Ga. man gets life sentence in beating deaths of 8

Jordan Brewer Article 2

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/article/Ga-man-gets-life-sentence-in-beating-deaths-of-8-4943576.php

Russ Bynum, San Antonio Express News October 31, 2013.

Category of problem: Death penalty or life in prison for multiple murders

Level of problem: State

Who does this law affect: murderers who are awaiting trial and the families and friends of those killed.

How is this important to families or individuals?
Many family members of those that were murdered want more than anything than the same thing to happen to their murderer.  This obviously is not always the right case but in some circumstances, the jury obviously rules it to be right.

My opinion on the article:
I have never been in a situation where murder was present in my family and the person was awaiting trial, so it is very difficult for me to chime in on this conversation.  I personally believe the death penalty in SOME circumstances is absolutely the right thing to do.  If it was a crime of passion and the murderer had no criminal record and the person he or she killed harmed him or someone else then I obviously have some mercy and think the death penalty would not be necessary in some cases.  15 to life just leaves so much room for other murders.  If the person is prone to violence like in this situation, killing a staggering 8 people not even with a gun, but by beating them to death, then I just don't see how it could be a good idea to let this individual live.  He is getting life without parole but that just means he literally has nothing to live for knowing he will never be out and use this violence in prison against other inmates or even against guards.  I just think this might need to be one of those cases where capital punishment might be a good idea. 

Online solicitation law overturned, but D.A. still confident

Jordan Brewer Article 1

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Online-solicitation-law-overturned-but-D-A-4944541.php

Mark Wilson San Antonio Express News October 31, 2013

Category of problem: online sexual solicitation to a minor

Level of problem: National

This article concerns: minors of both genders and sexual predators

How does this article affect families or individuals?
because of this overturn parents will need to start being even more cautious as to what their children are doing online.  Before, online sexual predators had a lot more to lose than they do now.  Without this criminal act being much of a penalty anymore, we could start seeing tighter regulations online within families. 

My opinion on the article:
I liked the fact that this was previously a felony charge even for only being charged with sexual implications.  I have no respect for this act and believe it should be charged with at a minimum of a third degree felony, if not even higher.  Nothing good comes from these "innocent" chats online, only children being raped or kidnapped.  When you make the charges less harsh then these people will be way more inclined to go back to targeting children online whereas before I'm sure the thought of a felony charge scared many of them away or at least made them be a lot more cautious and a lot less effective at obtaining their goal which we can only hope now that never happens.  The article goes onto say that the penalty before of third degree felony is way too harsh and actually unconstitutional via way of freedom of speech.  I definitely do not like this and can only hope it goes back before this terrible problem gets even worse than it already is. 

''Texas officials shows how much they care our minors''

1. http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/texas-appeals-court-strikes-law-banning-adult-onli/nbcxR

2. Category of problem: Society
 

3    3.    Level of problem: State level

4    4. The article concerns:  How Texas appeals court is striking the banning of minor and adult sex talks online.

5   5.  Why is this important to families/individuals OR how does it affect individuals/families?

It is important to families or individuals because of your child are talking to old man who wants to take advantage of it. It is OK by the law.

6    6. What are your views on the issue/policy?

    This is policy is crazy. Have Texas come to a point where we no longer care for our teens or minors anymore. I know some people will say keep your kids from that type of website but you should know kids will do whatever they want with regardless what their parents say. At this age they will be feeling grow and what to try things on their own and which is expected. I think it is sad because I feel like they are just basically handing them over to people who wants to do them harm. How can Texas wants to allows adults to have sex talks with minors and not see anything wrong with that. It is like saying this is my little girl who may not much about sex but pleases corrupt her mind with your dirty fantasies that you don’t want to wants your partner to find out about but it is all good if you share it with my kid. I am saddened by the fact that it seems that there is no innocent children or children who need to be protected and love are just been hand over to pervy wants to use them for their dirty deeds.  Parents need to  try to do whatever they can to kids their kids from this ridiculous law because it will only cause harm and all pains than teens need in their life. Life is hard enough without this craziness. So what happens when the pervy end up using these young girls to have their fantasies? We as people need to do repeal as against this law as soon as possible.

Wife Gets Buried in Front Yard

Austin American-Statesman - Oct. 27, A18
Category: City Ordinances
Level: Local/State
This article is concerning an issue that families/individuals face.

Why it is important:
 Because there is no official rule on burial inside the city limits of this specific town, it is hard to say that this man is breaking the law. although private burials are very rare within towns an cities, clear ordinances need to be established for the few times the situation may arise.

My views:
This story pulled at my heart strings and that is exactly why I chose it. It may not be traditional and everyone might not agree with this man's decision to bury his wife in the front yard, but without a solid ordinance that clears up the legality of the situation, there is no real way to prove that his actions are illegal. I am sure that everyone can relate, in some way or another, to wanting to fulfill the final wishes of a loved one. It may be a long shot, but I am going to compare this to inmates on death row. Prisoners receive their final wish in the form of a meal. This woman received her final wish in the form of a burial site. Why would anyone want to deny her that? As for the question of who will take over upkeep on the site at the time of the husband's death, I would imagine that responsibility going to their five children as a house with that much history is sure to remain in the family. In the end, Mr. Davis proposed a compromise that would include the removal of the coffin and the cremation of his wife. In agreeing to this, I am pretty sure he is also agreeing to the loss of funds he put into installing the grave site. I don't see any reason for this compromise to be denied but if the yard looks the same in the end, I am not sure I understand what the argument was really about.

''Two school are on a lock down due to police looking for a suspect''

1. http://www.chron.com/news/article/2-Spring-schools-locked-down-as-police-search-for-4939641.php?cmpid=hpbn
2. Category of problem: Education 

3.      Level of problem: Local 

4.      The article concerns: There are two schools are on lock down due to the fact that there is a suspect in that area.

5.      Why is this important to families/individuals OR how does it affect individuals/families?

It is important to families or individual because a parent you don’t want to think about your child been in a lock down.

6.      What are your views on the issue/policy?

It is ridiculous what is happening in schools nowadays. Why will an elementary and middle school kids need to be a lock down due to some grow up been in responsible and doing what is wrong. No body want their child or relative been put in this situation. To me it is sad what is happening because schools are supposed to be a safe environment for kids not a place where they are put in a lock down like it is jail. What is happening to the world that we live in? I know it said that the kids are having normal activities but how can one concentration in classes when they are in a lock down due to the fact there is a suspect in that area.  I know they did the lock down due to the fact for the kids to be safe. What suspects will want to be in a school zone. How safe are the kids really since they have to be in a lock down. I hope the police find and catch this suspect as soon as possible because this kids deserve better than this. I am pretty sure they have their own problem in their homes so they don’t need to come school and have to live in a fear of not been safe because there is a suspect in that area. I know parents are worrying about their children and if they are safety. I am glad the schools are trying to do what they can so these kids can be safe and I hope they are really safe.

''An offier is shot in the face and chest while folling suspects''

1.http://www.chron.com/news/article/Stafford-police-These-MS-13-gang-members-sought-4935719.php?cmpid=hpts

2.       Category of problem: Society
  
3.      Level of problem: Local

 4.      The article concern: An officer is shot by suspects that she pulls over. 

5.      Why is this important to families/individuals OR how does it affect individuals/families?

It is important to families or individual because if you have a family member or you are an officer and to think that someone can just shoot them or you.

6.      What are your views on the issue/policy

It is sad to me because an officer get shot while doing her job. It is crazy what people will do to get out of trouble. Why will you shoot an officer who has not done anything to you? To me that is wrong because she didn’t do anything to be shot at. It will have been different if she opens fire for no reason and you guys got back in self-defense but to shoot an officer who didn’t do anything it is just wrong. In the article it talks about three men who shot her in the face and in her chest.  After they shot her, she fire her gun back and got into her car and follow them for more than four miles. I think it is heroic for anyone who is shot to follow the suspect and still willing to put her life as risk. I think people that service us from police to army they are hero. Still they are putting their lives at risks each and every day for the safety for the citizens of this country. I also they need to really support and appreciate the people who services us by putting their lives on the line for all of us. With this type of work they don’t get pay enough and they must really love what they do to keep doing this. I know the article said she is at home recovery I hope she gets better soon. So she can keep doing the great work that she is doing. I know one of three suspects are in custody right. I hope that they find the other two soon so they don’t end up hurting anybody as well.

Gambling

1.http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/New-law-allows-county-wide-crack-down-on-game-4931101.php?t=065fb4344c
2. Category of problem: gambling
3. Level of problem: local level
4. The article concerns: 'Game Rooms' in Harris county are going to be even more regulated by the local police
5. Why is this important to individuals/families OR how does it affect individuals/families?
       --Cracking down on 'game rooms' will benefit the people who live or work around them. The new regulations will effect the owners business, which might decline.
6. What are your views on the problem/issue?
       --I personally like to gamble. I have been going to Las Vegas since I was little. I used to dream about turning 21 and being able to participate at the craps table. Gambling should stay at the Craps table, black jack table, or whatever games people like to play in Las Vegas. Gambling should not be in our own back yards. Cracking down on the 'game rooms' is something that should have been done a long time ago. There are too many people that get into a very large debt because of gambling. The pressure that comes along with that could not only be dangerous to the player, but also to the people that are around them.

      The new regulations help determine where game rooms can be located. I think being able to zone them is a good idea. I am happy to hear that someone is enforcing the idea that game rooms need to be far away from schools, playgrounds, residences, neighborhoods, places of religious worship, and anywhere else they could be detrimental and harmfully influential to children. Children are so young and innocent that the probability of watching someone going in and out of a game room could pique their interest. The words “game room” themselves would be enough to entice a child to sneak into one and check the place out.

      "Illegal game rooms are magnets for criminals and robberies because they are "cash rich" environments." The new regulations will hopefully help to decrease problems like these. I feel that most illegal game rooms come out of legal game rooms in the day time. By regulating the legal game rooms, hopefully the “magnetic field” will be counteracted.

Airport workers paid under the table

1. Mirabella, Lorraine. (2013 Oct 24) BWI restaurant workers file lawsuit over wages. The Baltimore Sun http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-airport-workers-lawsuit-20131024,0,6558363.story

2. Category of problem- workers

3. Level of problem- local

4. The article concerns: Workers at the Baltimore Airport are filing a lawsuit against their employer for not fully compensating them.

5. How does this affect individuals? It is clear that the lawsuit is being filed for a illegal act against the employer not fully compensating their employees, so people aren't getting paid.

6. My opinion: I don;t know how this issue hasn't been served sooner. Why are employees just now standing up and taking action against this issue? As far at the lawsuit goes, these employees have every right to take action against the Airport for not compensating them. In my own personal opinion, I have outgrown the employee mindset of believing I should work for someone else my whole life. I believe in taking control of your own life, being your own boss, creating your own income, and etc. Pretty much summing the life up of an entrepreneur. Upon these employees lawsuit taking place, they should consider looking into other opportunities out there and not take the chance of being screwed over by a workplace. Many people settle for an average life and don't know what else to do besides work a job and work for someone else which in return is making someone elses dreams come true. What happened to dreaming big and aspiring to be something great in life? I feel as if people get shut down for actually believing in doing something different from the social norm, which now days is saying to go to college and get a degree and work for the rest of your life. That sounds no fun.

Gun Violence

Website: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/23/andy-lopez_n_4152819.html?utm_hp_ref=crime Category: Crime Level of Problem: Local Article Concerns: Gun violence on individuals Why it affects families and individual: This tragic event helps individuals and families become aware on the effects of gun on our society. It also helps caution our law enforcement to assess situations properly so innocent people do not get hurt or lose their lives. This is a mistake that should never have been made and more caution should have been used to save this innocent child. Yes he should have dropped the weapon but I feel like they might not have asked as many times as they say they did. I do agree that they were protecting themselves and this is so unfortunate that they learned that this boy was harmless. I feel as if these police officers were just doing their job but they could have been more in tune with what was going on. I do not know how this gun could look so real to them but they are the ones that will have to deal with killing him. I sympathize immensely with his family who I’m sure are not only angry but confused on how this happened. Maybe these guns that are being handed to children should be regulated more so that these things don’t happen. I don’t want to get on the parents because this is such a tragic loss but maybe more parents will be cautious in their kids handling things that resemble real weapons. The manufacturers of the weapons also should think about how realistic they are making these guns and how they could eventually cause harm to others. Reading more I am appalled that he was shot seven times and wonder where the heck their tasers or other means of force are. I think our country is getting so used to using guns as a means of protection and with everything that has been happening with gun violence it makes them on edge. We should look more into the safety of guns and how good they are for our country to use on a regular basis. This was a mistake but it might have been prevented if so much gun violence was not happening daily.

City planning expansion of East Austin Shelter

Week # 8 Article # 3

 

1.    Wesley Gardner (2013, October 25) City planning expansion of East Austin shelter. Austin American Statesman

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/city-planning-expansion-of-east-austin-shelter/nbYrZ/

2.    Category of problem: East Austin shelter, expansion

3.    Level of problem: Local

4.    This article concerns: A potential problem/issue that could affect families/individuals

5.    Importance/affect on families/individuals: This is importance/affect on families/individuals because it will be using tax payers money to pay for the expansion of the East Austin shelter

6.    My input: I think that the city planning to expand the East Austin shelter is a good idea. I think it is something that is great need because there are so many people that need help because they have hit a rough patch in their lives. I think by expanding the East Austin shelter will give more women with children a better chance to get back on their feet and faster which in the long run it will keep them off government help. Also, if the people have some where safe to go it keeps them off the street, safe, and also the other people in the city safe also. If there are less homeless people on out streets it keeps the city a cleaner and safer place for everyone in the city homeless or not homeless.

Sandy Hook

Website: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/25/sandy-hook-demolition_n_4165075.html?utm_hp_ref=crime Category: Crime Level of Problem: Local Article Concerns: People who have lost loved ones and families who have suffered tragedies Why it affects families and individual: This can help show others involved in school shootings that they are not alone and know that they have support. It is so tragic what happened at Sandy Hook and I believe that tearing down the school is a way for families and individuals to heal. In order to relieve the many people who suffered through this shooting the school and hopefully bad memories should attempt to be destroyed. It is comforting to see the lengths people went through to contribute money and time to help heal the hearts of these people. I cannot understand why people commit such cruel and heartless acts that are catastrophic to many. It is especially saddening to know that these children and families will be scared for the rest of their lives and have to undergo different counseling in order to just be normal again. To take an innocent child’s life and get some sick joy out of it blows my mind. I want to ask these sick individuals who commit these acts what could make them do such a thing. There answers though would never give any reason to ruin the lives of many and has no benefit to anyone. There are not many people that I would wish harm on but I hope these sick individuals get what they deserve. The new school hopefully will shine a new light on these children’s lives and help mend how they are feeling. I for one would not want to go back to the place where I saw the people I knew killed and went through such a horrible life changing event. I hope this helps each individual deal with what happened and I am glad the community is coming together to help out.

Safety Plan in Response to Foster Child's Death

1.http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/increase-in-foster-child-deaths-prompts-safety-pla/nbYXd/

2. Category of Problem/Issue: Social Services

3. Level of Problem: National

4. The article concerns:
-There have been 8 foster child deaths in 2013, and out of those 8, 7 have been related to negligence, and one to abuse.

5. Why is this important to individuals/families OR How does it affect individuals/families?

-This safety plan could potentially improve the living conditions and lives of foster children who could be living in negligent or abusive homes. Some examples include a two year old who died after her foster mother slammed her head on the floor and an 11 month old baby just last week was fatally injured near the aunt's home in Cedar Park.

6. What are your views on the issue/problem?

-The safety plan is going to increase the number of unannounced visits to all foster homes, which I think will probably be the most effective way to help detect an unsafe or unstable environment. Also, by limiting the number of medically needy foster children will help avoid any neglect charges. I don't personally know very much about foster homes, but from what I know, they are usually not in very stable homes or even neighborhoods. This affects these children and they way they are raised, and ultimately affects the kinds of adults they grow up to be. When children are not raised in stable homes, or even in abusive homes, they tend to get in trouble and other problems down the road. It's a cycle that has to be broken. 

A Tighter Rein on Painkillers

1.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/business/fda-seeks-tighter-control-on-prescriptions-for-class-of-painkillers.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=us

2. Category of Problem/Issue: Medical/Health

3. Level of Problem: National

4. The article concerns:
-A shift in policy to have tighter control on how hydrocodone is prescribed, like OxyContin.

5. Why is this important to individuals/families OR How does it affect individuals/families?

-According to the article, prescription drugs account for three-quarters of all drug overdose deaths in the US and drugs that contain hydrocodone account for 70% of prescription pills. Experts are saying that the loose rules are contributing to addictions and deaths. On the other hand, this could pose hardships on vulnerable patients with serious chronic pain problems.

6. What are your views on the issue/problem?

-Narcotics are definitely not anything to be played around with, they are serious drugs and unfortunately a lot of people become addicted to them. If doctors are allowing patients too many refills or just too many pills at a time, a patient could easily have the ability to abuse their prescription and become addicted. Ultimately, I think that this all falls under the responsibility of doctors. Doctors should be careful of who they give these prescriptions to, and how much they prescribe. They should also be aware of the patient's situation and not prescribe to people he or she sees having potential in drug abuse.  I'm not 100% sure about how I feel in regards to the change in policy, because it's not currently affecting me. I think people with chronic pain will definitely be inconvenienced, and I'm unsure about how big of an impact tighter regulation will have. 

Safer Animal Food In Our Country

Safer Animal Food In Our Country

1.      http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/25/fda-safe-pet-food/3187335/
2.      Category* of Problem/Issue identified in article: Food Safety
3.      Level of problem/issue: Federal
4.      This article is concerning a problem that is affecting animals and its owners and some rules proposed by the FDA to require safer animal food.

5.   This is important to individuals because the health of the owners of the animals may be affected if a food borne illness is transmitted from the animal to the human. The safety of the animal food is really important in order to avoid infections among individuals and their animals.

 

6.   I think this new rules proposed by the Food and Drug Administration it’s an excellent idea not only to improve animals health but also to prevent any infection that can be transmitted from animals to humans. I think is important to regulate any type of food that enters our country. It’s the responsible of the government organizations to make sure the industry provide safe food not only to humans but also to animals. This new rule would also make industry more responsible on what is going in to their products some t times I think the owners of the industry always look only to get cheaper products in order to sell their products and obtain more money from them without any responsibility on investigate if they are safe and would not affect humans in a negative way. This also would help to know the cause of the many deaths in dogs probably linked to jerky treats in our country. Food safety is always a very important factor that should be always took into account among the government because is helping to improve citizen’s health and prevent any possible outbreak.

''There seem to be increase of death in foster child''

1.  http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/increase-in-foster-child-deaths-prompts-safety-pla/nbYXd/

2.      Category of problem: CPS 
3.      Level of problem: Local 
4.      The article concerns: The death of 11-months baby change how the CPS is operating. 
5.      Why is this important to families/individuals OR how does it affect individuals/families?

It affects families or individual because nobody wants to baby or child hurt by the person or people who are supposed to protect them.

6.      What are your views on the issue/policy?

I think it is crazy because their kids are taking from their parents due to the fact that they are either been physically, sexually, emotion, neglect abuse. So, if their kids are now taking to a place where they are to be safe not been worse than what they were enduring before. I think it is sad that those kids are dying due to the fact that the new place or parent isn’t doing what they are supposed to be doing. These kids have been through even pain for the new parent or foster parent to do things that have them ending up dying. These are needs love, support, care and protection not death. I am glad the CPS are now having more things like on ‘‘unannounced visits to all foster homes’’ because I think it is really needed. So it is help because if the foster homes don’t know that they are then they can’t pretend everything is all good. How you can slam a 2-year head on the floor. I know toddlers can be handful at this stage because they have two to three words that they use a lot. Without of what the toddler did or didn’t do what will make you kill a toddler who is defenseless against you? People really need more educating about what to expect when it comes to kids that they want to adopt. Adoption kids are not always easy to handle sometimes due to the fact their early life was not easy or your particular kid life.