing all he went through, I was glad I had made the right choice for myself. One would think that the troops will be well taken care of due to the fact that they risk their lives for our country in combat. But as the facts shown above state the opposite, it is not always true. Even though the downfalls do not apply to all service men and women the chances are still there and that was enough for me to think twice about enlisting.
Most of these issues can be corrected with some effort and are generally dealt with by the average Veteran. Those who cannot learn to cope with a regular everyday life will most likely become outcasts, homeless and lost. I believe there is absolutely no excuse for letting this happen to the Veterans. All Americans have the right to a "home". I mean it sounds ridiculous to say there is enough money to pay millions of dollars for bombs, but not enough money to provide shelter. I asked myself now what is the government willing to do about all of this? The Military news stated that in April, Obama introduced legislation dubbed "Homes for Heroes Act". This act would establish grant and voucher programs to encourage development of affordable housing for veterans. Personally, I think this issue will definitely need more than just an act to provide a "normal life", for the veterans. Reality is that we cannot make an overnight change in helping homeless Veterans. Say mainly because war is not an easy intake in a person's life nevertheless, coming out of that "zone". By doing the research about homeless veterans really opened up my eyes. Whenever I saw a homeless veteran standing in a corner holding a sign that read "homeless veteran spare some change", I just thought "oh he's crazy and lazy that is why he is homeless". Little did I know there was a lot more to just being "crazy and lazy". I know that is definitely not where that person wants to be.
links: http://www.nchv.org/
http://www.military.com/
http://www1va.gov/
http://www.csmonitor.com/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Homeless Veterans (revised draft)
Adjusting to the American life after serving in the military is a daunting challenge for the troops. Some troops returning home face the harsh reality of becoming homeless. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless in any given night. The Urban Institute, in conjunction with the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC) estimated and projected that: each year, 2.3 million to 3.5 million people experience homelessness in America. By taking 23% in that range for veterans, that would indicate there are between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans who are homeless at some time during the year. A question frequently asked is, "why are veterans homeless?" Well in addition to the factors affecting homelessness such as; no access to healthcare and affordable housing to name a few. Two major complex factors affecting those veterans are the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse which often leads to depression, anxiety attacks and mental illnesses.
The psychological effects of taking lives of other human beings are a lifetime effect often leading to a mental disorder. Nicole Goodwin a vet diagnosed with PTSD stated she found herself walking the streets of New York, with a backpack full of her belongings and her 1 yr old daughter. When I first got back I just wanted to jump into a job and forget about Iraq, but the culture shock from the military to the civilian world hit me, she said. I was depressed for months. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. the worst thing wasn't the war, it was coming back, because nobody understood why I was the way I was. This made it difficult for her to maintain a steady job, therefore, a place to live in. Another Iraq soldier by the name "JOE", expressed to The Cristian Science MONITOR in 2005 his trauma in war. My first time killing somebody was very devastating. He recalled, saying that he fired at a minivan carrying a family of unarmed civilians. Unable to cope with "normal life", he turned to alcohol and drugs. Having these factors interfering with the ability to maintain a secure job, a stable relationship with family or even society leads vets to become homeless. Some of them do not know anything else other than the war.
I saw something similar happen to a friend of mine. He became homeless at the age of 23. I remember asking him ''why are you homeless you are a Marine"? He had told me that his aggressiveness and anxiety attacks did not allow him to have control of himself at times. He could not keep a job. If something would upset him he would react violently to the point where he would physically hurt someone at his job sight. He did not have a relationship with his family for the same reason. Fully depressed, he turned to drugs and alcohol which lead him to the streets. His only way out was going back to what he knew best, the Marines. In 2006 he got killed by a bomb in Iraq. I remember wanting to join the service when I was in highschool. After I knew what happened to my friend and all he went through I am glad I made the right choice for myself. One would think that the troops will be well taken care of due to the fact that they risk their lives for our country in combat. I know I did. Even though the downfalls do not apply to all service men and women the chances are still there and that was enough for me to think twice about enlisting.
Most of these issues can be corrected with some effort and are generally dealt with by the average Veteran. Those who can not learn to cope will most likely become outcasts, homeless and lost. I believe there is absolutely no excuse for letting this happen to the Veterans. I asked myself now what is the government willing to do about all of this? The Military news stated that in April, Obama introduced legislation dubbed "Homes for Heroes Act". This act would establish grant and voucher programs to encourage development of affordable housing for veterans. Personally, I think this issue will definitely need more than just an act to provide a "normal life", for the veterans. Reality is that we cannot make an overnight change in helping homeless Veterans. Say mainly because war is not an easy intake in a person's life nevertheless, coming out of that "zone". Next time I see a homeless person standing in a corner holding a sign that reads "homeless veteran spare some change", I will not be judgemental.
The psychological effects of taking lives of other human beings are a lifetime effect often leading to a mental disorder. Nicole Goodwin a vet diagnosed with PTSD stated she found herself walking the streets of New York, with a backpack full of her belongings and her 1 yr old daughter. When I first got back I just wanted to jump into a job and forget about Iraq, but the culture shock from the military to the civilian world hit me, she said. I was depressed for months. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. the worst thing wasn't the war, it was coming back, because nobody understood why I was the way I was. This made it difficult for her to maintain a steady job, therefore, a place to live in. Another Iraq soldier by the name "JOE", expressed to The Cristian Science MONITOR in 2005 his trauma in war. My first time killing somebody was very devastating. He recalled, saying that he fired at a minivan carrying a family of unarmed civilians. Unable to cope with "normal life", he turned to alcohol and drugs. Having these factors interfering with the ability to maintain a secure job, a stable relationship with family or even society leads vets to become homeless. Some of them do not know anything else other than the war.
I saw something similar happen to a friend of mine. He became homeless at the age of 23. I remember asking him ''why are you homeless you are a Marine"? He had told me that his aggressiveness and anxiety attacks did not allow him to have control of himself at times. He could not keep a job. If something would upset him he would react violently to the point where he would physically hurt someone at his job sight. He did not have a relationship with his family for the same reason. Fully depressed, he turned to drugs and alcohol which lead him to the streets. His only way out was going back to what he knew best, the Marines. In 2006 he got killed by a bomb in Iraq. I remember wanting to join the service when I was in highschool. After I knew what happened to my friend and all he went through I am glad I made the right choice for myself. One would think that the troops will be well taken care of due to the fact that they risk their lives for our country in combat. I know I did. Even though the downfalls do not apply to all service men and women the chances are still there and that was enough for me to think twice about enlisting.
Most of these issues can be corrected with some effort and are generally dealt with by the average Veteran. Those who can not learn to cope will most likely become outcasts, homeless and lost. I believe there is absolutely no excuse for letting this happen to the Veterans. I asked myself now what is the government willing to do about all of this? The Military news stated that in April, Obama introduced legislation dubbed "Homes for Heroes Act". This act would establish grant and voucher programs to encourage development of affordable housing for veterans. Personally, I think this issue will definitely need more than just an act to provide a "normal life", for the veterans. Reality is that we cannot make an overnight change in helping homeless Veterans. Say mainly because war is not an easy intake in a person's life nevertheless, coming out of that "zone". Next time I see a homeless person standing in a corner holding a sign that reads "homeless veteran spare some change", I will not be judgemental.
links: http://www.nchv.org/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Homeless Veterans (essay draft)
Adjusting to the American life after serving in the military is a daunting challenge for the troops. Soldiers returning home face the harsh reality of becoming homeless. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that neraly 200,000 veterans are homeless in any given night. A question frequently asked is,"why are the veterans homeless?" In addition, to the factors affecting homelessness such as; no access to healthcare and affordable housing to name a few. Two major complex factors affecting soldiers are the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse. The majority of veterans and soldiers cannot handle coming back to a civilian life after a traumatic war. Leading to mental disorders. The psychological effects of taking lives of other human beings are a lifetime effect. As an Iraq soldier expressed, " My first time killing somebody was very devastating." He recalled, saying that he fired at a minivan carrying a family of unarmed civilians. Unable to cope with "normal life," many turn to alcohol and drugs. Having these factors interfering with the ability to maintain a secure job, a stable relationship with family or even society and causing them to become homeless. You would think that the troops will be well taken care of due to the fact that they risked their lives for our country in combat. I know I did. That is merely a fact. Since the VA only reaches about 25% of those in need, leaving 300,000 veterans to seek help from local government agencies and service organizations in their communities. Now what is the government willinfg to do about all of this? The Military news stated that in April, Obama introduced legislation dubbed "Homes for Heroes Act." This act would establish grant and voucher programs to encourage development of affordable housing for veterans. Personally, I think this issue will definitely need more than just an act to provide a "normal life," for the veterans. Reality is that we cannot make an overnight change in helping homeless veterans. I say mainly because war is not an easy intake in a person's life nevertheless, coming out of that "zone."
links: http://www.nchv.org/
http://www.military.com/
http://www1.va.gov/
http://www.csmonitor.com/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles
links: http://www.nchv.org/
http://www.military.com/
http://www1.va.gov/
http://www.csmonitor.com/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles
Monday, July 7, 2008
Shanghai Living
Looking at this picture is sadly overwelming. I can see that the family that lives in that small space feels suffocated. By what I see; their kitchen, bedroom and living room are in the same space. The family uses the top part of what might be a bunk bed, as their storage or closet. I can only imagine how hot it might get in there by looking at the two fans they have. It seems like to me that the woman's face screams out sorrow. While the man tries to seal his hopelessness with a smile. This is indeed very sad, it reminds me of how blessed I am to have a place that allows me to be and feel comfortable. Even though I have seen similar scenes before it still impacts me. All I can say is that instead of complaining about what we all don't have , we should be thankful for what we do have.
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